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Plug-in hybrids may be your best weapon against high gas prices. These 12 models can save you the most money.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE plug-in hybrid SUV.
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE.Tim Levin/Insider
  • Gas prices are coming down from their peaks, but a gallon of fuel will still cost you dearly.

  • Plug-in hybrid cars have bigger batteries and more electric-only range than traditional hybrids.

  • These are the best plug-in hybrids you can buy, ranked by how much money they'll save you.

Inflated gas prices have caused Americans pain at the pump for months, but prices are finally descending from $5-per-gallon heights.

Gas prices are displayed at an Exxon gas station on July 5 in San Francisco, California.
Gas prices are displayed at an Exxon gas station on July 5 in San Francisco, California.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Source: AAA

Switching to a plug-in hybrid car is a great way to save a bundle on gas if you don't want to go fully electric.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE plug-in hybrid SUV.
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE.Tim Levin/Insider

Read more: The 10 cheapest electric cars you can buy in 2022 from the Nissan Leaf to Ford F-150 Lightning

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Plug-in hybrids have bigger batteries and longer electric-only range than regular hybrids like the Toyota Prius. You can plug them in overnight in a garage and typically drive 20-40 miles without using any gas.

2021 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD_KL_35
2021 Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD.Kristen Lee/Business Insider

We found the best plug-in hybrid cars based on how much money they can save you at the pump.

Man takes photo of prices at a gas station.
A man takes a photo of gas prices while pumping gas on June 9, 2022 in Houston, Texas.Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Read more: The 4 most important things to consider before buying your first electric car, according to experts

They're ranked by the amount of money you can expect to spend annually on fuel (gas and electricity), as estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Gas prices over the $6 dollar mark are displayed at a gas station in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, May 27, 2022.
Gas prices are at their highest on record, exceeding $6 in California.Rich Pedroncelli/AP

In calculating fueling costs, the EPA assumes 15,000 miles driven per year. To determine the amount of money drivers would save over a five year period, the agency compares fueling costs to that of the average car, which in 2022 gets 27 miles per gallon.

And since this list is all about saving money, we've excluded models that cost more than $50,000. (The average price paid for a new vehicle today is around $45,000.)

US gas prices
Gas prices have surged this year as oil prices have risen roughly 50%.Gary Coronado/Getty Images

Read more: Hybrid cars are an affordable way to save on gas without going fully electric. These 15 models have the best mileage.

12. Mini Countryman

The Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid SUV.
The Mini Countryman plug-in hybrid.Mini

Read more: Electric truck showdown: Why I'd buy Rivian's R1T over the Ford F-150 Lightning after driving both

11. BMW 330e

The BMW 330e.
The BMW 330e.BMW
  • Annual fuel cost: $1,800

  • Fuel savings over five years: $2,750

  • Fuel economy in electric/hybrid mode: 75 MPGe/28 MPG

  • Starting price: $42,950

  • Electric range: 23 miles

10. Mitsubishi Outlander

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.Mitsubishi
  • Annual fuel cost: $1,600

  • Fuel savings over five years: $3,750

  • Fuel economy in electric/hybrid mode: 74 MPGe/26 MPG

  • Starting price: $36,995

  • Electric range: 24 miles

Read more: RANKED: The 15 longest-range electric cars you can buy in 2022 from Kia, Tesla, Ford and more

9. Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan.
The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan.Chrysler
  • Annual fuel cost: $1,350

  • Fuel savings over five years: $5,000

  • Fuel economy in electric/hybrid mode: 82 MPGe/30 MPG

  • Starting price: $46,978

  • Electric range: 32 miles

8. Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid.
The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid.Hyundai
  • Annual fuel cost: $1,300

  • Fuel savings over five years: $5,250

  • Fuel economy in electric/hybrid mode: 76 MPGe/33 MPG

  • Starting price: $40,000

  • Electric range: 30 miles

7. Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento PHEV.
The Kia Sorento PHEV.Kia
  • Annual fuel cost: $1,250

  • Fuel savings over five years: $5,500

  • Fuel economy in electric/hybrid mode: 79 MPGe/34 MPG

  • Starting price: $45,190

  • Electric range: 32 miles

Read more: Review: The $43,000 Kia Sorento 3-row SUV is a subtle way to stand out from the crowd

6. Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid.
The 2022 Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid.Hyundai
  • Annual fuel cost: $1,200

  • Fuel savings over five years: $5,750

  • Fuel economy in electric/hybrid mode: 80 MPGe/35 MPG

  • Starting price: $35,400

  • Electric range: 33 miles

5. Toyota RAV4 Prime

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE plug-in hybrid SUV.
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE.Tim Levin/Insider
  • Annual fuel cost: $1,000

  • Fuel savings over five years: $6,750

  • Fuel economy in electric/hybrid mode: 94 MPGe/38 MPG

  • Starting price: $40,300

  • Electric range: 42 miles

Read more: A road trip in Toyota's RAV4 Prime showed me plug-in hybrids perfectly mix the benefits of electric cars with the practicality of gas

4. Kia Niro

The 2022 Kia Niro PHEV.
The 2022 Kia Niro PHEV.Kia
  • Annual fuel cost: $950

  • Fuel savings over five years: $7,000

  • Fuel economy in electric/hybrid mode: 105 MPGe/46 MPG

  • Starting price: $29,590

  • Electric range: 26 miles

3. Ford Escape

The 2022 Ford Escape.
The 2022 Ford Escape.Ford
  • Annual fuel cost: $950

  • Fuel savings over five years: $7,000

  • Fuel economy in electric/hybrid mode: 105 MPGe/40 MPG

  • Starting price: $35,455

  • Electric range: 38 miles

2. Hyundai Ioniq

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq.Hyundai
  • Annual fuel cost: $850

  • Fuel savings over five years: $7,500

  • Fuel economy in electric/hybrid mode: 119 MPGe/52 MPG

  • Starting price: $26,800

  • Electric range: 29 miles

1. Toyota Prius Prime

The 2022 Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid.
The 2022 Toyota Prius Prime.Toyota
  • Annual fuel cost: $800

  • Fuel savings over five years: $7,750

  • Fuel economy in electric/hybrid mode: 133 MPGe/54 MPG

  • Starting price: $28,770

  • Electric range: 25 miles

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