6 hybrid cars that will save you the most money on gas, according to Consumer Reports

Most people aren’t just buying a hybrid because they care about the environment. They also want to save money on gas. But with the MSRP for hybrids almost always higher than that of a gas-powered vehicle, it’s hard to know how much money you’re really saving after your initial purchase.

Good thing Consumer Reports did the math, finding hybrids it recommends that will also save you money over time.

Continue reading to see which cars made the list.

Credit: Lexus

Price Range:  $41,955 - $57,805

The Lexus NX Hybrid offers one of the fastest payback periods on the list — essentially immediate. The hybrid version costs roughly $900 more than the gas-only model but delivers 38 mpg compared to 25, translating to about $600 in annual fuel savings. Beyond economy, the hybrid actually feels better to drive day-to-day, according to CR, with more power than the gas model.

Credit: Ford $F

Price Range:  $28,145 - $41,425

The Ford $F Maverick Hybrid pickup truck can pay for itself in as little as two years, making it among the quickest returns in this group. Front-wheel drive versions carry only a $1,000 premium over their gas counterparts, while all-wheel drive adds $2,200 to the gap. The truck gets 37 mpg overall, and Consumer Reports found no meaningful performance or character differences from the powertrain swap.

Credit: Hyundai

Price Range:  $36,400 - $50,500

The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid carries about a three-year payback, costing $1,100 more than the base model while saving around $415 per year at the pump thanks to a jump from 24 to 34 mpg. Notably, CR considers the hybrid to be the superior model, saying the standard Santa Fe's engine and dual-clutch transmission create jerky low-speed behavior that the hybrid's smoother powertrain doesn't have.

Credit: Toyota $TM

Price Range:  $41,660 - $59,575

The Toyota $TM Grand Highlander Hybrid also lands at roughly three years to recoup its $1,750 price premium, with annual fuel savings of about $570. The mpg leaps from 22 in the base engine to 35 overall — but the hybrid also brings a noticeably more refined driving experience, CR said. It found the standard engine "raspy" and unpleasant compared to the hybrid.

Credit: Kia

Price Range:  $30,490 - $40,590

The Kia Sportage Hybrid pays back its $1,300 premium in about three years through roughly $415 in yearly fuel savings, jumping from 25 to 36 mpg. The hybrid also gains a meaningful performance advantage, producing 40 more horsepower than the non-hybrid, making it quicker and quieter.

Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images

Price Range:  $52,235 - $57,045

The Lexus RX Hybrid has the longest payback window of the group at around five years, largely because it commands a $2,875 premium over a similarly equipped gas model. That said, it still saves about $540 annually and achieves 34 mpg. The hybrid comes with all-wheel drive as standard equipment, which the base model does not include, though it gives up a small amount of acceleration and requires a few extra feet of braking distance compared to the gas version.