Are hybrids high maintenance

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Hybrids are clever, theres no denying that. Blending the conventional internal combustion engine with a few electric motors or something of the sort ultimately results in the perfect stepping stone between vehicles of the past and electric cars of the future.

The performance and economy you get as a result arent half bad either: remember the days when we thought that everything with the letter e or the word hybrid in its name instantly meant that it would be as dreary as a Toyota Prius? That couldnt be further from the truth now, as some of the worlds most exciting cars are hybrids.

However, this growth in luxury and personality has inadvertently meant that some of these hybrids are ridiculously expensive to maintain. Weve compiled a list of examples that you can buy in 2023 or are set for release in the near future to show you just how badly theyll leave you out of pocket. Heres what we found.

10 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray (Estimated $737 Per Year)

Its still a strange feeling when you try to come to terms with the Corvette going hybrid. There are many reasons why, but the fact that the Corvette was one of the first American sports cars to truly epitomize what it is we love about the internal combustion engine probably played a big part. It was fast, loud, and not at all sorry for being the center of attention.

But to stay relevant, the legendary moniker had to reinvent itself, and we believe the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray could hit the AWD supercar sweet spot, given how successful its alternative is. One blip to its name, however, is that an estimated yearly service, repair, and maintenance cost for the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette is around $737 a high amount, but probably worth it in this instance.

9 Alfa Romeo Tonale Plug-in Hybrid (Estimated $800 Per Year)

When Alfa Romeo announced that it was entering the SUV and crossover markets in an attempt to stay afloat, it may just have been one of the few brands that gearheads loved but showed little sign of distaste towards at the decision. We think the Alfa Romeo Tonale is the best compact SUV to buy in 2023.

But as endearing as the Milanese brand is to enthusiasts, the same question almost always slips the edge of a person's tongue before they think about buying a model from it: What are typical Alfa Romeo maintenance costs? With the Tonale, five-year ownership is expected to rack up around $4,000 in running fees, which averages out to $800 per year. But it is an Alfa, after all, which means you should always expect the unexpected.

8 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S580e L Hybrid (Estimated $1,230 Per Year)

The S-Class: for so long, it has been the yardstick for which the automotive world measures luxury and refinement. We cant imagine a society where it doesnt exist, and arguably, it is one of the most fitting cars to go hybrid. Its relaxed and gentle persona fits the quiet and wafty hybrid powertrain like a glove.

In fact, its more expensive, collaborative alternative, the Mercedes-Maybach S580e, is the most luxurious plug-in hybrid on the market right now in the eyes of many. But being a juggernaut in your industry does come with its baggage, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class maintenance costs are just that. $1,230 per year is steep, but the chances are, youll be happy to pay this for the sheer quantity and quality of the technology and creature comforts at your disposal.

Related: 10 Coolest Hybrids We'd Buy Over An EV Any Day

7 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid (Estimated $1,252 Per Year)

How the ugly duckling has grown. Upon release, the Panamera was undoubtedly fast but styled as if it was the resulting lovechild from a raunchy one-night stand between King Julian and Jabba the Hut. These days, its matured aesthetics are one of the 10 main reasons why we love the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E.

But while theres plenty to love, one of the few drawbacks is a yearly maintenance cost of around $1,252. The Porsche Panameras reliability rating is good, especially compared to its competition, but when something does go kaput, you best prepare yourself for a lengthy repair bill.

6 Range Rover P440e Hybrid (Estimated $1,258 Per Year)

Its no shock that this big SUV is on here, given that the British brand is notoriously attached to a high-maintenance badge that its desperately trying to shake off. Just look at the 11 most common problems on Range Rovers to get a better understanding of why it is falling well short of reversing the narrative.

To make matters worse, the new Range Rovers reliability rating of just two out of five makes for a daunting prospect for wood-be owners and helps us understand just why the estimated yearly maintenance cost is so high. Like the S-Class, very few cars have the versatility, luxury, and outright allure that a Range Rover has, and if youve got the money, then youd be a happy owner. Just pay close attention to its service schedules and stay on top of them.

5 Audi A8 L TFSI e Hybrid (Estimated $1,298 Per Year)

Slowly but surely, Audis biggest model has crept up on the all-conquering S-Class and is now a genuine competitor to it. While most of the A8s rivals can be quite flamboyant and loud to look at, just check out what makes the Audi A8 an understated, but refined luxury sedan. It really is knocking at the top of the tree.

It should also cost a similar amount to run when compared with its Silver Arrow rival, too, with the Audi A8 Quattros yearly repair and maintenance costs estimated to be around $68 more than the S-Class. Its not a substantial enough amount to swing the balance, so choosing between the duo just boils down to personal preference.

Related: 10 Least Reliable Hybrid Cars That Will Drain Your Wallet

4 BMW 7-Series 760i xDrive Plug-in Hybrid (Estimated $1,445 Per Year)

If you can get past the controversial styling of BMWs these days, youll be rewarded with exceptional performance and extremely competitive comfort and luxury. This rings especially true with the BMW 760i just check out five things we love about it. The interior in particular is something we often wax lyrical about.

