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YONKERS, NY — Americans have gotten little relief over the past year on the sticker price of new vehicles or at the gas pump. So it’s no wonder that 94 percent of prospective automobile buyers consider reliability to be ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ important, and 80 percent say the same about fuel economy, according to a spring 2022 nationally-representative survey by Consumer Reports (CR), the nonprofit research, testing and consumer advocacy organization.
Hybrid vehicles, which combine a battery pack, an electric motor that drives the car at low speeds, and a gas engine that kicks in for higher speed, offer the best of both worlds for reliability and fuel efficiency. Among all vehicle types, hybrid cars and hybrid SUVs rank first and third, respectively, for predicted reliability, according to CR’s Annual Auto Reliability Report. Unlike pure electric vehicles, they do not need to be plugged in to recharge.
“With today’s inflated car prices, people are keeping their vehicles longer than ever. A hybrid can provide years of trouble-free miles, and they are a good defense against rising fuel prices,” said Jake Fisher, senior director of automotive testing at Consumer Reports. “With a top-rated hybrid you get solid reliability, better fuel economy, and lower maintenance costs without sacrificing acceleration, ride comfort, or cabin quietness.”
Hybrid technology has generally meant comparatively higher sticker prices, with the latest models typically costing about $1,700 more (though the hybrid versions of both the Ford Maverick pickup and Lexus NX SUV currently cost less than their comparably equipped nonhybrid versions). Fuel savings, however, can defray costs over time. According to CR’s independent testing, most hybrid SUVs get more than 35 mpg overall, and most hybrid sedans get more than 45 mpg overall. That’s about a 40 percent improvement over nonhybrids, on average. CR calculates that the average payback is four years with gas at $4 a gallon and 12,000 miles driven per year.
However, while there are many great choices, some hybrids may not provide much better fuel economy than their gas-only counterparts. Some brands, including BMW, Ram, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo market “mild hybrid” or “48-volt hybrids.” But the technology provides only minor fuel savings compared with a true hybrid, and CR didn’t include them in the hybrid reliability ratings. Power-focused models like the Ford F-150 Hybrid uses the electric motor to provide more horsepower for hauling and towing rather than focusing on fuel economy. So it pays for consumers to do their homework and check CR’s ratings at consumerreports.org before they buy.
Interest in hybrids is growing. Thirty-six percent of prospective buyers are considering one for their next car or truck purchase, up from 29 percent in 2019, according to CR’s survey. Among the top-performing hybrids in CR’s ratings include the Lexus NX, the Ford Maverick, and the Toyota Corolla.
2023 Lexus NX (Price Range: $38,605 – $57,805). The Lexus NX Hybrid delivered 38 mpg overall in CR’s testing vs. 25 mpg for the regular gas-only version, which equates to $650 in annual savings at the pump based on a price of $4 per gallon and 12,000 miles. It’s a pleasant all-around small luxury SUV with much above average predicted reliability for the Hybrid and above average for the non-hybrid.
2023 Ford Maverick (Price Range: $22,195 – $30,175). The Ford Maverick Hybrid got 37 mpg overall in CR’s testing vs. 23 mpg for the turbo gas-only version, which equates to nearly $800 in annual savings at the pump. Plus the front-wheel drive hybrid costs less than the all-wheel drive turbo version. It has a civilized ride and the bed is perfect for hauling small outdoor stuff. The Maverick also has above average predicted reliability.
2023 Toyota Corolla (Price Range: $21,550 – $ 26,710). The Toyota Corolla Hybrid achieved an impressive 48 mpg overall in CR’s testing vs. 33 mpg for the gas-only version, which would save about $450 annually at the pump. For an affordable price, you also get outstanding reliability, competent handling, and standard advanced safety features.
Consumer Reports conducts a battery of tests on every vehicle it evaluates, including braking, handling, comfort, convenience, safety, and fuel economy. Roughly 6,000 miles of general driving and evaluations are racked up on each car during the testing process. CR buys all its test cars anonymously from dealers and does not accept free samples from automakers for any of its ratings or evaluations.
For more information on CR’s 2022 #CRCarReliability findings, visit CR.org/reliability or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @consumerreports.
About Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability Surveys
The latest Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability Surveys, gathered information from car owners on more than 300,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2022 and early 2023. CR’s reliability predictions are based on overall reliability for the past three model years, provided the vehicle has not been redesigned. One or two years of data will be used if the model was redesigned in 2022 or 2021. CR bases its reliability predictions on data gathered from car owners each year about problems they had with their vehicles in the past 12 months. CR’s team of statisticians, researchers, and testers then analyzed trouble areas and created an overall reliability score for each model and year. Serious problem areas that can lead to expensive repairs are more heavily weighted. More information can be found at www.CR.org.
About Consumer Reports Car Buying Preferences Survey
The survey was administered to a United States general population sample of 6,960 adults for the screener and 2,180 adults for the full survey. Data was collected through NORC’s AmeriSpeak panel. Respondents were screened for eligibility to the full survey on two criteria: they had to intend to buy or lease a car or truck in the next 12 months, and they had to hold a valid driver’s license. The survey soft-launched on March 25, 2022 and closed on April 21, 2022. Of the 2,180 full survey interviews, 2,105 were completed in web mode and 75 by phone mode, 2,131 in English and 49 in Spanish. Survey data were weighted to approximate the general population on age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, and census division. The margin of error for the qualifying sample of 2,180 is +/- 1.57 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
Founded in 1936, CR has a mission to create a fair and just marketplace for all. Widely known for our rigorous research and testing of products and services, we also survey millions of consumers each year, report extensively on marketplace issues, and advocate for consumer rights and protections around safety as well as digital rights, financial fairness, and sustainability. CR is independent and nonprofit.
© 2025 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.
