Hybrid Never Looked So Good: Three Perfect Sedans for Durham Drivers

Did you know that the average commute for Durham drivers is 22.5 minutes one way? While this may seem like a long time to be in the car, it’s not compared to the national average of 26.4 minutes, and it’s made even better by Durham’s location and the flow of traffic throughout the “Triangle” region. But, even with a pleasant commute, your search for a “used car dealer near Durham” tells us that it might be time to upgrade your ride, and that’s our specialty.

Durham is a great place to live and work, which makes finding the right sedan to add to your garage an enjoyable and rewarding experience when you rely on dealerships like ours. Because Durham drivers spend more time in their vehicles, we’ve put together a list of the most efficient sedans that will save you hundreds of dollars at the pump each year. Even better is that these sedans are loaded with features and can make any time you spend in the driver’s seat far more enjoyable!

#1 2020 Toyota Prius

It’s only fitting to start our list of the most efficient sedans with one of the segment’s top sellers. The Toyota Prius introduced us to hybrid capability and performance, building its legacy as the first mass-produced hybrid in the world. We especially love the 2020 Prius because it extends this legacy with a fuel economy of 58 MPG in the city and a host of standard features that make it an exceptional value.

Toyota made several notable improvements to the Prius in 2020, starting with making features like Safety Connect, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and the Toyota Safety Sense P suite standard across every trim. The Prius’ Safety Connect is centralized on a 7-inch touchscreen display where features like Apple CarPlay allow you to seamlessly integrate your smartphone. In addition, Amazon Alexa equips the model with a virtual assistant that can make calls, respond to messages, schedule appointments, and more with simple voice commands. These features ensure you stay connected during your daily commute and guarantee you never miss a beat of your busy life.

Perhaps even more significant is the introduction of the Toyota Safety Sense P suite of advanced driver-assist features that extend your visibility in the driver’s seat. The suite outfits the Prius with a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection that adds a virtual spotter that will alert you to pedestrians and traffic in your path. Additionally, the Lane Departure Alert system with Steering Assist and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control are exceptional tools for highway driving, and the Automatic High Beams guarantee your visibility in any condition.

#2 2019 Chevy Volt

The 2019 Chevy Volt makes our list because it’s a plug-in hybrid with loads to offer. For 2019, Chevrolet updated the Volt with a 7.2 kWh charging system that cut the Volt’s recharging time nearly in half and doubled the range added per hour. So, what does this mean for Durham drivers? The Volt delivers an all-electric range of 53 miles and a combined fuel economy of 42 MPG, which means your commute is even more affordable since you can easily use the Volt’s battery power to get to and from work.

Recharging the Volt is also easy and takes around two hours to fully recharge using a 240-volt outlet. We also love the Volt because it comes equipped with energy-saving features like Regen on Demand, which recharges the battery when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal. As a result, you can actively recharge the battery and conserve energy even when you’re driving in town!

Lastly, we love the 2019 Volt because it’s new enough to offer much of the same technology found on current models. For example, the 2019 Volt comes equipped with an 8-inch color touchscreen display with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system and the Energy App. You can use the app to monitor your driving style, energy use, route, weather conditions, and more. Additionally, you’ll find a host of advanced safety and driver-assist technology like Adaptive Cruise Control that makes cruising at highway speeds a breeze.

#3 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid

For drivers looking to save more money on the used lot, a 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid will undoubtedly do the trick. The Accord Hybrid turned heads with its two-motor hybrid powertrain in 2015 and enjoyed another wave of success in 2017 with its second-generation hybrid system increasing efficiency and capability. For Durham drivers, this translates to a 212-horsepower hybrid powertrain that averages 49 MPG in the city and 47 MPG on the highway, which means spending less on fuel.

Of course, the Accord is no stranger to the Honda lineup and is one of the automaker’s longest-running nameplates. This speaks volumes about the sedan’s reliability and popularity, especially when looking at the 2017 model and everything it offers. For example, the 2017 Accord Hybrid boasts a sporty design and improved handling that guarantees an engaging driving experience. Fortunately, this experience doesn’t come at the cost of your safety since the 2017 sedan comes equipped with the Honda Sensing suite. So what does this mean when you’re behind the wheel and navigating the streets of Durham?

Honda Sensing is one of the most comprehensive suites of safety and driver-assist technology in the industry. It outfits the Accord Hybrid with a Collision Mitigation Braking System that monitors traffic ahead and alerts you to potential collisions, giving you plenty of time to respond. The suite also equips the sedan with a Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Road Departure Mitigation.

Just as important, you’ll find the 2017 Accord Hybrid might be the oldest model on our list, but it’s still well-equipped in terms of connectivity features. It comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen display that features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With this smartphone integration, you can make calls, navigate the fastest route, listen to your favorite playlist, respond to messages, and more via the intuitive center display or by using simple voice commands.

What Will You Drive?

Are you ready to upgrade your commute? While there’s no question that Durham is an incredible place to live and work, you can always find ways to improve your time behind the wheel. That’s what inspired our search for three of the most efficient sedans that will keep more money in your wallet and transform your commute into an enjoyable experience.

The 2020 Toyota Prius, 2019 Chevrolet Volt, and 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid are three affordable ways to upgrade your commute. Years ago, shopping for a used vehicle came with a stigma that someone couldn’t afford a new car; fortunately, that’s changed. Today, the used market sees over 40 million cars, trucks, and SUVs sold annually, making it healthier than the new car market. So what’s the reason for this growing trend? More drivers are discovering that they don’t have to spend a fortune to find a fuel-efficient model that meets all their needs.

Since the Prius, Volt, and Accord Hybrid are still relatively new, they offer a lot of the same connectivity and safety technology that you’ll find on current models. In exchange for a few miles on the odometer, you can enjoy the perks of the latest features without paying that new car sticker price. With these models getting over 40 MPG, you’ll save even more on fuel, and for us, that’s a win-win!