Compare the best family hybrid cars with carwow
High quality family hybrid cars from rated and reviewed dealers
Best family hybrid cars 2022
Family cars are all about convenience and practicality: they need to take the stress out of busy daily routines involving ferrying the kids to school, shopping trips and last-minute dashes to an appointment. That’s why a self-charging hybrid car is one of the best options out there: it can help lower running costs, but you needn’t hunt around for charging points every few hundred miles.
They are more efficient in town than non-hybrids too, and cost less than similarly specced plug-in hybrid vehicles, making them a perfect fit for families looking for decent economy, fuss-free usability and a sensible price tag. Here are our top 10 hybrid family car picks.
1. Ford Kuga
Battery range up to 35 miles
carwow price from
£316* / month
(£27,399)
Family practicality meets a fun driving experience in the latest Ford Kuga, it also comes with a decent level of standard equipment and is keenly priced. The 187bhp self-charging hybrid manages 51mpg and gets to 62mph in a spritely 9.1-seconds. Aside from a smallish boot and an average infotainment system, this one is hard to fault.
2. Lexus NX
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£520* / month
(£40,606)
The Lexus NX is as impressive as its looks suggest, and the 242bhp hybrid engine gives it good performance. An automatic transmission is standard, and the two-wheel-drive model returns 50mpg, with the four-wheel-drive version dipping a bit to 47mpg. 545-litres of boot space is up there with other luxury SUVs like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5.
3. Nissan Qashqai
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£211* / month
(£23,725)
The Qashqai is one of the best-selling SUVs in the UK, and this new model is big step up in terms of interior quality and technology over the old version. The 188bhp e-Power model uses a petrol engine to charge a battery which is connected to an electric motor that powers the front wheels. It’s slightly different to other hybrids out there but the upshot is that it drives almost as smoothly as a pure EV, delivers 52.3mpg and you never need to charge it.
4. Renual Captur
Battery range up to 28 miles
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£231* / month
(£19,854)
The Renault Captur majors on practicality with great interior space utilisation, including 536-litres of boot space which is more than any other small SUV. The 142bph self-charging hybrid offers a fuel-sipping 59mpg average although there are alternatives out there with better infotainment systems and it’s not thrilling to drive, but it’s a compelling family car nevertheless.
5. Toyota Corolla
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£261* / month
(£24,359)
The Toyota Corolla offers low running costs, impressive interior quality and is actually quite fun to drive. You have a choice of either a 122bhp or 184bhp self-charging hybrid motor, the former offering an impressive 63mpg, the latter a quick 7.9-second 0-60mph time. Negatives? Adults may feel a bit cramped in the rear on long journeys and it can cost more than some alternatives.
6. Toyota RAV4
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£304* / month
(£33,286)
Comfortable to drive and packed with practical features that will appeal to families, the Toyota RAV is also quite frugal thanks to its 218bhp hybrid motor which manages 50 mpg. Opting for the four-wheel-drive model lowers fuel economy by just one mpg, the only drawbacks are a slightly noisy CVT automatic transmission and a few below-par trim materials in the cabin.
7. Ford S-Max
If seating for seven forms part of your family car requirements, then you may want to step up to the Ford S-Max, another sporty take on family transport that doesn’t skimp on equipment levels. Even with seven occupants, you still get 285-litres of boot space.
It is offered with the same 187bhp hybrid motor as you get in the Kuga, and performs admirably in the heavier body, it can also be paired with four-wheel-drive so even a snow flurry won’t stop you from getting the kids to school. They’ll thank you when they’re older.
8. Honda CR-V
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£429* / month
(£30,929)
The Honda CR-V is offered solely with a self-charging 184bhp hybrid setup which can be had with front- or four-wheel-drive. A 43mpg combined fuel economy figure is respectable and you can travel over 530-miles on a tank. The automatic transmission is smooth and it's comfortable to drive, you won’t want more passenger or boot space either, although the infotainment system could be better.
9. Hyundai Kona
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£185* / month
(£19,963)
The Hyundai Kona is a great little city-friendly SUV, it’s 139bhp hybrid motor is feels capable and offers a very decent 57mpg in mixed driving conditions. Its 374-litres of boot space is good compared to alternatives and four adults should fit comfortably in the cabin. There are more practical small SUVs around, but the Kona still offers a great mix of efficiency and comfort in this class.
10. Kia Niro
Battery range up to 38 miles
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£249* / month
(£26,399)
The Kia Niro is available with a 139bhp self-charging hybrid engine which gives decent performance around town and can run for short periods on electric power, too. It handles well although has a slightly firm ride as a result. It’s pretty spacious too, and the 451 litres of boot space is better than many alternatives in its class such as the Lexus UX and Honda HR-V.
