10 Most Reliable Hybrid Cars 2024

Hybrid cars are a great way to cut down on your fuel bills and benefit from smooth, electric-assisted acceleration that makes them a super refined daily driver.

One problem that raises its head, though, is that hybrid vehicles are more complex than regular petrol or diesel-powered vehicles.

This complexity is a great thing for reducing fuel use, though it does make it increasingly important to stick with a manufacturer known for its reliability, or one offering a long warranty to ease the risk of headaches down the line.

How to Determine Hybrid Car Reliability

While it’s not a perfect science, determining a hybrid car’s reliability comes down to the same principles as judging any regular car.

To that end, we’ve used a compilation of consumer reports and the latest edition of the JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study which uses data from 30,000 vehicle owners and maps out some of the most dependable makes and models.

We’ve also used more subjective methods to map out reliability, largely concentrating on Japanese manufacturers that have, for quite some time now, earned a strong reputation regarding reliability.

10 of the Most Reliable Hybrid Cars on Sale in Australia 2024

Lexus NX Hybrid

Lexus takes the cake for hybrid reliability in 2024, with Toyota’s luxury arm remaining at the top of the pile.

Lexus benefits from a significant head-start on the competition when it comes to hybrid powertrains which has made the NX Hybrid SUV one of the leading options for fuel-conscious families that don’t want to sacrifice on luxuries.

With a long equipment list, claimed fuel economy figures of 4.8L per 100km on a combined cycle and tonnes of interior space, the Lexus NX is a rock-solid option for families in need of an efficient and reliable hybrid family SUV.

• Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder + electric motor hybrid

• Power & Torque: 179kW

• Fuel Economy: 4.8L per 100km

• Boot Size: 520 - 1,141L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2022)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

• Service Intervals: 12 months or 15,000-kilometres 

• Capped Price Servicing: Yes - $495 per service

Toyota Camry Hybrid

There’s a brand-new Toyota Camry in town, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more fuel-efficient, reliable and practical package here in Australia.

Underneath the sleek new bodywork, the Camry picks up Toyota’s latest, fifth-generation hybrid powertrain which offers even more power, coupled with further efficiency gains.

While the fifth-gen hybrid tech is yet to be long-term tested, Toyota’s rock-solid reputation when it comes to reliability, including the long-term durability of its first-through-fourth generation hybrid powertrains does inspire confidence for its latest iteration.

• Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder + electric motor hybrid

• Power & Torque: 170kW

• Fuel Economy: 4.0L per 100km

• Boot Size: 524L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2024)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

• Service Intervals: 12 months or 15,000-kilometres 

• Capped Price Servicing: Yes - $1,295 total (five services)

Honda CR-V e:HEV RS

The Honda brand is synonymous with reliability, which means its latest hybrid version of the family-favourite CR-V is likely to become one of the most reliable hybrids on the road.

Honda’s CR-V e:HEV RS takes the versatile, family-friendly CR-V package and throws in a pair of electric motors to help drop fuel economy figures, while the RS styling tweaks cast a sporty silhouette.

Inside, the CR-V e:HEV RS is offered only as a five-seater, with a long list of equipment and active safety gear to keep you and the family safe.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder + two electric motor hybrid

• Power & Torque: 135kW / 335Nm

• Fuel Economy: 5.5L per 100km

• Boot Size: 581- 1,636L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2024)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

• Service Intervals: 12 months or 10,000-kilometres 

• Capped Price Servicing: Yes - $999 total

Mazda CX-60 PHEV

The CX-60 sits in the middle of Mazda’s latest generation SUV lineup, with the company’s reputation for reliability firmly established.

With both mild-hybrid and plug-in electric (PHEV) versions of the CX-60 available, buyers have a range of choices from Mazda’s upper midsize SUV range, all of which feature a beautiful interior design and practical cabin for the whole family.

The CX-60 PHEV receives a sizable 17.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack that offers up to 76km of all-electric range, with four-paw traction from its all-wheel drive system.

• Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder + electric motor hybrid

• Power & Torque: 241kW / 500Nm

• Fuel Economy: 2.1L per 100km

• Boot Size: 570 - 1,726L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2022)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

• PHEV Warranty: Eight years

• Service Intervals: 12 months or 10,000-kilometres 

• Capped Price Servicing: Yes - $3,217 total

Kia Sorento HEV

The Kia Sorento is one of the most practical options in the world of large, seven-seat SUVs, while a range of hybrid options at the top of the range makes for a super fuel-efficient family wagon.

