Thinking of going hybrid? You’re not alone. A fully electric car can be expensive to buy and difficult to own, especially if you do lots of long trips – a hybrid may not be as ‘green’ a solution but for many, it’s a perfect halfway house while they wait for electric car infrastructure to improve and purchase prices to come down.
Whether you’re looking for new hybrid cars or browsing hybrid second hand cars there’s a glut of excellent models to choose from, from small hybrids to larger estate cars, SUVs and even some MPVs.
Below you’ll find our pick of the best models on sale today.
Skoda Octavia iV
Want a car that ticks every box? You’d be hard-pressed to find one more versatile than the Skoda Octavia iV. It combines a well-finished cabin, comfortable driving dynamics and easy-to-use tech with one of the biggest and most spacious cabins in a car at this price – especially if you opt for the estate.
The plug-in hybrid powertrain is based around a smooth 1.4-litre petrol and can travel up to 40 miles on a charge – ideal for the school run or a daily commute, saving petrol for the weekends.
BMW 330e
If you like the idea of the Skoda Octavia above, but fancy something just a bit posher, it’s hard to go wrong with the BMW 330e. Available as a saloon or a spacious estate, the 330e is fantastic to drive – smooth and relaxed when you want it to be, but impressively fast and with great handling when you put your foot down.
Despite this performance, it’s very efficient when cruising, and BMW’s latest interior is high-tech, easy to use and very high-quality.
Honda Jazz
This is a small car with big-car practicality. The Jazz has always been popular with those who like clever interiors – the so-called ‘Magic Seats’ are a game-changer, turning this from a spacious four-seater with an average boot into a van at the flick of a catch.
We like how the Jazz drives, too – its clever self-charging hybrid system uses solely electric drive at low speeds, so it’s like having an electric car around town and a petrol engine on the motorway.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Who should know more about hybrids than Toyota, the brand that brought them into the mainstream more than two decades ago? The Corolla demands rather less sacrifice than the original Prius did, though – this is a very conventional car now, that just happens to be powered by an excellent hybrid drivetrain.
The promise of over 60mpg, great handling and a well-built interior are all well and good, but it’s Toyota’s ten-year warranty that’s a bit of a game-changer here, making the prospect of keeping your car longer than a three-year finance agreement is quite attractive.
Kia Sorento
Seven-seater hybrid family cars are becoming more common, but we think the Kia Sorento is still one of the best. Available as a self-charging hybrid or a plug-in hybrid, the Sorento seems expensive for a Kia but that impression’s soon dashed once you sit inside and enjoy a spacious, stylish and luxurious interior.
The third row of seats is best suited to children but the second row is very spacious, and there’s a huge selection of standard equipment to keep you safe and comfortable. Add in Kia’s seven-year warranty for peace of mind and the Sorento’s a winner.
