Every 2020 Hybrid & Electric Car Ranked from Best to Worst
Over a million EVs are now on the road in the U.S. Nationally, electric vehicles still only comprise just shy of 2% of all cars sold. But in certain regions of the country, like the Western U.S.’s 5% EV market share, their numbers are growing larger every day. While 2020 electric vehicle sales were flat (for obvious reasons), cars with batteries are on the up and up.
For this listing, we’ve combined HEVs, PHEVs, and EVs all onto one list. If you’re unclear about the differences between each type, head on over to our lovely electric vehicle explainer to clear things up for you.
We rank 19 hybrid and electric cars from best to worst by combining their ratings on driving performance, standard features, design, and value.
19. 2020 BMW i3
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The 2020 BMW i3 has great safety ratings and shows off BMW’s impeccable build quality. However, buyers can find all-electric alternatives at a lower price point that still have some luxury features but travel a much longer distance. The i3 only goes 153 miles according to the EPA. That is unless you spring for the range extender which turns it into a plug-in hybrid. But that uses gasoline and…kind of defeats the purpose, right?
18. 2020 Honda Clarity (Plug-In & Fuel Cell)
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Also at the bottom of the heap is the 2020 Honda Clarity. There are two different versions offered: a plug-in and a fuel cell version. The latter is only available for lease in certain states. The plug-in hybrid version of the Clarity can travel 48 miles on electricity alone before the gasoline engine kicks in. That’s one of the longest ranges of any PHEV on the market. But if you anticipate using gas often, we suggest opting for the Honda Insight instead. It’s just a better all-around car—even though it’s a traditional hybrid and uses gasoline.
17. 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid & Energi (Plug-in)
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The 2020 Ford Fusion comes in two different hybrid options: a traditional hybrid and a plug-in version. Both suffer from a sluggishness that makes us wonder if Ford needs to sort out how the electric and gas engines take over for one another. Though, on the positive side, the Fusion’s interior is quite airy and spacious (if not exactly upscale). The Fusion isn’t long for this world, though. Production ends in 2020, and it will ride off into the sunset with other retired sedans.
16. 2020 Mini Electric Hardtop
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Mini’s first stab at an all-electric car does have some good things going for it. It has the fun driving dynamics and sportiness of a gas Mini Cooper. Plus the instant torque of an electric motor really gives it some speed off the line. The price is also very affordable! However, the range is simply paltry. 110 miles just won’t cut it. Other competitors offer more roominess for passengers and cargo, also.
15. 2020 Toyota Prius & Prius Prime
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The Toyota Prius is the granddaddy of environmentally friendly cars, but it’s beginning to show its age. The sharp, angular lines of the exterior design aren’t for everyone. Then again, that’s always been the case with the Prius. Its styling has always been an acquired taste. On the inside, we like our cars to look like…well, cars. Not spaceships. But we do appreciate the available AWD, something that helps it stand out in the segment. While the original Prius is a traditional hybrid electric vehicle, the newer Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid version.
14. 2020 Nissan Leaf
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The 2020 Nissan Leaf is one of the most affordable fully electric vehicles on the market. That makes it a true EV for the masses (sorry, Tesla). But its compact size can hold only so big of a battery. Because of that limitation, even the longer ranger “Plus” trims only max out around 226 miles according to the EPA. That’s closer to competitors like the Chevy Bolt but still a little behind (granted at a lower price point).
13. 2020 Lexus ES Hybrid
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The 2020 Lexus ES Hybrid sits in the bottom half of our ranking. Great handling and a supple ride are paired with great fuel economy—44 mpg combined. It has a large array of safety features, but they also come at a price. A price that increases quickly. As is common in many Lexus vehicles, the interior cabin is unintuitive and busy. Frankly, we find the ES Hybrid dash downright ugly.
12. 2020 Hyundai Ioniq (Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, & EV)
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The Hyundai Ioniq gets props for innovation. With three powertrain options, buyers can choose from traditional hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric versions. That probably makes things cheaper from Hyundai’s corporate viewpoint. For buyers though, it makes things middle-of-the-road all-around. It features a numb, floaty ride along with a pretty bland interior. Nothing about it is terrible, but it won’t blow your socks off either.
11. 2020 Kia Optima (Hybrid & Plug-In Hybrid)
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Kia offers lots of value with its Optima Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid models. They come loaded with tons of standard tech and safety features that undercut the competition. However, those competitors often have better fuel economy ratings, a more upscale design, and more interior and cargo space.
