Are hybrids worth it when I mostly take short commutes?
Posted by Snoo_50786@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 104 comments
That is, would we generally see any cost saving? Thinking about getting a 2026 civic hybrid.
my commutes generally are never more than 10 minutes. The idea of having something that COULD save me a lot of money sounds really nice but I'm not sure if its as applicable given said commutes especially when i factor in routine AND potential unforeseen maintenance.
If anybody has been in a similar situation i would appreciate the feedback!
dijibell@reddit
I’m gonna do some back of the napkin math here. 2026 civic sport gets 31mpg city, hybrid gets 50. Assume your commute is 10 miles each way of city driving (probably less than that, or you’re on a highway. Either way, this will somewhat overestimate hybrid savings) Assume 250 work days a year - total annual distance driven is 2500 miles. In the base model, that’s 2500/31=81 gallons, hybrid is 2500/50=50 gallons. The difference, at an even $4/gal is 31*$4=$124 gas savings annually.
The typical North American driver does about 10,000 miles a year, so their savings would be more like $496.
Given that the price difference between the two models is $2700, a typical driver would see overall savings starting in year 6 of ownership.
The civic gets good mileage even in the non-hybrid drivetrain. If you’re only driving 2500 miles a year, probably best to just get the gas model.
owlwise13@reddit
If you can't change at home, a hybrid makes sense. I have a family member that commutes about 12 miles a day, they have to work to use up the gas in their Prius. She fills up about once a month. If you can install a level 2 charger at home, then an EV would be your best option.
CarCounsel@reddit
EV
f1FTW@reddit
Seconded. Pure electric makes the most sense for short commutes. Charge at home, no internal combustion maintenance, less maintenance in general
Hersbird@reddit
If you can't charge at home a hybrid will cost less per mile than an EV.
f1FTW@reddit
I don't know the math, it probably depends a lot on where you live (cost of electricity), but the distinct lack of an entire fossil fuel driven propulsion system has its advantages. Much much simpler. Fewer things to break, etc.
CarCounsel@reddit
Exactly. Carrying around two powertrains is silly for many. But they do it anyway.
roadbikemadman@reddit
My Sienna gets 37-40 mpg in stop 'n go traffic running in EV mode and can travel 500+ miles without refueling...and then take <5 minutes to refuel for another 500+ miles.
We do use it that way, frequently, so a hybrid is a perfect fit.
CarCounsel@reddit
Sounds like it. Very different use case and car than we were discussing here though.
f1FTW@reddit
They work way way better than they have any engineering reason to. They are literally marvels of engineering. It amazes me that it work as well as it does (when made by Toyota or Honda). Then BMW tries it and it is an unmitigated disaster, lol. i3, i8 are both horrendous.
CarCounsel@reddit
You’re wrong on all counts. But then you haven’t actually driven an i3 or i8 or BMW hybrid now have you? I have all the above. Prefer BMW’s approach. Apparent Honda agreed.
f1FTW@reddit
You are right, I have never driven either. Because they have terrible reliability and range numbers.
CarCounsel@reddit
Also false.
f1FTW@reddit
How is it not a hybrid. It is an electric car with a bolted on gas motor generator. It has both an electric and gas engine. All the problems of both. That makes it a hybrid in my book. I really wanted to buy an off lease i3 but in the end the range numbers were just too short. Ended up getting a model y and have road tripped the heck out of that car. It's been great. The sales numbers tell the truth. BMW made really interesting i-series cars that didn't meet the needs of the customers. And no one bought them.
CarCounsel@reddit
Your book doesn’t matter. A hybrid is different. I8 is a hybrid. i3 is not. You misunderstand how the systems differ. Common mistake.
f1FTW@reddit
I don't know if you live in Europe or not, but in North America, all i3's came with the range extender. So all of them have both an electric drivetrain and a full internal combustion engine... So the problems of both, the maintenance of both. The highest range i3 sold in North America is 150miles including the "range extension." I am not misinformed. I have exactly the same information as most American consumers and I intelligently chose to not buy an i3.
