Cheapest new hybrid? 2025 Kia Niro undercuts Prius but not Corolla

Looking for a cheap car that doesn’t feel cheap yet has a cheaper cost of ownership than any other cheap car? The cheapest cheap car is a hybrid, and it should be no surprise it’s a Toyota. With a Toyota Corolla Hybrid and its 50 mpg combined, the EPA estimates that you can save $3,250 in fuel costs over five years compared to a similarly-equipped non-hybrid Corolla, which still gets an efficient 35-mpg combined rating.

But the Corolla hybrid and Prius hybrid lack the hatchback cargo space of the 2025 Kia Niro, which is marketed as a small crossover. With prices unchanged from 2024, the $28,365 Niro hybrid and its 53-mpg combined rating hits more of a sweet spot for hybrid shoppers who don’t want to sacrifice cargo space. And it’s still cheap, yet it surpasses our cheapest 2025 cars that cost below $25,000 list. Only the Corolla Hybrid doubles up on both of our cheap lists. 

Not only do these models have a lower cost of ownership than gas-only counterparts, they all come equipped with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and active lane control. 

Here’s a rundown of the cheapest hybrids, and how they measure up in size, fuel economy, features, and value. All prices listed include the mandatory destination charge. 

• Fuel economy: The EPA rates the base Corolla Hybrid at 53 mpg city, 46 highway, and 50 combined. The all-wheel-drive version checks in at 51/44/48 mpg. Better equipped models with bigger wheels and no wheel covers lose 3 mpg combined.
• Price range and trims: Corolla Hybrid is sold in base LE ($24,635), SE ($27,075), Nightshade ($28,075), and top XLE ($28,425).
• Powertrain: It has a 138-hp 1.8-liter inline-4 with two electric motors and front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive with a third motor powering the rear axle for an extra $1,400.
• Passenger and cargo space: It has five seats but it’s tight in the back seat with less than 35 inches of rear legroom. The trunk holds 13.1 cubic feet of space. The rear seats fold down but don’t go completely flat due to the battery pack under the rear seat bottoms.
• Standard standout features: When Toyota redesigned the Prius for 2023, the Corolla became the new basic hybrid in Toyota’s vast hybrid family. But Toyota loads it with features such as adaptive cruise control and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Available AWD is a rare trick in this class, too.

 

• Fuel economy: EPA rates the base Niro LX and its small 16-inch wheels at 53/54/53 mpg, while better equipped models come in at 53/45/49 mpg.
• Price range and trims: Sold in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, the 2025 Niro Hybrid LX starts the bidding at $28,365. It also includes includes EX ($31,165), EX Touring ($33,465), SX (34,365), and SX Touring ($35,390) grades. The Niro PHEV EX costs $35,865, while the SX tops out at $42,165.
• Powertrain and fuel economy: The Niro Hybrid uses a 139-hp 1.6-liter inline-4 and 6-speed dual-clutch transmission with an integrated electric motor. It’s front-wheel drive only.
• Passenger and cargo space: The hatchback fits people and their gear better than rival compact sedans. The 60:40-split rear seats fold down to expand the cargo hold from 22.8 to 63.7 cubic feet.
• Standard standout features: An 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty.

• Fuel economy: EPA-rated at 57 mpg combined, or 54 mpg combined with AWD; top XLE and LTD models rate at 52 or 49 mpg combined with AWD; Prius Prime plug-in hybrid has 45 miles of electric range of 52 mpg after the battery is depleted.
• Price range and trims: Prius is sold in base LE ($29,085), XLE ($32,530), and Limited ($36,090); all-wheel drive costs $1,400 more.
• Powertrain: 194-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 with two electric motors and front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive with a third motor powering the rear axle for total output of 196 hp.
• Passenger and cargo space: Going from a clog to a wedge design in 2023, the new Prius traded style for space. It has five seats, but is more cramped than the Corolla due to limited headroom front and rear. The hatch holds up to 23.8 cubic feet. 
• Standard standout features: Reputation-changing design, 57 mpg, available AWD, 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

• Fuel economy: Base Elantra Hybrid Blue EPA-rated at 51 mpg city, 58 highway, 54 combined; other Elantra Hybrids and their larger wheels rated at 49/52/50 mpg.
• Price range and trims: Elantra Hybrid sold in base Blue ($27,400) and top Limited ($30,600).
• Powertrain: 139-hp 1.6-liter inline-4 with an electric motor and front-wheel drive.
• Passenger and cargo space: Good rear seat space for the class, with 38.0 inches of rear legroom; trunk holds 14.2 cubic feet of space.
• Standard standout features: 5-year/60,000-mile warranty with three years of scheduled maintenance, 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.3-inch touchscreen (requires wired smartphone connectivity).