10. 2020 Chevrolet Bolt
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With 259 miles of range, the all-electric 2020 Chevrolet Bolt is no slouch. Engineers found a way to eek out more range without completely redesigning the battery. The Bolt’s hatchback design provides a raised driving position to give drivers a good view of the road. It also allows for a roomy, expansive interior cabin. One common complaint among Bolt owners, however, is the somewhat thin, narrow, and unsupportive front seat. The interior is also far from upscale, but Chevy promises to address these concerns with a new redesign that is just around the corner in 2021.
9. 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
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Finally, a hybrid version of the Corolla exists! You’ve been asking, and now it’s here. Toyota took everything good about the Corolla and added a battery to the engine. The result is a fuel economy rating of 53 mpg city and 52 mpg on the highway. The steering can be a little numb, but with solid safety ratings and Toyota’s reputation for reliability, this new Corolla Hybrid is a good purchase.
8. 2020 Honda Insight
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The Honda Insight nameplate is a historic one for green car-lovers. The first 3-door iteration of the early 2000s still remains the most fuel-efficient gas-only powered car. A revival in the early 2010s saw the Insight transform into something resembling a Toyota Prius. Now, the new 2020 Honda Insight looks like a traditional sedan with all the appeal of an Accord or Civic. This, finally, is what people want! An environmentally-friendlier option that looks like a car, acts like a car, and just so happens to achieve 55 mpg in the city and 49 mpg on the highway.
7. 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
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The 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid lands on the list just behind the Camry hybrid. Its larger size makes it roomier and more stately to drive but also hinders the fuel economy. But when compared to the traditional gasoline Avalon, the hybrid fuel economy ratings are a whopping 69% improvement. The larger size makes it less nimble, also, and we found competitor interiors that were more intuitive.
6. 2020 Tesla Model 3
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This is the Tesla for the masses! While it only briefly made it down to the promised base price of $35,000 (the current cheapest option online is $39,990), it’s still a much more affordable option than any other Tesla offering. The range of 322 miles is second only to its larger sibling (the Model S), and the Model 3 features precision handling and peppy speed. It sometimes has quality issue problems to be a luxury offering, however. You also have to pay more for max range. The cheapest version only goes around 250 miles.
5. 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid
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The 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a traditional hybrid vehicle that operates on gasoline with the support of a range-extending electric motor. That means the Camry Hybrid LE squeezes 52 mpg combined out of its fuel. Like its gasoline counterpart, we appreciated the large array of standard features, but we sometimes found it a little noisy in the cabin.
4. 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid
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The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid is the highest-ranking car that still utilizes gasoline. The hybrid version of the Accord has a 45% improvement in fuel economy than its non-hybrid counterpart at 48 mpg combined. With an upscale and intuitive interior and a large trunk, it’s the perfect family sedan. The only downside is that you’re still using some gasoline…granted not as much.
3. 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
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Hyundai and its sister company offer great value by packing on the standard features. The brand-new redesigned 2020 Hyundai Sonata is a looker with its Astin Martin-inspired design. While the plug-in version may be gone for now, this new Sonata Hybrid brings great driving dynamics and a truly luxurious interior cabin to a shockingly affordable price point. Plus, there is a solar panel embedded in the roof! Sure it’s a little bit of a gimmick and only extends range negligibly, but we still give props for ingenuity.
2. 2020 Porsche Taycan
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The Porsche Taycan is an all-new all-electric vehicle for the venerated German brand. Yes, it’s quite pricey, but the Taycan is also a perfect balance of buttery smooth handling and ride paired with strong power. Electric vehicles can be fun to drive, and you can have fun driving without using any gasoline. The high-quality interior also matches the high starting price of $79,900. A range of 203 miles isn’t terrible, but it’s much much shorter than Tesla (and the Chevy Bolt).
1. 2020 Tesla Model S
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The 2020 Tesla Model S is the hybrid to beat. Yes, it has a high price, starting at just under $74,500. That’s right—starting. But that will also get you the longest range of any fully electric vehicle on the market. The EPA estimates range at a whopping 402 miles for the Model S Long Range Plus. Other pros include roomy seating, precision handling, and speedy acceleration. We still aren’t the biggest fans of the everything-on-a-screen approach to the interior, however.
