10 best hybrid cars: our favourite dual-fuel cars to cover every need
The best hybrid cars aren’t just fuel efficient, they need to be excellent all-rounders, too. You can choose from a wide range of body styles to go with a hybrid engine these days, from the Renault Clio hatchback to the enormous BMW X5 SUV.
Not all hybrid cars share the same engine philosophy, with plug-in hybrids such as the BMW 3 Series favouring a large battery and lots of electric-only range, while a self-charging hybrid like the MG3 favours a low entry cost and fuel efficiency instead.
Our expert reviews team hasn’t just driven every hybrid car on sale in the UK, they’ve lived with them as if they were their own cars; subjecting them to school runs, road trips, B-road blasts and journeys into town to really put them through their paces.
Sell your car for what it's really worth
The free, easy way to get 5,500+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car
Learn how to
sell your car
with Carwow
2026
Car of the Year Award
1. Chery Tiggo 8
Chery Tiggo 8 review
Best for: all-round excellence
The Chery Tiggo 8 is so good that it won two awards in our 2026 Carwow Car of the Year judging. Not only has it clinched the Hybrid Hero Award, but it’s also our Car of the Year - period. It offers phenomenal value for money, being practical, efficient and posh inside.
It looks smart, if a little generic, though. It certainly doesn’t have the road presence of a BMW, Audi or Mercedes, but the big grille, crisp headlights and intricate light bar at the back all come together nicely.
The interior is far more impressive, because not only is it handsome inside, the Tiggo 8 offers plush materials and a build quality to easily match that of more expensive European cars - which are typically twice the price of the Chery.
You get a huge infotainment display on the dashboard as well as a digital instrument cluster - though it is a bit annoying that there aren’t any physical switches for the heater controls, or even climate shortcuts on the screen.
The Tiggo 8 has plenty of room inside, with more than enough room across the front two rows for adults to get comfortable, while children won’t complain about the rearmost pair on long journeys. The boot falls behind alternatives though, and with all seven seats in place there’s barely enough room for a single cabin bag.
You can choose from a pure-petrol engine or a petrol plug-in hybrid instead, which is a very accomplished unit. We saw over 50mpg in our time with the car, and considering the excellent value for money the PHEV system offers, it’s a no-brainer between the two options.
Around town the big Chery feels at home, with plenty of low-down shove from its powerful electric motor, and near-silent running making it a stress-free way to get around. Visibility is great all round, but it’s not all that comfortable. You get jiggled about on rough roads, and there’s a fair amount of noise at higher speeds, while the vague steering doesn’t inspire confidence on a country lane.
The Chery Tiggo 8 is so good that it won two awards in our 2026 Carwow Car of the Year judging. Not only has it clinched the Hybrid Hero Award, but it’s also our Car of the Year - period. It offers phenomenal value for money, being practical, efficient and posh inside.
It looks smart, if a little generic, though. It certainly doesn’t have the road presence of a BMW, Audi or Mercedes, but the big grille, crisp headlights and intricate light bar at the back all come together nicely.
The interior is far more impressive, because not only is it handsome inside, the Tiggo 8 offers plush materials and a build quality to easily match that of more expensive European cars - which are typically twice the price of the Chery.
You get a huge infotainment display on the dashboard as well as a digital instrument cluster - though it is a bit annoying that there aren’t any physical switches for the heater controls, or even climate shortcuts on the screen.
The Tiggo 8 has plenty of room inside, with more than enough room across the front two rows for adults to get comfortable, while children won’t complain about the rearmost pair on long journeys. The boot falls behind alternatives though, and with all seven seats in place there’s barely enough room for a single cabin bag.
You can choose from a pure-petrol engine or a petrol plug-in hybrid instead, which is a very accomplished unit. We saw over 50mpg in our time with the car, and considering the excellent value for money the PHEV system offers, it’s a no-brainer between the two options.
Around town the big Chery feels at home, with plenty of low-down shove from its powerful electric motor, and near-silent running making it a stress-free way to get around. Visibility is great all round, but it’s not all that comfortable. You get jiggled about on rough roads, and there’s a fair amount of noise at higher speeds, while the vague steering doesn’t inspire confidence on a country lane.
