The Hybrid Car That Returns The Best MPG

In the car world, it’s common to trust manufacturers when they claim that their vehicles are as efficient as they can be. Some people will check their estimated or rated fuel economy ratings to see what they can offer, but it’s not all that necessary when looking at car platforms such as hybrids (HEVs). Of course, there will be some outliers that offer below-average fuel economy, but some of the most iconic models that practically built the hybrid industry are still relevant and easy to keep track of 20 years later.

When it comes to the hybrid industry, some big-name brands are leading the way regarding innovation, design, engineering, and, best of all, advancement. You may know almost all these car companies, such as Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia. You may be asking, “Well, there are way more brands in the hybrid world,” and while that’s technically true, this is just covering the main car brands that deal with HEVs. If someone were to produce the most fuel-efficient hybrid, you should likely put your money on at least one of these big names. If you did, you’d end up being right, and you can likely guess which of the four produced the hybrid car that returns the best MPG.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA.

The 2025 Toyota Prius Returns The Best MPG In 2025

Up To 57 Miles Per Gallon

You may have gone two for two, guessing that it had to have been a Toyota hybrid car that offers the best fuel economy, along with it being the Prius. Many factors have jumped-started the hybrid industry, but two of them can be credited to the first two mass-produced hybrids: the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius. The Prius is arguably the most iconic and well-known hybrid, probably due to its “unique” designs over the years. Okay, maybe not so unique; rather it’s a quirky, funny-looking aesthetic. But, if you fast-forward to today, the 2025 Prius doesn’t just capitalize on efficiency but boasts a sporty look that’s never been seen on this platform.

Three Configurations That Offer A Fuel Economy Of 49 MPG To 57 MPG

While the Toyota Prius was the most efficient hybrid car in 2024, there is a bit of a gray area for 2025. Technically, car brands can’t just provide consumers with a 100-percent fuel economy rating until it’s been evaluated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The issue here is that the EPA hasn’t come around to grading the 2025 Prius just yet. So, as of now, you’re only given estimated ratings from Toyota. While some manufacturers like to and are known to, bump their estimates a couple of notches to make their models more attractive, this may not be the case for the Prius.

2024 And 2025 Toyota Prius Fuel Economy

For starters, this isn’t claiming or saying for certain what the actual rated fuel economy is on the 2025 Prius; instead, it’s showing how it may or may not, emphasizing “may or may not”, resemble last year’s model. Toyota states that the 2025 Prius rolls over from the previous year. The main difference is the addition of one trim, the Nightshade, which comes equipped with 19-inch wheels. While wheels are a huge factor that can change a vehicle’s fuel economy, the 2024 Prius already came with trims with the same wheel sizes. So, there aren’t any new changes or drastic enhancements to the 2025 Prius, but that doesn’t mean it can’t change its fuel economy. According to Toyota’s estimates, all the trims mirror the rated fuel economies on the 2024 trims. The 2025 Prius is estimated to offer 49 to 57 MPG in the city, 50 to 56 MPG on the highway, and a combined fuel economy of 49 to 57 MPG.

The Hybrid Powertrain That Delivers 196 Horsepower

The powertrain and standard driving components carry over from last year, with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine being the same powerhouse for the fifth generation. After all, the current generation of the Prius debuted back in 2023, and it is still relatively new. The 2025 Prius delivers 196 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. Lastly, it comes standard with Toyota’s electronically continuously variable transmission (ECVT) and is offered in front- or all-wheel drive.

2025 Toyota Prius Performance Specifications

How The Prius Stacks Up Against Other Hybrid Sedans

Say the 2025 Prius did lose some fuel economy, or possibly even gain some, or keep it the same. Are there any other contenders that come close to the 2024 model or the estimates on the 2025 model? The short answer is no, and if it were to go to another hybrid, as you could have guessed, it would go to another Toyota due to the Japanese company pumping out hybrid models that demonstrate impressive efficiency. The Prius isn’t new to being the most efficient sedan, with it claiming the title many times over the years, and it’s slowly building up for this iconic Japanese hybrid to claim it again, or rather, keep holding it.

