The Motability scheme means that people with disabilities can lease a hybrid car at a discounted rate compared with standard lease deals. You can use your disability-related benefits to finance a car chosen from a list of approved vehicles of all shapes and sizes.
If you’re thinking of taking on a hybrid, the Motability scheme can help as it offers plenty of cars that will allow you to take the advantages of a petrol (or diesel) car, allied with electric running for short distances when desired. However, the cars available are regularly changing, so please check the Motability website for the latest options.
To help you with the job of picking your next car, our experts at Parkers have rounded-up the 10 best hybrid cars on Motability to put on your drive now.
Best hybrid cars on Motability 2024
BMW 330e
Great to drive, with superb battery efficiency
It’s quick with instant overtaking punch and brilliantly economical when you’re cruising and just want to get there quietly. It also handles very well indeed, despite the added weight of the hybrid system, which makes it slightly less balanced than the petrol and diesel only versions.
Read our full BMW 330e review
Pros
- Potent acceleration
- Excellent hybrid efficiency
- Fabulous dynamics
Cons
- Expensive when optioned
- BMW warranty lags behind cheaper rivals
Comfortable and pragmatic choice of practical family car
But we don’t just rate it for its wide model range – it’s also an uncommonly capable family car. It’s well-finished, roomy and comfortable with tons of passenger space. The boot’s also large enough to swallow a week’s worth of luggage, making it perfect for large families. The plug-in hybrid powertrain is capable of almost 40 miles of electric-only running.
Read our full Skoda Octavia review
Pros
- Excellent fuel consumption
- Roomy, practical interior
- Mild, full and plug-in hybrids available
Cons
- Infotainment could be slicker
- Touch controls are poor to use
Space and excellent dynamics are the name of this hybrid hatchback’s game
Even the base model has lots of equipment, while the mid-level Sport and range-topping Advance models really pile on the kit. For the huge number of buyers unable or unwilling to plug-in at home, this is where you want to be.
Read our full Honda Civic review
Pros
- Refined, punchy and supremely economical
- Good to drive, with sporty handling
- Excellent practicality, well-shaped boot
Cons
- If you plug-in, look elsewhere
- Rear headroom could be better
Solidly reliable with budget-friendly running costs
Buyers can choose between two self-charging hybrid powertrains, the most efficient of which can comfortably achieve 60mpg. It’s good, but the Civic does it just that little bit better – warranty support aside.
Read our full Toyota Corolla review
Pros
- Excellent fuel economy
- Nice steering and handling
- Dealer support and reliability
Cons
- Poor rear head and legroom
- Not as good as the Honda Civic
Roomy, practical and backed-up with a great warranty
Even the entry-level 2 trim comes with plenty of useful kit and four tall adults will fit inside. The boot is fine, but is reduced to family hatchback-sized on the plug-in version, though, thanks to additional hybrid gubbins under the floor.
Read our full Kia Niro review
Pros
- Roomy, high-quality interior
- Efficient hybrid engines
- Full and plug-in hybrids (and electric!)
Cons
- Unrefined engines
- No great shakes to drive
Striking small hatchback is perfect for the mean streets of the big cities
We also rate the Toyota’s 10-year warranty support scheme known as Relax. The interior is nothing to write home about, but it’s certainly tough enough to withstand even the most destructive toddler.
Read our full Toyota Yaris review
Pros
- Excellent car around town
- Toyota reliability and dealer support
- Fuel consumption
Cons
- Cramped rear seats
- Interior design is dull
Lexus NX
Premium mid-sized SUV boasts green smarts
The standard self-charging model beats 40mpg without trying too hard, which is what you’d once have expected from a hyper-economical diesel not so long ago. It also comes with lots of luxury car extras like a wireless phone charger, plush leather upholstery and ventilated seats.
Read our full Lexus NX review
Pros
- Four-wheel drive for those who need it
- The best dealers in the business
- Excellent interior quality and trims
Cons
- Some ergonomic issues
- Good, but not great on the road
BMW X3
Sporty family SUV is a treat for keen drivers
It’s quick, efficient and unlike the larger X5 doesn’t struggle delivering some impressive MPG figures. Its suspension and steering are sharper than rival SUVs, which makes it an excellent choice for keen drivers. All that really counts against it is suspension so firm that’ll have you playing slalom with potholes.
Read our full BMW X3 review
Pros
- Decent PHEV range
- Excellent driving position
- Refined and strong performance
Cons
- Expensive before options
- Firm ride on M Sport models
Stylish, quick, and plush inside – it’s the unconventional choice
The 225hp Hybrid version is probably all you need, as the Hybrid4’s 300hp almost feels like overkill. What really makes it appealing is that stunning interior though – it’s far more interesting than the equivalent Skoda Karoq or Kia Sportage.
Read our full Peugeot 3008 review
Pros
- Comfortable ride and seats
- Two PHEVs to choose from
- Distinctive styling inside and out
Cons
- Driving position not to all tastes
- Handling is not as sharp as we’d like
The luxury family choice with a superb interior
The C300 hybrid is definitely the one to go for. It’s powered by a 258hp mild-hybrid four-cylinder petrol engine (so you don’t need to plug it in) which offers a good balance between fuel economy, affordability and performance. If you want a plug-in, the C300de is an interesting alternative, as it combines hybrid and diesel seamlessly.
Read our full Mercedes-Benz C-Class review
Pros
- Excellent interior tech and voice control
- Economical, with long battery range
- Comfortable ride, tidy handling
Cons
- Some interior quality issues
- Could be roomier inside
How to qualify for Motability
Motability is a charitable scheme that allows people in receipt of a disability mobility allowance to use their monthly payment to lease a car, enabling them to get out and about. Non-drivers, parents and carers can also qualify so it’s worth reading up on.
To be eligible you need to be in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA), the Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP), the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) or the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).
Almost everything is included, with insurance, breakdown cover, maintenance and servicing all covered – customers just pay for the fuel they use.
Does Motability do hybrid cars?
Motability does offer hybrid cars. Mild, regular and plug-in hybrid vehicles are all available.
How many hybrid cars are available on the Motability Scheme?
At time of writing more than 25 hybrid models are on offer, including regular hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars. Superminis, saloons, estates and family hatchbacks are available.
Are there any hybrid cars on Motability with nil deposit?
Technically, there are no cars with nil deposit. This is because the money you put down with Motability is an advanced payment, not a deposit. The distinction is important to make as you will not get back the money you put down.
At time of writing there were several hybrid cars available with no money down. But this is always changing, so it’s worth checking the Motability website.
Keith Adams
Keith Adams is the editor of Parkers and has been an automotive journalist since 2004. He’s also edited Classic Car Weekly, Modern Classics, Honest John Classics as well as contributed to CAR, Evo, Octane, Autocar and Pistonheads as well as many other titles in a varied career.
