The automotive landscape is constantly evolving, and 2017 was a significant year for hybrid vehicles, with a diverse range of options that catered to various needs and preferences. If you were in the market for a fuel-efficient and eco-conscious car back then, you were spoiled for choice. While the market has moved on, looking back at the best hybrids of 2017 provides valuable insights into what makes a great hybrid car and highlights models that still hold relevance today. Let’s delve into some of the top hybrid cars that stood out in 2017, focusing on their strengths and why they earned a spot on the “best of” lists.
2017 Toyota Prius: The Pioneer Continues to Lead
The Toyota Prius remains a benchmark in the hybrid car segment, and the 2017 model solidified its position as a top contender. Toyota has strategically expanded the Prius family, recognizing the broad appeal of hybrid technology and catering to slightly different customer segments within the Prius sub-brand. The standard 2017 Prius is not just a “good hybrid”; it’s a genuinely good car in its own right, offering a compelling blend of fuel efficiency, practicality, and modern features. For the 2017 model year, Toyota enhanced the Prius with the Safety Sense suite, incorporating advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies as standard equipment, further enhancing its value proposition.
2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid: A Fun-to-Drive and Upscale Midsize Option
While the conventional Ford Fusion is a solid midsize sedan, the 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid elevates the driving experience with improved fuel economy and surprisingly engaging handling. In a segment often characterized by mundane driving dynamics, the Fusion Hybrid injects a touch of excitement into daily commutes. Beyond its efficiency and handling, the Fusion Hybrid is also praised for its unexpectedly upscale interior. This refined cabin environment makes it feel more premium than its price tag suggests, bridging the gap between budget-friendly and luxurious. Its larger size and enhanced comfort compared to compact hybrid cars further contribute to its appeal as a value-packed midsize hybrid sedan.
2017 Kia Optima Hybrid: Underrated and Feature-Rich Value
The Kia Optima Hybrid, available since 2011, remained an often-overlooked gem in the midsize hybrid sedan category in 2017. Mirroring the appeal of the standard Optima, the hybrid variant delivers exceptional value by offering a more upscale interior and a generous array of standard features than typically expected in its class. Following Kia’s established formula, the Optima Hybrid prioritizes user-friendliness with intuitive cockpit layouts that ensure a comfortable and convenient experience for both the driver and passengers. While not the most visually striking car in the lineup, the Optima Hybrid’s understated design and comprehensive feature set made it a smart and practical choice for hybrid buyers seeking value and comfort.
2017 Toyota Camry Hybrid: The Reliable and Efficient Mainstay
When considering the best hybrid cars in 2017, Toyota’s presence is undeniable, and the Camry Hybrid is a testament to their hybrid leadership. Building upon the Camry’s long-standing reputation for reliability and value, the Camry Hybrid adds exceptional fuel efficiency to the equation. Toyota’s early adoption and refinement of hybrid technology have resulted in models like the Camry Hybrid that are not only efficient but also enjoyable to drive. Known for its spacious interior, user-friendly technology, and impressive fuel economy, the 2017 Toyota Camry Hybrid continued its legacy as a top-selling and highly regarded midsize hybrid sedan.
2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid: Familiar Comfort with Enhanced Efficiency
The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid exemplified a successful strategy: integrating hybrid technology into a well-established and popular gasoline car. By leveraging the inherent strengths of the standard Malibu – its comfort, convenience, and affordability – the Malibu Hybrid offered a familiar driving experience with a significant boost in fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Notably, the Malibu Hybrid was recognized for its surprisingly robust acceleration performance for a hybrid vehicle, while also providing a generous list of standard features, including seamless smartphone integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This blend of familiar comfort, enhanced efficiency, and modern tech made the Malibu Hybrid a compelling option in the midsize hybrid segment.
2017 Honda Accord Hybrid: Sophisticated Style and Strong Performance
After a brief hiatus, the Honda Accord Hybrid returned in 2017, marking a smart move by Honda to re-enter the competitive hybrid market with an improved model. Building upon the strengths of the already impressive Accord midsize sedan, the Accord Hybrid delivered a refined package of sophisticated styling, a comfortable interior, and a surprisingly potent hybrid powertrain. Boasting high horsepower for its class and excellent fuel economy, the 2017 Accord Hybrid offered a balanced driving experience. While not the sportiest handler, it provided a composed and smooth ride. A generous list of standard features further justified its slightly higher price point, making it a well-rounded and desirable midsize hybrid sedan.
2017 Lexus CT Hybrid: Unique Luxury Hatchback with Hybrid Efficiency
The Lexus CT Hybrid stood out in 2017 as a unique offering: a luxury hybrid hatchback that deviated from the typical hybrid car mold. While marketed with a hint of sportiness, the CT Hybrid prioritized comfort and fuel economy over outright performance, aligning with Lexus’s luxury and refinement focus. However, its distinct styling, practical hatchback configuration with generous cargo space, and luxury appointments earned it a place among the best hybrid cars of the year. For buyers seeking a compact luxury car with hybrid benefits and a departure from mainstream designs, the Lexus CT Hybrid presented a compelling and distinctive option.
2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: Efficient and Spacious Family SUV
Toyota extended its hybrid expertise to the SUV segment with the 2017 Highlander Hybrid, blending the practicality of a midsize SUV with enhanced fuel efficiency. By integrating a hybrid system with a V6 engine, the Highlander Hybrid achieved a compelling combination of 280 horsepower and impressive fuel economy for its class. While carrying a price premium over the standard Highlander, the hybrid variant presented a strong case for families seeking both space and efficiency in an SUV. Toyota expanded the Highlander Hybrid lineup for 2017 with additional trim levels and increased seating capacity to eight, further broadening its appeal in the hybrid SUV market.
2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid: The Pioneering Hybrid Minivan
Chrysler made a significant statement in 2017 with the Pacifica Hybrid, introducing the world’s first and only hybrid minivan. This plug-in hybrid minivan not only offered exceptional fuel economy but also the ability to travel up to 30 miles on electric power alone, making it a highly efficient and versatile family vehicle. Based on the well-received Chrysler Pacifica minivan, the hybrid version elevated the segment with its advanced technology, comfortable interior, and a long list of standard features. Although positioned at a higher price point than the standard Pacifica and most other minivans, the Pacifica Hybrid’s innovative approach and family-friendly features injected new life into the minivan category and solidified its place as a top hybrid for 2017.
2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid: A Direct Prius Challenger
Hyundai entered the dedicated hybrid car arena in 2017 with the Ioniq Hybrid, designed to directly compete with the dominant Toyota Prius. The Ioniq aimed to offer a compelling alternative, and early reviews suggested it would be a worthy contender. With electric and hybrid versions planned, and a plug-in hybrid variant on the horizon, the Hyundai Ioniq family signaled a serious challenge to Toyota’s hybrid dominance. While pricing was still unknown at the time of its initial release, the anticipation surrounding the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid highlighted the growing competition and innovation within the hybrid car market.
Conclusion:
The 2017 model year presented a remarkable selection of hybrid vehicles, demonstrating the increasing maturity and diversification of hybrid technology across various vehicle types. From compact cars to SUVs and minivans, these top hybrid cars of 2017 offered consumers a wide range of choices to embrace fuel efficiency without compromising on features, comfort, or driving experience. While automotive technology has continued to advance, the models highlighted here laid a strong foundation for the hybrid market and remain relevant examples of what to look for in a great hybrid car.