2025 Toyota Prius Versus Other Competitive Hybrid Sedans

2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid

The 2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is another great example of a hybrid sedan that isn’t scared to showcase some hefty fuel economies. Currently, this is the most fuel-efficient Korean Hybrid that you can buy in 2025, offering 49 to 51 MPG in the city, 52 to 58 MPG on the highway, and a combined fuel economy of 50 to 54 MPG. The Elantra Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine, making 139 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. Not only is it efficient, but it’s also one of the most affordable hybrids you can get yourself into, with it starting out at $25,350.

2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2025 Toyota Camry is another well-known hybrid, and while a hybrid powertrain didn’t always power it or it was only offered in both a non-electric or hybrid setup, Toyota made it exclusively a hybrid platform. Like many of its siblings, it offers a vast number of setups and diverse ranges for its fuel economy. From least to most, the Camry provides 44 to 53 MPG in the city, 43 to 50 MPG on the highway, and 44 to 51 MPG combined. Depending on the trim, the Camry MSRP ranges from $28,700 to $36,425.

2025 Honda Civic Hybrid

The last big name and the hybrid that’s been going head-to-head with the Prius for years is the Honda Civic Hybrid. In 2025, Honda offers this hybrid as a four-door or five-door hatchback sedan. Both setups are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine, producing 200 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It’s another well-efficiency hybrid, offering 50 MPG in the city, 45 to 47 MPG on the highway, and a combined 48 to 49 MPG. This makes this sedan the most fuel efficient Honda hybrid you can buy. You may see a trend: many manufacturers tend to offer some of their hybrids at a crazy low price. Honda starts the Civic Hybrid out at $28,950, and for the highest trim on the hatchback, it raises it to $33,150.

The Prius Is One Of The Most Iconic Hybrids

What makes the Prius so notorious or iconic as cars like the Corvette, or any Porsche car, or any well-known car you could think of? Ironically, the Prius is likely more known than some of your favorite sportscars. If you were to go up to people who may or may not be car enthusiasts, 10/10 of the people would know what a Prius is versus a car like a BMW M3. Well, the Prius doesn’t compete in these categories, largely due to it being one of the first cars in a new category: hybrids.

Of course, today, this isn’t a “new category,” but in 2000, Toyota was one of the first to throw an electric motor onto a gasoline-powered engine and offer it to the public. Over the years, its “fame” or “recognizability” is thanks to its one-of-a-kind design. Car brands at the time were trying to differentiate hybrids from regular cars, and the Prius fell a bit short with its overall design, but it ended up helping the Prius through recognition.

Toyota Starts The Prius At $28,350

For now, it’s up in the air whether the Prius will hold the reign of the most efficient hybrid sedan, but if you’re looking for a hybrid that offers impressive fuel economy, you can 100 percent say that the Prius is a top contender. Toyota has been building trims on the Prius over the years, and it is now offering its golden child in six trims.

2025 Toyota Prius Prices And Trims

For the base trim, which starts at $28,350, you get all of Toyota’s starting features, ultimately the first building block for the higher trims. Building off of the base, the XLE is listed at $31,795 and pulls in a tiny bit more comfort and tech while upgrading to 19-inch alloy wheels. The Nightshade is based on the XLE, adding black finished wheels, exclusive exterior paint, and other exterior and interior accents. The Limited is the highest you can go in terms of premium features and innovative technology, with it housing all the bells and whistles and upgrades that Toyota has to offer. The Prius Limited is the most expensive, with a price tag of $35,495. The Prius comes in front- or all-wheel drive on all trims, and if you want a trim but in all-wheel drive, it’s only a $1,400 upgrade on the front-wheel drive prices.