2026
Adventurer's Choice Award
Highly Commended
2. Skoda Kodiaq
Skoda Kodiaq review
Best for: a long-range PHEV family car
Now, there is a flaw with the Skoda Kodiaq in its plug-in hybrid form, which is best to get out of the way with here at the top. That flaw is that you can’t have the plug-in Kodiaq with seven seats. Because the big hybrid battery eats up the space under the boot into which the third row seats would have folded, this PHEV Skoda is strictly a five-seater.
That may not be a bad thing, though. As long as you don’t really, truly need the extra row of seats, the Kodiaq remains a truly accomplished hybrid SUV, with so many acres of space that you half expect to find a combine harvester in there somewhere.
Up front, you sit on massively comfortable seats, and use a dashboard layout that looks great and works brilliantly. The little physical rotary multi-function dials, which allow you quick access to controls such as stereo volume, cabin temperature, and heated seats among other things, make it much easier to work with the big 13.0-inch touchscreen. The only flaw here is that the dash doesn’t feel as robustly built as that of the previous Kodiaq.
Behind, there’s lots of legroom and headroom in the back seats, making the Kodiaq one of those rare cars in which there’s not really a bad seat to grab (aside from the slightly narrow rear centre seat, but that’s true of most cars).
The plug-in hybrid system is also excellent, with a big enough battery not only to banish those extra seats, but more usefully to provide as much as 75 miles of electric driving (around 60 miles in real-world conditions). Best of all, when you’re on a longer journey, the Kodiaq’s hybrid setup won’t mug you with poor fuel economy, and there’s 50kW DC fast-charging if you want to quickly top up the battery.
The only drawback is that while the Kodiaq is smooth and easy-going to drive, it’s also just a bit dull. There’s no fun in the Kodiaq’s heart, although given how practical and useful it is, it seems a bit churlish to chide it for that.
Now, there is a flaw with the Skoda Kodiaq in its plug-in hybrid form, which is best to get out of the way with here at the top. That flaw is that you can’t have the plug-in Kodiaq with seven seats. Because the big hybrid battery eats up the space under the boot into which the third row seats would have folded, this PHEV Skoda is strictly a five-seater.
That may not be a bad thing, though. As long as you don’t really, truly need the extra row of seats, the Kodiaq remains a truly accomplished hybrid SUV, with so many acres of space that you half expect to find a combine harvester in there somewhere.
Up front, you sit on massively comfortable seats, and use a dashboard layout that looks great and works brilliantly. The little physical rotary multi-function dials, which allow you quick access to controls such as stereo volume, cabin temperature, and heated seats among other things, make it much easier to work with the big 13.0-inch touchscreen. The only flaw here is that the dash doesn’t feel as robustly built as that of the previous Kodiaq.
Behind, there’s lots of legroom and headroom in the back seats, making the Kodiaq one of those rare cars in which there’s not really a bad seat to grab (aside from the slightly narrow rear centre seat, but that’s true of most cars).
The plug-in hybrid system is also excellent, with a big enough battery not only to banish those extra seats, but more usefully to provide as much as 75 miles of electric driving (around 60 miles in real-world conditions). Best of all, when you’re on a longer journey, the Kodiaq’s hybrid setup won’t mug you with poor fuel economy, and there’s 50kW DC fast-charging if you want to quickly top up the battery.
The only drawback is that while the Kodiaq is smooth and easy-going to drive, it’s also just a bit dull. There’s no fun in the Kodiaq’s heart, although given how practical and useful it is, it seems a bit churlish to chide it for that.
2026
Hybrid Hero Award
Highly Commended
3. Audi Q5
Audi Q5 review
Best for: interior tech
The Audi Q5 is one of the more straightforward choices in life. Premium German badge appeal? Tick. Handsome styling? Tick. SUV-shaped usefulness? Tick. Plug-in hybrid system that gets you decent electric range and good overall efficiency? Tick and tick.
OK, we’ll allow that the Q5 isn’t the most thrilling car that Audi has made in a while, and you will see about 70 others on the road every time you head out, but then that popularity means you’ve quite probably made a good choice, doesn’t it?
Anyway, the Q5’s good looks will quickly do away with any worries about making the right choice — every time you walk out of the house to be greeted by those clean, chiselled lines, you’ll know you picked the right car. Ditto when you get inside, as Audi continues to be among the standard setters when it comes to cabin design and quality, even if the big, sweeping touchscreen isn’t quite as easy to use as it should be. Thankfully, there are a smattering of helpful physical buttons, but they could be better designed, and Audi’s quality levels don’t feel quite as rock-solid as once they did.
