10 Best Used Hybrids Under $20,000(USA)

 By Nelson Ireson 06/21/2023 9:00am

A used hybrid is a great place to start if you’re in the market for a killer deal. Efficient, practical, and well-suited to the rigors of daily driving, hybrids balance high-tech drivetrains with affordability, making them suitable for a wide range of drivers. Buying a used hybrid means you save on the initial depreciation, allowing you to afford more car than you would buying new.

Here are 10 of the best used hybrids for less than $20,000.

1. 2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid

2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid might not be the first hybrid you think of from Toyota, but it’s an excellent all-arounder that’s also efficient. If you’re looking for a sedan that gets 39 mpg combined, with great crash-test scores, a solid record for reliability, and available driver-assist and advanced safety systems, the Camry Hybrid is a solid pick, especially in nicely equipped XLE trim, which should be available on our $20,000 budget. 

2. 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid

2015 Honda Accord Hybrid in blue.

The 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid combines the strengths of a segment-leading sedan with the efficiency of a hybrid — remarkable efficiency at 47 mpg combined. Reliable, comfortable, and well-equipped even in base form, the Accord Hybrid is especially nice in leather-upholstered EX-L trim. 

3. 2016 Toyota Prius 

2016 Toyota Prius in red.

The 2016 Toyota Prius is perhaps the most obvious choice on this list, thanks to its status as a byword for hybrids in general. The Prius is also the benchmark for the hybrid segment, blending an incredible balance of value, efficiency, and daily utility. The Prius’s 52-mpg combined rating also makes it one of the most efficient on this list. 

4. 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

2019 Hyundai Ioniq in charcoal gray.

The 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid has the benefit of being several years newer than most of the other cars on this list, meaning it has more up-to-date infotainment technology, as well as a high-tech hybrid drivetrain rated for 58 mpg combined in Ioniq Blue form. Bonus: It gets Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and lifetime battery coverage. 

5. 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 

2016 Toyota RAV4 in white.

Our final SUV is one of the most popular in America in its non-hybrid form, and the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid only builds on the standard model’s strengths. The 2016 RAV4 Hybrid was the first RAV4 to wear the hybrid badge. The hybrid drivetrain boosted fuel economy (to 32 mpg combined), included standard all-wheel drive, and boosted maximum towing capacity by 250 pounds. 

6. 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid

White 2018 Kia Optima near forest

The 2018 Kia Optima Hybrid is a less-obvious, newer alternative to the Camry and Accord hybrids. It has a spacious, comfortable cabin, lots of equipment even at the entry level, an excellent warranty, and 42 mpg combined. Look for EX models equipped with the Technology package on our budget.

7. 2014 Lexus ES 300h

2014 Lexus ES in silver.

A luxury hybrid on a budget? Yes, it’s possible — the 2014 Lexus ES 300h proves it. Rated for 40 mpg combined, the ES 300h also gets all of the material, design, and feature excellence you expect from a Lexus, making this one of the most opulent options for efficient commuting on our list. If you like the efficiency and features but not the Lexus badge, consider the nearly identical.

8. 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid 

2018 Ford Fusion in white.

Sleek and stylish in a way that doesn’t make you think “hybrid,” the 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid is an excellent option for those who appreciate a good value, as there’s plenty of standard equipment, lots of upgrade paths, and a fuel economy rating of 42 mpg combined. On our budget, the well-equipped Titanium trim should be within reach.

9. 2018 Nissan Rogue Hybrid

2018 Nissan Rogue in charcoal gray.

The 2018 Nissan Rogue Hybrid can be found in both FWD and AWD form, a bonus for those in winter weather states, and the AWD version only scores 1 mpg less than the FWD model at 33 and 34 mpg combined, respectively. Whichever variant you choose, the Rogue comes standard with driver-assist tech, including blind-spot warning and rear-cross traffic alert.

10. 2019 Kia Niro

2019 Kia Niro EV in silver.

Tied for the newest vehicle on our list with the Ioniq Hybrid, the 2019 Kia Niro, like the Toyota Prius, is a hybrid by default. Unlike the Prius, the Niro splits the difference between a wagon, a hatchback, and a compact SUV, which makes for a practical cabin with good cargo space despite the small footprint. The Niro is efficient, too, at 49 mpg combined.