Compare the most economical hybrid cars

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Last updated November 9, 2023 by Darren Cassey

Most economical hybrid cars of 2024

There are two types of hybrid, typically known as 'self-charging hybrids' or 'plug-in hybrids'.

As the name suggests, plug-in models can have their batteries topped up by plugging into a charger. However, the self-charging models simply top up their battery using the brakes and engine on the move. Although the potential fuel economy isn't as impressive as a plug-in, you don't have to worry about charging, and they still use less fuel than non-hybrid models. They're cheaper than plug-in models, too.

If you’re buying a hybrid, you’re probably buying it for one reason only — fuel economy. So here are 10 of the most economical self-charging hybrids on sale today.

Toyota Yaris Hybrid

1. Toyota Yaris Hybrid (69mpg)

8/10
Toyota Yaris Hybrid review

What's good

  • Efficient hybrid engine
  • Good fun to drive
  • Plenty of standard equipment

What’s not so good

  • Dour interior
  • Ride is firm on larger wheels
  • Rear-seat and boot space aren't great
The Yaris’s combo of a small body, relatively low weight, and that efficient 1.5-litre hybrid engine means that you can get an official 69mpg out of it on the combined cycle, and Toyota claims that it’ll even do as much as 80mpg around town. Impressive, but it is let down a little by a small cabin and some cheap bits on the dash.

What's good

  • Efficient hybrid engine
  • Good fun to drive
  • Plenty of standard equipment

What’s not so good

  • Dour interior
  • Ride is firm on larger wheels
  • Rear-seat and boot space aren't great
Renault Clio
2025
Smart Spender Award
Highly Commended

2. Renault Clio (67mpg)

9/10
Renault Clio review

What's good

  • High quality interior
  • Massive boot
  • Stylish design

What’s not so good

  • Tight rear seats
  • High boot lip
  • Not as comfy as alternatives
Although you can get it with a temptingly cheap petrol-only engine, the hybrid is one of the most economical cars you can get without switching to a plug-in model. Low running and taxation costs combine with a surprisingly big and well-finished car on the inside. Just be aware that other small hatches are more fun to drive.

What's good

  • High quality interior
  • Massive boot
  • Stylish design

What’s not so good

  • Tight rear seats
  • High boot lip
  • Not as comfy as alternatives

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Toyota Yaris Cross
2025
Urban Living Award

3. Toyota Yaris Cross (65mpg)

9/10
Toyota Yaris Cross review

What's good

  • Hybrid engine is economical
  • Generous standard equipment
  • Raised ride height gives excellent visibility

What’s not so good

  • Engine can be noisy
  • Fidgety over bumps
  • Slightly dour interior
The Yaris Cross is super-efficient. Thanks to its little 1.5-litre engine, it can sip fuel at an official 65mpg on the combined cycle, and that’s do-able on the road too, although you’ll have to drive gently to manage it. It also looks cute, and isn’t bad to drive.

What's good

  • Hybrid engine is economical
  • Generous standard equipment
  • Raised ride height gives excellent visibility

What’s not so good

  • Engine can be noisy
  • Fidgety over bumps
  • Slightly dour interior
Kia Niro

4. Kia NIro (64mpg)

7/10
Kia Niro review
Battery range up to 40 miles

What's good

  • Good refinement
  • Low running costs
  • Great interior quality and space

What’s not so good

  • Not the most fun car to drive
  • Prices have risen compared to previous Niro
  • Hybrid and PHEV have smaller boot than the electric Niro
Kia's hybrid Niro is a car overshadowed by the huge succss of its all-electric Niro EV sibling, but the second generation of the hybrid, and its plug-in hybrid alternative, shouldn't be overlooked. Launched in 2022, the Niro is spacious and refined, although the hybrid loses boot space against the full EV version – though it is bigger than the PHEV.

What's good

  • Good refinement
  • Low running costs
  • Great interior quality and space

What’s not so good

  • Not the most fun car to drive
  • Prices have risen compared to previous Niro
  • Hybrid and PHEV have smaller boot than the electric Niro
Honda Jazz

5. Honda Jazz (63mpg)

7/10
Honda Jazz review

What's good

  • Efficient hybrid drive
  • Comfortable on the road
  • Lots of cabin space

What’s not so good

  • Not the most exciting interior design
  • Expensive compared to alternatives
  • Not as fun to drive as other options
According to the official test, the Jazz can extract 63 miles from every gallon you put into it, and we can well believe it. You’d have to drive carefully to match that in the real world, but it can be done. The rest of the Jazz is just as nice, and it has a smart, high quality cabin with lots of space. Good value, too.

