Along with fully electric cars, hybrids represent the future of the automotive industry. Combining regular combustion power with electric power makes them incredibly efficient and so far cheaper than most EVs.

While there are excellent hybrids on sale, like the Toyota Prius and the Honda Accord hybrid, the market is sadly full of quite a few duds. Cars that either don’t generate enough efficiency or simply underperform.

This list contains 13 truly terrible hybrid cars. Due to their poor efficiency and performance, these hybrids should be avoided at all costs.

2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The Chrysler Pacifica is one of the best minivans currently on sale, and the American manufacturer proudly proclaims it the only hybrid minivan/MPV on the market. Yet, while the 2024 Pacifica hybrid is excellent, the same isn’t true of the 2018 model.

According to Consumer Reports, the 2018 Pacific hybrid faced a number of recalls, primarily related to its V6 powertrain. Intermittent issues in the battery system also hurt the 2018 model, which is poor in a vehicle that relies on its battery power. Thankfully, those issues are now a thing of the past.

2016 Toyota Prius

While the current Toyota Prius is an absolute winner, the 2016 Prius was one of Toyota’s poorest attempts at a hybrid car. This model year was terrible with various recalls and reliability problems, with the electrical systems in particular suffering.

The NHTSA actually issued five recalls for the 2016 Prius, two of which related to airbag faults. Another was for an ineffective parking brake, while the hybrid propulsion and electrical systems were also subject to recalls.

Ford Fusion Hybrid

On the face of it, there is a lot to love about the Ford Fusion hybrid. Ford introduced it to its lineup in 2010, and the model had an MPG of 39, which would eventually rise to 42. So, all sounds great. However, that was far from the case.

Compared to some of the more fuel-efficient gasoline-powered sedans on the market, the Fusion Hybrid only slightly increased efficiency. The Fusion Hybrid was never a terrible car; it’s just that the alternatives were a little bit better.

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Hybrid

Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi is a shadow of its former self, and the Outlander Hybrid is the only model that keeps it relevant in Europe. It represents the sad state of affairs that the company currently finds itself in.

Despite being a strong seller, there were concerns right from launch. The biggest was that the security system within the car could be easily bypassed, meaning thieves could break into it and steal it despite the keyless entry. The Outland Hybrid has also suffered from electrical issues, air-conditioning malfunctions, and battery faults.

2020 Ford Escape Hybrid

Ford launched the Escape hybrid as an affordable way for motorists to get into the hybrid segment. With an original listing price of $30,000, it was indeed a tempting option for many consumers. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors underlined that temptation.

Sadly, it wouldn’t take long for the Escape hybrid to suffer from a myriad of reliability faults. Owners found the infotainment system a nightmare, with it often crashing and freezing, and Consumer Reports would give the car a poor 1/5 for reliability.

BMW ActiveHybrid 7

Modern BMW hybrids are pretty good. However, one of the biggest mistakes of the German manufacturer is the ActiveHybrid 7. When launched, it was roughly 25 percent more expensive than the standard 750, and it represented a gain of just 15-17 percent in terms of efficiency.

With a combined MPG of just 20, the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is hardly the car to go for if you want extra fuel economy. The only positive is that you can go 444 miles with the car, and its powertrain produces 455 horsepower and 515 lb-ft of torque.

Nissan Altima Hybrid

Nissan entered the hybrid game with the Altima Hybrid, introducing the model in 2007. Initially, it was only available in 10 states that followed California’s strict energy laws, and soon, more problems would arise with the car.

For whatever reason, Nissan didn’t trust its hybrid technology, so it licensed Toyotas and used that instead. Buyers also preferred the Toyota Prius, which had already been on sale for a few years and built up a reasonable reputation. The Altima Hybrid never really stood a chance.

Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

When it was first introduced in 2008, the idea of a hybrid full-size SUV sounded great. Combine the space and practicality of a big family car with the extra efficiency that a hybrid powertrain can provide. But, as it would turn out, it wasn’t Chevrolet’s best idea.

For starters, the massive 6.0-liter V8 engine was already not the most economical on the market, even if it did produce 332 horsepower. As a result, owners saw marginal gains in efficiency with the hybrid version, with just 21 MPG combined and 23 MPG on the highway.

Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

On paper, the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid looks like a tempting choice for those seeking hybrid power. Under the hood, it has a solid and reliable flat-four engine that produces 148 horsepower. Added to that are all-wheel drive and a CVT transmission that makes driving a breeze.

But there is a problem with the Crosstrek Hybrid. Its 35 MPG combined doesn’t stack up as well against the competition and other hybrids. For example, the Toyota Crown Hybrid has a combined 42 MPG. The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid has 44 MPG combined, with the current Prius standing out at 57 MPG.

2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

Chevrolet has stepped up its hybrid and EV game over the last few years to the point it now has some excellent offerings. The C8 Corvette E-Ray is a sign of how strong its hybrid offerings can be. The same, however, isn’t true for the 2018 Malibu hybrid, one of the worst Chevrolet has ever produced.

At least six recalls have been issued for the 2018 hybrid Malibu, one of which involved leaking transmission fluid. The car has also tended to suddenly lose power steering, and dodgy fuel sensors have also caused problems for its owners.

2017 BMW X5 Hybrid

Seeing another BMW on this list doesn’t paint the German manufacturer in a good light. The fact that one of them is an X5 hybrid, a car that should deliver peak luxury and comfort, is definitely not good.

Sadly for BMW, the 2017 X5 hybrid was beset by a multitude of issues. Braking problems were one of the worst. As drivers slowed down, they experienced horrible vibrations, and the car pulsated badly. Thanks to this and various other issues, the NHTSA has recalled the 2017 X5 hybrid a remarkable five times.

2011-2015 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid

Volkswagen has stepped up its electric car game with its successful ID range of EVs. However, things have not always been rosy, and the 2011-2015 Touareg hybrid is a sign of how far the brand has come in electric propulsion.

Nasdaq and VWProblems both state that the Touareg hybrid from 2011-2015 underwent several recalls. The main source of these was the lack of drainage under the battery, which caused it to short circuit and potentially lead to fires. Thanks to poorly assembled sunroof drains and lead lid seals, water would enter the rear hatch, even when it was shut.

2018 BMW 5 Series Hybrid

For a time, BMW was a class leader when it came to hybrid technology. The i8 sports car showed off what it could do, even if the motoring press was reluctant to praise the epic-looking car.

In 2018, BMW introduced the hybrid 5 Series. Yet despite getting things so right with the i8, the German manufacturer got it very wrong with the 2018 5 Series hybrid. Reliability issues were far too common, with some worryingly coming from the braking system. It’s little wonder that Consumer Reports only gave it a 2/5 for reliability.