But all this luxury comes at a price, and the estimated BMW 7-Series maintenance costs for a year tend to level out at around $1,445. Thats over $200 more than the S-Class and around $150 more than the A8 arguably its two biggest rivals. Again, this isnt enough money to swing the pendulum, and while the 7-Series has a fabulous cabin, were just not sure if the styling makes the huge outlay worth it.

3 Bentley Flying Spur S V6 Hybrid (Estimated $1,500 Per Year)

Like the Panamera, the Flying Spur has shaken off the critics who once labeled it as nothing more than a soccer players car to become one of the very best luxury sedans in the game right now. Just check out this Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid, which is a fine work of art by The Surgeon.

Given that this four-door titan is the car that breaks into the top three of our list, theres really no point asking yourself how much it costs to maintain. But for those that are interested, youll likely be spending over $1,500 per year on the general service bills. But these days, Bentleys also hold strong reputations for reliability too, so youll be unlikely to spend too much more than said amount.

2 Ferrari 296 GTB (Estimated $2,000+ Per Year)

Pound for pound, quite possibly the most exciting car on sale right now alongside the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS; and given that the Ferrari 296 GTB has the most powerful V6 engine in the world, it shouldnt really be a surprise. It is the epitome of what our species can achieve with clever engineering and meticulous trial and error.

As per the Ferrari Lake Forest maintenance costs guide, yearly maintenance fees for the average Prancing Horse come to around $2,000 per year. And since the latest high-tech inclusion in its stable is packed with electronics and intelligent trickery, it will likely exceed that figure by some distance.

Related: 10 Most Badass Hybrid Supercars Ever

1 Aston Martin Valhalla (Estimated $2,000+ Per Year)

Now, we know the Valhalla isnt coming until next year, but you can already be certain that this jaw-dropping, toned-down Valkyrie will come with the premium maintenance cost to match its claimed $800,000 price tag. It also previews a new direction in design language for the British luxury firm, with inspiration taken from the Valkyrie, and has the power to embarrass the Ferrari SF90.

The Valhalla is a type of car where estimated repair and maintenance costs start to become obsolete because the several thousand dollars per year will almost certainly not cause a dent in your wallet if you can afford to buy one of these. Even still, the real cost of running a used Aston Martin is estimated at around $2,000 per year expect this to be substantially higher for the forthcoming hybrid speed demon.

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The electric era is starting to come into full effect now, so hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) exist predominantly to help ease the transition between petrol-powered and electric cars. The popularity of hybrid SUVs are also on the rise, with grants and initiatives to buy into the alternative to purely petrol also plentiful.

However, the money that is saved by going hybrid can fluctuate massively. This is because the electric-only range of the current crop of HEVs varies a fair amount, between a couple of miles in some big SUVs to as many as 93 in the Polestar 1 - which happens to be one of our favorite performance hybrids of the last few years.

So, while the priority for many will be to choose an HEV that can save them money, which 10 cars wouldnt be that suitable in this regard? Not just with range, but more so, with maintenance and repair costs? Weve compiled a list of the 10 most expensive:

10 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Hybrid (Estimated $600 Per Year)

Why do the Europeans have to make everything so expensive? For years, it was assumed that American cars cost less to keep on the road because they used lower-quality materials, and thats a fair argument20 years ago. These days, big SUVs like the 2023 Lincoln Aviator can more than hold their own against pretty much anything else the world has to offer.

Better still, the average repair, service, and maintenance cost for a Lincoln Aviator is a stone's throw over $600, which is less than half the cost of some of the other vehicles on this list. While that still isnt cheap, its a damn sight cheaper than most of the Europeans. So, if youre going to let an SUV bankrupt you, this is probably the one to choose.

9 Lexus RX500h (Estimated $600 Per Year)

Lexus is performing admirably right now, despite the wave of SUV competition from Germany. A watch over our 2023 Lexus NH 350h review will show you just how much we appreciate the form of Toyotas luxury arm at the moment. That brings us swiftly to the RX500h. Where performance is concerned, even the range-topping F Sport Performance AWD trim grade wont hold a candle to the best that America and Europe have to offer, but elsewhere, its arguably better.

The most significant section is the running cost: Lexus has a strong reputation here, and that really translates into this car, with the RX350s repair, service, and maintenance cost coming in at $540 per year. So, expect this to be around $600 for the RX500h a modest figure and substantially more cost-effective than strong rivals.

8 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe (Estimated $700 Per Year)

Its long-anticipated return is finally here, and quite frankly, we think the new 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee is eons ahead of its predecessor. It looks substantially more appealing to younger generations and actually has a competitive number of tech features inside. So its gone from being a rather stale old box to becoming a truly versatile rival to take the market by storm.

Though an estimated $666 must be kept aside each year to deal with the Jeep Grand Cherokees repair and maintenance bills: slightly more than the much larger Lincoln Aviator. Again, this is much cheaper than its European rivals, but it still seems an awful lot to pay to keep a new 2023 car on the road, given that automotive progression should also mean a reduction in associated costs, right?

