Dependable Used Hybrids That Cost Less Than The Average Price Of A New Car In 2024

Buying a used car can be worrisome to some people, but it isn’t as bad as a financial decision as some people make it out to be. In the automotive world, research is key, and when you look into some used cars throughout the last ten years, you’ll see many hidden gems that might just be as good as a new car. On top of that, you can play it safe by narrowing that search to hybrids (HEV), which are typically branded in today’s world as being some of the most reliable car platforms. Hybrids are 26 percent more reliable on average than your average internal combustion engine car (ICE). Numerous factors play into a vehicle’s reliability, along with determining what makes a certain hybrid worth pursuing.

Whether you’re on a budget or you’re trying to find an affordable, reliable hybrid for your soon-to-be sixteen-year-old child, there are some solid choices out there that all come jam-packed with their own unique features. The average price of a new car in November 2024 was $48,397. To make the models below even better, every car that will be listed will have an MSRP higher than the average of a new car. The cherry on top is that these used models now have an average price tag that sits below $48,397. So lock in because these upcoming used hybrids all differ from one another and just might be the car you’re looking for.

In compiling this article, we have cross-referenced information for vehicle reliability, maintenance, and pricing from sources like J.D. Power, CarEdge, NHSTA, Kelley Blue Book, ISeeCars, and Consumer Reports to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible. Please note that we have ranked the following models as most expensive to least expensive.

9

2023 Lexus RX 350h

Average Price: $45,734

The 2023 Lexus RX 350h is the first used hybrid on the list, and you’ll notice it’s still relatively new. The lower the list goes, the cheaper the cars go, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a 2023 Lexus is the most expensive model on the list. The 2023 Lexus RX 350h’s MSRP started at $50,550 but can now be bought for around $45,734.

2023 Lexus RX 350h Specifications

Reliability

The 2023 Lexus RX 350h should provide some hefty reliability, and that’s because Lexus is the most reliable used car brand. J.D. Power rated the reliability of the 2023 RX 350h with an 81 out of 100 score. Safety is another area that strengthens a car’s dependability, and the RX350h received a safety rating of five out of five stars, with only one recall.

• Reliability Score: 81/100
• Safety Ratings: 5/5 Stars
• Total Recalls: 1
• Depreciated In The Last 1 Year: $42,504

8

2022 Toyota Tundra i-FORCE MAX

Average Price: $43,974

Another model that might surprise some is the 2022 Toyota Tundra i-FORCE MAX. The Tundra Hybrid is perfect for people who want a hybrid that will stay relevant for quite some time. Around three years ago, Toyota revealed its new i-FORCE MAX powertrains, and from the looks of it, it isn’t leaving the lineup anytime soon. The 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid came with an asking price of $57,695 but can now be bought for around $43,974.

2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid Specifications

Reliability

The Toyota Tundra Hybrid is another model that should also come with some decent reliability. Similar to Lexus models, Toyota sits in second place for most reliable used cars. This shouldn’t be a surprise because Lexus is Toyota’s sister company. The 2022 Tundra Hybrid received a reliability score of 70 out of 100. For its safety, it passed with flying colors, with an overall safety rating of five out of five stars and zero recalls.

• Reliability Score: 70/100
• Safety Ratings: 5/5 Stars
• Total Recalls: 0
• Depreciated In The Last 2 Years: $20,360

7

2018 Lexus LS 500h

Average Price: $33,874

You’ll see a lot of Lexus models on the list, and that’s because many of these used hybrid models are reliable, but they also depreciated a bit over the years. The 2018 Lexus LS 500h is a solid option for those who want some added horsepower compared to most hybrids, along with an elevated interior. In 2018, the Lexus LS 500h was priced at $79,510, but a used model in 2024 comes with an average price of $33,874.

2018 Lexus LS 500h Specifications

Reliability

The 2018 Lexus LS 500h dips a bit further down in price over the first two models, and that’s due to it being almost six years old. J.D. Power didn’t rate the reliability of the 2018 LS 500h, but another reputable automotive research brand covered it. ISeeCars gave the 2018 Lexus LS500h a reliability score of 8.5 out of 10. The 2018 LS is the first year for the fifth and current generation, but none of the years received any safety ratings. Four recalls popped up, which pertained to the fuel system and airbags.

• Reliability Score: 8.5/10
• Safety Ratings: N/A
• Total Recalls: 4
• Depreciated In The Last 3 Years: $15,181

6

2020 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid

Average Price: $32,423

The 2020 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid is another used model that might be a perfect candidate for people seeking some added performance. If you’re an automotive enthusiast, then you’ll see the cherry on top, which is the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that comes on the RLX Hybrid. Acura gave the 2020 RLX Sport Hybrid an MSRP of $62,865, which now comes with a used average price of $32,423.

2020 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid Specifications

Reliability

Acura sits high on the list in fifth place for car brands with the best-used cars that offer high reliability. In 2020, Acura discontinued the RLX, shifting its focus back to its core models. ISeeCars took the reign again in evaluating the RLX Sport Hybrid and gave it a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10. The RLX Hybrid didn’t receive any overall safety ratings but managed to get five out of five stars in both the side crash and rollover tests. Going out with a bang, the RLX Hybrid also came into contact with zero recalls.

