Estate

Hatchback

Pick-Up

Saloon

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the M8&nbsp;grand tourer, which costs more than £120,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has ten in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM, plus the electric iX3 and iX.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

Korean brand Hyundai is a rival to mainstream car makers such as Skoda, Toyota and Volkswagen. However, it's also increasingly taking on premium alternatives&nbsp;– particularly with its electric cars.

At the extremes of the Hyundai line-up you find the tiny i10 city car and the huge Ioniq 9 electric SUV. Meanwhile, other highlights of its line-up include two recent What Car? Awards winners: the seven-seat Santa fe SUV and the Ioniq 5 N hot hatch.

As a bonus, all Hyundais come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas many&nbsp;rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

While Mitsubishi sells both the Mirage hatchback and the L200 pick-up truck in the UK, the core of its range is in SUVs – handy, since this is one of the largest markets worldwide.

There’s an SUV to suit everyone, too. If you’re a company car driver, the Outlander PHEV mixes low fuel bills with a spacious interior. The ASX, meanwhile, is attractively priced against key rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca. Or, if you prefer mud to asphalt, the Shogun offers genuine off-road ability.

More SUVs are on the way, too, including one that’s rumoured to bring back the ‘Evo’ name made famous in rallying.

MITSUBISHI

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

3 SERIES

5 SERIES

AYGO X

CALIFORNIA

CR-V hybrid

GOLF

HILUX

IONIQ

KONA ELECTRIC

OCTAVIA

OUTLANDER PHEV

PANAMERA

SANTA FE

Temporary taxonomy to get review live. Proper taxonomy to be investigated.

ChrisH 05/11/2019

X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

Hyundai

Santa Fe

This small car offers punchy performance for a keen price, and its ride is pretty comfy. However, real-world fuel economy is nothing special, and the MG 3 is only so-so to drive. Its interior is also relatively tight for space and feels rather flimsy in places.

MG 3

And the traditional hybrid to avoid...

best-self-charging-hybrid-cars-you-dont-have-to-plug-in-2025

best-hybrid-cars-you-dont-have-to-plug-in

Honda

Civic

Toyota

Yaris

TUCSON

Tucson

Sorento

Corolla

Sportage

Lexus

Yaris Cross

YARIS CROSS

Our pick&nbsp;1.6T Hybrid Premium

If bigger is better, then the Hyundai Santa Fe must be one of the best cars around, because it's absolutely huge. Don't think that space hasn't been put to good use though, because the Santa Fe is incredibly spacious and practical in all three of its rows. Indeed, even taller adults will be perfectly comfortable for a long journey spent in its rearmost seats. Plus, this Santa Fe feels far plusher inside than its predecessor, with more than a passing resemblance to the latest round of Land Rover models – no bad thing – and quality which should stand up well to the rigours of family life.

You can have your Santa Fe with regular hybrid or plug-in hybrid power, but we think that the former will be the best bet for most buyers, not least since it's substantially cheaper to buy. In hybrid form, the Santa Fe builds speed quickly once you put your foot down, and its electric motor and 1.6-litre petrol engine work well together. It should be a frugal combination, with the hybrid Santa Fe returning almost 40mpg in our hands over a mixed test route.

Stick with two-wheel drive and Premium trim and you'll have the sweet spot in the range. You won't be wanting for kit, either, because all of the things you're likely to want, including heated front seats, wireless phone charging and adaptive cruise control, all come as standard.

All told, the Santa Fe is not only our favourite <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/7-seat-cars/n2344">seven-seater</a> but also the best regular hybrid model you can buy.

Yet for all its brilliance, it’s still&nbsp;possible to save around 10% off the price of a new one, with our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/hyundai/santa-fe/suv">Santa Fe deals</a> saving around £5000-£5500 on certain models. The bigger discounts are, perhaps predictably, available on high-spec Calligraphy trim models, which put them close to our preferred Premium versions on price. 
 
"I was surprised at how agile the Santa Fe feels, given its sheer size and space. The well-weighted, accurate steering helped me to place the car exactly where I wanted to on the road, and the body control through corners was good." —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/dan-jones/n23433">Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer</a>

<h2>See our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/santa-fe/4x4/review/n68">Hyundai Santa Fe review</a></h2>

Hyundai Santa Fe

Our pick&nbsp;1.5 Premium Plus

As the only small SUV from a premium brand to offer full hybrid power, the Lexus LBX is an outlier in its class. It’s barely any more expensive to buy than many regular petrol rivals, though, and it promises much lower fuel bills.

The interior is entirely worthy of a brand as upmarket as Lexus, with plush materials in all the key areas and rock-solid build quality, plus a generous roster of equipment.

True, some rivals are more practical, but the LBX is competitive in terms of occupant and boot space, and its ride smooths out at speed to make it a relaxing cruiser.

The LBX is closely related to the rather more ordinary Toyota Yaris Cross, but the good news is there are plenty of deals available to bring both models close on price. Indeed, depending on trim, you could save between £1500 to £2500 using our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/lexus/lbx/suv">Lexus LBX deals</a>. Little wonder that this small hybrid SUV is a former <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/new-car-awards">What Car? Car of the Year</a>.

“I loved my time running the Lexus LBX as a company car, it matched the fuel-sipping nature of the Toyota Yaris Cross upon which it is based with the premium build quality you'd expect from Lexus.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/darren-moss/n1005">Darren Moss, Deputy Editor</a>

<h2>See our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/lbx/hatchback/review/n26399">Lexus LBX review</a></h2>

Lexus LBX

Our pick&nbsp;1.8 Hybrid Icon

Toyota’s <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-cars/n27171">family car</a> comes in a choice of hatchback and estate guises, and both are class leaders. Whichever bodystyle you prefer, it’ll be hybrid powered; we recommend the cheaper 1.8-litre option, which will be quick enough for most people’s needs and is the most frugal, but there’s a 2.0-litre version if you want extra performance.&nbsp;

The Corolla strikes a fine balance between agility and ride comfort, while its interior is sturdily built and well equipped, although some rivals are plusher or roomier in the back.&nbsp;While we recommend the entry-level Icon trim because it beautifully balances standard equipment and price, there are deals to be had with this and higher-spec models alike. We have <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/toyota/corolla/hatchback">Toyota Corolla deals</a> representing savings of up to £4500, meaning plush&nbsp;Excel models or racy GR Sport versions can be had for a similar price.

As with the other Toyotas in our top 10, it’ll also be a reassuring long-term ownership prospect, thanks to low running costs, a long warranty and the promise of great reliability.&nbsp;

“The 43-litre fuel tank of the Corolla Touring Sports allows me to cover 450 miles between fill-ups – perfect for those of us with high-mileage jobs.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/george-hill/n23609">George Hill, Used Car Writer</a>

<h2>See our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/corolla/hatchback/review/n18901">Toyota Corolla review</a></h2>

Toyota Corolla

Our pick&nbsp;Hybrid Pure

In entry-level mild hybrid petrol form, the Kia Sportage is our reigning <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/car-of-the-year-awards-family-suv-of-the-year/n25360">Family SUV of the Year</a>. The step up in price to this hybrid version is such that it’ll take quite a while to recover the cost in fuel savings, but in most respects it’s just as impressive as its cheaper sibling.

The smart-looking interior is one of the best in the class, with mostly user-friendly controls, good-quality materials and a generous amount of space, plus there’s a large boot. The Sportage offers a slightly more polished driving experience than the closely related Hyundai Tucson, as well as a longer warranty.

Savings of around £2500 aren’t quite as impressive as the £3000-£3500 savings available on petrol versions, but as our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/kia/sportage/suv">Kia Sportage deals</a> show, the gap in the price you’ll pay is close. Overall though, the Sportage is the most well-rounded family SUV around.

