The best used hybrid cars and SUVs in Australia under $40,000

Best used hybrid small SUV under $40,000: Nissan Qashqai e-Power

The Nissan Qashqai e-Power is a hybrid car that doesn’t need plugging in to recharge, but this well-regarded small SUV has more in common with EVs than traditional series/parallel hybrids from the likes of Toyota and other major brands.

Under the bonnet is a three-cylinder turbocharged engine, but it never drives the wheels. Instead, it’s used purely as a generator to create electricity, charging the high-voltage battery pack and/or powering the electric motor directly. The result is a smooth, energetic and, importantly, fuel-efficient powertrain.

As well as being engaging to drive, the Nissan Qashqai e-Power is also practical, with enough room and flexibility to include young families among the SUV’s target audience.

You can find early examples of the Nissan Qashqai e-Power below $40,000, especially those built in 2023 and launched in Australia in the first half of 2024. Like all Qashqai variants in this generation, the e-Power qualified for a five-star ANCAP rating, based on testing conducted in 2021.

Research & compare Nissan Qashqai e-Power models on sale today in Australia

Also consider: Lexus UX300h Hybrid

The Lexus UX prestige small SUV blends Toyota’s hybrid tech with a unique design and a premium fit-out, making it an attractive and affordable used car offering after being out on the road for a few years. It’s available with a broad range of powertrains, including petrol and EV, but the hybrid is a real strong suit.

Priced around $60,000 when new in 2024, the Lexus UX300h Hybrid can today be found below our $40,000 threshold, bringing lashings of luxury, high levels of refinement, a five-star ANCAP rating (tested 2019) and low fuel consumption rated at 4.2L/100km on the official combined cycle. These examples will also carry the balance of the original new vehicle warranty, while earlier UX250h models are even more affordable and, in many ways, just as appealing. 

Research & compare Lexus UX hybrids on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety

Best used hybrid medium SUV under $40,000: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has been one of Australia’s biggest-selling new vehicles over recent years, which reflects its frugal and capable petrol-electric powertrain – among a host of other factors.

There’s also the RAV4’s practical packaging, easy-to-master controls, excellent ride quality and respectable driving dynamics – supported by Toyota’s renowned reputation for reliability and extensive dealer network throughout Australia.

New cars delivered in a flurry during the previous fifth-generation RAV4 series – launched mid-2019 and running until the new Gen 6 RAV4 arrived earlier this year – have created a wealth of examples from which to choose in the used car market. A budget of $40,000 should bring models like the well-equipped 2023 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD into reach, potentially with less than 50,000km on the odometer.

This Toyota RAV4 with all-wheel drive will tow up to 1500kg (braked), can manage basic off-road trails and carries an official combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 4.8L/100km. As a further inducement, the Toyota RAV4 from this era also carried a maximum five-star ANCAP rating, based on testing conducted in 2019.

Research & compare Toyota RAV4 Hybrid models on sale today in Australia

Also consider: Kia Sportage Hybrid

In the cut and thrust of the top-selling medium SUV segment, the current-generation Kia Sportage from as recently as 2024 stands out as a comfortable, well-engineered hybrid SUV from a trusted brand offering a seven-year warranty (when new).

The Sportage’s local chassis tune and a five-star ANCAP rating from 2022 are also appealing attributes for hybrid SUV buyers in the used car market.

Research & compare Kia Sportage hybrids on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety

Best used hybrid large SUV under $40,000: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The Hyundai Santa Fe represents solid and practical family SUV buying. So, with that in mind, and a budget of $40,000 in hand, there’s some real value to be found out in used car land with hybrid variants of the previous fourth-generation Santa Fe.

You might also find bargains with the latest Gen 5 Santa Fe which arrived here in 2024, but the 2023-series hybrid presents excellent value with its lower pricing, high equipment levels, spacious seven-seat cabin and comfortable and capable touring credentials. A five-star safety rating from testing in 2018 was also applied to the petrol-electric variants, which launched in November 2022 – some four years after the regular petrol and diesel models arrived.

In essence, the Santa Fe is a fine all-rounder and the 1.6-litre hybrid adds to the overall package with strong, smooth performance and low real-world fuel consumption. The official economy figure is 6.0L/100km, which is achievable with a mix of open-road and suburban driving duties.

Research & compare Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid models on sale today in Australia
 

Also consider: Mazda CX-80 PHEV

Launching only a couple of years ago, the Mazda CX-80 has lots of appeal as a family chariot, including a seven-seat capacity and an economical plug-in hybrid powertrain with a claimed electric-only driving range of 65km – which should be more than enough to drop the kids off at school.

But the CX-80 is also ideal for longer journeys, when comfort, refinement and dynamic safety count. On the latter, a five-star ANCAP rating from 2024 was also achieved.

We’ve seen prices close to $40,000 on the used car market for the CX-80 PHEV, but if the budget can stretch a little further there should be more cars available. Mazda dropped CX-80 prices in 2026, taking $6900 off the entry-level all-wheel-drive P50e PHEV Touring, for example, which has put pressure on residual values of the original 2024-plated models.

