Drivers are flocking to hybrid cars. Changing regulations are forcing car makers to build electric cars, but buyers aren’t that interested in them. Electric cars simply aren’t selling quickly enough to satisfy the government’s ZEV mandate, while plug-in hybrid sales enjoyed a massive 34.1% upswing in March 2025 alone.
Plug-in hybrids are right at the top of the tech tree, sporting massive batteries, powerful electric motors, ultra-low CO2 emissions and long electric-only ranges. The best plug-in hybrids can cover 80 miles without burning a drop of petrol – but they need to be recharged regularly to optimise their efficiency.
Self-charging hybrids are the next rung down on the ladder. They have electric motors that are powerful enough to propel the car on their own, but they have smaller batteries that limit their electric ranges to a few miles at town speeds at best. They’re generally very fuel efficient, offering similar fuel economy to the best diesel cars.
Mild hybrid cars have smaller batteries and weedier electric motors. The sole purpose of electrification here is to improve the efficiency of the petrol engine, bringing small improvements to fuel economy and CO2 emissions. For the purposes of this list, we’ll ignore mild hybrids as they can’t compete with the efficiency offered by self-charging hybrids and PHEVs.
Below, you’ll find our list of the best hybrid cars on sale in the UK in 2025. No matter what sort of car you need or budget you have, there’s a car recommended here to suit you.
Top 10 hybrid cars of 2025
Spacious, tax-efficient, comfortable motoring
You get a chunky official EV range of 82 miles thanks to a huge 25.7kWh battery pack. That’s double the capacity of the previous generation Superb Hybrid. Alternatively, if you use the battery to support the engine rather than replace it, you can get diesel-rivalling fuel economy. We’re also quite fond of the Superb’s cabin, as it shares the same multi-function physical dials as the latest Kodiaq. Try it. We promise you won’t be disappointed.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Superb Hybrid review
Pros
- Enormous electric range
- Excellent practicality
- Comfy, posh interior
Cons
- Not that exciting to drive
- You need to plug-in often
Lexus NX
A vast improvement over the old car
Granted, the NX isn’t the car to go for if you’re looking for a seat-of-the-pants B-road barnstormer (keep scrolling down to our entry on the Civic for that), but it’s an excellent tool for covering big miles. We also like how well Lexus has balanced futurism and user-friendliness in the car’s cabin. The infotainment system looks like it fell out of Apple’s R&D centre, but it’s a doddle to use thanks to its simple menu design and large icons.
To find out more, read our full Lexus RX review
Pros
- Comfortable and refined
- Great infotainment system
- Efficient self-charging hybrid
Cons
- Not exactly exciting
- Only average practicality
Proof that economical doesn’t always mean boring
It’s a lot different to Toyota’s system. There’s no gearbox and, most of the time, the Civic’s engine operates as a generator, producing electricity to feed the electric motor and move the car. However, when you accelerate hard, the engine is coupled directly to the wheels – and it offers a surprising turn of speed with none of the CVT drone you get in, say, a Toyota Corolla or C-HR. Oh yeah, and because the powertrain is mounted to a sleek hatchback rather than a brick-faced SUV, you can get 60mpg out of it without trying.
To find out more, read our full Honda Civic review
Pros
- Powerful and efficient
- Best-in-class ride and handling
- Great build quality
Cons
- No entry-level model
- Tight rear headroom
Best for: Affordable hybrid SUV with rugged style
The Bigster’s hybrid powertrain is our pick of the range, as it has a lot more poke than the car’s more basic 1.2-litre petrol engine. That makes it easier to motivate it up steep hills when you’ve got your family and all their luggage on board. We were also surprised by how nimble it is, which is thanks in no small part to the fact it’s around 200kg lighter than most of its rivals. You pay a minor penalty in refinement compared to the Qashqai, but you can’t have it all when you’re shopping at the budget end of the market.
To find out more, read our full Dacia Bigster review
Pros
- Very competitively priced
- Practical cabin, big boot
- Simple, self-charging hybrid tech
Cons
- Quite basic inside
- Unrefined at speed
An efficient seven-seat SUV at a cracking price
You’re not exactly left wanting for equipment, either, because even the most basic model features a 12.3-inch infotainment system, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic air conditioning and wireless smartphone connectivity. Kia’s hybrid systems are decent, too. The self-charging hybrid can manage between 35 and 40mpg, while the PHEV will return upwards of 80mpg if you charge its battery up regularly. For a car this big and heavy, that’s not bad at all.
To find out more, read our full Kia Sorento review
Pros
- Flexible cabin with seven seats
- Plug-in hybrid works well in town
- Quality, fit and finish are excellent
Cons
- Third row cramped for adults
- Occasionally unsettled ride
BMW 330e
Still the best hybrid for keen drivers
In addition, as part of its recent update, the BMW 330e now has a longer electric driving range of up to 63 miles, which makes it a viable alternative for EV advocates who can't escape the fuel pump. Being a 3 Series, it also handles very well indeed (although not quite as sweetly as the non-hybrid version). Add in generous passenger space, cutting-edge tech and a choice saloon or estate bodies and it’s easy to see why we rate it so highly.