“Just when you thought the Kia Sportage couldn't get any better, consider this – it undercuts several rivals on price, including the Ford Kuga, Honda ZR-V and Mazda CX-5.” –<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/lawrence-cheung/n23691">&nbsp;Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor</a>

<h2>See our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/review/n17352">Kia Sportage review</a></h2>

Kia Sportage

Our pick&nbsp;Hybrid 2

The Sorento may have been dwarfed by the electric <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/ev9/estate/review/n26277">EV9</a> as Kia’s largest model, but all versions come with seven seats and fantastic practicality as standard. The second-row seat slide and recline for added versatility, and there’s loads of space for adults, even in the third row – more than in the rival Skoda Kodiaq.

Of the three Sorento power options, most buyers will be best served by this 212bhp hybrid model for a good blend of power and efficiency. Some rivals are quieter and more cosseting on the motorway, but the Sorento is generally a fairly relaxing cruiser. We’d recommend entry-level 2 trim, which is generously equipped and keeps the price sensible.

While the Sorento tends to be cheaper than the closely-related Santa Fe, there aren’t quite as many <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/kia/sorento/suv">Kia Sorento deals</a> available. That said, it’s still possible to save almost £4000 off the price of high-spec ‘4’ trim models and around 7% off our favourite 2 version.

“I give Kia big plus points for not burying the Sorento's climate controls behind the infotainment touchscreen. The proper physical controls are much easier to use on the move.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/claire-evans/n1100">Claire Evans, Consumer Editor</a>

<h2>See our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sorento/4x4/review/n18">Kia Sorento review</a></h2>

Kia Sorento

Our pick&nbsp;1.6T Hybrid Premium

As with the closely related Kia Sportage, the engine options in Hyundai’s family SUV’s include a regular hybrid and a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a>, but it’s the former that we rate higher. It gives punchy performance (it’s slightly quicker from 0-60mph than the equivalent Sportage), and the Tucson is refined and comfortable at all speeds.

An interior update last year brought a more user-friendly dashboard, and quality is now on a par with that of the Sportage. In other respects the Tucson is very family-friendly, with plenty of passenger space and a big boot. Being&nbsp; pricier to buy and run, though, keeps it behind the Sportage in this list.

We might favour the Kia Sportage over the Tucson, but there’s no denying that the discounts on offer counter that. Indeed with our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/hyundai/tucson/suv">Hyundai Tucson deals</a>, it’s possible to save more than £6500 – or 16% – off a new one.&nbsp;

“My kids really appreciated the Tucson's heated outer rear seats, which come as standard on our recommended Premium trim level. It doesn't cost much more money over the cheaper N-Line model, either.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/will-nightingale/n1020">Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor</a>

<h2>See our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/tucson/4x4/review/n103">Hyundai Tucson review</a></h2>

Hyundai Tucson

Our pick&nbsp;2.0 e:HEV Elegance

The Honda Civic’s two electric motors and a 2.0-litre petrol engine give it a total output of 181bhp. That was enough to take it from 0-60mph in a brisk 6.8sec in our test, yet it easily achieves a frugal 50mpg in real-world driving.

Urban traffic is mostly tackled on electric power, and the 2.0-litre petrol engine is nicely hushed when it joins in at higher speeds. What’s more, sharp handling and taut body control make the Civic fun to drive on country roads.&nbsp;

Even our preferred entry-level Elegance trim has lots of kit, and if it wasn’t so much pricier to buy than its key hybrid rival, the Toyota Corolla, it would be closer to the top of this list.&nbsp;However, our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/honda/civic/hatchback">Honda Civic deals</a> could change that, because there are some impressive discounts available. Indeed, Elegance, along with Sport and Advance, trim are all available with savings approaching 10%, equating to savings of around £3500 or more.

"While I love the upgraded stereo which comes with Advance trim, a word of warning – you lose a bit of space in the boot to accommodate its sub-woofer." — <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/jack-mortimer/n27694">Jack Mortimer, Content Editor</a>

<h2>See our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n82">Honda Civic review</a></h2>

Honda Civic

Our pick&nbsp;1.5 Hybrid Icon

Despite what the official fuel economy figures say, this small SUV holds the record as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/real-mpg-most-efficient-cars/n14356">most efficient car</a> we’ve ever tested, averaging 60.1mpg and returning a remarkable 103.3mpg around town – beating even the regular Yaris.&nbsp;

Although the Yaris Cross isn’t as roomy inside as some of its rivals, six-footers will fit in the back, and the boot is a respectable size. The rest of the interior isn’t exactly plush, but it feels robust, and a user-friendly dashboard layout includes physical controls for the air-con.

The rival <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-roc/hatchback/review/n17376">Volkswagen T-Roc</a> is quieter and comfier, and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n20838">Ford Puma</a> is more fun to drive. But if fuel efficiency is a higher priority in your book, the Yaris Cross is the car for you. Indeed, with our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/toyota/yaris-cross/suv">Yaris Cross deals</a>, it could be the car for you if you’re looking for an appealing cash saving, too, because discounts of around 10% are commonplace, representing between £1700 and £3700 off the price of a new model.

"I like a bit more poke than most people, so if I was buying a Yaris Cross I'd be tempted to look at a GR Sport or Premium Edition version, which brings a useful power boost from 114bhp to 129bhp. Most people will find the first choice plenty powerful enough, though.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/dan-jones/n23433">Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer</a>

<h2>See our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris-cross/estate/review/n23440">Toyota Yaris Cross review</a></h2>

Toyota Yaris Cross

Our pick 1.5 e:HEV Elegance

No other small car is as practical as the Honda Jazz. As well as being really spacious inside, its boot is huge and its rear seats have versatile flip-up bases.

The Jazz’s 1.5-litre petrol engine is supplemented by two electric motors that do much of the legwork around town, the result being impressive official fuel economy of 62.8mpg. True, the rival <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris/hatchback/review/n31">Toyota Yaris</a> is even more frugal, but that car is nowhere near as roomy inside.

The Jazz holds its value well, helping to keep ownership costs down, and it comes very well equipped. But that’s just as well, because it’s very pricey to buy by small car standards – that is, until you factor the savings on offer. That’s because our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/honda/jazz/hatchback">Honda Jazz deals</a> mean you could save more than £4000 off our favourite Elegance trim, and more than 10% on other versions.

"The Jazz's cinema-style rear seats allow you to fit much more into the rear space than in any other small car – if you're looking for a small car with the space of a big one, I'd start and end your new car search with the Jazz." – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/darren-moss/n1005">Darren Moss, Deputy Editor</a>

Honda Jazz

Our pick&nbsp;1.5 Hybrid Icon

Officially, the Toyota Yaris is the most efficient car in this top 10, with an average of 70.6mpg. And our tests show that this <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a> is capable of returning around 60mpg in real-world use, so it’ll cost less to run than most of the other models here.

That’s not the only reason why you’d buy a Yaris, though. It’s also the cheapest of all the models here to buy, in our recommended entry-level Icon trim, which is well equipped and robust inside. That’s particularly true when you look at our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/toyota/yaris/hatchback">Yaris deals</a>, which could save you an additional £2000 – more if you plump for a higher-spec model.

True, the rear seats are cramped and the boot is small, but Toyota’s strong reliability record and warranty of up to 10 years make the Yaris a tempting long-term ownership prospect.