• Reliability Score: 7.2/10
• Safety Ratings: N/A
• Total Recalls: 0
• Depreciated In The Last 3 Years: $22,312

5

2022 Ford Explorer Limited HEV

Average Price: $28,356

Another newer used model on the list is the 2022 Ford Explorer Hybrid. Ford stopped offering a hybrid powertrain on the Explorer due to the higher demand for its other hybrid models, like the Maverick. Just because Ford isn’t making hybrid Explorers anymore doesn’t mean this hybrid SUV isn’t worth taking a look at. The 2022 Ford Explorer Limited HEV came with an MSRP of $55,555 but now has an average price of around $28,356.

2022 Ford Explorer Limited HEV Specifications

Reliability

Ford isn’t entirely known for its massive vehicle reliability, but over the last five years, many models started to offer a decent chunk of it. J.D. Power gave the 2022 Ford Explorer Hybrid an 83 out of 100 based on its reliability. The 2022 Explorer Hybrid didn’t receive an overall safety rating, but its prior year, which is the same on paper, received five out of five stars. Only one recall popped up, over the driveshaft possibly disconnecting, causing a rollover.

• Reliability Score: 83/100
• Safety Ratings: N/A
• Total Recalls: 1
• Depreciated In The Last 2 Years: $18,819

4

2015 Lexus LS 600h L

Average Price: $26,445

The 2015 Lexus LS 600h L is the last Lexus to make the list. This model isn’t the same as the fifth-generation LS 500h listed above because it is in the long-lasting fourth generation, which was in production for ten years. While most car manufacturers aim to offer fantastic fuel economy in their hybrids, Lexus went a different route by putting a 5.0-liter V8 hybrid engine into the LS 600h L. The 2015 Lexus LS 600h L is one of the more expensive models back in its day, with an MSRP of $121,365, but it can now be bought for a low price of $26,445.

2015 Lexus LS 600h L Specifications

Reliability

The fourth-generation Lexus LS might be the pick of the litter for sixteen-year-olds, but a 438 horsepower V8 engine might sound scary to some parents. ISeeCars gave the 2015 LS 600h an 8.5 out of 10 for its reliability. None of the 2015 models for the Lexus LS, including the non-electrified trims, received any safety ratings. Only one recall popped up, which was over a fuel pump failure, possibly causing the engine to stall while driving.

• Reliability Score: 8.5/10
• Safety Ratings: N/A
• Total Recalls: 1
• Depreciated In The Last 3 Years: $15,799

3

2020 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid

Average Price: $24,014

The Acura MDX is another “Sport Hybrid” to appear, and there seems to be a common theme among most of the models. If you’re in the market for a used hybrid that offers some shed of performance, half of these models will do just that. It’s also bragging rights to say that your hybrid SUV comes with a DCT transmission. The Acura MDX Sport Hybrid was offered at $52,900 in 2020 but now sits at around $24,014.

2020 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Specifications

Reliability

If the Acura RLX Sport Hybrid caught your eye, but you wanted some added space, then you should consider the MDX Sport Hybrid. Unfortunately, Acura didn’t offer the same hybrid powertrain in both, and the MDX Hybrid got the short end of the stick with a less powerful engine. The MDX Sport Hybrid received an overall reliability rating of 79 out of 100. Regarding its safety, the MDX Hybrid received an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, along with one recall.

• Reliability Score: 79/100
• Safety Ratings: 5/5 Stars
• Total Recalls: 1
• Depreciated In The Last 3 Years: $22,312

2

2016 Audi Q5 Hybrid Prestige

Average Price: $16,365

The 2016 Audi Q5 Hybrid Prestige is one of the more underrated hybrids in the last ten years. While it isn’t the best hybrid during its time based on fuel economy and range, it still looks like an SUV that could outshine vehicles in 2024 regarding their looks. This SUV hybrid that hasn’t aged over the last nine years came with an asking price of $52,925, but can now be picked up for $16,365.

2016 Audi Q5 Hybrid Prestige Specifications

Reliability

The Audi Q5 Hybrid is another hybrid model that will provide you with luxurious features with some added performance. J.D. Power rated the reliability of the Q5 Hybrid with an 80 out of 100 score. The Q5 Hybrid misses out on its safety ratings with an overall score of 4 out of five stars. Although it didn’t go five for five, the good news is zero recalls popped up on this German hybrid SUV.

• Reliability Score: 80/100
• Safety Ratings: 4/5 Stars
• Total Recalls: 0
• Depreciated In The Last 3 Years: $11,183

1

2013 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

Average Price: $12,248

The 2013 Cadillac Escalade is the last model on the list and is the most affordable. There are a couple of reasons for that, but it mostly comes down to it being the oldest model out of the nine. By now, you’ve probably realized that more than half of these used hybrids come with an abundance of luxuries and performance, which is quite surprising. Cadillac listed the 2013 Escalade Hybrid for $77,970, but this price tag lowered quite a lot in 2024, now sitting around $12,248.

2013 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Specifications

Reliability

The 2013 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is the second model to house a V-8 Hybrid engine, which just sounds cool. If you’re in the market for a large SUV that doesn’t cost an arm or a leg, then this hybrid Escalade might be worth looking at. ISeeCars gave the 2013 Escalade Hybrid an 8.3 out of 10 for its reliability. Similar to the 2016 Audi Q5, it received an overall safety rating of four out of five stars and zero recalls.

• Reliability Score: 8.3/10
• Safety Ratings: 4/5 Stars
• Total Recalls: 0
• Depreciated In The Last 3 Years: $6,130