To find out more, read our full BMW 330e review
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Class-leading hybrid efficiency
- Brilliant handling and ride
Cons
- Expensive options
- Warranty trails rivals
Retro-chic looks and stacks of space
If we had to be critical, the PHEV model’s electric driving range could be better. Officially, it can cover 33 miles on battery power alone, which looks a bit stingy alongside the 70-odd miles you can get from the Cupra Terramar. Still, at least the PHEV is efficient. Let it run in hybrid mode and you can get 45mpg from it, which isn’t bad for a massive tank like this.
To find out more, read our Hyundai Santa Fe review
Pros
- Comfortable at speed
- Loaded with gadgets
- Adult-sized third-row seats
Cons
- Short electric driving range
- Limited towing capacity
It’s expensive, but truly wondrous
There are various versions of the Panamera hybrid available, but we’ll focus on the Turbo S E-Hybrid here because it’s the most impressive. It combines a 4.0-litre V8 with a beefy electric motor and a 25.9kWh battery pack to deliver a simply enormous 1,000Nm of torque, a preposterous 0–62mph time of 2.9 seconds and – perhaps most impressively, given how focused it is on performance – an electric driving range of around 50 miles.
To find out more, read our full Porsche Panamera review
Pros
- Immense power
- Surprising efficiency
- Immaculate quality
Cons
- Expensive options
- Vast dimensions
Sensible, dependable hybrid motoring
Yes, it isn’t quite as fun to drive as the Ford Puma, but it puts on a decent show. It certainly won’t bore you to tears. Plus, we think that’s forgivable when you factor in Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability and the fact the brand is offering the Yaris Cross with a 10-year warranty if you take it back to a main dealer for its annual service. As a tool for making family life easier, the Yaris Cross is up there with the best.
To find out more, read our full Toyota Yaris Cross review
Pros
- Perfectly sized
- Stunning economy
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Slow infotainment
- Interior is rather plain
MG3 Hybrid+
Bargain price, hot hatch performance
You don’t make many sacrifices by opting for the MG, either. It might not be as engaging to drive as the Clio, but it can more than compete with its French rival’s fuel efficiency. We averaged more than 50mpg during our time with the car. Plus, when you’re not driving it carefully, you have 194hp to play with. That’s about the same as the old Ford Fiesta ST – and it means the 3 Hybrid+ is a deceptively fast Q-car. It’s great at overtaking stuff.
To find out more, read our full MG 3 Hybrid+ review
Pros
- Strong acceleration
- Good spec for the money
- Roomy in the rear
Cons
- So-so interior quality
- A bit unrefined when pushed
FAQs: Hybrid car buying guide
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What is the difference between a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid car?
A full hybrid car (also called a self-charging hybrid) uses both a petrol engine and electric motor, charging the battery as you drive – no plug needed. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has a bigger battery and needs to be charged via a wallbox or public charger, typically giving 20-60 miles of electric-only range. A mild hybrid (MHEV) helps the engine save fuel, but generally can’t drive on electric power alone. All three potentially offer better fuel economy than regular petrol cars.
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Is a hybrid car right for me?
Hybrid cars are ideal if you want to reduce your fuel costs without switching to a fully electric car. If you mostly drive short distances and can charge at home, a plug-in hybrid could save you the most. If you don’t have easy access to charging, a self-charging hybrid is the better choice. Mild hybrids are perfect if you want something efficient but simple.
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Can you drive a plug-in hybrid without charging it?
Yes, you can, but once it's out of charge, you’ll be using the petrol engine more often, which reduces the fuel-saving benefits. Plug-in hybrids work like a regular hybrid when the battery is empty, but you’ll get the best economy (and lowest emissions) if you charge it regularly, ideally at home for the lowest costs. If you can’t charge often, consider a self-charging hybrid instead.
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Are hybrid cars cheaper to run than petrol or diesel?
Yes, especially around town or if you do a lot of short trips. Hybrids use less fuel and produce fewer emissions, and plug-in hybrids can be cheap to fuel if you do most of your driving in electric mode, and charge at home. They also offer lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rates for company car drivers.
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Do hybrid cars save money in the long run?
They can, especially if you pick the right type for your lifestyle. Hybrids typically cost more to buy than petrol or diesel cars, but you’ll save on fuel, road tax, and (for PHEVs) company car tax. Running costs are lower if you charge a PHEV regularly or do a lot of city driving in a hybrid. And with more low-emission zones popping up, hybrids are a smart way to futureproof next car.
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Do hybrid cars hold their value?
These days, yes. Hybrid cars generally have stronger resale values, especially from more reliable carmakers (with a history in buildkng hybroids) like Toyota and Honda. Plug-in hybrids are also growing in popularity as more buyers look for greener alternatives to their old diesels. As hybrid tech becomes the new normal, you’re less likely to see heavy depreciation compared to those older oil burners.
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