If you’re considering a hybrid vehicle, you’re not alone — hybrid popularity is surging. According to a recent AAA survey, only 18% of U.S. adults say they would be “very likely” or “likely” to buy a new or used electric vehicle, compared with 31% saying they would be “very likely” or “likely” to buy a hybrid.
In the short run, hybrid vehicles generally cost more due to their upfront cost, but in the long run, they’ll save you money on gas. How much they’ll save you depends on several factors: the price premium you pay for a hybrid vehicle, the amount of gas you would use and what it costs, as well as how much you drive on average in a year. Where you drive is another factor to consider, since both city and highway driving play a factor in your overall fuel economy.
Here are two comparisons that look at the gas costs savings of a hybrid versus their gas-only counterpart:
2024 Toyota Corolla Vs. 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
The gas-powered 2024 Toyota Corolla comes with a 169-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for an EPA-rated 32/41/35 mpg city/highway/combined in the base LE sedan trim. It starts at $23,145 (all prices include destination).
Meanwhile, the 2024 Corolla Hybrid has a 138-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder paired with either one (front-wheel drive) or two electric motors (all-wheel drive). In the base FWD LE trim, it’s rated 53/46/50 mpg and starts at $24,595 — $1,450 more than the gas-powered version.
2024 Ford Maverick Vs. 2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid
Ford’s 2024 Maverick compact pickup truck comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine making 250 hp. It’s EPA-rated at 23/30/26 mpg in the base FWD XL trim; AWD is available. Pricing starts at $25,515.
The FWD-only 2024 Maverick Hybrid uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor for a combined 191 hp; it gets 42/33/37 mpg. The base hybrid XL trim starts at $27,015 — $1,500 more than the non-hybrid.
In addition to the factors listed above, there’s another one to consider: How long are you willing to wait to let the savings add up?
