Is a Chevrolet Hybrid Worth It?
As of 2021, Chevrolet no longer sells any new hybrid models—but there are a few used models available for those who are interested.
Table of Contents
- Used Chevrolet hybrid models guide
- The best (and worst) Chevrolet hybrid cars
- Are Chevrolet hybrids worth it?
- How to get sustainable rates on car insurance
- FAQs
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Due to waning popularity and increased demand for all-electric vehicles, Chevrolet discontinued all of its hybrid models by 2021.
Technology moves fast, and if you don’t keep up you’ll find yourself behind in a hurry. While it may seem like just yesterday that hybrid vehicles were the cutting edge of automotive innovation, Chevrolet has decided that the wave of the future is
all-electric
. As of 2021, Chevrolet no longer offers any new hybrid vehicles and has chosen to focus its efforts on all-electric offerings instead. There are still several used options for hybrid Chevys, though. Read on to learn about the hybrids of Chevy’s past.
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Used Chevrolet hybrid models guide
Although there are no hybrids in its current lineup, Chevrolet has offered five hybrid vehicles at various times. Popular sedans the
Malibu
and the Impala
were both available as hybrids at one point, and folks who wanted a hybrid Chevy truck or SUV could get a Silverado 1500
or a Tahoe
. The Chevrolet Volt
was a groundbreaking and award-winning vehicle when it was first introduced, but production ceased in 2019. The table below breaks down each Chevrolet hybrid model, along with production years and corresponding fuel economy.
Model | Vehicle type | Production years | Fuel economy |
|---|---|---|---|
Chevrolet Impala | Sedan | 2013-2016 | 25 city/35 highway/29 combined |
Chevrolet Malibu | Sedan | 2009-2019 | 49 city/43 highway/45 combined |
Chevrolet Tahoe | SUV | 2008-2013 | 20 city/23 highway/22 combined |
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Pickup truck | 2009-2013 | 20 city/23 highway/20 combined |
In addition to regular hybrid models, Chevrolet set the standard for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in 2011 with the introduction of the Volt: the first commercially available PHEV in the US.
Model | Vehicle type | Production years | Fuel economy |
|---|---|---|---|
Chevrolet Volt | Sedan | 2011-2019 | 43 city/42 highway/42 combined |
Prices for a used Chevy hybrid range dramatically depending on the model, trim, mileage, and other factors.
Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric car: what’s the difference?
Okay, time out—here are a lot of terminologies that get tossed around when we talk about hybrids and electric vehicles, so let’s take a minute to clarify a few things!
A standard hybrid car is one where a gas engine and an electric motor work together to power the car. You can’t charge the battery externally, and the car can’t run entirely off of electricity.
A PHEV has a larger battery and can function as an all-electric car when the battery is charged, and the gas engine only gets utilized when the battery runs out. These cars can be plugged in and charged externally.
Chevrolet currently has two
2022 all-electric cars
: the Bolt EV
and the Bolt EUV. But with Chevy’s pivot away from hybrids to focus on its EV offerings, there are sure to be more on the way. The best (and worst) Chevrolet hybrid cars
If you want a Chevy hybrid, which one should you choose? While a lot of it will come down to what kind of vehicle you want (and what’s available on the used market) there are a few models that stand out.
Best Chevrolet hybrid overall: Chevrolet Malibu
The standout fuel economy of the Malibu puts it at the head of the pack when it comes to Chevy’s hybrid offerings. Its sedan sensibilities and accessible price point made it a hybrid for the masses. The 2019 model was a particularly solid year, and US News and World Report ranked the Malibu #3 out of all hybrid and electric cars that year.
Best Chevrolet PHEV: Chevrolet Volt
Well, technically it’s the only PHEV, but the Volt is more than deserving of a shout-out as it was the very first commercially available PHEV in the US. The 2019 Volt got an 8/10 from Car and Driver and was an Editors’ Choice that year. Praised for its best-in-class EV-only range (53 miles) and peppy acceleration, Car and Driver declared the 2019 Volt not just an excellent PHEV, but an excellent car.
Let’s pretend it never happened: Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
Chevrolet’s attempt to capitalize on the booming popularity of hybrid cars went awry with the Tahoe hybrid. Though it got better fuel economy than a regular gas Tahoe, it was tepid when compared to other hybrids.
First introduced in 2007, the Tahoe’s $50,000+ MSRP was a lot for folks to shell out during the recession that began a year later in 2008. Combine that with mediocre hybrid benefits (but vigorous exterior branding), and you have an SUV that limped along for a few years with mediocre sales before being discontinued in 2013.
MORE:
How to buy a hybrid car
Are Chevrolet hybrids worth it?
Let’s break down what makes Chevrolet hybrids good.
Performance
Chevrolet’s sedan hybrids got consistently good reviews for their pep and acceleration, but to be frank, none of Chevy’s hybrid offerings were of the sports car ilk. They offered sensible driving at economical fuel costs, and that’s what they delivered.
That being said, Chevrolet is known for producing some serious performance sports car action, and Chevy’s announcement that an all-electric Corvette is on the way was met with great excitement. It’s fair to say that this will be an EV that does not sacrifice performance for the sake of going electric.
Reliability
The PHEV Chevy Volt earned a 4/5 (above average) score from RepairPal and was ranked 2 out of 4 for alternative fuel vehicles. The hybrid Malibu was also a soundly reliable vehicle, with the 2016 model being selected as a stand out for reliability by US News and World Report.
Cost of ownership
One of the barriers to entry when it comes to hybrid vehicles is that the sticker prices tend to be higher. But how do Chevrolet hybrid models compare to gas-powered Chevys when it comes to the overall cost of ownership?
Let’s look at the Malibu hybrid, which was a popular seller for Chevrolet. The starting MSRP for a 2019 Malibu hybrid was $25,692. Edmunds calculates the five-year cost of ownership as $34,667. That includes:
- Insurance: $4,869
- Maintenance: $4,660
- Repairs: $2,227
- Financing: $2,108
- Taxes and fees: $359
- Fuel: $6,923
- Depreciation: $13,531
In comparison, the five-year cost to own a gas-powered 2019 Malibu is $37,166—with a starting price of around $24,000.
Even with the slightly higher MSRP for a hybrid, you’ll still be saving several thousand dollars over five years of ownership—primarily in fuel costs.
If you own a hybrid Chevrolet, you might also be eligible for
insurance discounts
, and buying a new Chevrolet EV could earn you a federal tax credit
of up to $7,500! How to get sustainable rates on car insurance
Taking the plunge on a hybrid or EV is a great way to reduce your car-related expenses, but an electric car isn’t the best choice for everyone. Making the best choice when it comes to shopping for
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