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Tesla’s Wild Ride Continues
If you’re looking to save money in your budget and at the pump, have a look at our rundown of the 10 best used hybrid cars under $15,000.
Mindfulness on a Budget
Though fully electric vehicles (EVs) continue to dominate auto industry headlines with their promise of eliminating the use of fossil fuels, by and large, they are pricey propositions. So, what’s a person who’s interested in reducing their automotive carbon footprint – but without unlimited funds – to do? Read this article covering the best used hybrid cars under $15,000, that’s what.
As we dive into here, once you step away from strict internal combustion, you enter a world of plug-free hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and EVs. Today we’ll be sticking to the plug-free variety that blends relative ease of use with higher fuel efficiency. Before we get started, remember that when it comes to buying used cars, you’ll want to consider age versus mileage – a topic we discuss here – and what the vehicle’s maintenance history looks like.
Toyota Prius
Something of a standard bearer, Toyota’s Prius is a perennial hybrid favorite with a long history that we look back on here. An ideal blend of Toyota reliability and high efficiency – as in 58 mpg for city driving on Eco models – the Prius is an obvious choice for this list of best used hybrid cars under $15,000. With that budget, you can secure a fourth-generation model, which arrived in 2016, showing around 47,000 miles for just under 15 grand. Though the tiny Prius C is less money, it is also far smaller inside. Conversely, you can spend up a bit to secure the Prius V, which resembles a small minivan.
Honda Insight
Honda’s response to the Prius was relatively unsuccessful in part because it couldn’t crack the 50-mpg threshold. However, 41 mpg in city driving is nothing to sneeze at and a used second-gen Insight starting in 2010 leans inexpensive. A nicely equipped 2014 EX model with just 40,000 miles will run you about $13,000. Along with automatic climate control, the EX comes with alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the option for navigation. Like nearly every used hybrid car on this list, the Insight is powered by a small four-cylinder gas engine paired with a battery-powered electric motor to spin the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission.
Hyundai Ioniq
Before Ioniq became Hyundai’s electric-powered sub-brand, it was an Elantra-based hybrid. And a very good one at that. Avoiding the deliberately weird styling some automakers feel is necessary to sell a hybrid, the Ioniq, which ran from 2017 to 2022, looks rather normal. But with a fuel economy rating of 57 mpg around town, it’s a whole different animal. Thanks to Hyundai’s trademark value proposition, you can obtain an Ioniq from 2019 with around 70,000 miles for under $15,000. The relative newness means modern amenities like Apple and Android smartphone mirroring, adaptive cruise control, and heated front seats are all standard.
Lexus CT 200h
Easily the fanciest car on this list of used hybrids, with perhaps the most comfortable ride, the Lexus CT 200h was produced between 2011 and 2017. From Toyota’s luxury division, it rides on the Corolla platform with a Prius drivetrain – that delivers 43 mpg in city driving – and has all the trimmings Lexus is known for. A moonroof and dual-zone automatic climate control are standard, while leather upholstery, navigation, and a 10-speaker audio system were all available options. Wrapped in a handsome hatchback suit with the Lexus “Spindle Grille”, you can strut about in a nicely maintained CT200h with around 84,000 miles for $14,995.
Ford C-Max
Built from 2013 to 2019, Ford’s C-Max is an ideal hybrid for those requiring family cars. Like many of the options on this list, the C-Max seats five, but a tall greenhouse lets in all the light for an airy, open feel to the cabin. It also boasts 53 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear bench folded. There are plenty of options on the listings here at Carsforsale.com like a 2018 Titanium model with 37,000 miles for a hair under $15,000. Along with a 42-mpg fuel economy rating, these later Titanium trims came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple and Android integration, an optional panoramic moonroof, and an available self-parking system.
Chevy Malibu Hybrid
One of the few hybrids sold from the mid-size sedan segment, the Chevy Malibu is an under-the-radar bargain. Part of the sharp-dressed ninth-generation that kicked off in 2016, the Malibu Hybrid is rated for 49 mpg around town. And you can find used models from 2017 to 2018, with about 72,000 miles for between $13,000 and $14,000. Chevy notes that the Malibu hybrid can accelerate to 55 mph on electricity alone and there is the inherent benefit of back-row spaciousness that comes with a car from this segment. Standard amenities include a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 10 airbags.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
The other mid-sizer to make this list, Toyota’s hybrid-powered Camry from the seventh generation starting in 2012 has a relatively potent powertrain with a 2.5L inline-four gas motor that pairs with a hybrid system to make 200 horsepower. Trim options range from a base LE with steel wheels to a top-spec XLE with heated front seats and a 7-inch touchscreen. Fuel economy is rated at 43 mpg in city driving for base models. You can expect to pay about $13,000 for a 2016 XLE with just under 100,000 miles or a bit more for an LE with under 50,000 miles. Check out this article for a deeper dive into the seventh-gen Camry against the Honda Accord of the same year.
Honda Civic Hybrid
When your starting point is the long-running Honda Civic, you can be sure the final product will be solid. Such is the case with the ninth-gen Civic Hybrid that was built from 2012 to 2015. With a 1.5L inline-4 and electric motor mated to a CVT, this 110-horse powertrain was good for 44 mpg around town. And for those with an aversion to driving hybrids that look like hybrids, rest assured only hawk-eyed observers would realize the Civic Hybrid is not an everyday model. There are plenty of listings on Carsforsale.com like a 2012 model with 54,000 miles for $12,999. All hybrid Civics came with 15-inch alloy wheels and automatic climate control, while options like leather and heated front seats were available.
Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Though the current Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is of the PHEV variety, first-generation models – produced between 2013 and 2017 – were traditional hybrids without a plug. While the Crosstrek Hybrid’s fuel economy doesn’t rate high with the rest of the cars on the list – 29/32 mpg in city/highway driving – it offers the benefit of full-time AWD and 8.7 inches of ground clearance along with an appreciable efficiency improvement versus the gas-powered Crosstrek. It also boasts high safety scores like a 5-Star overall rating from NHTSA. So, for those on the lookout for a hybrid that can deliver weekend adventures, the Crosstrek Hybrid is worth considering. You can find 2016 models showing 33,000 miles for about $12,500.
Honda CR-Z
If your version of test drives includes rowing a 6-speed manual transmission, hitting corners hard, AND skimping on fuel consumption, may we recommend the funky Honda CR-Z? Spiritual successor of the CR-X, this 2-seat hybrid is unusual for offering a stick, though the optional CVT delivers higher efficiency figures of 35 mpg in city driving and 39 on the highway. The perfect hybrid to dial up your daily driving, Honda produced the CR-Z between 2011 and 2016 with bolstered sport seats, a bright blue central tachometer, and fun colors like Deep Violet Pearl. A nicely loaded EX-L model from 2016 can be had with just 48,000 miles for $14,880.
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