Edmunds: These are the best lightly used hybrid cars, SUVs and trucks

Buying a hybrid can significantly boost fuel efficiency and your monthly fuel bills. And these days, there are plenty of new hybrid cars, SUVs and even trucks to choose from. But what if you can’t afford to buy a new car? Consider buying a used one. A lightly used hybrid can save you thousands of dollars compared to an equivalent new one and be a trustworthy vehicle for many years to come.

The car experts at Edmunds have identified five top picks for used car, truck and SUV hybrids based on Edmunds’ testing, fuel economy and overall value. The prices listed are what you can typically expect to pay at a nationwide no-haggle dealership such as CarMax or Carvana.

The Prius is the hybrid that started it all, and it remains a benchmark of fuel economy and versatility. A 2021 Prius, for example, can get up to an EPA-estimated 56 mpg in combined city/highway driving depending on the trim level. Its handy liftback design makes for easy loading and unloading of cargo too. An all-wheel-drive version of the Prius is also available. The Prius’ main downside is its slow acceleration.

Look for: Our pick is either the LE or XLE trim because they offer the best mix of efficiency and convenience. Shoppers can also consider the Prius Prime, a plug-in hybrid with up to 25 miles of electric range. The Prime isn’t as widely available but typically doesn’t cost much more.

2021-2022 Prius pricing: approximately $23,000 to $29,000

The Honda Accord boasts a roomy interior, a big trunk and an enjoyable-to-drive nature. All of those qualities are also present for the Accord Hybrid. A 2022 Accord Hybrid, for example, gets up to an EPA-estimated 47 mpg combined, which is excellent for a midsize sedan. Nearly every aspect of the Accord Hybrid reflects an impressive level of refinement, and it’s entirely possible to forget you’re even driving a hybrid.

Look for: Shop for an Accord EX-L trim. It gets 47 mpg and has some desirable features not offered on the base model, such as heated seats, leather and a premium audio system. The fully loaded Touring trim is nice but it has 19-inch wheels that drop the car’s mpg combined rating to 43 mpg combined.

2021-2022 Accord Hybrid pricing: approximately $25,000 to $30,000

Consider the Kia Niro if you want a thrifty crossover SUV alternative to the Prius. A base 2022 Niro gets comparable fuel economy, up to 50 mpg combined, but costs thousands less. It’s also a pretty practical runabout. The Niro’s passenger and cargo space are roomy considering the vehicle’s small overall size. Downsides to the Niro are few but include slow acceleration and the lack of available all-wheel drive.

Look for: Try to get a Niro EX Premium trim. This is the most expensive Niro but it comes with a surprising amount of features, including a premium audio system, ventilated front seats and synthetic leather upholstery. A plug-in hybrid version of the Niro is also available.

2021-2022 Niro pricing: approximately $20,000 to $26,000

The Toyota RAV4 is a great choice for a small SUV. Guess what? The RAV4 Hybrid is even better. It has the same space and comfort of a regular RAV4 but with standard all-wheel drive and an EPA-estimated 40 mpg combined for either a 2021 or 2022 model. It’s also quicker to 60 mph than its gas-only counterpart. That’s what you can call a win-win.

Look for: The XLE Premium is the sweet spot in the RAV4 Hybrid lineup for value. It’s a midlevel trim but comes with some appealing standard features such as a sunroof and a power liftgate.

2021-2022 RAV4 Hybrid pricing: approximately $30,000 to $38,000

Pickups and hybrids aren’t typical allies, but Ford is leading the way with its F-150 fitted with an optional hybrid powertrain. Called PowerBoost, it has a turbocharged V6 plus hybrid components to produce a robust 430 horsepower. It also gets up to an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined. When new, the PowerBoost was a fairly expensive upgrade, but it’s much less of a hit to get it on a used F-150.

Look for: The PowerBoost is an optional powertrain, not a trim level. As such, you’ll need to do some searching in used inventory to find one. The good news is that nearly every F-150 trim level has the hybrid available.

2021-2022 F-150 equipped with PowerBoost: approximately $38,000 to $51,000

Buying a lightly used hybrid is a smart choice for savvy consumers. It helps you avoid the full hit of a hybrid’s cost while still getting you a vehicle that’s likely under warranty.

This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds.

Dan Frio is a contributor at Edmunds.

