For those still unsure about EVs, hybrid cars offer a great alternative. You get the bonus of their extra efficiency without worrying about range anxiety.
Hybrid offerings are getting better, but there are still some you should avoid at all costs.
Our list will tell you precisely which hybrids you should avoid. It includes a mix of recent additions to the market and older models.
2017 Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid
Volvo usually is a pillar of safety, but the 2017 XC60 hybrid had a core safety problem. The SUV would go through recalls affecting the airbags, seatbelts, and electrical systems.
According to Consumer Reports, the electric problems also migrated to the engine, and the NHTSA issued four recalls of the model.
Ford C-Max Hybrid
One of a hybrid’s key selling points is its fuel economy; however, that does not extend to the Ford C-Max.
The C-Max’s combined MPG is just 40. To put that into context, the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage has a combined MPG of 55 without hybrid assistance.
2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid
Nissan produced the Pathfinder Hybrid for just a single year. However, its electric system was nothing more than a gimmick.
The 22 hp electric motor backed up the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, but all the small motor did was add extra torque to the engine and restart it after stops. There was no added economic bonus to the Pathfinder.
2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 7
The ActiveHybrid 7 is one of BMW’s first attempts at hybrid power, and it too had a 22 hp electric motor backing up the 4.4-liter twin-turbo 455 hp V8.
Like in the Pathfinder, the motor only provided extra torque and would restart the big V8 engine. The ActiveHybrid 7 had poor fuel economy, with the EPA rating it at just 20 MPG combined.
BMW i8
The i8 is a stunning-looking car and doesn’t deserve all the hate it gets. It is extremely fuel efficient with an EPA combined fuel economy of 76 MPGe.
However, this dropped to just 29 MPG on gasoline power, and while you could drive the i8 on electric power only, it would only take you 15 miles down the road.
2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Chevrolet is slowly expanding its hybrid offerings, but the 2008-2009 Malibu was not one of its finest products. It had a mild-hybrid Belt-Alternator-Starter system paired with the 164 hp 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine.
However, its combined MPG of 27 MPG was only slightly higher than when the 2.4-liter engine was on its own, which had a combined rating of 25 MPG.
Infiniti Q50 Hybrid
The biggest issue with the Q50 Hybrid is what Infiniti combined its electrical power with. The small motor works alongside a 3.5-liter V6 with 364 hp.
That V6, however, is incredibly thirsty. Its combined MPG is just 45.6 MPG, and more efficient hybrids are on the market for around the same amount of money.
Lexus CT200h
The CT200h is one of the most underwhelming hybrids on the market. Top Gear’s website labeled it ” a Toyota Prius in a different set of clothes.” And its underpinnings are very similar.
The CT200 h’s 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and motor produce 136 hp. Its combined MPG is 78.5, making it an uninspiring and basic offering.
2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Under the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid’s hood is a Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 with two electric motors. However, as Consumer Reports says, the V6 powertrain suffers from major engine faults.
However, the biggest problem with the minivan was its tendency to catch fire. A problem with the 12-volt battery forced a recall and caused a nightmare for Chrysler.
Saturn Aura Hybrid
Saturn’s Aura Hybrid shared the same front-wheel-drive platform as the Malibu Hybrid and the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood.
However, if you want good fuel efficiency, the Aura Hybrid is not the hybrid for you. A combined rating of just 26 MPG will not win any awards.
Lexus LC500h
The LC500h has a lot going for it. Its 3.5-liter V6 engine and electric motor produce 354 hp. However, the fuel economy figure of 44 MPG isn’t fitting for a hybrid powertrain.
To top it all off, while it is less economical, the V8 version of the LC500 is much more fun to drive. You just won’t be doing the planet much good.
2005-2007 Honda Accord Hybrid
The 2005-2007 Accord Hybrid was a confusing car. Honda allegedly marketed the car with the tagline “Sips Gas. Hauls Ass.” Suggesting that it was a performance hybrid with a 3.0-liter V6.