7 Volvo XC90 Recharge (Estimated $900 Per Year)

Critically acclaimed for making the safest cars in the world, most of the tech and safety features are in full effect in cars like the 2022 Volvo XC90, which recharges our excitement about the EV transition. The XC90 badge has been a fabled one for many years now, and while we cant fault its reputation, an estimated yearly cost of $851 for repair, service, and maintenance of a standard XC90 is quite high.

So, with the hybrid versions, we can expect this to be closer to $900 per year. Advocates will argue that this is the price you pay for the plethora of equipment on board the XC90, and thats spot on. If you can comfortably afford to spend around $80,000 on the car itself and cover the associated costs, the XC90 is an expensively good option to choose.

Related: 10 Most Reliable Hybrid SUVs On The Used Market

6 Mercedes-Benz GLC350e (Estimated $1,000 Per Year)

First introduced in 2015, the GLC was the brand's only hybrid at one point. That has since changed with the introduction of the EQ range of cars, and it has also taken a slight hit on the GLC350es popularity. To make matters worse, the Mercedes-Benz GLC300 repair and maintenance costs for a year are estimated to be $1,039 according to RepairPal

Therefore, its sensible to assume that the hybrid equivalent should meander around that price point, too. That makes us wonder, is it really worth it? Of course, most offerings from Mercedes are quite reliable these days, but when something goes wrong, it usually leads to a big bill. So, while it may indeed be one of the best luxury hybrid SUVs to buy in 2023, the maintenance cost may not justify the rest of it.

5 Audi Q5 Hybrid (Estimated $1,000 Per Year)

When you read about the Audi A5 Sportback, and how it stacks up against the competition, you cant help but be drawn to it. Its majorly impressive, and for the comfort, performance, and tech on offer, its a very good choice in todays market. However, a 2022 Audi Q5s repair, service, and maintenance cost averages out at around $928 per year. Thats no laughing matter.

Where the hybrid version is concerned, Audi recently upgraded the battery from 14.1 to 17.9 kWh, leading to an all-electric range of around 23 miles. Thats pretty underwhelming for an SUV that will set you back over $50,000 to begin with, which is then made even more unappealing when you realize the hybrid will cost you close to $1,000 per year on maintenance alone.

4 BMW X5 xDrive45e (Estimated $1,200 Per Year)

It doesnt really come as a shock that a BWW is this high up on the list, does it? Despite most of its vehicles actually being suitably priced for what you get in return, BMW has developed a shocking reputation for being a high-maintenance brand, with even the wealthiest people struggling to come to terms with just how much some of its models cost to keep on the road.

Many believe the 2024 BMW X5 will be the best European mid-size SUV, and while that may be true, the annual maintenance cost for a BMW X5 currently sits at $1,166 per year. Considering the hybrid xDrive45e guise will probably cost a penny more, its fair to assume youll be spending close to if not more than $1,200 per year. Ouch!

Related: 10 Plug-In Hybrids That Offer The Best Gas Mileage In 2023

3 Range Rover Sport PHEV (Estimated $1,200 Per Year)

Like BMW, its not surprising to see a Range Rover sitting at the business end of this list. It still shocks us how, year-on-year, the story never changes; but thats the downside to owning a car from one of the worlds most luxurious brands. Theres plenty to love about the Range Rover Sport PHEV, from its contemporary design to the tech-filled cabin, and the opulent materials used to coat that cabin.

While there are very few things to despise about the big Brit; the repair and maintenance costs for a Range Rover Sport stand head and shoulders above the others, which are quite pale in comparison. The chances are you can afford the running costs if youre willing to fork out over $104,000 for a Range Rover Sport, but youll still feel the pinch of having to essentially pay $100 per month to ensure the thing works.

2 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid (Estimated $1,200 Per Year)

Arguably the most exciting car on this list, the story about how the Porsche Cayenne SUV saved the company from bankruptcy is one that never gets old. This big, daft, and wonderfully fun unit has only gone from strength to strength since it was introduced in 2022, and looks to continue its foray well into the future since Porsche has decided to hybridize it.

The entry-level version combines a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor to produce 450 hp, while the 690 hp twin-turbo V8 e-Hybrid will lick just about any SUV on the planet in a straight line. Sadly, that excitement comes at a cost of around $1,192 per year for repair, service, and maintenance.

Related: 10 Most Badass Hybrid Supercars Ever

1 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid (Estimated $2,000+ Per Year)

The Bentayga was a divisive car upon release, but one that was very much requested. Bentley has been known for releasing super luxurious grand-tourers since pretty much the dawn of man, so it was only a matter of time before it took the plunge and entered the SUV game. The Bentley Bentayga Hybrid models have also just gotten more impressive, thanks to a new range of trims and features.

It all sounds lovely, and if youre one of those people that thinks the Bentayga is just a Continental on stilts, it's probably time to grow up and see the bigger picture here. It offers unfiltered, uncompromising class at its overpriced best. A look at the recommended Bentley Bentayga service intervals, however, wipes the smile clean off. Over the first three intervals, youll spend an average of $2,600 per trip or $7,800 over three years. Were not sure about you, but that would get slightly annoying after a while.