"I was amazed at just how economical the Yaris hybrid engine was in real-world use, and that frugality also leads to low C02 emissions, which means the Yaris is in a lower company car tax bracket than many small car rivals" –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/will-nightingale/n1020">Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor</a>

<h2>See our full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris/hatchback/review/n31">Toyota Yaris review</a></h2>

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Toyota Yaris

In some ways, running a hybrid car that you won't have to plug in is the best of all worlds. After all, you'll get some of the benefits of electrification, such as the ability to run on electric power alone for short periods of time, and the lower fuel bills which come as a result of that. However, unlike with a fully <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a> or a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a>, you won't need to plug your car in to keep its battery topped up – and that means no faffing around with cables.And while it's true that as a company car driver you'll pay more each month in Benefit-in-Kind tax than you would for a plug-in hybrid or electric car, as a private buyer you'll pay less for your car in the first place. And that means hybrid cars – sometimes referred to as 'self-charging hybrids' in marketing brochures – can make a lot of sense. But with the number of hybrids on the market increasing all the time, how do you decide which one is best...and which is best avoided?<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UriCcbkCz3w?si=il4oF34K00fP_L8J" width="560"></iframe>Fortunately, our expert team of road testers is here to help, and they've spent thousands of hours behidn the wheel of every hybrid car on the market, driving them across hundreds of miles of public road, as well as putting them head-to-head against key rivals at our private test track. From performance to practicality, and from reliability to running costs, we've assessed every hybrid car in the areas which really matter to car buyers.The result of that <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/how-we-test-cars/n17596">comprehensive road testing</a> is the list you see here of the best hybrid cars — and an outline of the discounts you can expect to find on them. Plus, we've also named the hybrid car which we think you should avoid. And if you're interested in learning more about driving or living with a hybrid car, then we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions at the bottom of this page.Please note that the prices you see here will in some cases reflect the non-hybrid version of the car.<hr /><a href="https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90474827/d77b5cae5b94&amp;rdt=4">The 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now</a>

Best self-charging hybrid cars you don't have to plug in 2025

Best hybrid cars you don't have to plug in

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Low running costs compared with solely petrol or diesel equivalents</li> <li>Very low official CO2 emissions to benefit company car drivers</li> <li>The same usability as a regular car</li> <li>Smooth transition between electric and engine power</li> <li>Small practicality compromise over conventional models</li></ul>

Not so long ago, hybrids were the preserve of Hollywood stars, environmentally conscious 'early adopters' and the odd&nbsp;minicab driver looking to save a bit of money on fuel.

Since the collapse in demand for diesel, however, they have become&nbsp;much more popular, and it's easy to see why, with&nbsp;low tax bills and&nbsp;impressive MPG figures&nbsp;just a couple of the perks they offer.

There are two types of hybrid: 'self-charging'&nbsp;models, which mix petrol&nbsp;and electric power in an effort to maximise&nbsp;efficiency, and&nbsp;plug-in hybrids that can travel many miles purely on electricity before their engines need to cut in. This category is for the former type of cars.

Hybrid

Pickup

Hilux

the-new-ninth-gen-toyota-hilux-is-coming-in-2026-and-will-include-an-ev-offering

The all-new version of the workhorse of the world, the Toyota Hilux, is going to arrive in Britain next summer. It'll be the ninth incarnation of the legendary <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/pick-up-trucks/n19493">pick-up truck</a> — and it could be the most important model yet.For starters, it will boast multiple fuel types for maximum flexibility. It'll retain the 2.8-litre four-cylinder mild hybrid diesel engine, but importantly an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">all-electric</a> version will join the range for the first time — alongside the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/uks-first-ever-four-wheel-drive-electric-pickup-truck-previewed/n27130">Maxus eTerron 9</a>, it will be the only electric pick-up available to British buyers — and a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-a-hydrogen-fuel-cell-car/n18053">hydrogen fuel cell</a> version is poised to follow in 2028.More broadly speaking, the ninth-gen will be the first <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/hilux/pick-up/review/n17270">Toyota Hilux</a> to get electric power steering, while all-wheel drive will be standardised across the range.

That <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild hybrid</a> four-cylinder – which is paired with a 48-volt battery – was introduced to the Hilux range <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/toyota-hilux-hybrid-first-look/n26365">earlier this year</a>, and is expected to be the most popular choice. There's no mention of any improvements, so we’re expecting it to put out the same 201bhp and 369lb ft of torque, while retaining the 10ish-sec 0-62mph time and 108mph top speed. Other key stats include a one-tonne payload and up to 3.5 tonnes of towing capacity. Meaty indeed. The EV, meanwhile, will be built with the same body-on-frame construction as the above <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-best-diesel-cars/n20028">diesel</a>, gaining specific changes to better shield the battery from the elements. That may be of particular interest to <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/4x4s-for-off-roading/n26188">off-road</a> junkies, since Toyota says this version can wade through water of the same depth as the pre-existing combustion Hilux.

It will be equipped with a 59.2kWh lithium-ion battery that achieves a range of 150 miles under official <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/wltp-meaning-official-economy-emissions/n1223">WLTP</a> figures. Power isn’t specified, but Toyota says the motors will deliver 151lb ft to the front wheels and 198lb ft to the rear — similar to the total output of the mild-hybrid diesel. There’s a ‘Multi-Terrain Select’ system in there too, which can adapt the car for various scenarios: ice, mud, sand, you know the sorts.  If neither of these engine options pique your interest, Toyota has confirmed a hydrogen derivative will be arriving in 2028. It says this has come as a commitment to “realising the potential of hydrogen” in Europe, in-line with wider adoption and increased infrastructure support. This isn’t the first time Toyota has turned to hydrogen of course – remember <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/mirai/saloon/review/n17273">the Mirai</a>? But while that car was good, it’s arguable that it arrived a little too soon. Perhaps the Hilux’s hydrogen spin-off will find more luck? Time will tell.

On to design, and the new Hilux will be offered solely in double-cab form (as per customer demand), despite recent the recent increases in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/government-tweaks-definition-of-pick-up-trucks-affected-by-company-car-tax/n27221">double cab tax</a>. Toyota says it follows a ‘Tough and Agile’ approach, drawing inspiration from the current <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/land-cruiser/4x4/review/n17251">Land Cruiser</a>. That means lots of wedges, straight lines and muscular panels. Smaller details include sharp headlights connected by a thin central bar, with the brand badge reimagined in a throwback font. The new Hilux also sits higher up than the outgoing model to boost visibility and add a little more road presence.

Elsewhere, the front bumper has been completely reprofiled, and the wheel arch cladding thickened up. The rear has sprouted a small tailgate wing, a more pronounced bumper and a different taillights – splitting into two individual bubbles per corner. It sounds like a lot of changes, but we reckon it still looks noticeably Hilux. A new feature for the ninth-gen is a rear deck step that improves access, while select versions will get different side steps than stock. Using either of these, you’ll climb into a refreshed interior which sports a fresh centre console, headed by a 12.3in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">touchscreen infotainment system</a> and an equally-sized driver’s display. The various suspension settings and <a href="https://nextjs-satvi.whatcardev.haymarket.com/best/4x4s-for-off-roading/n26188">off-road</a> controls are bundled together, just below the climate control switches, to make them easier to find.

The safety suite has seen growth too, with the Hilux building on the usual beeps and bongs with new ones for Low Speed Acceleration Suppression and Proactive Driving Assist, plus a tweaked Blind Spot monitor and Emergency Driving Stop system. Over-the-air updates will also be issued to ensure your Hilux continues to be at the top of its game. Pricing and UK-specific trims will be announced in due course, but we’re expecting a starting price of around £36k for the diesel when the new Hilux goes on sale next June.<hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/4x4s-for-off-roading/n26188">Best pick-ups</a>

The new ninth-gen Toyota Hilux is coming in 2026, and will include an EV offering 

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Go-anywhere capability</li> <li>Work-ready load bay</li> <li>Robust, durable yet also pleasant interior</li> <li>Commanding driving position</li> <li>Heavyweight towing capacity</li></ul>

The popularity of pick-up trucks is growing in the UK, thanks in part to a fixed-rate company car tax for business users, due to them being categorised as light commercial vehicles.

But it's not just those savings to your wallet that makes the pick-up a compelling buy; incredibly durability, huge towing capacity and the surprising about of technology available means the majority are worthy for much more than just working on building sites.&nbsp;

Pick-up

Audi

used-car-of-the-year-awards-hybrid-cars

Volkswagen

Passat

Passat GTE

Price from £14,000 Our pick 40 TFSIe SportPlug-in hybrids (PHEVs) often take the form of big, bulky SUVs, but the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/review/n77">Audi A3</a> TFSIe isn’t like that. This posh family hatchback is one of the most compact <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrids</a> you can buy – a factor that will appeal to those who seek some electrification in their motoring but who don’t want to wrestle with an unnecessarily large car.In 40 TFSIe form, the A3 initially came with a 1.4-litre petrol engine and an electric motor that could propel the car for up to 40 miles (officially) on electricity alone. That’s farther than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/passat-gte/estate/used-review/n18007">Volkswagen Passat GTE</a> can go.It performed well, too. The 40 TFSIe produced a healthy 201bhp, with 0-62mph taking a brisk 7.6sec. There was also a more powerful version, the 45 TFSIe, which upped the performance but reduced the range slightly.