However, performance and hybrid are not good pairings unless this is a hybrid supercar. The Accord’s economy was poor at 25 MPG combined, and you couldn’t use the hybrid system alone to drive the car.
Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid
With a combined economy figure of just 26 MPG, the E400 Hybrid is around 30 MPG lower than many comparable gasoline cars.
To put that number into context, the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime achieves a combined MPG of 127 MPGe; on gas only, it stands at 52 MPG. Firmly putting the big Mercedes sedan in the shade.
Lexus LS 600h L
The Lexus LS 600h L is an excellent luxury vehicle. Its comfortable, spacious, and very well-equipped interior makes the sedan a great place to be.
However, even with the hybrid power, the big 438 hp 5.0-liter V8 doesn’t improve fuel economy much. The combined MPG is just 19, which only rises to 23 on the highway.
2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid
The QX60 Hybrid is another product that would disappear after just one year. The problem was it used the same underpinnings as the Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid.
So, aside from the extra luxury of an Infiniti, the anemic 22 hp electric motor again only added torque and restarted the QX60 engine.
2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid
The 2009 Durango Hybrid would also sell as the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid. The concept was an interesting one. Shove a 5.7-liter 345 hp Hemi V8 under an SUV’s hood and add hybrid power.
Sadly, the two did not mix well at all. The two SUVs used the Two-Mode Hybrid system, originally developed jointly by GM, but the combined fuel economy figure was just 21 MPG. This is better than the non-hybrid Hemi but still unacceptable for a hybrid.
2022 Ford Explorer Hybrid
There is little wrong with the Ford Explorer’s design. It is one of the better-looking SUVs on the market, and the 3.3-liter V6 and electric motor combine to produce 318 hp.
But the 2022 Explorer Hybrid has a combined MPG of just 23 MPG and weighs an astonishing 4,969 lbs. It was costly, too, starting at $52,060.
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
Adding hybrid power to the Chevrolet Tahoe was a good idea on paper. But pairing an electric motor with a massive 6.0-liter V8 with 332 hp isn’t the best recipe for success.
That is how it turned out, with a combined MPG of only 21 MPG, rising only to 23 MPG on the highway. The one positive is that the hybrid system worked seamlessly with the V8.
Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
With a base MSRP of $35,970, the Crosstrek Hybrid is still expensive. But what makes this Subaru a poor performer is its electric range.
If you wish to drive only on electric power, you will only get 17 miles down the road before running out of battery. Most of the time, you will use the 2.0-liter e-Boxer engine.
Ferrari SF90 Stradale
The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is fantastic as a supercar and as a showcase of Ferrari’s technical prowess.
But as a hybrid, it is terrible. The three electric motors will only provide 16 miles of range, meaning you will rely on the 769-hp twin-turbocharged V8 most of the time. The 217 hp electric motors are purely there as a showcase.
2011-2015 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid
The most significant issue the Touareg Hybrid faced in the early 2010s was recalls. Firstly, a problem with the battery’s lack of drainage could cause it to short-circuit and catch fire.
Volkswagen discovered that water could enter without the rear hatch opening. This was due to incorrect sunroof drains and a rear lid seal assembly. There was also a recall for a missing clip for the brake pedal pivot pin, which allowed the brake pedal to come off, and one for a leak in the fuel injection system.
2017 BMW X5 Hybrid
The biggest problem with the 2017 BMW X5 Hybrid wasn’t its great hybrid system. The issue came from the brakes.
Owners have reported severe vibrations from them and issues with the antilock brake system and calipers. This could create unnerving squeaks and lead to a total brake failure.
2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Safety issues were a significant problem for the 2016 Malibu Hybrid, and Chevrolet had to issue nine recalls for the model.
The problems were soon traced to airbag fuel, a risk of fuel catching fire, and a brake failure. All these issues hid that the four-cylinder engine and two electric motors were a brilliant hybrid system.
2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Hybrid
Electric issues are the last thing you expect to have problems with on your hybrid. However, the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander suffered severely from them.
The electric problems would extend from the battery to other areas, such as the air conditioning. You would at least expect your A/C system to work on a modern SUV.