What's good

  • Efficient hybrid drive
  • Comfortable on the road
  • Lots of cabin space

What’s not so good

  • Not the most exciting interior design
  • Expensive compared to alternatives
  • Not as fun to drive as other options
Hyundai Ioniq hybrid

6. Hyundai Ioniq (63mpg)

6/10
Hyundai Ioniq hybrid review
The hybrid-engined Ioniq (not to be confused with the high-tech all-electric Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6) is pretty frugal, sipping fuel at a claimed 63mpg, which is not an entirely fictional figure in normal driving. You can also get a plug-in hybrid, which can go for 32 miles on electric power, or a full electric Ioniq, but these models are starting to feel a touch old now.
Toyota Corolla

7. Toyota Corolla (63mpg)

8/10
Toyota Corolla review

What's good

  • Cheap to run
  • Good quality inside
  • Enjoyable to drive

What’s not so good

  • Drony automatic gearbox
  • Rear space for adults
  • More expensive than alternatives
Toyota quotes an official 62.7mpg for the Corolla Hybrid (well, the 1.8-litre version anyway — the 2.0-litre is a little thirstier) and that’s genuinely achievable in the real world. It’s actually quite good fun to drive too, although the hatchback model is seriously cramped in the back.

What's good

  • Cheap to run
  • Good quality inside
  • Enjoyable to drive

What’s not so good

  • Drony automatic gearbox
  • Rear space for adults
  • More expensive than alternatives
Honda Civic

8. Honda Civic (60mpg)

9/10
Honda Civic review

What's good

  • Great to drive
  • Impressive efficiency
  • Large boot

What’s not so good

  • Dull exterior styling…
  • …And a bland interior
  • Higher starting price than alternatives
A 2023 carwow Buy-it Award winner, the Honda Civic is a great combination of practicality and economy combined with a thoroughtly decent driving experience. It's not the most good-looking of hatchbacks, but other than that it's a tricky car to criticise.

What's good

  • Great to drive
  • Impressive efficiency
  • Large boot

What’s not so good

  • Dull exterior styling…
  • …And a bland interior
  • Higher starting price than alternatives
Hyundai Kona

9. Hyundai Kona Hybrid (60mpg)

7/10
Hyundai Kona review

What's good

  • Striking styling
  • Really practical
  • Quiet motorway cruiser

What’s not so good

  • Infuriating assistance bings and bongs
  • So-so hybrid engine
  • Alternatives comfier over bumps
The latest Hyundai Kona is much more spacious than the old one, which means it's a more useful family car. It's also great to look at and quiet on the motorway. And although its hybrid engine isn't the quietest, it offers an impressive 60mpg in official tests.

What's good

  • Striking styling
  • Really practical
  • Quiet motorway cruiser

What’s not so good

  • Infuriating assistance bings and bongs
  • So-so hybrid engine
  • Alternatives comfier over bumps
Toyota C-HR

10. Toyota C-HR (60mpg)

8/10
Toyota C-HR review

What's good

  • Looks great
  • Comfortable suspension
  • Low running costs

What’s not so good

  • Noisy engines
  • Feels cheap in the back
  • A touch pricey
Toyota's mid-sized SUV stands out for its styling, but it's also pretty economical, with official figures putting it at 60mpg for the 1.8-litre engine, and 58mpg for the more powerful 2.0-litre. It's not the most practical family car, but being cheap to run and comfortable to drive makes it an appealing option.

What's good

  • Looks great
  • Comfortable suspension
  • Low running costs

What’s not so good

  • Noisy engines
  • Feels cheap in the back
  • A touch pricey

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Most economical hybrid cars FAQs

They can be, but it depends on the car and how you drive it. Previously, most hybrids were only economical around town and got wildly thirsty on long motorway runs, but thankfully those days have largely passed. Now, most hybrids can offer good economy on longer runs, and the best can break the 60mpg barrier.

Our fuel chooser tool can help you decide if a petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric car is right for you.

A hybrid car will only go for a short distance on electric power — say, a few miles at best — but the point is that a hybrid recharges its small battery as it drives, from the engine and from braking, so you get that electric mile back again, over and over. Hence the good fuel economy. A plug-in hybrid car, when charged up from the mains, will go much further on electricity but will penalise you with worse fuel economy on long runs when you’re using the petrol engine.

The short answer? Drive carefully. That sounds trite, but it’s true. The trick with a hybrid is to make the most of its electric power, so if you accelerate gently, the car can stick with electric power for longer, before it needs to wake the petrol engine up. Do that enough and you’ll maximise your electric running time, and minimise your fuel consumption. You can do other things, such as making sure that the car is serviced regularly, have the tyres set to the right pressures, take off any roof-racks and take any excess baggage out of the boot, but driving carefully is the best thing of all for economy.

To find out more ways in which you can improve your fuel economy and save money at the pumps, check out our guide on ways to get better mpg.