CarCounsel@reddit
Not true. In America we never got the extender as standard. You clearly have very little understanding of the car.
f1FTW@reddit
Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/bmw/i3/#model-generations
CarCounsel@reddit
Like I said you have a LOT to learn. And Google isn’t going to help you you’re so lost. But keep wasting your time.
CarCounsel@reddit
Sometimes. Not always.
Hersbird@reddit
Sometimes, not always, an EV can cost more to charge at home than a hybrid gets per mile on gasoline. Going by national averages on fuel prices and fast charger prices it's pretty common hybrid beats EV in cost per mile for the energy.
CarCounsel@reddit
Yes, true. And sometimes it is the opposite so the OP needs to do the math. Once you factor in maintenance posts of a PHEV any savings tend to evaporate. PHEVs also far less efficient on charge. Lots of variables.
Hersbird@reddit
Not PHEV, hybrid. Whatever maintenance you might have is offset by a much lower purchase price and then a better resale. I bought a hybrid 54,000 miles ago and have spent a total of $180 in maintenance and repairs. The first 36,000 miles had free maintenance, so 2 oil changes since and zero other repairs. It's still under a 100,000 mile warranty. It gets 51mpg and is the size of a Model S but was $31k brand new. I am not anti EV, I have had 2 different ones on reservation but massive price increases before delivery caused me to cancel them. I still have a reservation on a Ramcharger or Ram Rev but will see what they end up costing.
CarCounsel@reddit
You’re cherry picking based on a very narrow set of parameters. We have spent $0 in maintenance on a used EV that cost less than any hybrid or PHEV. Too many variables here.
Hersbird@reddit
And now you are comparing used to new. There are used Pruis out there for $5-8k that are very reliable still. The only major difference in maintenance is oil changes, and oil changes aren't that expensive.
CarCounsel@reddit
Which the OP can also do. What I don’t see them doing is buying a Prius as you suggest which would be 20 years old and need lots in maintenance compared to what you’re reporting.
Hersbird@reddit
3x a year? Every 5-7k miles with synthetic. How is my spending bad? I've had the car 3 years, driven about 54,000 miles, spent less than $300 in maintenance, lost about $15k in depreciation, and have gotten pretty consistent 50mpg with $3/gallon gas. $3300 in gas. Had I bought that ID4 I had on order, I would have had to pay $20k more upfront, have lost way more than $15k in depreciation and my fast charging costs to go 54,000 miles would have been over $6000. So great, I would have saved a couple oil changes. Apparently the ID4 has been hot garage so im glad I dodged that bullet.
CarCounsel@reddit
Your data points are off. Way off. At 15K a year with the Toyota service schedule that's 3x a year. If you drive 10K a year and are willing to change it every 10K this becomes a third, but don't tell the Toyota sub or you'll get yelled at. That again is assuming you get the change done for $60. Most pay more for it. $15K in depreciation isn't a flex. No one said you should have bought an ID4. God you're bad at this.
Dumpsterfire_47@reddit
Used Bolt would be cheap AF and suit their needs.
DustyRacoonDad@reddit
A used Leaf would work too, and cost very very little.
Opinionsare@reddit
I just got a great deal on a 2023 Nissan Leaf, just off lease, with only 6,000 miles and 6 years of battery warranty.
AsparaGus2025@reddit
How much, if I may be so bold?
Opinionsare@reddit
$17,200, which I paid $10,200 and my trade was $7,000 for a 2011 Honda CR-V.
Dumpsterfire_47@reddit
Absolutely.
Particular_Quiet_435@reddit
Or a PHEV which can run 100% on battery for the distance of the commute. Either, assuming OP has a parking spot with a grounded outlet nearby
Dumpsterfire_47@reddit
PHEVs… more maintenance & complexity, greater fire risk, just go EV with that commute.
According_Flow_6218@reddit
There’s risk of having a fire and risk of dying in a fire. The bigger the battery the more catastrophic it is if you have a fire. Ideally you have a battery that’s small enough you have time to escape the car.
Dumpsterfire_47@reddit
If it’s a Tesla and you can’t get out… maybe? Overall their fire risk is very very low.