Despite the extra weight of the hybrid battery, you still get all of the attributes we love about the regular A3. No matter what type of road you’re on, it’s a fine car to drive. Its suspension absorbs bumps better than that of the related <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Volkswagen Golf</a> eHybrid, but this doesn’t come at the cost of handling; in fact, the A3 is more agile than the Golf and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/review/n88">Mercedes A-Class</a> A250e.While the A250e is admittedly quicker than both, the A3’s engine is quieter when pressed than the A250e’s, and the transitions between petrol and electric power are smoother.Inside, you’ll find a great driving position and higher-quality materials than those in the A250e and Golf, as well as a more user-friendly dashboard and a crisp, configurable digital instrument panel ahead of the driver.

While the A3 is no Passat GTE when it comes to interior space, there’s enough head and leg room for four six-footers to sit comfortably, and it’s just as spacious as the A250e and Golf.A used 40 TFSIe is cheaper to buy than the equivalent A250e, yet it’s just as well equipped. It’s more reliable than its Golf compatriot, too.In a refresh in 2024, the 40 TFSIe gained an uprated 1.5-litre engine and a larger battery that upped the potential electric range to an eye-opening 88 miles. Used prices for these are still on the high side, though, starting at £28k.<hr /><h2>Also consider...</h2><h3>Best for practicality</h3>Volkswagen Passat GTE (2016-2024)

Price from £11,000 Our pick 1.4 TSI GTEThe <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/passat-gte/estate/used-review/n18007">Volkswagen Passat GTE</a> Estate isn’t just about performance and style, as its sporty badge suggests; it’s also incredibly practical. It’s significantly better than a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/estate/review/n108">BMW 3 Series Touring</a> 330e for ferrying four tall adults around in comfort. And while its boot can’t quite match the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/estate/review/n17344">Skoda Superb Estate</a> iV’s for outright capacity, it offers far more room than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a6/estate/review/n17864">Audi A6 Avant</a> TFSIe’s. Practical touches such as hooks, partitions and a large underfloor storage compartment – perfect for stowing charging cables – make it especially versatile.Where the Passat GTE really pulls ahead of the direct competition is on pricing; it’s significantly cheaper than the 330e Touring and Superb Estate iV. And yet it still has a high-quality interior, albeit one that’s not as smart or up to date as the Audi A3 TFSIe’s. That said, all GTEs come very well equipped, with luxuries such as heated front seats and leather upholstery as standard.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/passat-gte/estate/used-review/n18007">Read our full used Volkswagen Passat GTE review &gt;&gt;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/volkswagen/passat">Find a used Volkswagen Passat GTE for sale &gt;&gt;</a><hr /><h3>Best for luxury</h3>BMW X5 (2019-present)

Price from £28,000 Our pick xDrive45e xLineThe <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a> has one of the best interiors of any <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/luxury-suvs/n17036">luxury SUV</a>. Almost every surface is covered in soft-touch materials and genuine metal finishes that give it a properly upmarket feel. It also has enough physical controls to make it more user-friendly than a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc90/4x4/review/n99">Volvo XC90</a> T8.In PHEV and petrol forms, this current X5 is proving to be one of the most dependable models in the luxury car class. That’s reassuring, because the plug-in xDrive45e is our pick of the power options available. It’s quieter than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/nx/estate/review/n132">Lexus NX</a> 450h+ in electric mode, and when the 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine kicks in, it’s smoother and gruntier than the four-cylinder unit in the XC90.A respectable official electric range of 54 miles will help to keep running costs down, even if the X5 xDrive45e will still cost a lot more to buy and run than the Audi A3.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/used-review/n21110">Read our full used BMW X5 review &gt;&gt;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/bmw/x5">Find a used BMW X5 for sale &gt;&gt;</a><hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Used Car of the Year Awards: Hybrid cars

what-is-a-mild-hybrid-electric-car-mhev-and-should-you-buy-one

what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one

Citroen

Citroën

CUPRA

Leon

Cupra

LEON

Peugeot

Golf

You should be familiar with the term ‘<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/hybrid-cars/n17013">hybrid car</a>’ by now. If not, we’d suggest stepping out for a walk to… just about anywhere that’s even remotely built-up. Failing that, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a car that’s powered by a combination of both a traditional engine and electric motor, which contributes to reduced emissions and improved fuel economy. The concept went mainstream with the launch of the original <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/prius/saloon/used-review/n671">Toyota Prius</a> back in 2000, and the continued global development of hybrid technology since then means public interest has risen – considerably. Data from the <a href="https://www.smmt.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SMMT-Motor-Industry-Facts-2024-August.pdf">Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)</a> says over 428,000 new hybrid vehicles were registered in the UK in 2024, contributing to a 22% market share. That’s 92,000 more than in 2023. For further proof that demand isn’t going anywhere, the <a href="https://www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data/car-registrations/">SMMT’s September 2025</a> data reported more than 86,100 new HEVs registered. That’s more than the number of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">battery electric vehicles (BEVs)</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-best-diesel-cars/n20028">diesel cars</a> combined for that month.<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UriCcbkCz3w?si=il4oF34K00fP_L8J" width="560"></iframe>In recent years, we’ve seen hybrid cars branch out into further sub-divisions: most notably, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)</a> and mild hybrids (MHEVs). PHEVs are hybrid cars that can be plugged in and charged up, both at home and at public charging points, and can be driven on electric-power alone up to a point. Because of this, they are ideal for those who live in the city, and thus, can benefit from the advantages of zero-emission driving on short but frequent journeys.MHEVs, meanwhile, cannot be manually charged up. Instead, you should think of them as normal cars with a small electric motor fitted to make the engine more economical. Some of the latest models can also drive for very short distances on electric power, but nowhere near as long as a regular hybrid.In this guide we'll tell you everything there is to know about MHEVs, show you which models are currently on the market, and summarise whether or not you should consider one as your next big purchase. Read on to find out more…<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">What does mild hybrid car mean?</h3>A mild hybrid is a car that has a small electric generator instead of a traditional starter motor and alternator (the device that keeps the 12-volt battery charged), plus a lithium-ion battery.Most mild hybrids run on a 48-volt electrical system, which is a higher voltage than the electrical systems found in traditional combustion-engined models. The 48-volt system powers components that would have previously been powered by the engine, enabling the engine to operate more efficiently.As the sales figures we looked at earlier show, MHEVs are actually more common than you might expect. The technology used is relatively inexpensive to fit, but slightly reduces fuel consumptions and CO2 emissions of both petrol and diesel-engined cars. It’s also worth noting that it might not be obvious from a model’s name that it’s a mild hybrid. For example, the mild-hybrid <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Volkswagen Golf</a> is badged the ‘eTSI’, while the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n22352">Fiat 500 Hybrid</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/swift/hatchback/review/n54">Suzuki Swift Hybrid</a> are MHEVs rather than regular hybrids.<hr />

<h2 dir="ltr">How do mild hybrid cars work?</h2>Mild hybrid cars comprise three key elements: a combustion engine, a small electric motor and a low-voltage battery. This package works in much the same way a traditional combustion engine does, with the difference being that the e-motor kicks in to assist the engine during various small tasks. This could be during acceleration, or the engine stop/start procedure at a set of lights, with the whole point being to use as minimal amount of fuel as possible to let electricity take more precedence. And while it used to be the case that no MHEV could drive using electric power alone, some of the latest models, such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/308/hatchback/review/n17380">Peugeot 308</a>, can drive for very short distances on solely electric power.MHEVs also use <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-regenerative-braking-and-how-does-it-work/n25212">regenerative braking</a> to harvest energy when the brakes are applied or when the car is coasting. That energy is converted into electricity that's fed into a lithium-ion battery and stored until it's needed to provide the extra assistance. On average, a car with mild-hybrid technology can be around 15% more efficient than its conventional counterpart. It may not sound like much, but through mundane daily tasks it really starts to add up.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/hybrid-cars/n17013">Read more: The best full hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars</a>

