Is a Dodge Hybrid Worth It?

Dodge hybrids are few and far between. Everything you need to know about a Dodge hybrid starts here.
Written by Brad Marley
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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To say there is a lack of Dodge hybrids available would be an understatement. With a full lineup planned to be announced in 2022, the available models are sparse. In fact, the 2009
Dodge Durango
hybrid remains the only true hybrid model in Dodge’s lineup, while you can purchase a
Dodge Ram 1500
equipped with a hybrid motor called eTorque.
If you’re looking for a hybrid built by an American car company, you’re not going to find a lot of options with Dodge. While other companies have invested more money and resources into hybrid models, Dodge has not. There are rumblings the company will be rolling out a more robust hybrid lineup in 2022, but that remains to be seen. For now, they offer a used hybrid model in the form of a 2009 Dodge Durango hybrid, as well as a Ram 1500 that can be equipped with a hybrid engine.
Here to take you through the limited Dodge hybrid offerings is
Jerry
, a licensed
car insurance
broker and the first
super app
for car owners. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Dodge hybrid offering and give you tips on how to make your driving life more sustainable.
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2022 Dodge hybrid model guide

The entries in Dodge’s hybrid lineup are the 2009 Dodge Durango and Ram 1500 with a hybrid engine. 
The Dodge Durango hybrid was expensive for its time—$45,000—but will now run anywhere from $5,430 to $6,875. Dodge was following in the footsteps of General Motors, which had recently released its own pair of SUV hybrids. But sales never really got off the ground because consumers had a hard time stomaching the high price tag.
The Dodge Ram 1500 is available with a hybrid engine, called eTorque, which helps reduce emissions while spewing out impressive amounts of horsepower. This engine replaces the traditional alternator with a 48-volt battery-powered, belt-drive motor generator that improves performance and efficiency. 
The table below breaks down the Dodge hybrid models, along with pricing information and fuel economy numbers for the base trim.
Model
Vehicle type
Starting price
Fuel economy (base trim)
Dodge Durango Hybrid
SUV
$5,430
20 city/22 highway/21 combined mpg
Dodge Ram 1500 Hybrid
Truck
$36,270
18 city/22 highway/20 combined mpg

Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric car: what’s the difference?

The way the Dodge Durango and Ram 1500 differ from electric cars and plug-in hybrids is that the engine can still run on gas and does not need to be plugged in.
While some manufacturers offer fully electric vehicles that have to run on a charge, Dodge does not have any of these vehicles in its lineup. That said, the company has plans to announce an electric muscle car that is expected to go on sale in 2024, as well as a collection of other hybrid vehicles that will be added to its lineup.

The best Dodge hybrid cars

There are a limited number of Dodge hybrid vehicles to choose from, but your decision will likely boil down to whether you can invest in a new truck or prefer to purchase something used.

Best Dodge hybrid overall: Dodge Ram 1500 w/ eTorque

The Dodge Ram 1500 truck comes with the eTorque option, which is Dodge’s mild hybrid system. It replaces the alternator with a 48-volt battery that improves performance and efficiency while boosting towing and payload.
The cost of a brand-new Dodge Ram 1500 with eTorque starts at $36,270, which is a little pricier than Ford’s version. But since most truck drivers remain loyal to one brand, we don’t anticipate swaying anyone one way or another—and a few thousand dollars won’t do it, either.

Best used Dodge hybrid: Dodge Durango

If you want to see decent fuel economy and save money, going used is the right choice. And if you want a Dodge, your options begin and end with the 2009 Dodge Durango hybrid, with a used price of around $5,430.
Compared to other models released that same year, the Durango does get better gas mileage, thanks to its hybrid engine arrangement. 
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Are Dodge hybrids worth it? 

Let’s break down performance levels for Dodge hybrids so you can see for yourself if they are worth it. 

Performance

Dodge’s current hybrid model is a Dodge Ram 1500 with eTorque. If you’re interested in this truck, you can buy it with a V6 or a V8, but these engines don’t do much to increase the performance—with or without the eTorque system. 
At the end of the day, you’re not going to see a noticeable difference, no matter which version of the Dodge Ram you go with. 

Reliability

Both the Dodge Ram 1500 and the 2009 Dodge Durango get a 3.5 out of 5 from RepairPal, meaning they are average when it comes to reliability. Most Dodge vehicles, in fact, rank average for reliability, so these ratings do not stand out either way.

Cost of ownership

Hybrid vehicles tend to break down slightly differently than gas-powered ones when it comes to the cost of ownership. Let’s look at how it shapes up for one of the Dodge hybrid options.
The 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 is one of Dodge’s most popular vehicles. The starting MSRP is $36,270, and Edmunds calculates the five-year cost of ownership as $57,780. That includes:
  • Insurance: $6,602
  • Maintenance: $4,109
  • Repairs: $926
  • Financing: $6,209
  • Taxes and fees: $5,770
  • Fuel: $13,117
  • Depreciation: $21,047
Choosing a hybrid Dodge might also make you eligible for insurance discounts, which can help reduce your overall ownership costs.

How to get sustainable rates on car insurance

Buying a Dodge hybrid can help reduce your car-related expenses—especially fuel. Another way to save some money? Shop for car insurance with
Jerry
.
If you’ve spent any time comparing car insurance quotes, you know how exhausting and demoralizing the process can be. That’s why Jerry exists—to get you all the savings without any of the headaches. Just download the app, answer a few questions, and let Jerry handle everything to switch you to a new, more affordable policy. 
The average user saves more than $800 per year!
“I was looking for a liability insurance plan for my truck until I can afford more coverage.
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made it simple to shop around for the best deal for me. Thank you!” —Jake L.
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FAQs

The federal government offers
tax credits
to consumers who buy new electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Since Dodge doesn’t make PHEVs, you will not be eligible for tax credits if you buy a Dodge hybrid.
The cost to replace the battery in the Dodge Ram 1500 eTorque system is between $2,246 and $2,472, depending on the labor and age of your vehicle.
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