6 of the Best Used Toyota Hybrids to Look For

Toyota is a leader in the auto industry, and it has achieved this position by delivering fantastic vehicles that people love to drive. While we could go on and on about what a new Toyota brings to the road, used Toyota vehicles are among the best options out there. Toyota is well known for making vehicles that are fun to drive, with reliable engineering that you can depend on for a long time—people tend to drive their Toyota cars, trucks, and SUVs for decades, getting the most from them for a long time. A big part of why we’re so pleased to be a new and used Toyota dealership is that we can stand behind every vehicle we sell with confidence.

One of the best things about looking at used Toyota models is that they have been on the leading edge of electrification for decades. This means that while other brands out there have been slow to catch up, Toyota has been making the most exciting hybrid models in the industry. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite Toyota hybrid options that you should look for if you want a used vehicle that will let you avoid the gas pump for as long as possible. To keep things simple, we’re looking at 2020 models as a basis for comparison and to see vehicles with modern amenities.

#1 – The Toyota Corolla Hybrid

First introduced in the 1960s, the Toyota Corolla is one of the most popular cars on the road and a great choice for anyone interested in a compact sedan. With that in mind, the Corolla Hybrid is a great place to start if you’re interested in a hybrid car, but you’re not quite sure what else you’re looking for—or if you simply want something small. The modest size of the Corolla Hybrid makes it the perfect choice for getting through crowded city streets. Plus, it’s still quite fun to drive and has a surprisingly roomy interior. For fuel economy, this little beauty is nearly impossible to beat, with an estimated 53 MPG in the city, 52 MPG on the highway, and 52 MPG combined for the 2020 model year. By comparison, the standard 2020 Corolla, with its base engine, gets an estimated 31 MPG in the city, which is great for a conventional engine, but it’s going to take you to a gas station far more often than the hybrid model.

#2 – The Toyota Prius/Prius Prime

If you want the absolute best fuel efficiency in the Toyota lineup, then look no further than the Prius. This is a compact sedan much like the Corolla Hybrid, but where that model is a version of a conventional car with a hybrid engine, the Prius is exclusively a hybrid vehicle. It’s designed, engineered, and built from the wheels up as a hybrid that delivers incredible performance and efficiency. The standard 2020 Prius gets an estimated 58 MPG in the city, 53 MPG on the highway, and 56 MPG combined, blowing away pretty much every other vehicle out there. If you’re interested in something a bit different, the Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid that you can charge through an external source similar to an electric vehicle, but it still has a gas-powered engine. The 2020 Prius Prime gets an estimated 54 MPG combined fuel economy, slightly behind the standard Prius, but it can go about 25 miles purely on electric power without touching the gas tank. That’s the benefit of a plug-in hybrid.

#3 – The Toyota Camry Hybrid

For something a bit larger, the Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan that’s also available with a hybrid powertrain. This is a great choice if you prefer more room inside your car but still want to keep the size of your vehicle under control. We should note that Corolla Hybrid and Prius models use the same basic engine: a 1.8L that delivers 121 hp. That’s fine for compact models, but the midsize Camry Hybrid features a 208-hp 2.5L engine that delivers a more rewarding driving experience. All of that power doesn’t cost you much fuel efficiency, however, since the 2020 Camry Hybrid still gets an estimated 51 MPG in the city, 53 MPG on the highway, and 52 MPG combined fuel economy. That’s essentially the same as the Corolla Hybrid, so you can enjoy yourself with either vehicle and make fewer visits to the gas pump.

#4 – The Toyota Avalon Hybrid

Our final sedan option, the Avalon, is a premium midsize car from Toyota that was quite popular for many years. While the standard version features a powerful 301-hp V6 engine, the Avalon Hybrid has the same 2.5L engine as the Camry Hybrid, though it’s tuned to deliver 215 hp in the Avalon. Due to this car’s larger size, it gets an estimated 43 MPG in the city, 44 MPG on the highway, and 44 MPG combined fuel economy for the 2020 model year. You can see this is quite a bit less than the previous models we looked at, but if you want a big car that still offers fantastic gas mileage, then this is a great pick. The Avalon was discontinued after 2022 and replaced by the Crown, which has an even more powerful hybrid option.

#5 – The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The RAV4 is the most popular SUV on the road, and it's only made better by the fact that Toyota offers it with an incredible hybrid powertrain. What’s perhaps most impressive about this is that the RAV4 Hybrid has a 2.5L I-4 engine in it, just like the standard RAV4, but it’s actually tuned to deliver more horsepower than the conventional gas engine. Best of all, even with greater power under the hood, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid also gets superior fuel efficiency with an estimated 41 MPG in the city, 38 MPG on the highway, and 40 MPG combined for the 2020 model year. For a compact SUV, that’s remarkable gas mileage, and it means you can enjoy yourself a long time before stopping for gas.

#6 – The Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Our final pick is the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, a three-row SUV that gives you a ton of room inside for passengers and cargo alike while also keeping your stops to a minimum. Based on the popular three-row Highlander, the Highlander Hybrid features a 2.5L engine—the same one found in the RAV4 Hybrid—though it’s tuned to deliver even greater horsepower. The 2020 Highlander Hybrid gets an estimated 36 MPG in the city, 35 MPG on the highway, and 36 MPG combined fuel economy with front-wheel drive. Choosing an all-wheel drive Highlander Hybrid means you lose a single MPG from its city rating, which is essentially no real-world difference, so you can look for either one of these on the used market and get a great SUV.

Find the Used Toyota Hybrid You’ve Been Looking For

It’s easy to see why so many people choose Toyota year after year, particularly when looking for a new or used hybrid vehicle. The selection of cars and SUVs the brand offers is second to none, and it makes it easy to find a great hybrid model that’s not only highly efficient but also incredibly fun to drive. All you have to do is decide on what kind of vehicle you want, consider the options that will best meet your needs, and then start looking for the one that’s right for you. But don’t worry because that’s where we come in—we’re ready to answer any questions you have and help you find the perfect used hybrid. Then, you can hit the road, enjoy yourself, and get the most from a vehicle that will let you go further without stopping. Contact us at Toyota of Manhattan today to get started.