At least there’s plenty of space, with room for six-footers in the back, and that’s true even if you go for the chopped-off Sportback version with its sloping rear bodywork. The 465-litre boot is smaller than you’d get in a diesel Q5, but not terribly tiny, and about the same as you’d get in the plug-in hybrid Mercedes GLC.
Audi claims up to 61 miles of electric range on a full charge of the Q5’s hybrid battery, and performance is strong — the top-spec plug-in hybrid has the same power output as the sporty SQ5 V6 turbo, and the Q5 has well-weighted steering and a feeling of in-corner agility, even if it’s not as much fun to drive overall as a BMW X3.
The Audi Q5 is one of the more straightforward choices in life. Premium German badge appeal? Tick. Handsome styling? Tick. SUV-shaped usefulness? Tick. Plug-in hybrid system that gets you decent electric range and good overall efficiency? Tick and tick.
OK, we’ll allow that the Q5 isn’t the most thrilling car that Audi has made in a while, and you will see about 70 others on the road every time you head out, but then that popularity means you’ve quite probably made a good choice, doesn’t it?
Anyway, the Q5’s good looks will quickly do away with any worries about making the right choice — every time you walk out of the house to be greeted by those clean, chiselled lines, you’ll know you picked the right car. Ditto when you get inside, as Audi continues to be among the standard setters when it comes to cabin design and quality, even if the big, sweeping touchscreen isn’t quite as easy to use as it should be. Thankfully, there are a smattering of helpful physical buttons, but they could be better designed, and Audi’s quality levels don’t feel quite as rock-solid as once they did.
At least there’s plenty of space, with room for six-footers in the back, and that’s true even if you go for the chopped-off Sportback version with its sloping rear bodywork. The 465-litre boot is smaller than you’d get in a diesel Q5, but not terribly tiny, and about the same as you’d get in the plug-in hybrid Mercedes GLC.
Audi claims up to 61 miles of electric range on a full charge of the Q5’s hybrid battery, and performance is strong — the top-spec plug-in hybrid has the same power output as the sporty SQ5 V6 turbo, and the Q5 has well-weighted steering and a feeling of in-corner agility, even if it’s not as much fun to drive overall as a BMW X3.
4. Toyota Aygo X
Toyota Aygo X review
Best for: insane fuel economy
Everything gets bigger and heavier with age (ahem) and that’s as true of the Toyota Aygo X as it is of the Carwow editorial team (again, ahem). However, while the Aygo X might be bigger, heavier, and more expensive than the original 2005 Toyota Aygo (all bad things, we admit) the changes haven’t all been for the bad.
For a start, the Aygo X looks more interesting now, with a dramatic grill, staring LED headlights, and the option of a contrast-coloured rear end that gives it an almost concept-car look. There’s decent space inside too, although you might struggle to find enough space in the front of the cabin for all your small items, and speaking of small, the Aygo X’s boot really is — just 230 litres.
The best thing about the new Aygo X is that it now comes with the excellent 1.5-litre hybrid engine that you’ll find in the Yaris and the Yaris Cross. This not only gives the Aygo X a surprising turn of speed, it also means that it’s a smoother cruiser on motorways than used to be the case. It’s also hugely economical — a genuine 70mpg is within reach in daily driving.
Oh, and the Aygo X just happens to be pretty good fun to drive. You wouldn’t expect a small, frugal Toyota hatchback to have sharp steering and excellent cornering responses, but here we are.
Everything gets bigger and heavier with age (ahem) and that’s as true of the Toyota Aygo X as it is of the Carwow editorial team (again, ahem). However, while the Aygo X might be bigger, heavier, and more expensive than the original 2005 Toyota Aygo (all bad things, we admit) the changes haven’t all been for the bad.
For a start, the Aygo X looks more interesting now, with a dramatic grill, staring LED headlights, and the option of a contrast-coloured rear end that gives it an almost concept-car look. There’s decent space inside too, although you might struggle to find enough space in the front of the cabin for all your small items, and speaking of small, the Aygo X’s boot really is — just 230 litres.
