The best hybrid cars for every budget

Hybrid cars represent the halfway point between regular petrol and diesel cars and fully electric ones. Equipped with both a combustion engine and an electric motor, they give you the best of both worlds – the efficiency and nippy performance of an electric car, and the long-distance flexibility of a petrol one.

But that’s only the good ones – the bad ones are pricey, but don’t offer meaningful efficiency or performance gains over a more conventional car. Worse yet, some plug-in hybrids in particular can be as expensive to buy as a bona fide electric car, but no more convenient.

Luckily our expert reviews team knows how to sort the wheat from the chaff. We’ve driven all the best hybrid cars on sale, of every type – and divided them by budget below. So whether you’re looking for something ultra-luxury or just an inexpensive hybrid runaround, we’ve got you covered.

If you’re looking for a hybrid car or maybe one powered by petrol, diesel or electricity, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Up to £25,000

Our recommendation: MG3 Hybrid+ (£18,995)

The MG3 Hybrid+ is a particularly impressive place to start, because it’s a powerful, well-equipped hybrid hatchback that costs less than most ultra-budget petrol cars. For your money you get a really punchy powertrain and an interior that, while not necessarily the last word in style or build quality, is packed with useful tech.

The MG3 is even reasonably practical, and thanks to the electric motor allowing for silent EV running in town it’s pretty efficient, too, returning mpg in the mid-50s.

If you wanted the last word in hybrid efficiency, the Toyota Yaris is down on power but returns over 60mpg with ease. Or if you fancied something a bit bigger, then the stylish and rugged Dacia Duster hybrid is a total bargain.

Alternatives: Toyota Yaris, Dacia Duster Hybrid

£25,000 – £40,000

Our recommendation: Audi A3 Sportback TFSI e (£39,290)

Some plug-in hybrid cars have so little range on a charge that it’s hardly worth plugging in at all. That’s not the case with the Audi A3 TFSI e – cause it can do over 80 miles on battery power alone. That’s not too far off what some small electric cars could manage just a few years ago.

The A3 is also great to live with thanks to its comfortable suspension and high-quality interior. For our £40,000 budget, you do only get the base model, but you can at least add metallic paint without going over the limit – and being forced to pay the expensive car supplement on your yearly road tax. The A3’s super-low CO2 emissions make it an incredibly cost-effective company car as well.

If BiK is your priority and you want something larger than the A3, then check out the MG HS – it’s also in a super-low company car tax band. Or if you want a car that’s solidly built and great to drive, but don’t want a plug-in hybrid, consider the Honda Civic.

Alternatives: MG HS PHEV, Honda Civic

£40,000-£60,000

Our recommendation: Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (£47,890)

We can’t get enough of the Hyundai Santa Fe here at Carwow – it’s such a good large SUV that we named it our Car of the Year as well as the winner of the Family Values award. It’s available with self-charging or plug-in hybrid engines – the former is our pick because it’s usefully cheaper and more efficient in the real world, especially if you’re doing long journeys.

The Santa Fe’s cool, boxy body hides an interior that’s almost aggressively practical. You get seven seats as standard, with room for adults in all three rows. There are more storage cubbies than you’ll know what to do with, and countless neat little features to make everyday life just that bit easier. It’s even comfortable and quiet to drive – what more could you want?

If you want to look good in your hybrid car, consider the BMW 330e – it’s a rakish compact saloon car that’s fantastic to drive and has a great hybrid engine. Or, if you like the Santa Fe but need a company car, the Skoda Kodiaq PHEV is in a really low tax band thanks to its long electric range – but you can’t have it with seven seats unless you get a petrol or diesel engine.

Alternatives: BMW 330e, Skoda Kodiaq PHEV

£60,000-£80,000

Our recommendation: Volkswagen Multivan eHybrid Style (£65,385)

We’re cheating here slightly, because the base ‘Life’ model of the Volkswagen Multivan slips below our self-imposed price threshold. But it’s this Style model you really want – it’s loaded with equipment that makes this people-carrier feel like business class travel.

The Multivan’s eHybrid engine is smooth and responsive, and even pretty efficient when you don’t charge it up – but has a pure electric range of up to 57 miles if you do. There’s space for seven to sit in comfort, though you’ll want the Long model with more boot space if you need to carry their suitcases at the same time.

If you fancy travelling business class in a bit more style, the Mercedes E-Class Estate is the way to go – and it’s available as a rare diesel-powered plug-in hybrid, giving you great efficiency whether you’re charged up or not. Or if you like going off the beaten track, the Land Rover Defender 110 P400e is one plug-in hybrid that’s unbeatable off-road.

Alternatives: Mercedes E-Class Estate E300 de, Land Rover Defender 110 P400e

£80,000-plus

Our recommendation: Porsche 911 GTS (£137,900)

Porsche took a while to embrace hybrid technology for its iconic sports car, and so the T-Hybrid system in its 911 GTS is something of a light touch – it doesn’t give you all-electric running, but it does improve the engine’s responsiveness and nudges fuel economy up to more acceptable levels. It’s a fantastic way to get the character of a 911 with a nod to the electrified future.

The rest of the car is as good as ever – you get surprisingly practical back seats, suspension that’s comfortable enough for a long cruise, and one of the most satisfying chassis on any car. The 911 is a joy to drive in any conditions – if you can afford it, you’ll love every minute.

If you wanted something a bit more practical for family use, consider the BMW M5 or M5 Touring – this plug-in hybrid super-saloon may be ugly as sin and weigh as much as a moon, but you forget all that when you start driving it. Or you could go for a very different Porsche in the form of the practical, posh and balistically fast Cayenne E-Hybrid.

Alternatives: BMW M5, Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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