Are Hybrids a Good Choice for Families in 2024?
By Russ Heaps 02/27/2024 8:00am
Quick Facts About Hybrid Family Cars
- On average, hybrids improve fuel economy over gas-only cars by as much as 40% or more.
- A hybrid vehicle can offer all the space, convenience, safety, and technology of a non-hybrid vehicle.
- On average, hybrids are much more affordable than plug-in hybrids or fully electric vehicles.
As you wrestle with the task of acquiring a new family hauler, you will find a remarkable number of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles populating your new and used car choices. Perhaps you have even been actively seeking them out. The largest percentage of electrified vehicles, or hybrids, are also, not by coincidence, the most budget-friendly. If you’re looking for an alternative fuel vehicle, hybrids make the most sense and are the best choice for the average family. We will tell you why as you read on.
What Is a Hybrid?
Here, when we speak of hybrids, we refer to vehicles with a powertrain composed of a gasoline engine and an electric motor energized by a self-charging battery. The Toyota Prius is the best-known example of such a hybrid. It uses a parallel hybrid system in which an electric motor (or motors, plural) and a gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine (ICE) can power the wheels. A separate battery, which is charged by the engine and with repurposed energy created by the brake system (regenerative braking), feeds the motor. This hybrid type is also known as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).
We aren’t lumping in plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) that require connecting to an outside electric source to charge the battery in this discussion. PHEVs also feature a powertrain with an ICE and a battery-fed electric motor. However, the motor alone can operate the wheels for short (usually 20- to 40-mile) distances before draining the battery, when the ICE takes over. Although some PHEVs make good family transports, they tend to be priced beyond the average family budget.
Hybrids vs. EVs
Attracting a lot of attention over the past several years, electric vehicles (EVs) operate without burning gasoline, while producing zero tailpipe emissions. In short, compared to EVs, hybrid vehicles cost less. Additionally, in 2024, hybrids make more sense than EVs because you don’t need to plug them in at an electric vehicle charger at home or at a public station to make them go, which for most families comes down to a convenience factor.
Are Hybrids Good Family Cars?
Hybrids make excellent family cars. They can deliver all the comfort, convenience, safety, technology, and interior space of a typical gas-powered vehicle with at least somewhat and often significantly improved fuel economy. For example, the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid gets an estimated EPA mpg of 48 city/highway. The Kia Niro Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 49 mpg city/highway. If a gas-fueled car gets an estimated 35 mpg and a hybrid gets 49 mpg, that’s as much as 40% better mileage. Also, for the environmentally conscious, hybrids slightly reduce the tailpipe emissions of gas-powered vehicles.
What Makes Good Hybrid Family Cars?
Besides delivering better fuel economy, what makes a good hybrid family car are the same elements that make any vehicle a good pick for families. Of course, the vehicle needs of families with three teenagers will differ somewhat from those of a single toddler. However, many sought-after family hauler features are universal. Here are a few popular family car characteristics and features.
- Abundant interior space — This one is a no-brainer. It separates an ideal family hauler from a make-do family vehicle. For larger families or families of larger people, you might want to consider a hybrid minivan or three-row SUV.
- Better-than-average safety scores — Today’s vehicles are safer than ever, but some are safer than others. We like to recommend vehicles that have earned a spot on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick (TSP) or Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) lists. IIHS lumps together the ICE and HEV versions; consequently, if the ICE version makes the list, so does the HEV.
- Advanced safety technology — During the last decade, the amount of advanced safety technology in new cars, trucks, and SUVs has swelled to the degree that even many entry-level vehicles are crammed with tech to help prevent and mitigate accidents. We think technology such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and so forth is even more essential in family cars.
- High level of connectivity — Bluetooth, Wi-Fi hot spots, USB-C ports, and 12-volt power ports all grow in popularity and necessity along with the age of your family’s children. We’d like one or two 120-volt power outlets, as well.
- Assorted convenience features — Some convenience features are more important than others for vehicles with several passengers. For example, multi-zone automatic climate control with two, three, or four zones can go a long way in keeping the masses happy. Rear-seat vents are welcomed, too. Remote keyless entry to unlock all the doors for quick entry, remote start to preheat or precool the cabin, and loads of cup holders are also family favorites.
The Profile of an Ideal Hybrid Family Car
Here, we aim to provide a solid example of a good hybrid family vehicle as a template of what we would look for in a hybrid family hauler of our own. Many of its attributes are likely on your must-have list.
We give you the 2024 Toyota Sienna. It is our top-ranked minivan and our 2024 Best Buy Award winner in its segment. It also has the best resale value in its class. Every new Sienna uses a hybrid powertrain. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, and traction-enhancing all-wheel-drive (AWD) is optional. It delivers 36 mpg in combined city and highway driving and boasts a total range of 648 miles between fill-ups. You can configure the cabin to seat seven with second-row captain’s chairs, or in some trim levels, a second-row bench adds an eighth seating position. Offering 38.7 inches of legroom, the third-row seat offers plenty of room for passengers. Furthermore, it can be folded and stowed flat into the floor.
Power-sliding side doors and a power rear liftgate are standard on all trims. Tri-zone automatic climate control is standard for lower trims, with quad-zone included in upper grades. Also included is Toyota Safety Sense, with a full array of advanced safety features like lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and a pre-collision system with vehicle and pedestrian detection. Furthermore, the IIHS named it to its 2024 TSP+ list. Oh, and for those keeping score, the Sienna provides up to 18 cup holders. You can check out more details in our Expert Review.
What Are the Best Hybrid Cars for Families?
For those who don’t see a minivan like the Toyota Sienna in their future, we’ve rounded up several hybrid family car candidates for your consideration.
Best Hybrid Cars for Smaller Families
| Vehicle | EPA Estimates City/Highway mpg |
| 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid | up to 40 mpg |
| 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid | 37 mpg |
| 2024 Kia Niro Hybrid | 49 mpg |
| 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid | up to 50 mpg |
| 2024 Toyota Prius | up to 57 mpg |
| 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | up to 39 mpg |
Best Hybrid Cars for Larger Families
| Vehicle | EPA Estimates City/Highway mpg |
| 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid | up to 48 mpg |
| 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid | up to 36 mpg |
| 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid | Coming soon |
| 2024 Kia Sorento Hybrid | up to 37 mpg |