Here’s How Much You’ll Really Save Driving a Hybrid vs. Gas Car Over 5 Years
Here’s How Much You’ll Really Save Driving a Hybrid vs. Gas Car Over 5 Years
Angela Mae WatsonSat, March 7, 2026 at 6:17 PM UTC
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Ed Aldridge / Getty Images
Car ownership isn’t cheap, so when the chance for savings comes up, it’s hard not to jump on it. Hybrid cars are known for using less gas than traditional cars, which means more savings at the pump. But there are other factors — like electricity costs, financing charges and manufacturers’ suggested retail prices (MSRPs) — to consider.
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So, how much money can you really save driving a hybrid vs. a fully gas-powered vehicle over five years? While it depends on the vehicle itself, your driving habits and where you live, here’s what you should know.
Typical Annual Cost of Ownership
According to AAA, the average annual cost of owning a brand new vehicle is $11,577 or $964.78 a month. This includes fuel, insurance, repairs, state fees, financing charges and depreciation.
AAA compared the typical annual costs of owning different types of gas vs. hybrid vehicles. The following assumes 15,000 miles driven per year:
Medium sedan (hybrid) — $9,479
Medium sedan (gas) — $9,956
Compact SUV (hybrid) — $10,340
Compact SUV (gas) — $10,279
Medium SUV (hybrid) — $12,855
Medium SUV (gas) — $12,584
Pickup truck (hybrid) — $14,636
Pickup truck (gas) — $14,781
Perhaps surprisingly, the total annual cost of owning a hybrid vs. a gas vehicle in the same vehicle class isn’t all that different. The comparison is:
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Medium sedan — A hybrid is $477 cheaper
Compact SUV — A hybrid is $61 more expensive
Medium SUV — A hybrid is $271 cheaper
Pickup truck — A hybrid is $145 cheaper
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Hybrid Vs. Gas: Typical Five-Year Costs (And Savings)
Vehicles depreciate — or lose value — over time. What this means is that even if two vehicles cost the same upfront, one could end up costing more due to depreciation.
As per Kelley Blue Book‘s total cost of ownership car calculator, here’s the typical five-year cost to own a hybrid vehicle:
Toyota Corolla Hybrid (sedan) — $37,603
Honda CR-V Hybrid (compact SUV crossover) — $45,818
Subaru Forester Hybrid (medium SUV) — $53,824
And here’s the typical five-year cost to own a gas-powered vehicle in each of those same categories:
Toyota Corolla (sedan) — $41,214
Toyota Rav4 (compact SUV crossover) — $46,348
Subaru Ascent (medium SUV) — $59,834
Taking the above numbers, these are the potential five-year price savings between gas-powered and hybrid vehicles:
Sedan — Hybrid is $3,611 cheaper than gas
Compact SUV crossover — Hybrid is $530 cheaper than gas
Medium SUV — Hybrid is $6,010 cheaper than gas
You can use the KBB cost-to-own calculator to compare different vehicles and their average prices. Be aware of the following factors when considering five-year costs:
Starting MSRP: A vehicle that has a higher price tag is bound to cost more. As per KBB, new vehicles cost an average of $50,080, while used vehicles cost an average of $25,512.
Depreciation: Buying new means greater depreciation. If you purchase a used vehicle, however, you can expect lower costs — and more savings potential.
Finance charges: AAA estimates annual finance charges are down 15% in 2025 compared to the year before. But your auto loan payment is based on factors like credit, down payment, term and loan amount.
Location: The nationwide average cost of regular fuel is $3.071, as per AAA data. But gas prices vary by location. You might spend more in, say, Hawaii or Washington than you would in Texas or Florida.
Driving frequency/distance: The average person drives 13,476 miles a year, or 1,123 per month, according to the Federal Highway Administration. The more you drive, the more often you’ll need to fill up at the pump.
Wear and tear: KBB’s parent company, Cox Automotive, found the average person spends $838 on car maintenance and repairs. If you put more wear and tear on your vehicle, expect higher annual costs.
While the bottom line is different for everyone, the five-year cost of owning a hybrid vehicle is — generally speaking — lower than gas-powered vehicles. Still, it’s good to run the numbers and make some comparisons of your own before you buy. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re in for.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here’s How Much You’ll Really Save Driving a Hybrid vs. Gas Car Over 5 Years
Source: “AOL Money”
