Mustang Fans Should See These 10 Hybrids Before Choosing A V-8

The Mustang is one of Ford’s most iconic nameplates. Possessing an affordable combination of performance and practicality, it has stood the test of time. You can choose between an economy-minded four-cylinder with quick, capable performance, or one of several thunderous V-8s boasting tire-shredding performance that will embarrass cars costing two to three times more. And if electric performance is your jam, the Mustang Mach-E provides a new twist on the original pony car, appealing to a larger cross-section of consumers.

Base Trim Engine: 5L V8 ICE
Base Trim Transmission: 6-speed manual
Base Trim Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower: 480 HP @7150 RPM
Base Trim Torque: 415 lb.-ft. @ 4900 RPM

It seems there’s a Mustang for every demographic, yet Ford has neglected one market for its evergreen pony–hybrid cars. People searching for a performance vehicle with a mix of gas and electric power need to look elsewhere for their fix. Whether a traditional hybrid or the plug-in kind, the closest vehicle you’ll find to a Mustang in Ford’s stable is the Escape.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of hybrid vehicles that offer similar attributes to the Mustang’s Venn Diagram. They may not be pony cars or even performance cars in the traditional sense. Still, they offer the same traits that make the Mustang so endearing–a mix of performance and versatility that appeals to a wide variety of people.

The data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturers and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information possible. The models are listed based on their starting price, from cheapest to most expensive.

2025 Honda Civic Hybrid

Base Price: $28,950

Fuel Economy: 50 mpg
Engine: 2.0L I4 Hybrid
Segment: Compact Hatchback

At first glance, the Honda Civic Hybrid may seem an odd choice compared to the Mustang. Offered as a sedan or hatchback, it falls short of the Mustang’s power, with 200 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. Even so, it delivers brisk acceleration, hitting 60 mph in just over six seconds, and is great fun to drive.

How fun? We consider it one of the best hybrids because of its fun-to-drive nature, practicality, and all of the things that make Honda vehicles so good. The interior is comfortable with a layout that’s practical and intuitive. The quality of execution is top-notch, and everything from the drivetrain and handling down to the turnstalk operates with a fluid precision that’s rewarding.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Engaging driving experience Faster than the Civic SI Top-notch interior	Slow compared to the Mustang and other vehicles on this list Only available as a sedan or hatchback Small standard touchscreen

2025 Dodge Hornet R/T

Base Price: $41,400

Base Trim Engine: 2L Hurricane I4 ICE
Base Trim Transmission: TorqueFlite 9-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower: 268 HP
Base Trim Torque: 295 lb.-ft.

Leave it to Dodge to inject some rowdy fun into the crossover segment. Not only is the Hornet the Mopar brand’s first plug-in hybrid, but it delivers an impressive 288 horsepower and an axle-twisting 383 pound-feet of torque from a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an electric motor.

It may not have a Hemi, but it is faster than you might think. With Powershot Mode, the Hornet R/T hybrid will sprint to 60 mph in as little as 5.6 seconds–meanwhile, the gas-only GT takes about a second longer. The quarter mile comes up in 14.2 seconds at 96 mph with the GT still lagging.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Surprisingly quick Responsive powertrain Well-equipped base model	Styling looks ungainly from certain angles Tight backseat for a small SUV Price is in line with more premium brands

2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV

Base Price: $45,995

Base Trim Engine: 2L I4 ICE
Base Trim Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower: 268 HP
Base Trim Torque: 295 lb.-ft.

Think of the Alfa Romeo Tonale as the Dodge Hornet’s Italian cousin. It shares the same platform and 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder but is decked out in designer duds. It also costs about $4,000 more than the Hornet, yet doesn’t offer any more performance.

Think of it as an Armani suit compared to the Hornet’s Men’s Warehouse. Both look sharp and get the job done; however, the Tonale offers sporty European sophistication, making it an excellent option for those who value Italian design and premium features.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Italian style Responsive powertrain Loaded with standard equipment	Expensive and more pricey than the Dodge Hornet Tight backseat for a small SUV The engine sounds coarse at higher RPM

2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe

Base Price: $50,695

Base Trim Engine: 2L I-4 Hybrid
Base Trim Transmission: TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain: Four-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower: 270 HP @5250 RPM
Base Trim Torque: 295 lb.-ft. @ 3000 RPM

It may seem like the Jeep Wrangler 4xe is at the opposite end of the spectrum from the Mustang–until you mash the loud pedal and the Jeep leaps forward in a very un-Wrangler-like manner. Keep your foot on the gas, and it will do zero to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds, with the quarter mile coming up about 6.5 seconds later.

Even so, the Wrangler is about as close to a Mustang as a camel to a quarter-horse. When the pavement ends, the Mustang will rear up in protest while the Wrangler hits its stride. Yet despite their differences, both vehicles have a loyal following, and in the case of the Wrangler, there are already about 250,000 people who love the 4xe.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Go anywhere practicality Surprisingly quick on-road performance Excellent fuel economy and range	Harsh on-road ride and handling Hefty curb weight Electric range falls short of estimates

2024 Volvo S60 Recharge T8

Base Price: $51,950

Base Trim Engine: 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Plug-in Hybrid
Base Trim Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower: 455 hp
Base Trim Torque: 523 lb-ft

Infotainment & Features

7 /10

Like most Volvos, the Volvo S60 Recharge T8 offers a Scandinavian blend of luxury and performance with a healthy dose of environmental consciousness. It’s the socially responsible, upstanding citizen who pays their taxes and votes in all the elections, but is not above a bit of fun.