According_Flow_6218@reddit
The link you posted doesn’t address my comment at all. It addresses strictly the likelihood of an EV fire, whereas my comment was about what happens when there is an EV fire.
EVs burn completely differently than gas and diesel cars. With a gasoline car you typically have time to see the fire and attempt to escape the vehicle. With an EV that is not the case. Once the battery ignites you’re basically done.
Dumpsterfire_47@reddit
You typically see smoke and other signs if you’re inside the vehicle. The only folks trapped I’m aware of were post crash and couldn’t get out of a Tesla.
According_Flow_6218@reddit
For ICE cars yes. Are you talking about EVs because this is not consistent with what I’ve heard about EV fires.
CarCounsel@reddit
Or a charger at work or where he frequents. In our case we forgo home charging to get free charging where we shop.
delicate10drills@reddit
10 minutes barely warms up the engine & transmission.
That probably could be done in 20 minutes on a cheap single speed bicycle or 25 minutes on a skateboard.
A 2026 civic is a really fucking expensive way to have an umbrella attached to a skateboard.
If you have to have a car, you’re better off getting a $2000 pos off of craigslist for that medium length walk of a commute.
Be real- A new car? For a ten minute commute? Come on. it’s a status symbol.
jrileyy229@reddit
The civic hybrid is 5k more than the base civic. But gets 15mpg better in the city. Doing 10 minute drives, which is probably only 3-4 miles... It takes a whole lot of those short drives to see any returns. You would need to keep the car like 10 years to make that 5k delta back in gas savings. The real answer is the Corolla hybrid, which is far cheaper than the civic hybrid
Hopeful_Bar_384@reddit
This. The Corolla Hybrid is the best kept secret. Lower demand, lower purchase price, lower insurance, higher residual value, 55 mpg, impeccable Toyota reliability. Is it the sexiest car you can buy? No, but you’re an adult, who cares? Toyota has the most reliable and most mature hybrid technology. Remember, they released the first Prius in 1997.
Longjumping_Swan_631@reddit
Not really, I would get a Mazda and save some money.
jxnliu@reddit
They drive less than 10 minutes on their commute, that is a terrible thing for a gas only direct injection car to deal with on a regular basis. The 2.5 G skyactiv already gets really bad city fuel efficiency as well
Longjumping_Swan_631@reddit
Fair enough
yungcurryboi@reddit
Had a family member in a similar situation when comparing a CRV to a CRV Hybrid. Kinda depends on how long you’re realistically going to keep the car but when we were shopping the math didn’t make sense to go for the Hybrid unless you were driving at least 8k miles per year for 4 years. I’m not super in tune with Civic pricing but you can do the math on how much you would need to drive over what period of time for the gas savings of a hybrid to outweigh the increased cost.
jxnliu@reddit
If they only take short trips under 10 minutes, then that is the worst and hardest kind of driving on a gas engine.
The engine will run rich to warm up and will waste tons of fuel, yet never fully warm up and evaporate built up condensation, leading to diluted and contaminated oil more quickly. And since it doesn't get fully warm up it repeats again with every drive.
A hybrid or ev would make way more sense for their routine if longevity is a factor.
kflyer@reddit
The question is a math question but the civic hybrid is also the best performing civic. It’s a better driving experience, especially in traffic fwiw. I know that doesn’t matter to everyone but for Hondas or Toyotas I would take the hybrid over nonhybrid 4cyl in basically every case.
Substantial_Team6751@reddit
Hybrids often take years to pay for the extra cost. You can easily do the math based on your commute and yearly mileage. It's often like pay an extra $5k to get an extra 15mpg and save $350/year.
I asked chatgpt to do an analysis:
The Civic hybrid costs $5-7k more to buy and then saves $470/year in fuel on 12,400mi per year of driving. Since you have a ten minute commute, you'll probably save even less.
Summary & Analysis
Fuel Savings (Annual)
Payback Period (Fuel Only)
BreakfastTequila@reddit
If you’re trying to save money why go with a brand new car?