The current <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n20838">Ford Puma</a> is a classic case in point of how effective a well-built mild hybrid system can be. Most models come with Ford’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder mild hybrid petrol engine – also used in versions of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/kuga/4x4/review/n57">Kuga</a> and the now-retired <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n37">Focus</a>. Ford says the system continuously monitors how the car is being driven to determine how intensively to charge the battery and when to snap in and assist the engine.The system in the Puma can give the engine an extra 15lb ft of torque, so it doesn’t have to work as hard under normal loads, while delivering a 10% improvement in fuel economy. The same boost can be applied when the engine is under heavy load to improve performance, enabling up to 20% faster acceleration.<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">How much fuel can I save with a mild hybrid?</h3>In most instances, you can expect an improvement of between 10-15% when put up against an equivalent pure-combustion engine. That typically translates to around 3-5mpg, which you’re almost certain to notice over the course of a year. To put the costs into perspective for you, let’s take the current eighth-generation <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Volkswagen Golf</a>, which is offered with practically every fuel type currently available. The 1.5-litre Golf TSI with the six-speed manual gearbox has 148bhp, 184lb ft of torque, a 0-62mph time of 8.6secs and offers a projected 52mpg at a CO2 emissions rate of 124g/km. It’ll set you back £30,275 (at the time of writing). For an extra £1600 you can have the equivalent ‘eTSI’, which has the same engine but gains a 7-speed automatic gearbox and a bit of mild hybrid seasoning. This has identical outputs, but shaves two-tenths off the 0-62mph time, and offers an improved 54.9mpg at a reduced 117g/km in emissions. The extra 2.9mpg may not seem massive, but considering the difference between the two engines is just £1600, you should expect to break even before long.<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">What are the most common problems with mild hybrid cars?</h3>The most frequent issues with MHEV engines are the 48-volt battery degrading and troubles with the starter generator. Neither of these are expected to happen when the vehicle is new, but it is something to keep in mind if your car is a few years old. For some perspective, most MHEV batteries are built to last between 80,000 and 100,000 miles. <hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">Are all mild hybrid systems the same?</h3>In short, no. Most mild hybrid systems feature the same components, and tend to offer similar benefits, but the way they work and achieve their efficiency goals can be different. Simply put, some are more clever than others. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/luxury-suvs/n17036">Audi Q8 SUV</a> is a good example of this: the car’s adaptive cruise control system slows it down automatically as you approach corners, which in turn activates the regenerative braking system. It can deactivate the engine and allow the car to coast for up to 40 seconds at a time, saving fuel and lowering greenhouse emissions as a result.<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">Mild hybrid vs full hybrid: what’s the difference?</h3>Mild hybrids and full hybrids (FHEVs) work in much the same way, using a combination of a petrol or diesel engine with some electrical assistance. The key difference is that full hybrids can drive much further on electric power alone than mild hybrids.<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/hybrid-cars-you-dont-have-to-plug-in/n17700">Read more: The best hybrid cars you don't have to plug in</a><hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">Mild hybrid vs plug-in hybrid: what’s the difference?</h3><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)</a> are mostly the same as full hybrid cars, but, as the name suggests, with the added convenience of being able to plug a charger in and regain range as and when necessary. PHEVs tend to trump mild hybrids when it comes to efficiency and running costs, particularly for urban dwellers. This is because you can complete your various local trips on electric-only power, without needing to activate the combustion engine unless you’re a) on a motorway and doing high speeds, or b) travelling large distances. If you have a cheap, frequent way of recharging your car, you may even find you’ll be doing all your driving off the electric motor alone. One of our favourite PHEVs is the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/nx/estate/review/n132">Lexus NX 450h</a>, which has an official electric range of 45 miles. According to our testers, if you can plug the NX in consistently and mostly stick to short journeys, you could achieve as much as 313mpg. When the batteries have run out, it still has fuel economy of close to 40mpg.However, if you don’t have access to a reliable <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-home-ev-chargers/n25830">home EV charger</a>, or a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/electric-car-charging-networks-rated/n23269">public charger</a> in close proximity, you’ll end up relying on your combustion engine more frequently, which will work out more expensive. PHEVs also tend to be quite a lot more expensive than non-hybrid or mild hybrid vehicles, so unless you’re actually going to run it on electric power often, the higher cost may not be worth it for you.<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">Are there any other types of hybrids?</h3>Aside from mild hybrids, full hybrids and plug-in hybrids, there are two lesser-known variants: parallel hybrids and range-extender hybrids. Here’s a quick explainer for you on each:

Parallel hybrids This is where the hybrid story started, and the fourth-generation <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/prius/hatchback/used-review/n17569">Toyota Prius</a> is one of the most widely known examples of a parallel hybrid. They're also sometimes called 'self-charging hybrids'. The car’s wheels can be powered directly by the engine, by the electric motor alone, or by both power sources working together. When pulling away and at speeds of up to 15mph, it uses only the electric motor for power, making it frugal in city driving. The petrol engine cuts in as speed increases and under hard acceleration.Whenever you decelerate or use the brakes, the regenerative braking system harvests electricity and stores it in the battery for use later on, but in the Prius, the car can run solely on electricity for up to 1.25 miles. The system is also used in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris/hatchback/review/n31">Toyota Yaris</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/corolla/hatchback/review/n18901">Toyota Corolla</a> hatchbacks. Models from premium sister brand <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/lexus">Lexus</a> also work on the same basis.