The best thing about the new Aygo X is that it now comes with the excellent 1.5-litre hybrid engine that you’ll find in the Yaris and the Yaris Cross. This not only gives the Aygo X a surprising turn of speed, it also means that it’s a smoother cruiser on motorways than used to be the case. It’s also hugely economical — a genuine 70mpg is within reach in daily driving.
Oh, and the Aygo X just happens to be pretty good fun to drive. You wouldn’t expect a small, frugal Toyota hatchback to have sharp steering and excellent cornering responses, but here we are.
5. BMW X5
BMW X5 review
Battery range up to 45 miles
Best for: practicality but sporty
The BMW X5 is a handsome SUV that’s great fun to drive on a good road, while being uber-posh inside and practical, too.
It might be the best looking BMW on sale at the minute, because the X5’s slim headlights, bold grille, crisp lines and sculpted taillights all work brilliantly together.
The interior is even better, as the X5’s cabin is one of the very best in the business. You’re surrounded by soft touch leather (full-fat or vegan), wood and even glass in the X5, courtesy of its crystal gear knob and infotainment knob. BMW’s curved infotainment and driver display duo has great graphics, too.
The X5 isn’t as spacious inside as the Hyundai Santa Fe is, but you still get loads of space front and back - it’s just a shame you can’t have it as a seven-seater in hybrid guise, and boot space drops down to 500 litres from 650 litres in the regular car.
You can only get one hybrid engine option in the X5 50e model, but it’s a mighty powerful engine option with 489hp - yet it’ll go as far as 64 miles on a single charge. If you’ve got a home charger or a plug at work, you might not see a petrol station for months at a time.
BMW always engineers its cars to feel as sporty as possible, and the X5 hybrid is no different. Yes, it’s incredibly comfortable around town and it makes for a serene motorway cruiser, but the X5 is most impressive on a twisty road.
The BMW X5 is a handsome SUV that’s great fun to drive on a good road, while being uber-posh inside and practical, too.
It might be the best looking BMW on sale at the minute, because the X5’s slim headlights, bold grille, crisp lines and sculpted taillights all work brilliantly together.
The interior is even better, as the X5’s cabin is one of the very best in the business. You’re surrounded by soft touch leather (full-fat or vegan), wood and even glass in the X5, courtesy of its crystal gear knob and infotainment knob. BMW’s curved infotainment and driver display duo has great graphics, too.
The X5 isn’t as spacious inside as the Hyundai Santa Fe is, but you still get loads of space front and back - it’s just a shame you can’t have it as a seven-seater in hybrid guise, and boot space drops down to 500 litres from 650 litres in the regular car.
You can only get one hybrid engine option in the X5 50e model, but it’s a mighty powerful engine option with 489hp - yet it’ll go as far as 64 miles on a single charge. If you’ve got a home charger or a plug at work, you might not see a petrol station for months at a time.
BMW always engineers its cars to feel as sporty as possible, and the X5 hybrid is no different. Yes, it’s incredibly comfortable around town and it makes for a serene motorway cruiser, but the X5 is most impressive on a twisty road.
6. Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Santa Fe review
Best for: cyperpunk style
Remember the cars we used to scribble in the backs of our school copy books? The ones that were basically two rectangles, stuck together, with some wheels? Well, that’s basically the outline of the Hyundai Santa Fe, an SUV that — pleasingly — doesn’t try to disguise its size and shape with curves, but instead celebrates the common sense of the big, square car.
It works spectacularly well. On the outside, the Santa Fe is one of the best looking big family SUVs, and there are lots of clever touches such as the ‘H’ shapes in the brake lights, and the useful handle, hidden under a flap in the rear pillar, that helps you heave up to get to a roof rack or roof box.
Inside, there are seats for seven, which is impressive as not all plug-in hybrid SUVs manage to juggle batteries with a full set of seats. The downside is that does mean that the Santa Fe’s battery is quite small, so you’re limited to an electric range of only 30 miles (and more like 20 miles in real world conditions) although the Santa Fe doesn’t get too thirsty on long runs.
It’s a really high-quality cabin too, so you can sit back and relax as the world rolls buy, which is just as well as the Santa Fe isn’t a huge amount of fun to drive. It is very smooth, though, and easier to manage in town than that boxy shape would have you think.
Remember the cars we used to scribble in the backs of our school copy books? The ones that were basically two rectangles, stuck together, with some wheels? Well, that’s basically the outline of the Hyundai Santa Fe, an SUV that — pleasingly — doesn’t try to disguise its size and shape with curves, but instead celebrates the common sense of the big, square car.