Offered solely in premium GT-Line trim, the Kia Sorento HEV range treats passengers to acres of interior space filled with premium touches and a long list of features, while Kia’s seven-year warranty coverage certainly inspires confidence.

• Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder + electric motor hybrid

• Power & Torque: 169kW / 350Nm

• Fuel Economy: 5.4 - 5.7L per 100km (FWD vs AWD)

• Boot Size: 179 - 1,995L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2020)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

• Service Intervals: 12 months or 15,000-kilometres 

• Capped Price Servicing: Yes - $495 per service

Suzuki Swift Mild-Hybrid

Suzuki’s latest version of the iconic little Swift hatchback features a hybrid-only engine lineup which, combined with the company’s reputation for extremely reliable vehicles, should make it a pretty safe bet down the line.

While the Swift’s engine is a 12-volt mild-hybrid, the added electrical assistance helps to drop fuel economy figures to just 3.9L per 100km in the Swift Manual while maintaining the go-kart handling that has made it a fan favourite, particularly around town.

• Engine: 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder + 12V integrated starter generator

• Power & Torque: 60kW / 110Nm

• Fuel Economy: 3.9 - 4.0L per 100km (Manual vs CVT)

• Boot Size: 265 - 980L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre
  Service Intervals: 12 months or 15,000-kilometres 

• Capped Price Servicing: Yes - $1,955 total

Subaru Forester Hybrid L

The Subaru Forester makes for one of the most versatile members of the midsize SUV segment, making for a particularly adventure-ready package for the family.

While Subaru’s hybrid system isn’t the most efficient on the market, it does add some fuel savings into the mix while retaining the Forester’s capable DNA for some light off-roading and the extremely practical interior layout.

• Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder + electric motor hybrid

• Power & Torque: 110kW / 196Nm

• Fuel Economy: 6.7L per 100km

• Boot Size: 509 - 1,779L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2019)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre
  Service Intervals: 12 months or 12,500-kilometres 

• Capped Price Servicing: Yes - $2,693 total

Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The release of the Tucson Hybrid is a major one for Hyundai, transplanting the company’s hybrid tech into one of its biggest-selling, family-friendly SUV packages.

The Tucson Hybrid picks up a familiar 1.6-litre petrol-electric hybrid we’ve seen in other Hyundai and Kia vehicles, which helps to drop fuel economy figures to just 5.3L/100km while offering a very healthy amount of power and torque.

Available in three different flavours, including the entry-level Tucson 2WD Hybrid and the range-topping N-Line Premium AWD, there’s a tonne of variety and an affordable base model for price-conscious buyers.

• Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder + electric motor hybrid

• Power & Torque: 172kW / 350Nm

• Fuel Economy: 5.3L per 100km

• Boot Size: 582 - 1,903L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2021)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

• Service Intervals: 12 months or 10,000-kilometres 

• Capped Price Servicing: Yes - $2,040 total

Nissan Qashqai Ti e-POWER

For those looking for a smaller, fuel-efficient and premium SUV that benefits from a long, established reputation for reliability, the Nissan Qashqai Ti e-POWER may well be the answer to your prayers.

Designed as a sleek and stylish compact SUV, the Qashqai drives the wheels via its electric motor, while the petrol unit acts as an onboard generator. This gives it instantaneous acceleration off the line and particularly smooth on-road manners with some significant fuel savings over the regular Qashqai.

• Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder + electric motor hybrid

• Power & Torque: 140kW / 330Nm

• Fuel Economy: 5.2 per 100km

• Boot Size: 418 - 1,513L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2021)

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

• Service Intervals: 12 months or 10,000-kilometres 

• Capped Price Servicing: Yes - $2,007 total

Mitsubishi Outlander ES PHEV

Finally, the Mitsubishi Outlander sits as a super practical feature-packed large SUV that offers huge fuel savings with the help of its plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Step inside and the Outlander’s seven-seat platform makes for a very family-friendly atmosphere, while its smooth on-road manners and option of a seven-seat layout means large families don’t miss out on the fuel savings.

Better yet, Mitsubishi’s class-leading warranty coverage can stretch out to ten years when you keep it serviced on time, at the dealership, providing unmatched peace of mind in the long term.

• Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder + two electric motor hybrid

• Power & Torque: 185kW / 450Nm

• Fuel Economy: 1.5L per 100km

• Boot Size: 191 - 1,387L

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star (tested 2022)

• Warranty: Five-year/100,000km / extends to ten-year/200,000km

• Service Intervals: 12 months or 15,000-kilometres 

• Capped Price Servicing: Yes - $2,045 (five years) $5,420 (ten years)

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