Range-extender hybrids Range-extender hybrids – also known as serial hybrids – differ from regular hybrids in that their combustion engines are there primarily to act as generators, producing electricity to power the electric motors which then drive the wheels. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/jazz/hatchback/review/n17343">Honda Jazz</a> is a popular example. It uses two electric motors, powered by a compact battery, working alongside a frugal 1.5-litre petrol engine. The wheels are almost exclusively driven by the electric motors; the only time the wheels are actually driven by the engine is at higher speeds when it is directly connected to the wheels.The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n82">Honda Civic</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/cr-v/estate/review/n44">Honda CR-V e:HEV</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/mx-30/hatchback/review/n22066">Mazda MX-30 R-EV</a> plus the E-Power versions of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/review/n7">Nissan Qashqai</a> are other examples of range-extender hybrids. According to Nissan, the system gives the Qashqai better performance than you’d get from an equivalent parallel hybrid.<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">Are mild hybrids cheaper to tax than regular cars?</h3>Mild hybrids aren’t as economical as many full hybrid cars and PHEVs, and they don’t benefit from the lowest rates of<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/company-cars"> company car tax</a>. Until 1 April 2025, mild hybrid road tax rates were also slightly lower than pure petrol or diesel cars, because they were classed as “alternative fuel cars”. This rule has since been abolished, so now, mild hybrids cost the same to tax as conventional petrol or diesel cars.  <hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">Are mild hybrid cars more expensive to run and insure than regular cars?</h3>Insurance for a MHEV may sometimes be slightly higher than an equivalent petrol or diesel-engined car. The reason for this is primarily due to the fact that MHEVs contain more expensive parts, like the 48-volt battery, and complex electronic systems. These can lead to increased annual repair costs, which is why insurers may ask for a small premium. We’d pay more attention to factors like driving record, history and points accumulation, because these are far more likely to determine how much your policy is. Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/how-to-save-money-on-your-car-insurance/n1117">How to save money on your car insurance</a> <hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">What are the advantages of a mild hybrid car?</h3>- Feels no different to drive than a regular petrol or diesel-powered car- Fuel economy and CO2 emissions are improved, reducing overall yearly cost- Sometimes offer superior performance, most often with acceleration- Contributes to a smoother driving experience, especially since the engine stop/start system is managed more efficiently - Some MHEVs allow you to coast for longer stretches- The technology is available with both manual and automatic gearboxes, and across petrol and diesel models- They don’t need to be plugged in to save fuel, like you do with a PHEV- Almost always cheaper to buy than a FHEV or PHEV<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">What are the disadvantages of a mild hybrid car? </h3>- While they produce fewer emissions than a traditional car, they are still not as clean as full hybrids or plug-in hybrids because they are not designed to run on electricity alone- The limited electric assistance means the fuel efficiency gains are not as substantial as those found in full or plug-in hybrids, which can be a drawback if your main goal is to save on fuel costs- Mild hybrids typically have a higher purchase price than comparable non-hybrid vehicles- Their batteries also have a limited lifespan, which means they will need to be replaced at some point at an additional expense <hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">Should you consider buying a mild hybrid car?</h3>Yes, you absolutely should consider a MHEV. For a start, they’re less complex than other hybrids, so in many cases they’re cheaper to buy. They’re also easier to live with than <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">PHEVs</a>, which need to be plugged in regularly to get the best efficiency.If a PHEV is too expensive or you don’t have access to a charger, a mild hybrid is a cleaner option than a conventional <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-best-petrol-cars/n19980">petrol</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-best-diesel-cars/n20028">diesel</a> car. They also work with manual gearboxes, so they’re great for those who want to stick to a more traditional driving experience. In short, MHEVs tick the most number of boxes with the least amount of drawbacks. So, if you’re convinced, keep reading for a list of some notable MHEVs currently on sale in the UK.<hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">Which mild hybrid cars are available right now? </h3>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/alfa-romeo/junior/hatchback/review/n27522">Alfa Romeo Junior</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/alfa-romeo/tonale/hatchback/review/n24504">Alfa Romeo Tonale</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c3/hatchback/review/n26860">Citroen C3</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c3-aircross/hatchback/review/n17381">Citroen C3 Aircross</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c4/hatchback/review/n22373">Citroen C4</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c4-x/saloon/review/n26686">Citroen C4 X</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c5-aircross/hatchback/review/n18246">Citroen C5 Aircross</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/cupra/leon/hatchback/review/n22098">Cupra Leon</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/bigster/4x4/review/n27534">Dacia Bigster</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/duster/estate/review/n67">Dacia Duster</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/600/hatchback/review/n27814">Fiat 600</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/grande-panda/4x4/review/n27743">Fiat Grande Panda</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n20838">Ford Puma</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/niro/estate/review/n17190">Kia Niro</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sorento/4x4/review/n18">Kia Sorrento</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/review/n17352">Kia Sportage</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/xceed/hatchback/review/n20081">Kia XCeed</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/defender/4x4/review/n21198">Land Rover Defender</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/maserati/grecale/estate/review/n25758">Maserati Grecale</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/2-hybrid/hatchback/review/n26638">Mazda 2</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/3/hatchback/review/n35">Mazda 3</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/cx-5/estate/review/n19">Mazda CX-5</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/cx-30/hatchback/review/n19748">Mazda CX-30</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/c-class/saloon/review/n70">Mercedes C-Class</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/gle-coupe/4x4/review/n17279">Mercedes GLE</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/saloon/review/n17355">Mercedes S-Class</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/countryman/hatchback/review/n71">Mini Countryman</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/208/hatchback/review/n30">Peugeot 208</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/308/hatchback/review/n17380">Peugeot 308</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/408/saloon/review/n25222">Peugeot 408</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/2008/estate/review/n110">Peugeot 2008</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/3008/estate/review/n17363">Peugeot 3008</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/5008/4x4/review/n17369">Peugeot 5008</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/408/saloon/review/n25222">Peugeot 408</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/911/coupe/review/n98">Porsche 911</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-evoque/4x4/review/n109">Range Rover Evoque</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-sport/4x4/review/n74">Range Rover Sport</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-velar/estate/review/n17374">Range Rover Velar</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/s-cross/hatchback/review/n75">Suzuki S-Cross</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/swift/hatchback/review/n54">Suzuki Swift</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/vitara/4x4/review/n76">Suzuki Vitara</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Volkswagen Golf</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/tiguan/estate/review/n17357">Volkswagen Tiguan</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc40/estate/review/n119">Volvo XC40</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc60/estate/review/n17339">Volvo XC60</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc90/4x4/review/n99">Volvo XC90</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/v60/estate/review/n17266">Volvo V60</a>

And for those who are interested in full hybrid technology, here are some examples of cars that can run on electric-only power for short trips, and self-charge without the need for a cable: - <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ds/ds-3/hatchback/review/n19063">DS 3</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ds/no-4/hatchback/review/n17141">DS No 4</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n82">Honda Civic </a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/cr-v/estate/review/n44">Honda CR-V</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/hr-v/hatchback/review/n102">Honda HR-V </a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/jazz/hatchback/review/n17343">Honda Jazz </a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/zr-v/estate/review/n25858">Honda ZR-V</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/kona/hatchback/review/n17377">Hyundai Kona </a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/santa-fe/4x4/review/n68">Hyundai Santa Fe</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/tucson/4x4/review/n103">Hyundai Tucson</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jeep/avenger/hatchback/review/n26657">Jeep Avenger</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jeep/compass/4x4/review/n17288">Jeep Compass</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jeep/renegade/4x4/review/n138">Jeep Renegade</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/es/saloon/review/n17336">Lexus ES</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/lbx/hatchback/review/n26399">Lexus LBX</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/lm/4x4/review/n26144">Lexus LM</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/nx/estate/review/n132">Lexus NX</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/rx/4x4/review/n137">Lexus RX</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lexus/ux/hatchback/review/n17871">Lexus UX</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg3/hatchback/review/n17867">MG 3</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/hs/hatchback/review/n20298">MG HS</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/zs/hatchback/review/n17318">MG ZS</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/juke/hatchback/review/n45">Nissan Juke</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/review/n7">Nissan Qashqai</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/x-trail/4x4/review/n51">Nissan X-Trail</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/austral/estate/review/n25066">Renault Austral</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/clio/hatchback/review/n97">Renault Clio</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/captur/hatchback/review/n20">Renault Captur</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/symbioz/estate/review/n27041">Renault Symbioz</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/rafale/estate/review/n26868">Renault Rafale</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/subaru/crosstrek/4x4/review/n26649">Subaru Crosstrek</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/subaru/forester/4x4/review/n25069">Subaru Forester</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/c-hr/hatchback/review/n112">Toyota C-HR</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/corolla/hatchback/review/n18901">Toyota Corolla</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris/hatchback/review/n31">Toyota Yaris</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris-cross/estate/review/n23440">Toyota Yaris Cross</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa/hatchback/review/n33">Vauxhall Corsa</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/frontera/estate/review/n27299">Vauxhall Frontera</a>- <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/mokka/hatchback/review/n17360">Vauxhall Mokka</a><hr />

<h3 dir="ltr">How do mild hybrid cars compare to non-mild hybrid cars? </h3>As a follow-up to the above section, we’ve pulled together a list of five MHEVs and their combustion engined counterparts – both in their entry-level guises – for comparison. This should provide you with a clearer understanding of the economical and environmental difference of opting for a mild hybrid.