It works spectacularly well. On the outside, the Santa Fe is one of the best looking big family SUVs, and there are lots of clever touches such as the ‘H’ shapes in the brake lights, and the useful handle, hidden under a flap in the rear pillar, that helps you heave up to get to a roof rack or roof box.
Inside, there are seats for seven, which is impressive as not all plug-in hybrid SUVs manage to juggle batteries with a full set of seats. The downside is that does mean that the Santa Fe’s battery is quite small, so you’re limited to an electric range of only 30 miles (and more like 20 miles in real world conditions) although the Santa Fe doesn’t get too thirsty on long runs.
It’s a really high-quality cabin too, so you can sit back and relax as the world rolls buy, which is just as well as the Santa Fe isn’t a huge amount of fun to drive. It is very smooth, though, and easier to manage in town than that boxy shape would have you think.
7. Toyota Yaris Cross
Toyota Yaris Cross review
Best for: urban life
The Toyota Yaris Cross is about as unintimidating as an SUV can get, but what it lacks in road presence it makes up for in fuel economy - and then some.
While it may not be quite as menacing in your rear view mirror as the enormous Hyundai Santa Fe or BMW X5, the Yaris Cross is still a funky looking little thing.
The interior isn’t quite as fun, because although it feels solid and high-quality, with pleasant soft-touch materials within reach in most places, it’s rather dour to look at.
It’s fairly spacious up front, for such a small car, but rear seat passengers will feel cramped for both kneeroom and headroom. The boot is well sized though, and it has a clever floor that can be raised and lowered for more space or easy loading.
The Yaris Cross’ party piece is its pair of hybrid engines. They’re both self-charging units, though it’s worth opting for the more powerful one because they offer the same staggering real-world fuel economy of around 60-65mpg, and it’s easier to get up to speed and make quick lane changes in.
Around town the Yaris is a piece of cake to drive, as its automatic gearbox and electric boost make it easy to get away from the lights briskly, while its high seating position helps when sat in traffic and navigating narrow streets.
Motorways are a breeze, though don’t go expecting any quick overtakes in the Yaris Cross. Country lanes are borderline fun, but bumpy corners can unsettle the little Toyota.
The Toyota Yaris Cross is about as unintimidating as an SUV can get, but what it lacks in road presence it makes up for in fuel economy - and then some.
While it may not be quite as menacing in your rear view mirror as the enormous Hyundai Santa Fe or BMW X5, the Yaris Cross is still a funky looking little thing.
The interior isn’t quite as fun, because although it feels solid and high-quality, with pleasant soft-touch materials within reach in most places, it’s rather dour to look at.
It’s fairly spacious up front, for such a small car, but rear seat passengers will feel cramped for both kneeroom and headroom. The boot is well sized though, and it has a clever floor that can be raised and lowered for more space or easy loading.
The Yaris Cross’ party piece is its pair of hybrid engines. They’re both self-charging units, though it’s worth opting for the more powerful one because they offer the same staggering real-world fuel economy of around 60-65mpg, and it’s easier to get up to speed and make quick lane changes in.
Around town the Yaris is a piece of cake to drive, as its automatic gearbox and electric boost make it easy to get away from the lights briskly, while its high seating position helps when sat in traffic and navigating narrow streets.
Motorways are a breeze, though don’t go expecting any quick overtakes in the Yaris Cross. Country lanes are borderline fun, but bumpy corners can unsettle the little Toyota.
8. Dacia Duster
Dacia Duster review
Best for: practicality on a budget
The Dacia Duster is somewhat of a cut-price hero when it comes to small SUVs these days. It’s just as capable off-road as its super-simple predecessors were, but for the latest version, Dacia has injected it with a healthy dose of personality and style.
It looks more expensive than it costs, with a broad headlight and grille combo giving it a butch appearance, enhanced by chunky body cladding, big tyres and beefy roof rails. It’s matured into a properly handsome car.
The interior isn’t quite as pleasant, because while it’s decent enough to look at, the material quality leaves a lot to be desired. Dacia had to save money somewhere, but the dashboard, door cars and centre console are all woefully scratchy.
At least the infotainment system and driver’s display in the hybrid are slick to look at and use, and the Duster is oh-so spacious inside with plenty of space for five passengers and a well-sized boot.
