Automakers lean further into hybrid vehicles as demand grows

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Automakers are expanding hybrid offerings as the technology becomes a more common option for car shoppers, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

The shift comes as some automakers work through expensive electric vehicle strategies while adding hybrid powertrains to existing and redesigned models, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

ABC7 Los Angeles reported that hybrid vehicles are appearing more often in shoppers' choices as automakers add hybrid versions of existing models and redesign vehicles around hybrid powertrains.

Toyota has made several models hybrid-only, including the RAV4, Camry and Sienna, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Hyundai and Kia have also expanded their hybrid lineups.

Kia added a hybrid version of the Telluride as part of its 2026 redesign, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. The 2026 Kia Telluride hybrid is rated at 32 mpg combined with all-wheel drive and 36 mpg combined with two-wheel drive.

"People should think of hybrid technology today like they might have thought of fuel injection technology 50 years ago. It's rapidly becoming standard technology," Karl Brauer, executive analyst at iSeeCars.com, said, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

"There are a lot of automakers scrambling to get hybrids onto the market as quickly as possible, because they see that's where the market really comes together," Brauer said, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

ABC7 Los Angeles reported that some automakers are recovering from missteps tied to EV investment and development. "The bets they placed on EVs is costing a lot of car companies a lot of money," Brauer said.

Brauer said three-row SUVs that reach "30, 35 miles-plus per gallon" can reduce gasoline use and emissions if they sell well, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.