Citroen C3- Non-hybrid = Price: £18,805 / Fuel: petrol / Gearbox: manual / Power: 100bhp /0-62mph: 10.6secs / Fuel economy: 50mpg / Emissions: 128g/km - Hybrid = Price: £20,615 / Fuel: petrol / Gearbox: automatic / Power: 110bhp /0-62mph: 9.8secs / Fuel economy: 56.5mpg / Emissions: 114g/km

CUPRA Leon Hatch- Non-hybrid = Price: £32,140 / Fuel: petrol / Gearbox: manual / Power: 148bhp /0-62mph: 8.9secs / Fuel economy: 49.1mpg / Emissions: 132g/km - Hybrid = Price: £33,960 / Fuel: petrol / Gearbox: automatic / Power: 148bhp /0-62mph: 8.7secs / Fuel economy: 53mpg / Emissions: 122g/km

Kia Sportage - Non-hybrid = Price: £30,885 / Fuel: petrol / Gearbox: manual / Power: 147bhp /0-62mph: 9.7secs / Fuel economy: 39.8mpg / Emissions: 162g/km - Hybrid = Price: £34,425 / Fuel: petrol / Gearbox: automatic / Power: 235bhp /0-62mph: 7.9secs / Fuel economy: 50.4mpg / Emissions: 127g/km

Peugeot 208- Non-hybrid = Price: £20,495 / Fuel: petrol / Gearbox: manual / Power: 99bhp /0-62mph: 10.1secs / Fuel economy: 53.5mpg / Emissions: 109g/km - Hybrid = Price: £26,500 / Fuel: petrol / Gearbox: automatic / Power: 110bhp /0-62mph: 9.8secs / Fuel economy: 65.9mpg / Emissions: 105g/km

Volkswagen Golf Hatch- Non-hybrid = Price: £30,275 / Fuel: petrol / Gearbox: manual / Power: 148bhp /0-62mph: 8.6secs / Fuel economy: 52mpg / Emissions: 124g/km - Hybrid = Price: £31,875 / Fuel: petrol / Gearbox: automatic / Power: 148bhp /0-62mph: 8.4secs / Fuel economy: 54.9mpg / Emissions: 117g/km <hr /><h3 dir="ltr">For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://p.whatcar.com/signup">here</a></h3><h3 dir="ltr">Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-a-hydrogen-fuel-cell-car/n18053">What is a hydrogen fuel cell car?</a></h3>

What is a mild hybrid electric car (MHEV) and should you buy one?

What is a mild hybrid and should you buy one? 

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Running costs that won’t break the bank </li> <li>Generous kit</li> <li>Pokey engine and tidy handling</li> <li>Spacious interior</li> <li>Boot big enough to cope with family life</li></ul>

The car-buying public has fallen in love with small SUVs, or crossovers as they’re often called, with thousands turning away from conventional hatchbacks in favour of something that rides that little bit higher.

Small SUV

best-used-hybrid-cars

5 Series

3 Series

Ioniq

Mercedes-Benz

C Class

Mercedes

C-Class

Volvo

XC90

Coupe

Small, but mighty – that’s exactly what the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/review/n77">Audi A3</a>&nbsp;TFSIe is. It’s one of the smallest PHEVs you can buy – both new and used – but this doesn’t make it any less capable than its larger competition.

It’s great to drive, with a comfortable ride and strong performance, while a 40-mile official electric-only range is competitive with the VW Golf eHybrid and larger alternatives, like the Hyundai Tucson PHEV.

Used prices for the A3 TFSIe are temptingly low, starting at around £12,000. The 40 TFSIe is cheaper to buy than the Mercedes A250e, and yet it comes just as well equipped. Our favourite Sport trim offers auto lights and wipers, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, part-leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control as standard.

It’s a small premium family car with a competitive price that, if regularly charged up, could&nbsp;be very cheap to run.&nbsp;

"The A3 might be one of the smallest cars on this list, but as a six-footer-plus, I still managed to fit comfortably in the back."&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/george-hill/n23609">George Hill, Used Cars Writer</a>

We found&nbsp;2022 Audi A3 TFSIe 40 Sport, 54,694 miles, £14,490

Read our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/used-review/n23495">used Audi A3 review</a>

Search for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/audi/a3">used Audi A3 for sale</a>

Audi A3

This latest <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/corolla/hatchback/review/n18901">Toyota Corolla</a>&nbsp;is a great all-rounder and a wonderful used choice.&nbsp;

It's a&nbsp;self-charging hybrid rather than a plug-in hybrid. And it seems to work, because the 1.8 version racked up a True MPG figure in our tests of 60.6mpg, making it really economical.

It's good to drive, comfortable inside, well-equipped and spacious. On top of that, you can expect top-notch reliability. Toyota always finish at or near the top of the brands in our What Car? Reliability Survey, and if you take your Corolla to be serviced every year at a main dealer, you'll get another year's worth of warranty, which you can keep doing until the car is 10 years old.&nbsp;

Used prices look really good, too; it's much cheaper like-for-like than the equivalent Honda Civic, for example.&nbsp;

You can also choose between&nbsp;a regular family hatchback or an impressive estate version known as the Touring Sports, if you want even more practicality.&nbsp;

"It's incredibly close between this and the Civic. It's not as much fun to drive as the Civic, but because it's been on sale longer, you can buy them cheaper. You'd be more than happy with one of these on your driveway." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2021&nbsp;Corolla Touring Sports 1.8&nbsp;Hybrid Icon tech, 46,000 miles, £12,995

Read our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/corolla/hatchback/used-review/n20451">used Toyota Corolla&nbsp;review</a>

Search for a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/toyota/corolla/toyota-corolla-1.8-vvt-i-hybrid-excel-5dr-cvt/toyota-corolla-2020-18-vvt-i-hybrid-excel-5dr-cvt-a0718f3a">used Toyota Corolla for sale</a>

Available in both saloon and estate forms, this previous-generation of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/passat/estate/review/n29">Volkswagen Passat GTE</a>&nbsp;is a smooth, quiet plug-in hybrid executive car with a smart, capacious interior.

It can cover up to 31 miles on a full charge (39 miles in later versions), leading to potentially impressive fuel economy. It’s great to drive and impressively practical too, especially so in estate car form. In fact, few cars can match it for interior space and load-lugging capabilities.&nbsp;

In recent years, the Passat's reliability has been a bit mixed, but in our most recent 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey it scored well, giving us the confidence to recommend this nicely finished and smart-looking estate once again. Prices for the oldest cars start from just £10,000.&nbsp;

"Previously one of our top cars in this class and still a deeply impressive car. I packed it full of my gangly friends and we all had loads of room to spare. Very few here feel as classy." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found:&nbsp;2021&nbsp;Volkswagen Passat 1.4 TSI GTE Advance, 75,000 miles, £14,950

Read our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/passat-gte/estate/used-review/n18007">used VW Passat GTE&nbsp;review</a>

Search for a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/volkswagen/passat/volkswagen-passat-1.4-tsi-gte-advance-5dr-dsg/volkswagen-passat-2018-14-tsi-gte-advance-5dr-dsg-0164277e">used VW Passat GTE for sale</a>

Volkswagen Passat GTE

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/jazz/hatchback/review/n17343">Honda Jazz</a> is the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-small-cars-2022/n16997"> small car</a> to beat for passenger and luggage space, while its unique and incredibly flexible rear seating only adds to its practicality.

Visibility is excellent, too, which helps make it easy to manoeuvre and park, while generous standard equipment, strong resale values and low running costs make it even more desirable.

It's good to drive and very reliable too. Honda finished in first place out of 30 brands in our 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, and the Jazz finished well up in its class, with very few reported problems.&nbsp;

"An immensely strong and clever car with easy refinement and almost unequalled practicality. I have one of the old ones, and that one just keeps on running." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2022&nbsp;Honda Jazz 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid SE, 28,000 miles, £14,500&nbsp;

Read our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/jazz/hatchback/used-review/n24519">used Honda Jazz review</a>

Search for a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/volkswagen/golf/volkswagen-golf-1.4-tsi-gte-5dr-dsg/volkswagen-golf-2016-14-tsi-gte-5dr-dsg-81990d5e">used Honda Jazz for sale</a>

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n82">Honda Civic</a> is a wonderfully efficient hatchback, easily capable of returning 49mpg in ordinary driving.

