In this paper, the development and application of smart hybrid carbon fiber reinforced polymers (HCFRPs) are summarized. The active elements of the HCFRPs are carbon fibers/tows in terms of their piezoresistivity and electrical conductivity. Generally, the HCFRPs are divided into two types: HCFRP composites and HCFRP sensors. The HCFRP composites are fabricated with different types of continuous carbon sheets and function as both structural and sensing materials; while, the HCFRP sensors are fabricated with different types of continuous carbon tows and function only as sensing materials. It is shown that before the fracture of carbon fibers/tows the HCFRPs can be used as strain sensors in terms of the piezoresistivity of carbon fibers and after the gradual fractures of different types of carbon fibers they can be used as damage sensors to identify the damage condition of the HCFRPs and HCFRP-strengthened structures.