Dacia’s hybrid system is very good, too, being smooth, powerful enough with 140hp and easily achieving 50mpg in the real world, too. It’s the best engine option in the Duster, being able to coast silently along in electric mode while also providing peppy performance around town.
Getting up to speed on the motorway can take a while, but once you’re there the Duster feels stable and planted, while country lanes are unadventurous - as the big Dacia has little in the way of body lean and plenty of grip.
The Dacia Duster is somewhat of a cut-price hero when it comes to small SUVs these days. It’s just as capable off-road as its super-simple predecessors were, but for the latest version, Dacia has injected it with a healthy dose of personality and style.
It looks more expensive than it costs, with a broad headlight and grille combo giving it a butch appearance, enhanced by chunky body cladding, big tyres and beefy roof rails. It’s matured into a properly handsome car.
The interior isn’t quite as pleasant, because while it’s decent enough to look at, the material quality leaves a lot to be desired. Dacia had to save money somewhere, but the dashboard, door cars and centre console are all woefully scratchy.
At least the infotainment system and driver’s display in the hybrid are slick to look at and use, and the Duster is oh-so spacious inside with plenty of space for five passengers and a well-sized boot.
Dacia’s hybrid system is very good, too, being smooth, powerful enough with 140hp and easily achieving 50mpg in the real world, too. It’s the best engine option in the Duster, being able to coast silently along in electric mode while also providing peppy performance around town.
Getting up to speed on the motorway can take a while, but once you’re there the Duster feels stable and planted, while country lanes are unadventurous - as the big Dacia has little in the way of body lean and plenty of grip.
9. Renault Clio
Renault Clio review
Best for: stylish commuting
The Renault Clio is one of the best small cars on sale at the moment, whether in hybrid or petrol guise, but the hybrid model is the one to go for. It looks fantastic, has a big boot and it’s very economical.
Renault has bestowed the Clio with a very swanky front end, with pointy, slender headlights and arrow-shaped daytime running lights flanking a broad, intricate grille. The sides feature big curves down their flanks and the rear end is part with a pair of cool taillights.
The interior is also very posh-looking, with loads of soft-touch plastics around you and fancy climate controls on the dashboard. Don’t reach too far down, as the scratchier plastics can ruin the high-class vibe in the cabin, but overall it’s a lovely interior.
There’s loads of space up front, but rear passengers lack headroom if they’re approaching six feet tall. The trade-off is a big boot, and while it’s down on its petrol-engine counterpart, the Clio hybrid still has plenty of room for luggage at 301 litres.
The Clio hybrid has 145hp from its 1.6-litre engine and electric motor, offering up to 67.3mpg - and you won’t be far off that in the real world. It’s a piece of cake to drive around town, with nippy performance and darty handling to go with its easy-to-use automatic gearbox.
Motorways aren’t quite as comforting, as the Clio bounces around a little at high speeds when you reach rutted, broken stretches at high speed. There’s a fair amount of wind and road noise present, too. Country lanes are good fun though, as the stiff suspension means there’s very little body lean.
The Renault Clio is one of the best small cars on sale at the moment, whether in hybrid or petrol guise, but the hybrid model is the one to go for. It looks fantastic, has a big boot and it’s very economical.
Renault has bestowed the Clio with a very swanky front end, with pointy, slender headlights and arrow-shaped daytime running lights flanking a broad, intricate grille. The sides feature big curves down their flanks and the rear end is part with a pair of cool taillights.
The interior is also very posh-looking, with loads of soft-touch plastics around you and fancy climate controls on the dashboard. Don’t reach too far down, as the scratchier plastics can ruin the high-class vibe in the cabin, but overall it’s a lovely interior.
There’s loads of space up front, but rear passengers lack headroom if they’re approaching six feet tall. The trade-off is a big boot, and while it’s down on its petrol-engine counterpart, the Clio hybrid still has plenty of room for luggage at 301 litres.
The Clio hybrid has 145hp from its 1.6-litre engine and electric motor, offering up to 67.3mpg - and you won’t be far off that in the real world. It’s a piece of cake to drive around town, with nippy performance and darty handling to go with its easy-to-use automatic gearbox.
Motorways aren’t quite as comforting, as the Clio bounces around a little at high speeds when you reach rutted, broken stretches at high speed. There’s a fair amount of wind and road noise present, too. Country lanes are good fun though, as the stiff suspension means there’s very little body lean.
