Hybrid cars have existed for quite some time now. The joy of driving one is a different experience altogether – the whirring electric motor, the aggressive start from a standstill, the excellent fuel economy returns, to name a few. In today’s competitive world, a customer can choose a hybrid from any stable, and in any shape or size; that’s how big the market has grown. However, these cars cost a lot more than their pure gasoline counterparts, with the last entry in this list demanding a premium of $8,000! So, what is the next best option - Buying a used hybrid car! When you buy a used hybrid vehicle, you don’t have to take the depreciation hit in the initial years, and you just pay half of the original price for a 3-year-old car. So, let’s check out the best 2016 hybrids models you can buy.

Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

If you prefer a car that’s serene, calm, and has no extra hustle-bustle, then the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid for you. The car comes with funky exteriors that will garner polarizing opinions, but the cabin space and design is surely a letdown. Not to mention, this is a Ford Fusion in different clothing. The car is filled to the brim in terms of creature comforts, but the infotainment system is so slow that it’ll put you to sleep.

Under the hood is a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that produces a combined output of 188 horses. Power is sent to the front wheels via an automatic CVT system. It’s because of this relaxed nature that the MKZ Hybrid gives you an excellent fuel economy of 41 on the highway and 39 in the city. The average used price of this car is around $20,000 - $25,000. If you’re in the market for a used hybrid car that you can rely on in the long run, the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is your best bet.

Read our full review on the 2016 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.

Kia Optima Hybrid

The South Korean automaker has managed to pull off a car that will be pleased by all. The car has a very classy touch, and exteriors are pleasing. Inside the cabin, you get a well put-out cabin that is ergonomically balanced, and has convenience features filled to the brim. But all said and done, the car is not fun to drive and the cargo space is compromised in a big manner. On the safety front, the Optima Hybrid comes loaded with features that managed to get let it score full marks.

Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission system. This car gives you a fuel economy of 40mpg on the highways and 38 in the city, thanks to the efficient hybrid system. It also comes with a long warranty, which is one of the biggest concerns when in the market for a used car. Thanks to the heavy depreciation, a 2016 Kia Optima Hybrid can be bought for around $14,000-$18,000.

Read our full review on the 2016 Kia Optima Hybrid.

Ford Fusion Hybrid

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is another mechanically sound vehicle in this list. The car has decent looking exteriors, unlike the other hybrids which tend to look a little too dynamic amongst the regular crowd. The interiors, on the other hand, are absolutely stellar. The waterfall center console gives a very premium feel to this midsize sedan. The feature list is on par with the competition. Even though the car shares a lot with the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, the Fusion Hybrid is a much better option.

The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and the Ford Fusion Hybrid share the same engine – a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that generates a combined output of 188 ponies. Power is sent to the front wheels via an automatic CVT system. The Fusion Hybrid gives a fuel economy of 43 on the highway and 41 in the city. The 2016 model, in a good condition, can be availed in the range of $15,000-$19,000.

Read our full review on the 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Honda Civic Hybrid

Honda Civic is one of the most famous monikers in the auto industry; and the Hybrid variant, likewise, gained enough popularity. So, if you’re looking for a used car, this name should flash in your head without a doubt. The car comes with the same durability and reliability as the regular versions. The exterior is almost identical to the usual Civic, except for the blue highlights and the ‘Hybrid’ tag. The standard equipment list will make you like the interiors, as it has almost all the bells and whistles that you can wish for at this price point. Safety, like others in the segment, is top-notch. The boot is low on space in this car as well.

Now, let’s talk about the shortcomings of the car. The Civic Hybrid comes with a 1.5-liter engine that churns pout just 110 ponies and 127 pound-feet of torque. However, the underwhelming figures get a blessing in disguise – 47 mpg on the highway and 44 mpg in the city. A used Civic Hybrid in the price bracket of $16,000 - $18,000. Being a Civic, you will get the peace of mind as well.

