Honda hybrid cars | New & Used Honda Hybrids

Alongside Toyota with the original Prius, Honda was one of the pioneers of mass-produced petrol-electric hybrid cars with the Honda Insight. The Japanese firm has stuck with the technology ever since and produced lots of different hybrid models over the years. And these days, hybrids make up the vast majority of the company’s model range. In this handy guide, we’ll take you through all the various hybrid models currently offered by Honda, so you can figure out which one might be right for you.

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Honda hybrid car range: current models

From small supermini to sizeable SUV, there’s a Honda hybrid for you.

Honda Jazz

Like it always has been, the current Honda Jazz is a masterpiece of design. Sure, it’s not the prettiest or most exciting car in the world, but in terms of simply making your life easy, there are few cars that can touch it. There’s a 1.5-litre petrol engine, two electric motors - one that drives the wheels and one that generates electricity - and a lithium-ion battery. Efficiency figures of 62.8mpg and 102g/km would suggest it works. The total power output of the system was originally 109hp, but updates in 2023 boosted that to 122hp.

Honda Civic

Every version of the Honda Civic, bar the rip-snorting Type-R Civic, gets the same hybrid package boasting an impressive-sounding 183hp, even if it doesn’t feel that powerful in practice. That said, the Civic is capable of returning up to 56mpg on the official test cycle, and besides, it’s a hugely impressive car in a variety of other ways. It’s more practical than most rivals, it feels plush and solidly built, it comes well equipped and it delivers a really good blend of comfort and agility on the road. That’s pretty much everything a good family hatchback should do.

Honda HR-V

The smallest of Honda’s hybrid SUVs is the HR-V, and it has pretty much the same powertrain found in the Jazz, but with power levels dialled up a wee bit to 131hp. Despite the extra power, though, the extra weight of the HR-V means it still feels a little sluggish when you’re trying to build speed, and things can get a little noisy, too, but it’s fine when you’re simply pottering around town. It’s a comfortable car in which to do that, because the suspension is good at soaking up lumps and bumps.

Honda ZR-V

The ZR-V is the mid-sized option in Honda’s line-up of hybrid SUVs, so it’s no surprise that it shares plenty with the Civic, including the hybrid system powered by the 2.0-litre petrol engine. It operates in a similarly smooth and relaxed manner, too, so performance is entirely adequate, and the ride is also impressively smooth. Practicality is a mixed bag, with more rear passenger space than the Civic, but a smaller boot. However, like with most Hondas, buyers will enjoy the impressive cabin quality and generous equipment levels.

Honda CR-V

The CR-V, the largest SUV is Honda’s line-up, has recently ticked over into its sixth generation. And this latest car is a wee bit different from all its other Honda hybrid siblings. Yes, it’s available with a version of the 2.0-litre e:HEV self-charging hybrid but also as a plug-in hybrid, the first Honda product in Europe to offer this type of powertrain. The PHEV version has a much larger 17.7kWh battery, which allows it to travel a maximum of 50 miles on electric power alone with a full charge. Otherwise, expect the CR-V to offer family-friendly space and practicality, plush quality, and bags of tech.

Honda hybrid FAQs

Are Honda hybrids good?

All Honda self-charging hybrids use a variation of the same basic hybrid system, but with varying componentry and settings depending on the size of the car. How well these systems work differs from model to model, and some are better than others, but where it’s good - like it is in the Civic hatchback - it’s absolutely great.

Are Honda hybrids reliable?

Once upon a time, Honda could perpetually be found at - or near - the top of the manufacturer rankings of any given reliability survey you’d care to mention. These previously sky-high standards have slipped somewhat in recent years, but in most studies, the Japanese brand seems to feature mid-table. You get a decent warranty, too. While most manufacturers offer you three-year/60,000-mile cover, Honda covers you for three years or 90,0000 miles, whichever comes first. The hybrid drivetrain, meanwhile, is covered for five years/90,000 miles.

Does Honda have a plug-in hybrid?

Not until recently, but the latest sixt2h-generation CR-V is offered in plug-in hybrid form. Its large 17.7kWh battery allows it to run for up to 50 miles on electric-only power on a full charge.

How does a Honda hybrid work?

All Honda hybrids use a petrol engine, two electric motors - one that drives the wheels and one that generates electricity - and a lithium-ion battery. The car switches between three driving modes automatically without any input from the driver, optimising efficiency and defaulting to electric-only power wherever possible. That electric-only mode is the first of the three modes, where the wheels are being powered by the drive motor, which is being fed power by the battery. ‘Hybrid Drive’ is the second mode, and this is where the electric drive motor is still powering the wheels, but petrol engine fires up to supply energy to the second generator motor, which in turn supplies power to the drive motor, and tops up the battery at the same time. The third mode - ‘Engine Drive’ mode - is used for higher motorway speeds, and that’s where the petrol engine connects directly to the wheels.

How long do Honda hybrid batteries last?

It’s difficult to say exactly, and much will depend on how they’re used, but they are covered by the same five-year/90,000-mile warranty as the rest of the hybrid powertrain, and they should last considerably longer than that.

How much is a Honda hybrid car?

The most affordable of all Honda’s hybrids in the entry-level Honda Jazz, the Elegance, which starts at around £26,000. The most expensive is the plug-in-hybrid version of the latest Honda CR-V, which is only available in high-spec Advance Tech trim, and that car costs around £54,000.

Which Honda hybrid is the best to buy?

That much depends on the type of car you’re looking for, but as an all-rounder, it’s hard to look past the Honda Civic hatchback. The Civic also has the best and most effective example of Honda’s hybrid drivetrain, with smooth operation and impressive economy.

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