Don't Want to Be Stranded? These 2026 & 2027 Hybrids and PHEVs Include a Spare Tire

If you've shopped for a new green vehicle lately, you may have noticed something missing from the safety features list. Some automakers have stolen your spare tire and are replacing it with a can of sealant and a small inflator, or in some cases, nothing at all. This trend tends to be more common in subcompact and compact-sized hybrids. Poorly designed vehicles that add the hybrid powertrain as an afterthought often steal the space the spare should reside in to shoehorn in the traction battery. Like the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, for example. But a spare tire is still the fastest way to get back on the road after a tire fails you, especially on a road trip or in an area without cell service. If that peace of mind matters to you, the list below covers every 2026 and 2027 model year hybrid and PHEV that still comes with a spare tire, whether it's full-size or a compact temporary spare.

As you can see, the global leader in green vehicles, Toyota, is the brand that most often includes a spare tire. The standard spare tire on all new RAV4 models is one important feature that no other brand matches in their top-seller. Toyota packages the traction battery in the RAV4 under the floor in the middle of the vehicle, where it helps to keep the vehicle’s front-to-rear mass balance and center of gravity optimized. That leaves ample room for a compact spare under the rear cargo floor.

Toyota also puts a spare in all of its Camry cars, even the AWD Camrys. The brand’s larger SUVS and even the minivan it makes all offer the peace of mind of a spare tire. Heck, the Sequoia even boasts a full-size spare tire.

If you are looking for a reason to buy a Kia over a very similar Hyundai, look no further than the spare tire in three of its models, including its all-new 2027 Telluride Hybrid. Like Toyota, Ford has two hybrid trucks with spares - and they sell like crazy, by the way. Even when equipped with all-wheel drive, the mid-sized Maverick pickup has a spare tire.

Land Rover Range Rover makes some fantastic off-road capable vehicles. They can do it all, really. Take you to a fancy dinner in town, or get you to the cabin or ski lodge over challenging terrain. It only makes sense that this brand offers spares in its hybrids and plug-in hybrids.

Just so we are all on the same page, we love portable inflators. Every vehicle should have one in the cargo area. Paired with a AAA card and a spare, you have a solid plan for a minor leak, or a damaged tire. We also don’t expect Granny to be changing the tire and mounting the spare. That’s AAA’s job. Think it through. On a late Sunday evening, coming back from dinner on a holiday weekend with your family in the vehicle, would you rather have a spare tire to rely on if you tear a sidewall on a curb, or watch your vehicle be towed away and have to call multiple Ubers to get the kids and grandparents back to the hotel? We’d prefer to have the spare mounted and take our time finding the closest tire shop when they open on the following Tuesday. Perhaps even have a mobile tire service come and replace the tire while we are at work. A spare gives you options a tire repair kit does not.

The takeaway is pretty clear. If a spare tire is a safety feature you value, your search starts with Toyota. From the compact spare under the RAV4 to the full-size spare in the Sequoia, no other automaker matches Toyota’s commitment to keeping a real backup plan in the vehicle. Kia, Ford, and Land Rover round out the short list of brands that still understand why drivers want one, whether you are towing in the Maverick, hauling the family in the new Telluride Hybrid, or heading off the pavement in a Range Rover. The rest of the industry is betting that you will be happy with a bottle of sealant or a tow truck paired with putting the kids into an Uber on a stormy winter evening.

Some brands still understand the value of a spare tire if a sidewall is torn or if your puncture cannot be sealed. The good news is that you have dozens of green vehicle choices for the 2026 and 2027 model years that have a spare tire. Just be sure to confirm the spare is included on the specific trim you are considering, since some automakers vary the equipment by trim level or option package.

If we've accidentally included a vehicle that should not be on our list, or forgotten one that should, please tell us in the comments below. 

Looking for a list of EVs with spare tires? Here you go. 

John Goreham is a 14-year veteran of Torque News. An accomplished writer and a long-time expert in vehicle testing, Goreham also serves as the Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association and has a growing social media presence. He’s also a 10-year staff writer and community moderator for Car Talk. Goreham holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an undergraduate Certificate in Marketing. In addition to vehicle and tire content, he offers deep dives into market trends and opinion pieces. You can follow John Goreham on X and TikTok, and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Images and chart by John Goreham. Re-use with permission only, please.