TunakTun633@reddit
This. I love the Civic Hybrid as an overall package, but you'd save something like $10K by buying a 2019-2022 Honda Insight. The only downside is reduced performance, and frankly if \~8 seconds to 60 is good enough for me at Laguna Seca it's good enough for you.
Kent89052@reddit
You'd save 20k by buying a 2005 Crown Vic lol
TunakTun633@reddit
This does come with a few additional compromises.
Kent89052@reddit
Because used cars aren't the bargain they used to be. You get a very tiny discount off the new price. And you lose warranty coverage and assume responsibility for the prior owner's negligence.
cat_of_danzig@reddit
Keeping the car you have is a bargain, though.
Mike__O@reddit
People suggesting buying a year or two used clearly haven't been car shopping lately. You don't see a big depreciation until after the two year point when the factory warranty is about to run out. Before that you're looking at MAYBE 10-15% cheaper than new, which likely isn't worth it when you consider the higher interest on a used car loan, plus losing that year of warranty
yll33@reddit
depends on what you're ahopping for. a 2 yr old luxury car (bmw/merc/audi), for example, is still 20-30% off.
take this for example.
29k off (26% msrp). still has 2 years left of factory warranty, plus a year of cpo warranty, so another 3 years of warranty. not bad, especially when you can get an extended warranty after that for a few grand.
so yeah, 6k off like a 40k car to be left with 1yr warranty, not great. 30+k off a 6 figure car and still have 3 years warranty left isn't bad though
FancyyPelosi@reddit
People who buy luxury cars understand this.
professorfunkenpunk@reddit
My partner went looking for couple year old used cars recently and ended up buying new. In addition to warranty and potential neglect, interest rates are worse on used cars. I think in the end, she bought new for all of an extra 20 bucks a month or slanting
Snoo_50786@reddit (OP)
Buying myself a new car would make me happy, having it also be efficient would also make me happy.
Its irrational but I don't mind.
mr_bots@reddit
I just got a new Camry about a month ago and it gets driven daily for my 6 mile commute that takes about 15 minutes through town with several stop lights and varying speed between 25 and 55. It starts and runs for a few minutes in the morning with the temperature in the mid-50s to get up to temp then cycles on and off like hybrids do. Current tank is averaging 48mpg. I’m sure it’ll drop off in the winter but overall it has been perfect for the task.
FordF150ChicagoFan@reddit
Used Bolt or Leaf for this use.
ricvallejo@reddit
Short trips, especially with a lot of stop and go, absolutely. No idling wasting gas, lots of opportunities for the electric motor to take over. I had a Prius Prime for several years (the plug-in hybrid, got totaled and other life changes made it difficult to afford a new one earlier this year, still miss it greatly) commuting ~2 miles to work. I think I put gas in it maybe 3 times a year other than trips out of town. It was great, and I can't wait to get another someday.
Sad_Win_4105@reddit
For a 10 minute commute I think that would be primarily on electric power. When would the ICE even kick in?
If you have a plug in source, even if it's only a standard level 1 wall socket, an EV might be your best bet.
bradland@reddit
Do the math. First, figure out how much more the hybrid car costs.
Then figure out your fuel cost per mile for both cars.
Calculate the fuel cost per mile difference.
Now divide the premium you pay for the hybrid by the fuel savings per mile.
That's how many miles you have to drive before you break even.
Jumpy_Childhood7548@reddit
Probably not. If you buy new, pay say $5000 more for a hybrid version of a car, finance it, have higher dollar amounts of depreciation, and if you ever have to replace the hybrid battery out of warranty, you will have far higher costs. Do this over a 40 year career, with 5 cars, 8 year financing, and you may have paid all told, an extra $100k, to save a few hundred dollars per year, when that money could have been put in a 401k, etc., so you have opportunity costs as well.
hitch-pro@reddit
Hybrid electric motors maintain speed that the ICE achieved. So it excels at maintaining your highway speed for longer highway commutes. But lots of stop and go in the city for a short commute and you will be using mostly ICE and very little electric motor. Not to say its not worth it, but investing in a new hybrid that won't save you a TON in gas doesnt sound efficient. I personally will go Full EV when I purchase a home and can charge it at home for cheap and work during the week. Until then the cost of gas in an old beater is cheaper than a car payment on a hybrid. New car means payments and more expensive insurance. Plus you still have to buy gas.