Research & compare Mazda CX-80 PHEVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety

Best used hybrid small car under $40,000: Honda Civic e:HEV

Praised for its solid engineering, build quality, driving dynamics and safety, the Honda Civic e:HEV ticked a lot of boxes when it arrived in Australia at the end of 2022. Sadly, affordability wasn’t one of those boxes – prices started at $55,000 drive-away when new – but in 2026 the situation has changed as a used car proposition.

Launching with the LX grade before adding a cheaper L variant when the car was updated in December 2024, the Honda Civic e:HEV offers a powerful and economical hybrid system that automatically shifts between full-electric, hybrid and pure engine drive at a range of speeds and driving conditions. The official fuel consumption claim is 4.2L/100km, dropping as low as 3.2L/100km on the urban cycle while climbing to a still-respectable 4.9L/100km on the highway.

Overall, the Honda Civic is well-equipped, engaging to drive and typically reliable and safe. It has a five-star ANCAP safety rating (tested in 2022) and used car buyers will benefit from the balance of the original five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.

Research & compare Honda Civic Hybrid models on sale today in Australia
 

Also consider: Hyundai i30 Hybrid

The first-ever Hyundai i30 Hybrid arrived in sedan guise in October 2023 (as a 2024 model), offering a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol-electric powertrain with plenty of power and the promise of using substantially less fuel – 3.9L/100km on the official ADR combined cycle, or 2.8L/100km on the city cycle.

It is generously equipped, spacious, comfortable and solid on the road, helped by a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension. It also comes with high-tech features, including automatic collision notification and an emergency call function as parts of its Bluelink connected car services.

The i30 sedan did, however, miss out on a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating. The car performed well in some areas of assessment, but lost points for vulnerable road user protection and driver assist safety features. 

Research & compare Hyundai i30 hybrids on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety

Best used hybrid medium sedan under $40,000: Toyota Camry Hybrid

One of the veterans of hybrid-drive technology in Australia, the Toyota Camry Hybrid has been with us through multiple generations since 2010. In its latest form, the Camry Hybrid is sold in three trim levels from new, priced from just under $40,000 at the entry level before on-road costs are added. Used Camry Hybrids are naturally more affordable, bringing low-kilometre near-new examples into reach for less than $40,000 drive-away.

Reliability and low running costs have been key factors in the Camry Hybrid’s success, thanks to its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels or recharging the battery for the electric motor. Unlike earlier Camry Hybrid models with their bulky nickel-metal hydride batteries, the latest model features a more compact lithium-ion battery, which frees up boot space.

Used car buyers who settle on the Toyota Camry Hybrid will appreciate the balance of the five-year factory warranty where available, and the ANCAP five-star safety rating from 2024. Earlier models also qualified for five stars, based on testing in 2017.

Research & compare Toyota Camry Hybrid models on sale today in Australia
 

Also consider: Honda Accord Hybrid

As we’ve found with the Civic, the Honda Accord Hybrid stands up as an excellent proposition as a second-hand purchase. The current 11th-generation series comes into the frame with a budget up to $40,000, but the previous Mk10 Accord should bring more examples from which to choose – at a much more affordable price.

You’ll still be getting a well-built family sedan with solid engineering that delivers economical performance, a good balance between ride comfort and assured handling, and a comfortable and refined interior. Local safety ratings aren’t available for this series, but the Accord has performed well in tests overseas, such as with America’s Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Research & compare Honda Accord hybrids on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety

Best used hybrid large car under $40,000: Lexus GS Hybrid

You have to go back to around 2018 and do without the bonus of a factory warranty, but the Lexus GS Hybrid remains a value proposition as a comfortable, luxurious and economical family car.

Pricing will hinge on factors such as condition and kilometres travelled, however a $40,000 budget – and a preparedness to wait for the right car to come along – should bring some fine examples to the fore, mostly GS300h variants but with the prospect of the higher-tier GS450h as well.

We’ve not seen an ANCAP rating since 2005 for the Lexus GS (where it gained a maximum five stars), while Australia’s Used Car Safety Ratings also give early models around this period maximum points.

Yet it does offer the brand’s legendary build quality and reliability. It’s a competent car with commendable driving dynamics, thanks to its rear-wheel drive layout and strong performance, especially with the GS50h.

Research & compare Lexus GS Hybrid models on sale today in Australia

Also consider: Mercedes-Benz E-Class PHEV

Mercedes-Benz was one of the first prestige car brands offering plug-in hybrid power, so early examples of what were extremely expensive cars at the time – often with a “price on application” sticker attached – are now attainable, even with a $40,000 budget.

We’re talking about 2017-vintage Mercedes-Benz E350e luxury sedans, while adding a little more to the budget should bring up more recent models such as the 2019-21 Mercedes-Benz E300e. For sheer luxury, comfort, high tech and outstanding levels of safety – including a five-star ANCAP rating from this period – the E-Class PHEV could be the hybrid you never imagined owning, but which you might now seriously consider.

Research & compare Mercedes-Benz E-class PHEVs on sale: prices, specs, features, running costs, safety

Buying a used hybrid car or PHEV – FAQs

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