Most car shoppers are looking for hybrids, not EVs

By Sean Tucker

Here are the 10 electrified cars that shoppers consider most

Electric vehicles are winning headlines, but it's hybrids that are winning buyers.

Almost 25% of new-vehicle shoppers consider an electrified vehicle -- including electric cars, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). But twice as many look at a hybrid when they consider an electric vehicle (EV).

The numbers come from Kelley Blue Book's fourth-quarter Brand Watch Report -- a consumer perception survey that also weaves in shopping behavior to determine how a brand or model stacks up with its segment competitors on a dozen factors key to a consumer's buying decision.

Learn more:What is EV, BEV, HEV, PHEV? Here's your guide to types of electric cars

We publish three reports from the survey every quarter. One covers the non-luxury car market (where Toyota (7203.TO) won the fourth quarter). Another covers luxury car shoppers (BMW took the crown, while the number of people considering a Tesla (TSLA) dropped).

The third looks at electrified vehicles.

In the fourth quarter of 2022, it found that Toyota, followed by Honda (7267.TO), dominated consumer shopping for electrified vehicles.

Tesla, which has seen shopping consideration fall for two straight quarters, had only one vehicle on the top 10 most-shopped list. However, Tesla sales continue to rise. The paradox reflects Tesla's intensely loyal fan base. The number of consumers comparison-shopping Tesla models against other cars continues to fall, but a large group that never considers buying anything else also continues to feed accelerating sales.

The 10 most-considered electrified cars

Toyota led the list of most-shopped electrified vehicles, all of them hybrids. Only three fully electric vehicles were among the Top 10 most-shopped electrified vehicles -- The Tesla Model 3, Ford (F) F-150 Lightning, and Chevrolet Bolt.

See: Here's a list of the 10 cheapest electric cars out there

And: The 10 best new hybrid cars

This could be due to several factors, including the higher price of EVs compared to hybrids, concerns over range, and limited charging infrastructure in certain areas. However, as EV technology continues to improve and more charging stations become available, more consumers will likely consider EVs as a viable option.

Rank  Model 
1     Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 
2     Honda CR-V Hybrid 
3     Tesla Model 3 
4     Toyota Highlander Hybrid 
5     Ford Maverick Hybrid 
6     Honda Accord Hybrid 
7     Toyota Camry Hybrid 
8     Ford F-150 Lightning 
9     Toyota Prius 
10    Chevrolet Bolt EV 

This story originally ran on KBB.com

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05-30-23 0500ET

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