FlintHillsSky@reddit
a hybrid will do best in a short, stop-start driving. Long continuous driving tends to use the gas engine more. this is one reason that taxi drivers prefer a hybrid over a regular gas engine.
hitch-pro@reddit
ICE accelerates and ectric maintains. So, constant stop and go is what has some hybrids with exactly the same fuel econmy as thier gas counterparts. If you do not drive for decent distance on your electric motor your always accelerating to speed with ICE.
FitnessLover1998@reddit
Neither a hybrid or EV. The reason is you pay a premium price up front but since you drive so little you can never recoup that cost.
ActionJackson75@reddit
A short commute that's mostly stop and go, sort of. A short commute that's mostly highway speed, you'll see only a small cost reduction. Either way, the total amount of driving matters in the calculation for how long a hybrid will take to repay its premium so people that drive less get less value from the improved gas milage. The other super important variable is how much gas costs where you live.
If you're the type to keep a car a while and maintain it, hybrids tend to have a bit better resale value so you may get some of the premium paid back when you sell it, but only if you take good care of it and hold it long enough to get to the flat portion of the depreciation curve.
If you keep it the whole life of the car, then it repays itself but over a much longer period of time. This reduces the annualized return on investment to the point it might not be worth it compared to opportunity cost of other investments.
EffectiveRelief9904@reddit
That’s where they shine, they’re more efficient on city streets than sustained highway. You’ll only need gas like once every 2 weeks, sounds awesome to me. Or you could go full EV but then you need the charging station and all that
dsdvbguutres@reddit
Speaking for Toyota hybrid: No alternator, no starter motor, no torque converter. Battery 10 year 100K miles warranty. A lot fewer things that can break down and cost money to fix in my opinion.
TeamFoulmouth@reddit
If all you do is short commutes, that's when an electric or hybrid is the better option.. imho
GuardMysterious9120@reddit
Id get a plug in hybrid, you can charge at home/work drive to work on electric range and for longer trips you use the normal engine. You could also use a bike lol
faulternative@reddit
Recommend pure EV for short commutes. The biggest drawback to pure electric is lack of range (real or perceived) and recharge time. Those don't apply in your scenario, and the reduced maintenance and fuel cost will be beneficial.
Mountain_Usual521@reddit
Get a used EV for dirt cheap. If you don't need to drive more than 20 - 50 miles on a round trip, you can get an older EV with a somewhat degraded battery for next to nothing. A buddy of mine got a used Leaf that only gets about 70 miles on a charge for $4,000 and uses that thing every day.
MusubiBot@reddit
It doesn’t sound like range is an issue, so get a Mini Cooper EV! It’s my third favorite EV I’ve ever driven - right behind a Porsche Taycan and a Kia EV6 GT. It’s cheap - especially lightly used. It’s small, so easy to park.
Pair it with a foldable e-bike for the new-age Honda City Turbo + Motocompo wombo-combo!
DakuShinobi@reddit
I'd honestly go full electric in your situation. No maintenance, can charge for a commute that short off a normal power outlet.
Lordofpineapples@reddit
Hybrids don’t do super well under 5 miles
pickled-pilot@reddit
“I want to spend thousands to save pennies.” -Op
Glittering-Panic-960@reddit
Depends on what you’re after. In most modern cars, your risk seems to be hybrid failure or turbo failure. Pick your poison I guess. Diesel cars are worth a look-into! I had a 2010 bmw 330d and it was a great experience.
I had a 2015 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid AWD, absolutely phenomenal daily! Sport-luxury hybrid is what it is. You save a LOT MORE on gas. Would be an absolute stellar investment, save you so much on GAS!!!
TheLaitas@reddit
Wouldn't diesels get dpf issues with such short trips?
