Electrification in the car industry has undoubtedly picked up momentum in recent years, and electric vehicles are now slowly becoming popular. EVs not only provide wonderful new features and excellent economy, but they also provide the piece of mind that your vehicle has no carbon imprint. However, the bulk of buyers have yet to completely embrace the electric car trend, and in the meanwhile, there is a good middle ground in the shape of hybrid cars, which use moderate electrification with petrol engines, delivering outstanding gas economy and a lower carbon footprint.
Hybrids are unquestionably among the most popular and best-selling vehicles in America, with models such as the Toyota RAV4 Prime, Toyota Prius, and Ford Fusion Hybrid continuing to sell well. However, hybridization is still a hit-or-miss in many automobiles, and many consumers who acquired hybrid vehicles later regretted their purchases. If you want to assuage your conscience while also being more environmentally conscious, here are 5 hybrid automobiles that everyone regrets purchasing and 5 that could run forever.
Fiat 500 Hybrid: Buyer’s Remorse
The Fiat 500 had long been the welcoming small city cruiser that was all that was required to comfortably travel in the city. The revolutionary gasoline engine in the 500 produced either 84 or 104 horsepower and gave excellent gas economy of more than 42 MPG.
As a result, there was never a shortage of need or desire for a hybrid version. Sure, environmentally conscientious purchasers chose the 500 Hybrid, but it was not only heavier than the gasoline version, but it also produced just 69 horsepower, resulting in such sluggish driving that many regretted not opting for the TwinAir type itself.
The Lexus RX450h will last forever.
The Lexus RX midsize SUV has undergone a complete facelift for the 2023 model year, and things seem to be going really well for it. RepairPal gave the Lexus 450h hybrid crossover a perfect 4/5 for dependability and even named it #1 in the premium midsize SUV category.
Not only that, but JD Power named the Lexus RX as the most trustworthy crossover, demonstrating how much of a dependable luxury SUV the RX450h will be in the long term. Furthermore, Lexus has loaded it with cutting-edge innovations that will keep it feeling fresh for a long time.
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Buyer’s Remorse
The Ford Escape Hybrid reached its fourth generation in 2020, and like with many cars in the industry, the first year of a new generation is often fraught with problems. In the 2020 Escape Hybrid, a 2.5-liter inline-four engine is coupled with electric motors to provide 198 horsepower and return 43 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway.
Unfortunately, this is one automobile that has been plagued by dependability troubles, with its faulty gearbox and drive system being the worst offenders. With a Consumer Reports dependability rating of 2/5 and 10 recalls, any 2020 purchasers of this hybrid SUV would undoubtedly be punching the air, regretting their choice to bring this hybrid home.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid 2022 Will Last Forever
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is not only a spectacular hybrid vehicle, but it is also a desirable SUV in its own right, with a stunning design, amazing amenities, and a flawless 5-star NHTSA safety certification. The Santa Fe Hybrid has 226 horsepower and a fuel economy of 36 miles per gallon in city driving.
Consumer Reports also granted the 2022 Santa Fe Hybrid a perfect 4/5 dependability rating. The 2022 Santa Fe Hybrid is a terrific SUV to have in your stable for the long run since it’s a contemporary, sleek, and feature-packed hybrid SUV that’s also good for the environment.
2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Buyer’s Remorse
In 2018, Chrysler’s hybrid minivan, the Pacifica Hybrid, cost more than $40,000, and it was clearly not worth the money people paid. The 2018 Pacifica Hybrid was a disappointment due to engine and cooling issues.
As a result, Consumer Reports assigned the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid a poor 1/5 rating for dependability and an equally dismal 2/5 rating for owner satisfaction. A 2018 Pacifica Hybrid is now available on the used auto market for less than $30,000, but even if it were half that, the problems would still mean the hybrid minivan isn’t worth it.
Will Run Indefinitely: 2022 Hybrid Toyota Highlander
Toyota is generally the first name that springs to mind when it comes to dependability. The Japanese label and reliability go hand in hand, and things aren’t much different in the hybrid game. The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is one of the greatest hybrid SUVs on the market today, and it accomplishes its job well.
With 243 horsepower, this big SUV gets 36 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the interstate, all while looking extremely intimidating. You could take home a new Toyota Highlander Hybrid for just under $40,000, and the SUV’s flawless 5/5 dependability score and 4/5 owner satisfaction score should be enough to ensure that this hybrid SUV will keep you happy and calm for a long time.
Buyer’s Remorse: Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid 2011-2015
The Volkswagen Touareg was only available from 2011 to 2015, and it never fared very well. Despite being one of the most powerful hybrid cars, with 380 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque, the VW Touareg Hybrid had a slew of issues that made it a hybrid SUV to avoid at all costs. The petrol-powered Touareg, on the other hand, remains a huge SUV that we hope would come to American shores.
To begin, the hybrid SUV was subject to two recalls, one of which was due to the hybrid battery tray failing to correctly drain water, posing the potential of a severe fire through a short circuit. There was also a leak in the fuel injection system, and given how few of these SUVs were sold, it’s reasonable to suppose the Touareg Hybrid would have a lot more problem seeking proper servicing.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2021 Will Run Indefinitely
The 2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is another terrific Toyota hybrid SUV that will remain with you for the long haul, with its outstanding 5/5 dependability rating and near-perfect 4/5 owner satisfaction rating on Consumer Reports.
The 2021 Corolla Hybrid starts at about $20,500 on the secondhand hybrid vehicle market and gets a stunning 53 MPG from its 121-hp 1.8-liter inline-four engine. The 2021 Corolla Hybrid is officially recommended by CR and has a perfect 5-star safety certification from the NHTSA.
2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid Buyer’s Remorse
The fact that the Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid was only available for one year in 2014 tells a lot about it. The Pathfinder Hybrid was a hybrid automobile for the purpose of being a hybrid car, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a very weak 15 kW electric motor. The Pathfinder Hybrid could not operate solely on electric power, nor could it achieve higher MPG statistics than the petrol-only 3.5-liter V6 model.
Owners of the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid SUV have complained about the vehicle not moving after unexpected stops, frequent shaking and vibration, and the CVT oil line snapping and leaking. In fact, even non-hybrid Pathfinder variations from that generation should be avoided.
Will Run Indefinitely: 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid
For good reason, the 2022 Ford Maverick is one of our favorite vehicles right now. While not everyone is a fan of EV pickups right away, the Maverick masterfully walks the medium ground with its 191-horsepower hybrid powertrain. The Ford brand and the fact that this superb hybrid pickup truck begins at a little over $21,000 add to its popularity.
The Maverick also wowed the guys at Consumer Reports, earning a 4/5 dependability rating, and owners have sang the truck’s praises, earning the same score in owner satisfaction. 42 MPG in the city is no joke, and the Maverick’s 33 MPG efficiency on the highway is as amazing as you’re on the highway.
