Best used hybrid cars

The 330e takes all that's good about the BMW 3 Series saloon - and that's a lot - and adds a plug-in hybrid capability that gives it up to 37 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. On top of that, it's really good value too. In short, it's a terrific buy. 

"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 BMW 330e M Sport, 43,000 miles, £14,995

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The Honda Jazz is the small car 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. 

"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 Honda Jazz 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid SE, 28,000 miles, £14,500 

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This latest Toyota Corolla was a major step forward for the Japanese firm. It's a great family hatchback and a great hybrid car, and one of the few on our top 10 list here that's actually a self-charging rather than a plug-in hybrid. The 1.8 version we've found here even racked up a True MPG figure in our tests of 60.6mpg, and on top of that it offers a good driving position, plenty of kit and a comfortable ride, while Toyota's reliability record is second to none. You can also choose between a regular family hatchback or an impressive estate version known as the Touring Sports. 

"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 Corolla Touring Sports 1.8 Hybrid Icon tech, 46,000 miles, £12,995

Read our used Toyota Corolla review

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The Honda Civic is a wonderfully efficient hatchback, easily capable of returning 49mpg in ordinary driving. Sure, the Toyota Corolla is even more frugal, but the Honda 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. Used prices are beginning to look especially tempting. 

"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

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The Kia Sportage delivers on what families demand from a mid-sized SUV and then some. Passengers of all sizes can fit comfortably in the front and back seats, plus the boot is vast and you can fold the back seats in a useful 40/20/40 split. The Sportage also has a lofty driving position for a grand view ahead. There are fuel-sipping hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions available, with prices for the regular hybrid starting at just £17,000 and the PHEV, which we prefer, starting at £22,000. 

"The Sportage managed to cater for my family of four and, what's more, I was left with space and practicality to spare." – Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2022 Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi 2, 23,000 miles, £19,047 

Read our full used Kia Sportage review

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We love the BMW 5 Series – especially the plug-in hybrid 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. 

"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 BMW 530e M Sport, 45,000 miles, £18,990

Read our used BMW 5 Series review

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BMW's plug-in hybrid version of its mighty BMW X5 is every bit as comfortable and luxurious as the petrol and diesel versions, and you barely notice the extra weight of its batteries, even in 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 Volvo XC90 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. 

"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 miles, £30,995

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The Hyundai Ioniq was the first car to be offered on sale with three forms of electrification: as a hybrid model that combines a petrol engine with an electric motor, a plug-in hybrid version with a bigger battery that you can charge externally or an electric vehicle (EV). The plug-in version gives a good potential electric-only range of up to 30 miles in earlier models and 39 miles in post-2019 cars - which really helps the overall fuel consumption, especially if your journeys are mostly short. It's good to drive, well equipped and roomy inside, too. 

"A great entry-level hybrid car, in either version, and now really cheap to buy used." - Mark Pearson, used cars editor

We found: 2019 Hyundai Ioniq PHEV Premium SE, 68,000 miles, £8000

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Available in both saloon and estate forms, the Volkswagen Passat GTE 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. Only its poor showing in our most recent reliability survey relegates it down our list. 

"Previously one of our top cars in this class but its poor reliability record lets it down this year. Still an impressive car, though." - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2021 Volkswagen Passat 1.4 TSI GTE Advance, 75,000 miles, £14,950

Read our used VW Passat GTE review

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The Volvo XC90 T8 offers all the quality and practicality of the regular Volvo XC90. It's good to drive and well equipped, too, with a wonderfully stylish and comfortable interior. What’s more, unlike some hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs, the T8 doesn’t lose its third row of seats, meaning it's still a full seven-seater. It can drive on its electric motor alone, and do so for around 25 miles - useful if you travel in town. One or two reliability issues relating to a fault in the electric rear axle in older models hold it back from finishing higher. 

"Go big and go hybrid with this incredibly classy and Skandi-cool XC90. I love its interior.' - George Hill, used cars writer

We found: 2017 Volvo XC90 T8 Momentum, 60,000 miles, £23,795 

Read our used Volvo XC90 review

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