Hersbird@reddit
Around here, and according to US averages, diesel costs 20% more per gallon. They certainly don't get 20% better fuel economy than a hybrid. They have higher maintenance costs as well. I have had a few diesels including a newer Touareg and they never really materialized any savings. Now getting 51 mpg in a brand new $31k hybrid with a 10 year warranty has given me a very low cost per mile experience.
Diamond_Specialist@reddit
For less than 10 min commute, EV will be the most efficient.
Hybrid efficiency for the first few miles is equivalent to gas cars. Once it’s warmed up though then the efficiency increases.
XOM_CVX@reddit
i calculated that i need to drive at least 80k miles at 4.50 dollars a gallon to break even the extra cost of hybrid system
n_o_t_d_o_g@reddit
Tennessee just passed an additional fee for hybrids. $100 per year. It doesn't sound like much, but when you do the math it makes it so buying a hybrid is never financially worth it. Unless you are driving 20,000+ miles each year.
Other states have similar fees.
Ejmct@reddit
Hybrids deliver the best mileage on short stop and go trips as opposed to a lot of highway driving. That said if you’re really only going to use it 10 minutes at a time an EV might make even more sense. I’ve heard used Tesla’s are very inexpensive right now. Of course assuming you have a way to charge it.
yleennoc@reddit
Hybrids are a crutch, you would be better off with a full EV. Assuming you can get a home charger.
hitch-pro@reddit
Finally someone gets it.
Elf-kingko95@reddit
Get a cheaper PHEV like a rave4 prime used. 40 miles just on ev mode which is ideal for you. When you go on longer trips or can’t charge, hybrid mode will still return 50mpg. And makes 300hp. Can’t beat that.
Hersbird@reddit
They aren't cheaper even used.
Tensoneu@reddit
If you have a place to charge, a used EV. Older model and insurance should be cheaper than a newer model year car.
icemonsoon@reddit
Yes a hybrid consisting of a petrol car and an electric scooter
Ok-Grape3817@reddit
Hybrids are great and the current gen Civic Hybrid is practically an Si in terms of power. Seems like a solid choice depending on what your priorities are.
I will say though, currently owning both a hybrid and an EV that very short commutes (10 min and under) aren't the best for any car that is primarily gasoline powered. The engine barely has time to get up to operating temperature and so it is less efficient overall but still pretty good, so something like 40mpg instead of 50. It may have some amount of long term maintenance effect but tell that to my 15 year old prius that has never had an issue with long periods of similarly short commutes in both summer and winter.
EVs do have their pros as they are the ideal car for short commutes like that. Instant heat in the winter, Cost savings is unbeatable if you can charge at home and live in a low electricity rate area and if you can find a good used one they are ridiculous value for features and acceleration if you take advantage of the severe depreciation. Might not be as great for long trips depending on where you live and if you can't plug in at home it's probably more trouble than its worth. These are also by far the least maintenance option.
Others have mentioned plug-in hybrids with some amount of EV only range which can be an interesting compromise there just usually aren't as many options on the market for that but definitely worth a look.
whozwat@reddit
My C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid perfectly fits your use case. Electric golf carts zip through my neighborhood, and I think, I can go almost the same distance electrically if I keep it to under 25 mph too ... but I get air conditioning and heat, and, when necessary, I can drive over 500 miles at 40 MPG.
Chitownhustle99@reddit
If you can find a used plug in hybrid sounds like the best use case
TunakTun633@reddit
On the one hand, short commutes give hybrids a huge MPG advantage.
On the other, you may not be driving enough for fuel costs to be a big deal.
The only way to know is to do the math with the actual numbers involved in your situation.
jestem-lama@reddit
Hybrids are perfect for short commute. Especially if you do lpg installation.
For long commutes, diesel is the best.
Gunk_Olgidar@reddit
26 Civic Hybrid will do just fine.
If you intend to drive it until the wheels fall off, then take it out on the highway for an Italian Tune Up once a month (once a week is better). And change the oil at 50% on the maintenance minder, don't wait until zero.
revocer@reddit
Usually short commutes are better MPG wise for hybrids than gas vehicles. With that said, if you have easy access to charging and do 99.9% short commutes, an EV would be ideal. If you need your car for longer road trips I wouldn’t recommend an EV.