The hybrid sedan was an essential stepping stone toward widespread eco-friendly cars and the inevitable electric revolution. It embodies the capabilities of mixing combustion power with electricity to deliver superb fuel economy, or even boost performance capabilities. However, now that the world is moving away from the internal combustion engine, hybrid sedan cars are no longer receiving as much attention. For those not yet willing to commit to a life without gasoline, though, a PHEV sedan is a good introduction, and here we list the best such hybrid sedans of 2025 to choose from.
Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available.
1
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan
- Base Trim Transmission
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9-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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442 HP
The top two best hybrid sedans on our list are tied with identical BuzzScores of 8.6 out of 10, but for very different reasons. The first is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Of the few trims available, the S580e is the only plug-in hybrid in the lineup. This version combines a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a plug-in hybrid system that delivers 503 hp combined that makes the large sedan feel surprisingly quick for its size with a 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds. Mercedes claims an impressive 47 miles of range on electric power alone. The interior is just as luxurious as you’d expect from an S-Class, plus the car rides extremely smoothly and quietly when running on electric power alone.
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2
Honda Civic Sedan
- Base Trim Engine
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2.0-liter Inline-4 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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CVT
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
If you’re in the market for a hybrid sedan, then some trims of the Honda Civic should be on your radar. It’s not as fast as the Civic Si, but it’s a versatile, comfortable, and reliable option. There are four trims available, with two being gas-only and two having hybrid powertrains. The cheapest hybrid version is the Sport Hybrid, which starts at $28,950. The last two trims are powered by the same 2.0L four-cylinder hybrid that makes 200 hp and 232 lb-ft. Legroom doesn’t change between gas and hybrid models, so rear-seat passengers get 37.4 inches. As for fuel economy, the two hybrid versions get up to 49 combined MPG.
3
Toyota Camry
- Base Trim Engine
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2.5L Dynamic Force I4 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
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CVT
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
Toyota decided to move in a different direction for this generation by making every trim of the new Camry a hybrid. It’s still a relatively affordable sedan with modern styling, inside and out, and fulfills its role in the Toyota lineup well. The least expensive trim, the LE, starts at $28,700. Powering all versions of the new Camry is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid that makes 225 horsepower with FWD and 232 hp with AWD. As for the interior, people in the back seats have 37.6 inches of headroom and 38 inches of legroom. When properly equipped, the Camry gets up to 51 combined MPG. We also named this sedan CarBuzz’s first ever Car of the Year.
4
Lexus LS
- Base Trim Engine
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3.4L V6 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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10-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
Some of the best sedan hybrid cars are Lexus models, and the first of two on our list is the Lexus LS. It might not be as fast as its rivals’ sporty versions, like the BMW 7 Series and the Audi A8, but it makes up for that with a comfortable ride, a luxurious interior, and plenty of standard features. Unlike some other Lexus models that give a dozen trims to choose from, the LS only has a few to consider. The LS 500h AWD is the only hybrid in the lineup, and tops the range at a base price of $115,210. Powering it is a 3.5-liter V6 hybrid that makes a combined 354 hp. It also gets the best gas mileage at 25 MPG combined.
5
Toyota Crown
One Toyota model that often gets overlooked, due to the popularity of other hybrid models like the Camry, is the Crown. This larger sedan has somewhat divisive styling, and it’s fairly expensive for what it offers, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of the question just yet. We gave it an 8.4 out of 10 for a few reasons. To start, the Crown is available in four trims – all of which are hybrids. The cheapest option is the XLE, which starts at $41,440. Powering each is either a 2.5L inline-four hybrid that makes 236 net combined horsepower, or a 2.4L turbocharged inline-four hybrid that makes a combined 340 hp. The first option can reach up to 41 combined MPG.
6
Honda Accord
- Base Trim Engine
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2L I-4 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
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CVT
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
The latest Accord is Honda’s answer to rivals like the Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata. Like the Civic, which offers a couple of gas trims, only the last four trims of the Accord are hybrids. The cheapest in the lineup is the Sport Hybrid trim that starts at $33,655, and topping the range is the Touring Hybrid that starts at $39,300. Every hybrid trim of the Accord is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid that makes 204 net combined horsepower. The rear seats of the Accord have a comfortable 40.8 inches of legroom. The most efficient trim is the EX-L, which gets up to 48 MPG with an electronic CVT.
“Overall, it feels like an Accord – but better. And not just around town. We put some miles on the freeway, then worked our way through canyon and desert roads, including a portion of Route 66 that isn’t maintained. At no point was there any stress. The steering is weighted nicely for the city and freeway, and the CVT transmission is smooth; the fake gear shifts aren’t noticeable unless you’re looking for them. The ride is just as agreeable, and power is ample for freeway ramps, but there’s little excess for having fun.”
– Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz (Road test of a 2023 Accord Sport-L Hybrid)
7
Volvo S90
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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295 HP @5400 RPM
A great plug-in hybrid sedan is the Volvo S90. This flagship luxury sedan brings to the table everything Volvo has to offer. While it looks fairly simple due to the brand’s design language, it’s actually packed full of premium goodies that will keep occupants happy and comfortable. There are two versions of the S90: a mild hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. The first option is cheaper, starting at $59,495, and gets power via a 2.0-liter turbocharged mild hybrid system that makes 295 hp. The latter, however, gets a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder PHEV that makes a combined 455 hp. It can also drive up to 38 miles on electric power alone, and manages better fuel economy at 29 MPG combined.
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8
Lexus ES
- Base Trim Engine
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2.5L I4 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
The Lexus ES is one of the brand’s best models, and an interesting alternative to a fully-loaded Camry. It’s a long, midsize sedan near the top of the brand’s range, filled with features and a wide range of trims to suit your needs. Fortunately, the ES is more than a facelifted Toyota. There are 15 trims available, with the least expensive hybrid option being the 300h, which starts at $43,440. Under the hood of all five hybrid trims is a 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid that makes a combined 215 hp. On the inside, hybrids have 37.4 inches of headroom and 39.2 in. of legroom. The hybrid ES manages to achieve 44 combined MPG.
9
Volvo S60
- Base Trim Engine
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2L I4 Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
The Volvo S60 may not be as large and not quite as luxurious as the flagship sedan mentioned above, but it’s nothing to scoff at. It definitely earns its premium sedan status, so buyers can expect a high-end interior that matches the ethos of Volvo’s sharp and modern design. There are also two versions of the S60, a mild hybrid and a plug-in hybrid; they start at $43,795 and $53,295, respectively. Powering the cheaper option is a 2.0L turbo inline-four mild hybrid that makes 247 hp, but the more expensive choice gets you a 2.0L turbo inline-four PHEV that makes a combined 455 hp. The plug-in version is more efficient, with 41 miles of electric range and 31 MPG combined.
10
Mercedes-AMG E 53 Sedan
Mercedes-Benz started the list, and it’s rounding it off with the AMG E 53 Sedan. As the E-Class’ only AMG model, it has a lot to live up to. While many people prefer the S-Class for the prestige that comes with its name, this E-Class provides an incredibly comfortable interior that’s chock-full of bells and whistles. The AMG E 53 starts at $88,000 before destination fees and options, but you don’t need to add much for it to feel like a spaceship. Under the hood is a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six PHEV that makes a combined 577 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. It can launch from 0-60 in just 3.9 seconds, or drive smoothly to appreciate 42 miles of electric range and 54/65 city/highway MPGe.
Characteristics Of Hybrid Sedans
Here’s what one can typically expect from hybrid sedan cars:
- Powertrain: The defining characteristic of a hybrid is its powertrain. These cars pair electric motors with their combustion engines to increase outputs and improve efficiency. In most applications, the increase is minor, with a focus on reducing strain on the engine instead. However, sports cars often use hybridization to push the limits of performance or improve acceleration times.
- Fuel economy: The driving force behind the adoption of hybridization was the cost benefits it brought in terms of fuel consumption. Plug-in hybrid sedans are particularly good at lowering the monthly gas bill since they can travel on electric energy alone, at least for short stints. This is a quality that is not so prevalent in performance models, though they still boast better mileage figures than a regular speedster.
- Weight: Naturally, strapping a bunch of electrical components onto a four-door sedan is going to affect its weight. While the fuel consumption increase of this is offset rather nicely, the handling is not. On the plus side, heavier cars generally have slightly better ride comfort. The size of the battery directly impacts how much heavier the vehicle is, and it may even affect cabin space depending on where it is installed.
- Cost: You will save money by owning a hybrid; that much is true. However, you need to spend money first. Hybrids are more expensive from the outset, and it may take several years before you see a return on your investment.
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What To Consider When Buying A Hybrid Sedan
Hybrids are no longer the most advanced automobiles on the road, but they are still more complicated than your average vehicle. This brings advantages and disadvantages that are definitely worth considering when it comes time to buy a new car. These are the pros and cons you can expect from these types of cars:
Pros
- Superior performance over combustion engines alone
- Significantly better fuel economy figures
- Higher tech specs, even in base guise
- Among the safest cars, thanks to their high safety specification
- Easier on the environment, relatively speaking
Cons
- Higher price of purchase than most traditional sedans
- Not as reliable due to more moving parts and the potential for something to go wrong
- Heavier weight impacts handling and performance
- No longer the cool new technology since EVs came along
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Are hybrid sedans safe and reliable?
For the most part, yes. Many automakers only start offering hybrid powertrains halfway up their lineup. This means that the hybrids get a lot more standard tech than a base model would. More safety tech is always a welcome sight. However, it is worth noting that more advanced vehicles are more susceptible to mechanical failure. This can mean that hybrids are more costly to maintain and may break down for unexpected reasons.
What is the difference between MHEV and PHEV vehicles?
Mild-hybrid electric vehicles use electric motors but do not include a separate battery pack for them. Instead, power is produced via regenerative braking technology. This limits your ability to reliably build up charge on demand, and it cannot be stored. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, on the other hand, have onboard battery packs that can be manually charged from an outlet. They can also travel for a certain distance relying purely on the electric motors and not even engage the combustion engine.
Sources: Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Volvo
