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

• 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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.)

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

• Annual fuel cost: $1,850

• Fuel savings over five years: $2,500

• Fuel economy in electric/hybrid mode: 73 miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent/29 MPG

• Starting price: $41,500

• Electric range: 17 miles

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

11. BMW 330e

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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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