With 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque on tap, it’s capable of reaching 60 mph in a tick over four seconds. Unlike some hybrids that quickly run out of steam, it will reach the quarter mile in 12.5 seconds before topping out at 114 mph. It’s no pony car, but its performance is impressive, making the S60 Recharge perhaps the most underrated performance hybrid on the market.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Scandinavian design Comfortable front seats Accelerates like a V8 Mustang	Not as sporty as the Mustang Limited top speed Cramped back seat and limited trunk space

2025 Toyota Crown Platinum

Base Price: $54,990

Base Trim Engine: 2.5L INLINE-4 HYBRID
Base Trim Transmission: CVT
Base Trim Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower: 236 hp
Base Trim Torque: 163 LB-FT

One hybrid that truly flies under the radar is the Toyota Crown. Like the Volvo, it offers a good blend of luxury and performance–in this case, a zero to 60 mph time of 5.1 seconds and will do the quarter-mile in 13.8 seconds at 101 mph.

It feels like a Lexus without the price tag. Not only does it provide a practical and reliable option, but it is also a solid choice for people who want a hybrid with good performance and solid fuel economy ratings.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Luxurious interior Quick and responsive SUV practicality with sleek styling	Still more “dad bod” than muscle car Chintzy infotainment system Still pricey for a Toyota

2026 BMW 550e xDrive

Base Price: $74,800

Base Trim Engine: 2L I-4 Hybrid
Base Trim Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower: 255 HP @4700 RPM
Base Trim Torque: 295 lb.-ft. @ 1600 RPM

BMW makes some truly epic performance sedans, including the compact 3 Series and midsize 5 Series, which are the automaker’s bread and butter. The 550e is the latest in the company’s unbroken line of performance sedans and bridges the gap between the gas-powered 530i and 540i and the all-electric i5.

Thanks to an impressive 483 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, it’s able to hit 60 mph in about four seconds. In many respects, it’s the BMW M5 that nobody noticed, and it delivers an impressive amount of stealth performance thanks to the absence of flared fenders and lower profile bodywork.

Strengths	Weaknesses
M5 performance Smooth, responsive powertrain A true sleeper car	Ungainly large grille Steep infotainment learning curve Large size rivals the 7 Series

2025 Mercedes-Benz C63 S E PERFORMANCE

Base Price: $86,050

Base Trim Engine: AMG 2L Hybrid
Base Trim Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower: 469 HP @6750 RPM
Base Trim Torque: 402 lb.-ft. @ 5000 RPM

In some ways, cars like the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E PERFORMANCE might not exist if it weren’t for the Ford Mustang. Past iterations of cars featured a powerful V8 engine stuffed into the smallest car in Mercedes-Benz’s lineup to produce a muscle car with a German accent.

However, the current C63 uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor to produce 671 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque. It’s enough to hurl the C63 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and puts an exclamation point on the argument that hybrid cars can deliver incredible performance.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Supercar performance Good mix of practicality and size The closest thing to a German Mustang	Four-cylinder lacks the old V8’s thunder Subpar fuel economy Hefty curb weight

Lexus LC 500h

Base Price: $102,340

Base Trim Engine: 5L V8 ICE
Base Trim Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower: 471 HP @7100 RPM
Base Trim Torque: 398 lb.-ft. @ 4800 RPM

The Lexus LC 500h tends to get lost in the shadow of the regular LC500, which is one of the ultimate V8 grand touring cars. The hybrid may lack the V8’s feral growl, but with 354 horsepower, it’s capable of reaching 60 mph in 4.7 seconds while delivering 29 mpg.

Now in its eighth model year, the Lexus LC is an elder statesman in a car world where models age in dog years. Yet its longevity is due to Lexus getting the formula right the first time, and it’s still a car that reminds you to appreciate the present.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Movie star looks Sports car performance Epic grand touring capability	Aging design and technology Hybrid powertrain lacks V8 personality More touring car than performance car

Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray (2025)

Base Price: $106,900

Base Trim Engine: 6.2L V-8 Hybrid
Base Trim Transmission: 8-speed auto-shift manual
Base Trim Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower: 495 HP @6450 RPM
Base Trim Torque: 470 lb.-ft. @ 5150 RPM

The Ford vs. Chevy rivalry stretches back almost as far as the Hatfields and McCoys. So, to suggest that most Ford Mustang buyers would consider a Corvette is like starting a bar fight. But leaving the Corvette E-Ray off this list would be failing to acknowledge that Chevrolet did something truly great when it developed a hybrid supercar.

It’s as if the Corvette engineers took a look at the Acura NSX, various McLarens, and a Ferrari or two, and said, “Hold my beer.” Then they combined the 6.2-liter V8 with electric assistance for jaw-dropping performance. Thanks to a combined 655 horsepower, the E-Ray rockets from zero to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. It may not be enough to lure Ford Mustang owners to the Bowtie Brigade, but it’s one of many reasons to pick the E-Ray over its gas-only siblings.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Blinding acceleration V8 rumble Excellent ride and handling	Limited sightlines, especially the rear view Limited practicality w/only two seats No gain in fuel economy from standard V8

Mustang Fans Should See These 10 Hybrids Before Choosing A V-8