10 Japanese Hybrid Cars

2016 Lexus LS 460 ・ Photo by Lexus

We’ve come a long way since the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius were introduced to America, at the turn of the century. Flash forward to 2016 and a bevy of intriguing and optimized Japanese hybrids shatter old notions and stereotypes about hybrid design and performance. Our Autobytel list of 10 Japanese hybrid cars runs the gamut from the latest Prius to high-end luxury sedans, with a remarkable new hybrid sports car as the cherry on top.

2016 Toyota Prius

The 2016 Toyota Prius ECO tops the fuel efficiency chart on our list of Japanese hybrids with remarkable EPA ratings of 58 mpg city/53 mpg highway/56 mpg combined. Standard versions of the 2016 Prius are rated at an impressive 54 mpg city/50 mpg highway/52 combined, with a starting MSRP of $24,200. Experienced Prius drivers take joy in wringing even more mpg out of the Hybrid Synergy drivetrain. The Prius was fully redesigned for the 2016 model to broad acclaim, with significantly improved ride and handling, along with a more welcoming interior. The 2017 Prius hybrid family includes the smaller and more affordable Yaris-based Prius c subcompact and more spacious Prius v 5-door hatchbacks, as well as the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Honda Accord Hybrid

The Accord Hybrid returns as the sole hybrid in Honda’s 2017 lineup and is a solid challenger to the Toyota Camry Hybrid in the midsize sedan class. All Accord Hybrids are now built in Japan, and they include the HondaSensing safety suite, with Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking and Road Departure Mitigation Systems. This technology is optional (when offered) on most cars. LaneWatch is standard, as well. Although Honda sold a string of hybrids in the past, the company has discontinued sales of the CR-Z and Insight in America due to lagging sales. The 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid has a starting MSRP of $29,605. It's rated by the EPA at a very impressive 49 mpg city/47 mpg highway/48 mpg combined.

Photo by Honda

2016 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid

Dreaming of a luxurious Japanese hybrid that’s fun to drive year round? The 2016 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid is available with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The Intelligent AWD system sends 100 percent of the power to the rear wheels, until slip is detected. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, a moonroof, and a 14-speaker Bose audio system are standard equipment. Infiniti’s Direct Response Hybrid technology pairs a potent 3.5-liter V6 with a 50kW electric motor to produce 360 horsepower. The 2016 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid has a starting MSRP of $47,050 in RWD form and $49,050 in AWD. It’s EPA rated at 28 mpg city/34 mpg highway with RWD and 27/34 with AWD.

2016 Lexus CT 200h Hybrid

The 2016 Lexus CT 200h Hybrid is a unique entry in our list of Japanese hybrids. The stylish 5-door hatchback is based on the Corolla platform and is the least expensive Lexus hybrid model, with a starting MSRP of $31,250. It offers an entry-level luxury cabin with flexible cargo capabilities. The CT200h F Sport version adds handsome interior and exterior details, along with a sport-tuned suspension. NuLuxe upholstery is standard. Perforated leather trim, with heated and ventilated front bucket seats, is optional. Alas, the F-Sport package does not provide performance enhancements to the drivetrain. The 2016 Lexus CT 200h is rated by the EPA at a respectable 43 mpg city/40 mpg highway/42 mpg combined.

Photo by Lexus

2016 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Need a well-priced 5-door hatchback hybrid to cope with less than optimal road conditions? The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is based on the Impreza and is the least expensive all-wheel-drive vehicle on our list of Japanese hybrids. The Crosstrek Hybrid is powered by an efficient 2.0-liter engine, a flat-4 that mates to an electric motor and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Although it provides more ride height than an Impreza, the 2016 Crosstrek is not as tall as a typical crossover. Whether you’re traveling twisty gravel roads or bearing the brunt of winter, it’s a solid choice, with a starting MSRP of $26,395 and EPA ratings of 30 mpg city/34 mpg highway/31 mpg combined.

Photo by Subaru

2016 Lexus ES Hybrid

The fullsize 2016 Lexus ES 300h is one of the most popular Japanese luxury hybrid sedans, with a well earned reputation for comfort and reliability, as well as an exceptionally smooth and quiet ride. The ES 300h’s front-wheel-drive (FWD) hybrid drivetrain mates a 2.5-liter inline-4 with an electric motor and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Don’t mistake the ES 300h for a hot rod. The hybrid system does produce 200 horsepower, which helps the ES 300h hit 60 mph in 8.1 seconds. The Lexus ES 300h was introduced in the 2013 model year and underwent a facelift for 2016. The current model has a starting MSRP of $41,020, and it's rated by the EPA at 40 mpg city/39 mpg highway/40 mpg combined.

Photo by Lexus

2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is the most popular mainstream Japanese midsize hybrid sedan and earns high marks for its roomy and comfortable cabin. That said, the Camry Hybrid faces stiff competition from the new 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid and domestics such as the Ford Fusion Hybrid and new Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The Camry Hybrid LE is EPA rated at 43 mpg city/ 39 mpg highway/41 mpg combined, with a starting MSRP of $26,790. The heavier Camry Hybrid XLE and SE models are rated slightly lower at 40/38/40, respectively. The Toyota Hybrid Synergy drivetrain produces ample oomph, with 200 total horsepower, via a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor. Toyota first offered the Camry Hybrid in the 2007 model year. It underwent a facelift in 2015.

Photo by Toyota

2016 Lexus LS 600h L Hybrid

The 2016 Lexus LS 600h L sets the high mark for luxury sedans on our list of Japanese hybrids, with a starting MSRP of $120,440. All that coin is justified by an impressive package, with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) V8 hybrid drivetrain pumping out 438 horsepower, producing a fleet 0-60 mph time of only 5.5 seconds. EPA fuel economy is listed as 19 mpg city/23 mpg highway/20 mpg combined.

Riding in the LS 600h L is a treat for all the senses. The supple and supportive second-row seats in the LS 600h L are positively magnificent, the hand-crafted Shimamoku wood trim is simply stunning, and the Mark Levinson surround sound audio system puts a symphony hall on four wheels. Drive on, James.

Photo by Lexus

2016 Infiniti Q70 Hybrid

The luxurious 2016 Infiniti Q70 Hybrid delivers a winning combination of aesthetics and performance. The interior is among the most pleasing of all Japanese hybrid sedans, while the hybrid drivetrain’s  3.5-liter V6 and 50-kW electric motor churns out a very healthy 360 horsepower. A 7-speed automatic transmission and rear-whee drive deliver a traditional feel, avoiding the typical CVT hybrid drone. Parking chores are a snap with the Q70 Hybrid’s Around View Monitor providing a bird’s eye view, in addition to moving object detection. The Technology option package adds a full suite of safety technology. The 2016 Infiniti Q70 Hybrid has a starting MSRP of $55,900 and is rated by the EPA at 29 mpg city/34 mpg highway/31 mpg combined.

Photo by Infiniti

2017 Acura NSX

Call it an entry-level supercar if you will, but the 2017 Acura NSX is the coolest, thirstiest (and most expensive) car on our list of Japanese hybrids, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg city/22 mpg highway/21 mpg combined. The 2017 NSX's starting MSRP is a mere $156,000. A bargain, I say!

The NSX is more than a flagship. It’s a testbed for innovative technologies, with Acura’s Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) leading the pack. Front-mounted twin electric motors provide torque vectoring control. A 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine is mounted behind the cockpit and mated to a direct-drive motor and a 9-speed dual-clutch transmission. The NSX's hybrid drivetrain pumps out an impressive 573 horsepower.

Photo by Acura