Now is a great time for buying a car, there are more options than ever, especially if you want to get a more eco-friendly car. With the looming diesel ban, where all sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned, this year may be the one you invest in a car that is better for the environment and better for your pocket. We can help you spread the cost by getting a hybrid car on finance and choosing the car you want from a trusted UK dealer. However, you may not be sure which model is right for you just yet.
If you’re looking for the best hybrid cars to buy, we have a great list of low-emission cars that can suit a range of drivers and budgets.
What is a hybrid car?
A hybrid car is one that is powered by dual propulsion. Hybrid cars usually use a combination of petrol/diesel engines with an electric motor. Whilst hybrid cars aren’t as green as fully electric cars, they are still much better for the environment than driving a petrol or diesel equivalent. Check out our top 5 reasons why you should get a hybrid car.
How do hybrid cars work?
How a hybrid car operates can depend on which type of hybrid car you choose. Hybrid cars can fall into three categories which are fully hybrid cars, mild hybrids and plug-in hybrid cars.
Full hybrid cars use both the combustion engine and the electric motor to drive the car and can be used at the same time or independently.
Mild hybrid cars are similar to full hybrids, but the engine or electric motor can’t be used independently. Instead, the small electric motor is only used to assist the engine. Mild hybrids tend to be the cheapest hybrid cars available.
Plug-in hybrid cars can charge their electric motor by being plugged in. Plug-in hybrid cars tend to have a good electric-only range, usually around 30 miles. If you travel around this amount per day, you may never need to use a petrol engine and can adopt an electric-only lifestyle.
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Best hybrid cars on the market today:
We have selected our best hybrid cars for you to choose from:
BMW 330e
At first glance, you wouldn’t even think the BMW 330e was a plug-in hybrid. It has all the aspects of the 3 Series that drivers love, it’s fun to drive, stylish and well built. If you’re worried about range anxiety, the BMW 330e offers around 40 miles of all-electric driving. For families, there is a good amount of space in the back and generous boot size to maximise comfort for everyone in the vehicle. It also works well as a reliable company car with low running costs.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla has had a makeover in recent years and brings a more desirably model with a sharp design. This hatchback also has two hybrid options with either the 1.8-litre engine or a high-performance 2.0-litre engine. Both options benefit from self-charging batteries which charge the battery internally. Engines tend to be smaller and have a lower range, but the comfort, cost-saving, and convenience of the Corolla make it a great choice for many drivers.
Volkswagen Golf GTE
One of our best hybrid cars is the Golf GTE. The Golf has long been a firm favourite with many families and also first-time drivers in the UK. The GTE version brings all the fun of driving a Golf and combines it with a 40-mile range of all-electric driving. The GTE can start from around £36,000 but you could benefit from some great second-hand hybrid car deals. The Volkswagen Golf GTE is a good choice for your hybrid car as it has a nippy 1.4-litre engine that can spring to 62mph in just 6.7 seconds!
Toyota Yaris
No hybrid car list would be complete with the cheapest hybrid car available on the market today. The Toyota Yaris is a great car for young drivers or for commuters. The Yaris is a small hybrid car that has excellent value for money and is cheap to run. The Toyota Yaris hybrid looks more sporty than previous Yaris models and comes with plenty of equipment as standard.
Lexus NX Hybrid
The Lexus NX Hybrid may not be as well-known as other models on our best hybrid cars list, but it certainly shouldn’t be overlooked. The Lexus NX Hybrid comes as a self-charging option and also a PHEV version. The range of the Lexus is the highest on our list with a whopping 50-miles of all-electric driving to enjoy. The Lexus brings all the benefits of driving an electric car without the full electric price tag and no need to compromise!
Kia Sorento
If you’re after a seven-seater hybrid car, it’s hard to look past the Kia Sorento. Available as a plug-in hybrid or self-charging hybrid, the Kia Sorento is an upmarket SUV which is sure to impress. Usually, hybrid cars and seven seats don’t go hand in hand but this car is capable and practical. The interior offers a huge amount of space and even with a full car, everyone on board will be comfortable. It’s been kitted out with a whole lot of helpful technology and useful features. All Kia models come with a 7-year/10k mile warranty too.
Dacia Jogger
We’ve recently featured the the Dacia Jogger on our list of the best family cars to buy and the best cars for carrying bikes so you can imagine just how spacious and affordable it is. Not only that but the Dacia Jogger is an absolute bargain! It’s a seven-seater just like the Kiaq Sorento above but it works best as an occasional seven-seater instead. Whilst the interior doesn’t come with many bells and whistles, it’s great value for money and looks smart too. It’s only available in a self-charging Hybrid model but the two electric motors provide an impressive boost to the 1.6-litre petrol engine.
Honda Jazz
The Honda Jazz is one of the best hybrid cars you can buy if you’re after a small car that packs a punch. Not only is the Honda Jazz incredibly practical but it also looks great too. The Honda Jazz is one of the most reliable cars you can buy so it won’t let you down either! The Honda Jazz offers low running costs thanks to its frugal 1.5-litre petrol engine. When buying from new, you’ll get lots of equipment as standard and it depreciates at a slow rate so it’s able to hold its value for longer.
Hyundai Tucson
Could the Hyundai Tucson be the best hybrid car to buy this year? When it comes to hybrid family cars, the Tucson ticks all the boxes. It’s good-looking, well built and easy to drive. There are many hybrid options to choose from, with all full hybrid, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid models available. It comes with some impressive safety features to keep your whole family safe. From Crosswind Stabilisation Control to 360° Surround Monitor, there’s some great technology on board.
Renault Clio
The Renault Clio has long been a popular model among UK drivers but it was about time it had a well-needed facelift! The new model brings an efficient 1.6-litre hybrid powertrain and a range of new trims to choose from. The Renault Clio is really versatile and would make a great family car, city car or a car for a newly qualified driver! This model is fun to drive and holds its own. The E-Tech engine is smooth and makes it a comfortable ride when driving completely emission-free!
Used hybrid cars
If you’re looking to finance any of the hybrid cars above, we can help you get a low-interest rate car finance deal on many used hybrid cars. You can take your finance deal to any trusted dealership in the UK and get the car you want! Our application form won’t harm your current credit score and we could have a finance decision for you in a matter of hours!