10. Honda Civic
Honda Civic review
Best for: quiet, comfortable daily driving
The Honda Civic name is venerable, stretching back over 50 years and being synonymous with one of the best hatchbacks you can buy. The latest version is no different, and it’s comfortable, practical and fun to drive.
It stands out in the sea of hatchbacks on sale at the moment, with a dashing, sporty roofline and strong, wide features front and rear. The slim headlights are a highlight, as is the sporty rear bumper.
The interior is also a delightful place to sit, with a minimalist - but not boring - dashboard featuring a very suave strip of honeycomb aluminium mesh right the way across, and loads of soft-touch materials. In fact, the whole cabin feels very solidly put together, and very relaxing to spend time in.
You get buckets of room up front, and while rear passengers have lots of leg room, that handsome sloping roof does eat into headspace to a degree. The 410-litre boot is a useful shape, too.
Around town the Civic’s electric motor does all the heavy lifting driving the front wheels, and the engine is solely responsible for topping up the battery. That makes it very relaxing, and quiet with the engine just ticking away.
Motorways are where the engine takes over, driving the wheels and maximising fuel economy, while staying comfortable and quiet and delivering almost 60mpg in our testing. It’s a riot to drive on a good country lane too, making the Civic an excellent all-rounder.
The Honda Civic name is venerable, stretching back over 50 years and being synonymous with one of the best hatchbacks you can buy. The latest version is no different, and it’s comfortable, practical and fun to drive.
It stands out in the sea of hatchbacks on sale at the moment, with a dashing, sporty roofline and strong, wide features front and rear. The slim headlights are a highlight, as is the sporty rear bumper.
The interior is also a delightful place to sit, with a minimalist - but not boring - dashboard featuring a very suave strip of honeycomb aluminium mesh right the way across, and loads of soft-touch materials. In fact, the whole cabin feels very solidly put together, and very relaxing to spend time in.
You get buckets of room up front, and while rear passengers have lots of leg room, that handsome sloping roof does eat into headspace to a degree. The 410-litre boot is a useful shape, too.
Around town the Civic’s electric motor does all the heavy lifting driving the front wheels, and the engine is solely responsible for topping up the battery. That makes it very relaxing, and quiet with the engine just ticking away.
Motorways are where the engine takes over, driving the wheels and maximising fuel economy, while staying comfortable and quiet and delivering almost 60mpg in our testing. It’s a riot to drive on a good country lane too, making the Civic an excellent all-rounder.
Factors to consider when buying a hybrid car
Plug-in or self-charging hybrid?
If you have easy access to a charger and get a lot of city miles under your belt then a PHEV makes sense, as you’ll barely ever use the engine - saving money in the process. If you rely on public charging, however, you might end up paying more for electricity than you would for fuel.
Budget
Plug-in cars are more expensive to buy than a traditional hybrid, though, so you need to be sure that you’ll offset the increased purchase cost with the fuel savings. For a budget-friendly model, you’re best off going for a self-charging hybrid.
Long-distance driving
If you spend a lot of time on the motorway then you might want to look away from any type of hybrid car, because a diesel-engine alternative would be best. There are a few diesel PHEV models on sale from Mercedes, but unless you do a big mix of city and motorway mileage, you’re better off spending less on a pure-diesel car.
Advertisement
Have you considered getting GAP insurance for your new hybrid car?
Browse all hybrid cars
Advice about hybrid cars
Hybrid cars by make
- Audi hybrid cars
- BMW hybrid cars
- Citroen hybrid cars
- Cupra hybrid cars
- Dacia hybrid cars
- Ford hybrid cars
- Honda hybrid cars
- Hyundai hybrid cars
- Jaguar hybrid cars
- Jeep hybrid cars
- Kia hybrid cars
- Land Rover hybrid cars
- Lexus hybrid cars
- Mazda hybrid cars
- Mercedes-Benz hybrid cars
- Mg hybrid cars
- Nissan hybrid cars
- Peugeot hybrid cars
- Porsche hybrid cars
- Renault hybrid cars
- Skoda hybrid cars
- Suzuki hybrid cars
- Toyota hybrid cars
- Vauxhall hybrid cars
- Volkswagen hybrid cars
- Volvo hybrid cars