A hybrid car is a vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine with one or more electrical motors to increase the output, fuel efficiency, and torque. Certain models rely more on the electrical motor, others prioritize the gas-powered engine, with the rest combining the performance of both. Hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius, often utilize features such as regenerative braking to help reclaim some of the power drained throughout the drive.

Other hybrid cars (plug-in hybrids or PHEVs) allow for external charging sources to be used such as wall outlet chargers or quick-chargers that are often seen at refueling stations. These hybrid cars feature a larger hybrid battery which allows you to drive significantly longer without the need of assistance from the gasoline-powered engine. Hybrid cars and PHEV hybrids have been drastically improving over the years, causing their popularity to skyrocket. While the majority of hybrid cars available to you boast incredible fuel efficiency and range, there are certainly some models to think twice about, due to the fuel efficiency being more similar to that of a non-hybrid car.

Related: 15 Hybrid Vehicles That Offer Incredible Fuel Efficiency

10 Ford Fusion Hybrid

42 Combined MPG

Ford introduced its fusion hybrid with the 2010 model lineup, starting out with an MPG of 39. This number eventually rose to 42 with the next generation of Fusion Hybrids, giving it a gain of only a few miles per gallon more than the most fuel-efficient conventional gasoline-powered vehicles on the market.

Vehicle Specs

A plug-in hybrid version of this car was produced, named the Ford Fusion Energi. This car featured the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as the Fusion Hybrid, paired with one electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery. The Fusion Energi has a combined horsepower of 195 with a fully charged battery. You can expect an all-electric range of 22 miles and a combined range of 550 miles from the Energi.

9 Ford C-MAX Hybrid

40 Combined MPG

While featuring a spacious and comfortable interior, the C-MAX Hybrid shares a con with the Fusion Hybrid in that it offers a low MPG rating when compared to other hybrids on the market. At 40 combined MPG, you can find cheaper, standard gasoline-powered cars that offer very similar fuel efficiency such as the 1.2-liter three-cylinder Mitsubishi Mirage.

Vehicle Specs

The C-MAX Hybrid is front-wheel drive and features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with a battery pack and two electric motors. The C-MAX is based on the Ford Focus platform, meaning it shares many of the same handling characteristics as the Focus. This car is a bit quicker than its hybrid competitors with a 0 to 60 MPH of 7 seconds, while its fuel efficiency falls behind.

Related: 10 Non-Hybrid Cars With The Best Fuel Efficiency

8 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

40 Combined MPG

The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is a front-wheel drive, four-door sedan that seats five. It has great features that come standard such as Blind-Spot Alert and Enhanced Active Park Assist. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with the electric motor makes 188 horsepower, while only getting 40 miles to the gallon. Ford has ceased production on many of their sedans, making this car slightly more viable - although the rated MPG can easily be beaten by other hybrid cars.

Vehicle Specs

Being that this car is a Lincoln, you can expect a luxurious interior, with a backup camera added for your and others' safety. However, similar to the Ford Fusion Hybrid or C-MAX Hybrid, the MKZ Hybrid has many decent features, while lacking in the category that you're typically concerned with when driving a hybrid - fuel efficiency.

7 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

35 Combined MPG

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid with a full-electric range of 17 miles. The Crosstrek Hybrid uses a flat four-cylinder engine paired with the hybrid system, making 148 horsepower. The higher ground clearance and all-wheel drive system allow for more off-road potential, while the plug-in capabilities allow you to recharge the electric system in around two hours on a 240V charger.

Vehicle Specs

While this car has many great features similar to other Subaru cars such as the spacious interior, the modern assistance systems, and infotainment systems, it follows the same trend as the rest of the cars on the list, which is the fuel efficiency being less than ideal for a hybrid. The price is also a bit higher than you'll see when compared to other hybrids. With this being said, there are not many other hybrid cars available to you that also focus on off-road capabilities.