This photo provided by Edmunds shows a 2021 F-150. Equipped with the hybrid engine, the F-150 gets up to an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined. (Courtesy of Edmunds via AP)

This photo provided by Toyota shows a 2022 RAV4 Hybrid. The EPA estimates it gets up to 40 mpg in combined city/highway driving. (Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. via AP)

This photo provided by Kia shows a 2022 Niro. The EPA estimates it gets up to 50 mpg in combined city/highway driving. (Courtesy of Kia America via AP)

This photo provided by Honda shows a 2022 Accord Hybrid. The EPA estimates it gets up to 47 mpg in combined city/highway driving. (Courtesy of American Honda Motor Co. via AP)

This photo provided by Toyota shows a 2021 Prius. The EPA estimates it gets up to 56 mpg in combined city/highway driving. (Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. via AP)

TOKYO (AP) — Jake Flint and his girlfriend Jessica Griffiths are on vacation in Japan from England. They were milling around a Tokyo sporting goods store this week that boasts the largest array of MLB gear in Japan, much of which carries the Los Angeles Dodgers brand.

The name and image of superstar Shohei Ohtani are everywhere in the store — on caps, t-shirts, jerseys, stuffed animals — as all of Japan prepares to watch the World Series.

Television ratings in Japan have set records as the Dodgers and Ohtani prepare to face the New York Yankees. The first game is Friday evening in the United States, which will be Saturday morning in Japan.

Ohtani has stoked national pride, even among Japanese who don't care about baseball. Youth players in Japan adore him and newscasts often lead with him, even though the country is voting on Sunday in critical parliamentary elections.

All of that said, Jake made a confession.

“I have no idea who he is," he said, referring to Ohtani. “There's not a lot of exposure to him back in the UK.”

His girlfriend summed it up. “We're aliens. Never heard of him.”

“If I buy,” said Jake, “it will be purely based on aesthetics.”

Kakeru Watanabe, manager of the store called “Selection” in Tokyo's Shinjuku area, said that during the week tourists make up half of the business. Some are baseball fans. Some are just curious like Jake and Jessica and are drawn by the color palettes of all 30 MLB teams. Merchandise for the 12 Japanese pro teams is also on sale.

“I think about half of our products here are Ohtani-related items,” Watanabe said. “And in terms of the percentage of the products sold, Ohtani-related items are even higher."

Ohtani products have always sold well in Japan, but reaching the World Series has changed everything.

“After the Dodgers made it to the World Series, sales performance seemed to double or triple compared to a normal weekday,” Watanabe said.

Jiro Nishi, who works as a hairdresser, wore a New York Mets cap as he browsed but said he'll be rooting for Ohtani and the Dodgers. The Dodgers eliminated the Mets on Sunday.

“I thought I'd wear something with the Dodgers logo to cheer them on,” he said. “I think the reason the Dodgers acquired Ohtani and (pitcher Yoshinobu) Yamamoto was to win the World Series. So I would like to see them winning it.”

Stephen Sipidias, a Canadian tourist, said he grew up playing baseball, but drifted to basketball. He said Ohtani pulled him back.

“A guy being able to pitch and bat, hearing him compared to Babe Ruth — he kind of sounds like a legend," Sipidias said. “He got me back into watching baseball.”

Being a Dodgers and Ohtani fan in Japan is costly. It's easy to find Dodgers caps in the store that sell for 16,000 yen — about $105. One dark blue Dodgers jersey was priced at about 100,000 yen — $650.

“Expensive,” Jake said.

Watanabe acknowledged the Japanese economy wasn't great, but he justified the price tags. “I think that people are willing to spend money on things they like,” he said.

Ohtani heads that list in Japan.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Goods related to Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers are displayed at a sporting goods store, "SELECTION," in Shinjuku district Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A customer shops around for goods related to Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers at a sporting goods store, "SELECTION," in Shinjuku district Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Store manager Takeru Watanabe speaks in front of goods related to Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers at a sporting goods store, "SELECTION," in Shinjuku district Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Customers shop around for goods related to Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers at a sporting goods store, "SELECTION," in Shinjuku district Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Customers shop around for goods related to Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers at a sporting goods store, "SELECTION," in Shinjuku district Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A customer shops around for goods related to Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers at a sporting goods store, "SELECTION," in Shinjuku district Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Goods related to Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers are displayed at a sporting goods store, "SELECTION," in Shinjuku district Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A customer Jiro Nishi, shops around for goods related to Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers at a sporting goods store, "SELECTION," in Shinjuku district Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A customer shops around for goods related to Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers at a sporting goods store, "SELECTION," in Shinjuku district Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Goods related to Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers are displayed at a sporting goods store, "SELECTION," in Shinjuku district Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)