Sure, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/corolla/hatchback/review/n18901">Toyota Corolla</a>&nbsp;is even more frugal, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/honda">Honda</a>&nbsp;more than compensates in other areas. Performance is strong; the Civic can dash from 0-60mph in 6.8sec. Good grip and precise steering help make the Civic fun to drive. It's classy inside, practical and proving reliable, too, according to our reliability survey.&nbsp;

Used prices are beginning to look especially tempting, although the Corolla just has it beaten for age-for-age value.&nbsp;

"This is one of the most impressive cars here and, to be honest, it'd be my favourite if it wasn't for a little bit too much road noise. Still great, though." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2022 Honda Civic 2.0 h i-MMD Elegance, 30,000 miles, £21,995

Read our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/used-review/n26162">used Honda Civic&nbsp;review</a>

Search for a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/honda/civic?sort=distance">used Honda Civic&nbsp;for sale</a>

The 330e takes all that's good about the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 3 Series</a> saloon - and that's a lot - and adds a plug-in hybrid capability that gives it up to 37&nbsp;miles of electric-only motoring.

It goes without saying that it handles beautifully, rides well and is comfortable inside. It's also endowed with a great interior and a class-leading iDrive infotainment system. It's smart to look at and to sit in, and your neighbours will be impressed.&nbsp;

On top of that, it's really good value, too, with prices starting around £12,000, and its reliability is looking good. In short, it's still a terrific used buy.&nbsp;

"All the class and glamour and refinement of a regular petrol-engined 3 Series and the ability to run on electric power alone? Sign me up!" - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2021&nbsp;BMW 330e M Sport, 43,000&nbsp;miles, £14,995

Read our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/used-review/n20393">used BMW 3 Series review</a>

Search for a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/bmw/3-series/bmw-3-series-330e-sport-4dr-step-auto/bmw-3-series-2018-330e-sport-4dr-step-auto-535c691e">used BMW 330e for sale</a>

BMW 330e

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/review/n17352">Kia Sportage</a>&nbsp;delivers&nbsp;on what families demand from a mid-sized&nbsp;SUV and then some.

Passengers of all sizes can fit comfortably in the front and back seats, plus the boot is vast and&nbsp;you can fold the back seats in a useful 40/20/40 split. The Sportage also&nbsp;has&nbsp;a&nbsp;lofty driving position for a grand view ahead.

There are fuel-sipping hybrid and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a>&nbsp;versions available, with prices for the regular hybrid starting at just £15,000 and the PHEV&nbsp;starting at £18,000.&nbsp;

All the versions of the Sportage offer good performance and reasonable running costs, while you'll get the residue of Kia's excellent seven-year warranty, too. Reliability is another feather in the Sportage's cap, with a strong finish in our most recent reliability survey.&nbsp;

"The Sportage managed to cater for my family of four and, what's more, I was left with space and practicality to spare." –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/mark-pearson/n1035">Mark Pearson, used cars editor</a>

We found:&nbsp;2022 Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi 2, 23,000 miles, £19,047&nbsp;

Read our full&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/estate/used-review/n25774">used Kia Sportage review</a>

Search for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/kia/sportage?">used Kia Sportage&nbsp;for sale</a>

&nbsp;

BMW's plug-in hybrid version of its mighty <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a>&nbsp;is every bit as comfortable and luxurious as the petrol and diesel versions, and you barely notice the extra weight of its batteries, even on corners.

You can't have seven seats, but that's the only significant downside. Indeed, it has a much longer electric range than the rival <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc90/4x4/review/n99">Volvo XC90</a> Recharge T8, and a far more user-friendly infotainment system.

It's not as old as the XC90, so not as cheap, hence it doesn't finish further up our list. However, reliability is looking good, better than the Volvo and significantly better than&nbsp;the Audi Q7, and if you want a bit of luxury and smoothness with your hybrid car look no further.&nbsp;

"I like the chunkiness and sheer class the X5 exudes. Not cheap, but one of the best, and a great electric-only range." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport, 60,000&nbsp;miles, £30,995

Read our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/used-review/n21110">used BMW X5 review</a>

Search for a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/audi/a3/audi-a3-1.4-tfsi-e-tron-5dr-s-tronic/audi-a3-2018-14-tfsi-e-tron-5dr-s-tronic-c0c51abc">used BMW X5 for sale</a>

BMW X5 

For a PHEV of this size, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/review/n88">Mercedes A-Class</a>&nbsp;A250e has a very competitive official range of 44 miles, which is farther than what the contemporary version of the Audi A3 TFSIe can manage.

Along with that, the A250e rides nicely, but it’s not quite as good as the A3 for overall comfort. We prefer the way the Audi drives, too, although the A250e will still please many. It does win back some points for performance – it’s quicker than the A3 from 0-62mph.

Inside, the A250e has a very smart-looking interior, with ambient lighting, metal-effect trim and a crisp infotainment display that easily woos passengers. However, it's not as well-finished as the A3 and one or two other of its rivals. Space is very good for a family car, with just enough head and leg room for two six-footers to sit comfortably in the back.

Used prices are looking more competitive&nbsp;as the car gets older, while its reliability is pretty strong and on a par with its rivals.&nbsp;

"To get the larger 10.3in infotainment screen, I’d be tempted to look for cars with the optional Executive Pack, which was available on Sport and AMG Line cars from new.”&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/oliver-young/n22317">Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor</a>

We found&nbsp;2021 Mercedes A250e AMG Line, 62,925 miles, £14,920

Read our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/used-review/n19118">used Mercedes A-Class review</a>

Search for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/mercedes-benz/a-class">used Mercedes A-Class for sale</a>

&nbsp;

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

We love this generation of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">BMW 5 Series</a> – especially the plug-in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/hybrid">hybrid</a> version.

Like the rest of the range, the 530e is great to drive and wonderfully refined. It’s also able to see off the 0-62mph dash in less than six seconds and polish off motorway cruises in spectacular style. The 530e can officially cover up to 36 miles on electric power, leading to potentially low running costs for such a large, luxurious car.

Inside, the 530e is spacious, comfortable and classy, with the most user-friendly infotainment system on offer. If you're after a whiff of class and more than a dash of luxury from your hybrid car, this one will seriously impress your friends.

It's reliable, too, scoring an impressive 96.4% in our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey. Prices have always been competitive, with the older cars now starting from just £10,000, so this expensive car new looks like a bargain used.&nbsp;

"So much class on show here, and such a lot of car for the money. My favourite hybrid here.' - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2020&nbsp;BMW 530e M Sport, 45,000 miles, £18,990

Read our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/used-review/n991">used BMW 5 Series&nbsp;review</a>

Search for a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/bmw/5-series/bmw-5-series-530e-m-sport-4dr-auto/bmw-5-series-2018-530e-m-sport-4dr-auto-d7038bfd">used BMW 530e for sale</a>

<hr />
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BMW 530e

Those anxious to dip their toes in the future can either opt for a full-fat <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric vehicle</a> now or experiment first with a little petrol-electric <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/hybrid-cars/n17013">hybrid</a> action. That is to say, a car powered by a petrol engine combined with an electric motor. There are two hybrid types: 'self-charging' models, which mix petrol and electric power to maximise efficiency, and plug-in hybrids that can travel many miles purely on electricity before their engines need to cut in. There are so many to buy used now that picking your way through the maze isn’t as easy as it once was. So here we bring you our guide to the 10 best used <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-hybrid-cars-2022/n17013">hybrid cars</a>. Click on the links below each car review and you can even put a used example on your driveway sooner than you think.

Best used hybrid cars

Hybrid cars

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Usefully long electric-only range</li> <li>Exceedingly frugal</li> <li>Cheap company car tax rates</li> <li>Smooth switching between electric and petrol power</li></ul>

If you're not ready to commit to a fully electric vehicle&nbsp;but have the capacity to charge your car at home or at work, a plug-in hybrid could be the perfect compromise. Electric batteries paired with a petrol or diesel&nbsp;engine means you'll never be left short of charge&nbsp;but can capitalise on cheap running costs, thanks to a surprisingly long electric-only range.

There's plenty of choice, too, whether you're after a sporty saloon like the BMW 3 Series, the 330e variant of which providing up to 36 miles of electric-only driving on a full charge, or a large load-lugging large SUV, including the Volvo XC90 T8, which claims an extraordinary&nbsp;113mpg.

Throw in competent handling and driving prowess, despite the added weight of the electric batteries, and a plug-in hybrid&nbsp;makes a compelling case for frugal buyers.&nbsp;

Hybrid cars

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