Related: 10 Hybrid Cars That Are Also Surprisingly Powerful

6 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

29 Combined MPG

Unlike most of the other cars listed, the 2008 to 2010 Chevy Malibu hybrid is a mild hybrid, meaning the hybrid system is not able to move the car on its own (not after three MPH at least). The Malibu Hybrid features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that has 164 horsepower. It features an electric motor, whose main purpose is to start the gasoline engine as well as provide a small boost in power under heavy load conditions. Compared to the standard gasoline-powered Malibu, you'll only gain a few extra miles per gallon.

Vehicle Specs

With a 0 to 60 of 11 seconds, the Malibu Hybrid doesn't excel in acceleration either, being slower than the Toyota Prius and Camry hybrids. One good feature of this car, however, is the interior. The Chevy Malibu Hybrid has a spacious interior with two different color options to choose from on the inside of the car. The trunk is not obstructed by batteries, giving you a nice amount of storage room.

5 Saturn Aura Hybrid

26 Combined MPG

The Saturn Aura Hybrid shares the same front-wheel-drive platform as the Chevy Malibu Hybrid. It also features the same powertrain as the Malibu Hybrid, having a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine boosted by a small electric motor. This improves fuel efficiency by four MPG in the city and one MPG on the highway when compared to the standard 2.4-liter non-hybrid Aura.

Vehicle Specs

As you would expect from a car similar to the Malibu Hybrid, the interior is decent and roomy. You may see some cheap-looking pieces here and there, but overall good quality. None of this could matter to you, however, if fuel efficiency is what you're concerned about. If that does happen to be the case, 26 combined MPG just won't cut it.

Related: 10 Best Plug-In Hybrids In 2023

4 BMW ActiveHybrid 5

26 Combined MPG

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is a mid-size luxury hybrid sedan that is more concerned with using the hybrid system to aid in acceleration and drivability than saving gas. A turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine is paired with an AC synchronous electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack to provide a combined horsepower of 335.

Vehicle Specs

The 8-speed automatic transmission enables a smooth and seamless driving experience, and the performance figures are good too. The fuel efficiency is not, however, with a fuel economy rating of 23 in the city and 34 on the highway. A price of nearly double the more efficient hybrids from brands such as Toyota or Honda defeats the purpose of a car meant to save you money.

3 Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid

26 Combined MPG

The Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid is another mid-sized luxury sedan powered by a combination of an electric motor with a six-cylinder engine. The E400 Hybrid features a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that has 329 horsepower when combined with the electric motor. The electric motor on the E400 hybrid is able to operate the vehicle up to 22 MPH and is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack.

Vehicle Specs

The E400 is able to achieve an estimated 24 MPG in the city and 31 on the highway, making this car similar to the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 in terms of fuel efficiency. However, this still puts these cars nearly 30 MPG below the most fuel-efficient gasoline-only cars, and 100 MPG below the most fuel-efficient hybrid, the Toyota Prius Prime SE.

Related: 10 Things Most People Don't Know About Mild Hybrid Vehicles

2 BMW ActiveHybrid 7

20 Combined MPG

Being in the higher price range of hybrids, the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is by no means a fuel-saver. This car is 25 percent more expensive than the platform that it is based on, the 750. While costing significantly more, there is only a gain of 15 to 17 percent in fuel economy increase when compared to the standard gasoline-powered 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8.

Vehicle Specs

The ActiveHybrid 7 utilizes a 20-horsepower electric motor that is powered by a trunk-mounted lithium-ion battery. This motor only provides an additional 3 MPG increase compared to the standard gasoline-powered engine but does add 155 pound-feet of torque and an overall power increase of 13 percent.

1 Lexus LS 600h L

20 Combined MPG

Being the least fuel-efficient car on this list, you can expect a car similar to Mercedes' or BMW's hybrids. The Lexus LS 600h L features a long-stroke 5.0-liter version of the V-8 seen in the LS460, while also being paired with a 221 horsepower AC electric motor for a combined output rating of 438 horsepower.

Vehicle Specs

An all-wheel-drive system with a Torsen limited-slip differential is standard in the hybrid 600h L. This car is powerful and fast, has a luxurious interior, and a hefty price tag. One thing it does not have, however, is good fuel efficiency. An estimated 19 MPG is what you can expect for city driving, with it slightly rising to 23 MPG on the highway.