The Best Hybrid Cars To Buy At Auction

The demand for hybrid cars have been increasing in the US for a long time. Hybrid cars are perfect for those who want an environment-friendly vehicle. A vehicle that not only helps the environment but also gives you practicality and efficiency. It can also save you money in purchasing one as it has tax incentives . Auto auctions usually offer these cars with the price cut up as much as 50%. You can get high gas mileage in these hybrid cars,

Hybrid cars have a traditional gasoline engine and a NiMH (Nickel-metal hydride) or Lithium battery in order to run. Both of these power sources must be in good running condition for the car to be efficient and reliable. We will guide you on what to look for in a used Hybrid car and what are the best Models to choose from in an auction.

Look for Hybrid Cars with the Batteries Still Under Warranty

  • Usually, battery packs in Hybrid cars have an eight to ten year warranty. Buying a used Hybrid car with an expired battery pack warranty is not ideal as a new battery pack may be required. You will have to buy these battery packs that will cost you from $2,000 to $5,000. Consider the pricing of these to go up or down depending of the cost of the hybrid car. You would want to choose a hybrid car that is less than 5 years old. These cars are usually still under warranty saving you money if something goes wrong. Also consider the warranty terms as these usually go in miles or year. Like for example, a Toyota hybrid has it's batteries under warranty for eight years or 100,00 miles . For the rest of the vehicle, it's 5 years and 100,000 miles.

Battery Replacement Costs

  • If you are planning to buy a Hybrid car at an auction that has an expired warranty or just want to replace the battery pack, knowing the battery cost is important. The cost varies with the brand. For example, a Nissan Altima hybrid battery usually costs at least $5,000. While a Honda Civic Hybrid costs at least $2,000. There are also some battery packs that gets cheaper for replacement. These are a great deal as your costs for running a hybrid vehicle is lowered. The Toyota Prius is an example. When the first generation was introduced, replacing the battery pack would be $5,000. After developments for the Prius, the third generation battery pack replacement would only cost you $2,400.

Now that you have been briefed into what should you look for in a used hybrid, these are some of the best cars to buy in an auction:

1. 2017 Toyota Prius

  • The Toyota Prius is a winner of the 2017 Best hybrid Car of Money Award. Expect the Prius to give you class-leading efficiency and performance. This Prius is different from the previous generations. It now has agile handling which was an issue during the first generation models where it was boring to drive. It has a 1.8 liter gasoline engine with a pair of electric generators. Because it is a Toyota, the cabin is quiet, comfortable, and most importantly well-built. It is capable of hitting 50 miles per gallon. This has plenty of standard features. Advanced safety features had been included in this model such as antilock brakes, stability and traction control, driver knee airbag, side-curtain airbag, front side airbag, and a seat cushion airbag. Toyota which is known for reliability places this Prius at the above-average rating by J.D. Power for 4 stars out of five.

2. 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid

  • This Hybrid sedan from Ford offers sleek styling, modern interior and advanced safety features. This has a 42 miles per gallon rating. The ride quality is smooth and a large cabin space perfect for four passengers. The cargo space is at level with it's hybrid competitors. This has advances safety technologies such as forward-collision system, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. If you are looking at the base S model, it's equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, automatic headlights, cruise control, dual zone climate control, Bluetooth and audio connectivity, six-speaker sound system, Cd player with auxiliary and USB or iPod interface. This is powered by a 2.0-liter four cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor that is powered by a Lithium-ion battery pack. Driving performance is smooth and stable. Acceleration is adequate with power that's suitable for daily driving. This hybrid car is regarded as some of the best value for money as many features are already included in the standard models.

3. 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid

  • If you are looking for greater than average performance in a Hybrid, then this car is perfect for you. The driving performance for the 2017 Honda Accord hybrid is regarded as one of the best in its segment. It has a strong gas and electric motor. With a 212 HP gasoline-electric powertrain, expect a breeze in acceleration and performance. Combined with performance, this also get good gas mileage. 48 miles per gallon is rated for this car. Sporty driving and efficiency is the main attraction with this hybrid car. You can hear engine noises more audibly than it's competitors. The suspension is firm but provides comfort as well. A perfect balance between handling and smoothness. This is also practical as well, with the trunk having 13.5 cubic feet. Many drivers have also praised this car for having great visibility for it's slim roof pillars and big glass windows.

4. 2017 Kia Niro

  • The Niro is particularly new in the Hybrid segment offering a compact package. This Hybrid car offers some practicality with large cargo and passenger space. It drives much higher than it's competitors such as the Prius and Fusion. It is powered by a 1.6 liter gasoline engine with a single AC electric generator. The gas engine makes 104 hp and 109 lb-ft of torque. A feature Kia advertises is that it operates for up to 40% thermal efficiency. The Niro offers great NVH qualities with good handling and smooth ride. If you are looking for some eco quirks, you'll be pleased that the grill on this car also automatically closes at 35 mph for aerodynamics. The underbody is also focused on airflow with an air deflector included for the muffler. This has a 52 miles per gallon rating which is excellent and at the top for it's competitors. This offers a lot of value for it's price. You get a standard rearview camera with a 7.0-inch entertainment system with Apple carplay and android auto. Safety features are also top notch with included features such as driver's knee airbag, crumple zones, Electronic brake force distribution, Smart cruise control, antilock braking system, Lane departure warning, and much more.

We hope you liked this article and may it guide you in choosing the best Hybrid Vehicle to buy in an Auction.