Read our full review on the 2016 Honda Civic Hybrid

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Like Civic, Sonata is another familiar name in the industry. As expected from the automaker, the Sonata Hybrid is another car worthy of the ‘all-rounder’ tag. The car excels in almost all the departments. Right from the trademark Hyundai grille, to the proportionate rear, the car looks executive. On the inside, the Sonata Hybrid is as fancy as you can expect it to be. Safety-wise also the car is well-packed with all the essentials to keep you safe.

The Sonata provides a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid option. A 2.0-liter, four cylinder unit produces 193 ponies in the Hybrid, and 202 horsepower in the Plug-in Hybrid. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic system. The hybrid gives 40 mpg on the highway and 38 mpg in the city, while the plug-in delivers 42 mpg. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid can be bought from $14,000 to $18,000. Not bad, eh? This would be our pick of the lot!

Read our full driven review on the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Toyota Camry Hybrid

You can expect this car to be good since it’s from the stable the basically started the Hybrid segment with the Prius. A low-hung, large grille dominates the face of the car, which surprisingly looks good. Starting right from the base LE trim, the Camry Hybrid is a decent package with all the basic necessities in place, along with selective creature comforts too. High quality plastics are used in the cabin and the whole interior is tightly screwed; a nice place to be in even after years. The dislikes here would be the limited boot space and the annoying start/stop system.

The Camry Hybrid is offered with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine with an electric motor that generates 200 horses on the tap. It is mated to a CVT system. The car delivers 42 miles to the gallon on highways and 38 mpg in the city, which is on par with the competition. Because of the brand value, reliability, and positive long-term ownership, a used Camry Hybrid sells around $18,000 – $22,000.

Read our full review on the 2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota Prius Plug-In

Despite being a big name in the Hybrid and Plug-in category, the Prius Plug-in is one of our least preferred options in this list. The exterior is unmistakably a Toyota, and the raised hatch is smart from all the angles. The interiors are very spacious and the car has a usable, big trunk as well. The interiors have nothing to write home about – functional, and aesthetic. A huge touchscreen finds its way on the center console in the top-trim.

The fuel economy stands at 54 miles per gallon on the highway and 48 mpg in the city! However, the car can run only 11 miles in EV mode, which is significantly lesser than the rivals. Adding to the misery, the gas system gets turned on too often to support the electric motor. Also, the engine is not the smoothest one available in the market. The Toyota Prius Plug-In can be found in the used market in the $18,000 - $21,000 price bracket.

Read our full review on the 2016 Toyota Prius Plug-In

Toyota Avalon Hybrid

The Prius Plug-in’s big brother, the Avalon Hybrid is a car that’s a step above the Prius in every way. The car looks huge from the outside; it has a long bonnet and a long rear overhang as well. This gives the Avalon a big, spacious boot. Cabin has all the bells and whistles you can expect from a premium midsize sedan. On the safety front too, the Avalon Hybrid is as good as it can get.

This car gets a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that churns out a combined output of 200 horses. Power is sent to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox system. On the highway, the Avalon Hybrid manages to deliver 40 mpg, and 38 mpg in the city.

In the used market, the Avalon Hybrid demands a high premium; somewhere in the range of $23,000 - $28,000. There are no cons in this car, so a safe buy if you have a hankering for the Avalon Hybrid meal.

Read our full driven review on the 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The only SUV in this list, the Highlander Hybrid is one good looking vehicle. Although it’s not as butch as the ladder-on-frame SUVs, you cannot call it soft by any means. The cabin is well laid-out and everything falls into hand perfectly. Steering is good to hold, but doesn’t give a good feedback and feel while driving.

The engine found in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a beast. The 3.5-liter, V-6 engine generates 280 horsepower and 215 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to all the wheels via a CVT gearbox. Despite being a heavy vehicle, the Highlander Hybrid delivers 28 miles to the gallon on highways, and 27 mpg in the city. The luxury of the SUV is reflected in its pricing as well. Even a used 2016 Toyota Hybrid Highlander would cost somewhere in the ballpark of $36,000 - $40,000.

Read our full review on the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid