Hoping to get recommendations for roomy hybrid sedan

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone, thanks in advance for reading.

I've had a 2003 Volvo S60 since 2006; it has 130k miles on it and is running so-so. Every three years or so I put about $800 - $1000 worth of maintenance into it (I know). I'm slightly emotionally attached to it and would probably run it until 175k miles EXCEPT...

I'm pregnant with my second kid and DH doesn't drive. When we drive as a family, now, DH sits behind me. If DH (5'9'') tries to sit in front passenger seat with car seat in, he is too scrunched. The scrunch was even worse with the infant car seat before we moved up to the convertible car seat (kid is now 2.)

So, we need a new car, as DH will have to sit in front passenger seat with two carseats in the back. I've become a big environmentalist (we typically only use the car on the weekends) and favor a hybrid car. We can't get an electric as we don't have a garage and use street parking.

I'm looking for a hybrid sedan with a lot of room between the front and back seats. I wish I could wait until Volvo mass produces hybrids in 2019, but I've got to get this figured out in next 5 months. Any recommendations?

[Anonymous]

OP here, sorry; should have added that our budget is $20k - $40k; my parents always bought used cars that were a few years old, so that's the model I have in mind but I could buy new if there was a good reason to do so.

[Anonymous]

Is a hybrid or SUV out of the question?

[Anonymous]

If you are looking for size, a used Toyota Avalon hybrid might work well, especially in your price-range. Well appointed and bullet-proof reliability. Find a late-model, low mileage, certified pre-owned model. With 5 months to look, you should be golden and ready to pounce when the right car comes in, perhaps a 2016 coming off a 3 year lease.

[Anonymous]

I highly recommend the Hyundai Sonata hybrid. I had a 5-year Old Prius that sadly got hit by another driver while I was on the beltway and was totalled. We were going to replace with a new Prius but stopped at the Hyundai dealership to check out the iconiq, which gets even better mileage. We didn’t like it for various reasons but we loved the sonata hybrid. It doesn’t get as good mileage as the Prius, but we average about 40mpg Highway, 44mpg city. The backseat is super roomy and comfortable. I sit back there a lot bc my tweens like to ride shotgun. We bought the base model last May for about $22k so verrrry affordable.

[Anonymous]

I love my 2013 Avalon Hybrid. Quiet, roomy, smooth, good mileage (though nothing like Prius), powerful enough. A little-mentioned bonus is great range, because the fuel tank is the same size as the V6 version's. Starting with a full tank, I can drive round-trip Bethesda to Brooklyn and have 1/4 tank remaining when I get home.