Mazda MX30 outsize Arnold Clark branch

What are the best hybrid cars (UK)?

If you're not ready to go fully electric just yet, but you're looking to drive something more economical, a hybrid car could be perfect for you.

9 January 2025

In 2025, it was revealed by The AA that UK drivers are around four times more likely to buy a hybrid vehicle than an EV for their next car. So clearly, making the switch to a fully electric car is still daunting for many British motorists.

Therefore, we've put together our list of the best hybrid cars currently available in the UK, considering key factors such as fuel economy, emissions, driving experience and practicality. The list below is ordered one to ten in ascending order of fuel economy.

All cars in the list below can be driven in Low Emission Zones and Ultra Low Emission Zones.

Whether you're looking to improve your fuel economy, lessen your carbon footprint or it's just time for something new, then a hybrid car could be the perfect option for you.

Our list of the best hybrid cars

Mazda MX-30 R-EV Hybrid

Mazda MX30 outside Arnold Clark branch

The Mazda MX-30 R-EV isn't like any other hybrid car on the market, it's driven purely by its electric motor. It doesn't use power from the wheels directly but acts as a generator to charge the battery.

Its unique rotary engine is synonymous with Mazda, and it remains the only mainstream car manufacturer to put it into mass production. That's why it's one of our top picks for best petrol hybrid cars currently available.

The 17.8kWh battery pack inside the Mazda MX-30 R-EV offers 53 miles* of pure EV mileage before a little single-rotor 830cc 73bhp rotary Wankel petrol engine kicks in and adds a further 320 miles* of range.

Now to the technical stuff. The engine isn't there to directly power the wheels like other hybrids. Instead, a generator creates energy for the 168bhp electric motor that ultimately powers the car.

In terms of driving performance, there are three modes to choose from - 'Normal', 'EV' and 'Charge'. 'Normal' only uses electric energy and keeps the rotary engine turned off unless battery charge becomes low. 'EV' mode forces the car to keep the engine switched off for even longer; and 'Charge' merely uses the engine to (rather inefficiently) charge the battery.

Looks-wise, the MX-30 R-EV's 'freestyle doors', which previously featured on other Mazda models such as the RX-8, will make you stand out from the crowd. The front doors open forward to an angle of 82 degrees, while the rear doors open backwards to an angle of 80 degrees.

The cabin is spacious and stylish, mainly thanks to a floating centre console that sits independently from the dashboard. It also uses environmentally friendly materials inside, including a vegan alternative to leather.

What do I think of the car? I have enjoyed driving it 100% and what's so impressive about it, well, it comes in basically the same price as the MX-30 EV, so would I push you towards the rotary engine one? I think I would - and why? Well, I had a blast finding out about the rotary engine and driving the rotary engine and trying to tell you. It's a lovely car, what's not to like about it? It's a plug-in hybrid that gives you great range and it's fun to drive.

- Duncan Vincent, Arnold Clark YouTube presenter
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Citroën C5 X Hybrid

Citroen C5-X outside Arnold Clark branch

If you're looking for a hybrid that delivers in terms of handling and technology, then the quirky Citroën C5 X could be the hybrid car for you. You'll find an EAT8 automatic gearbox and a choice of three trim levels - 'You!', 'Plus' or 'Max'.

The PHEV model offers a potential 39-mile* EV driving range from its 12.4kWh battery, while you can drive at speeds of up to 84mph in the car's 'Electric' drive mode.

When in 'Electric' mode, you'll find the C5 X quiet inside the cabin thanks to its acoustic windscreen glazing, which extends to the front-side windows in the top-spec variation.

The model stands out due to its technology offerings, including its driving assistance systems, which use various advanced devices installed all around the vehicle, such as the radar and numerous cameras and sensors.

With its 'Highway Driver Assist'system, the C5 X can offer advanced semi-autonomous level 2 driving. By combining adaptive cruise control with 'Stop & Go' and lane keeping assist, the driver no longer needs to manage speed or trajectory as the vehicle takes care of all these functions.

Other features that make driving easier and stress-free include long-range blind spot detection and rear-cross traffic alert, which detects a danger when reversing. In terms of the best used hybrid cars currently available in the UK, the C5 X is most definitely up there.

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Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

Hyundai Tucson Hybrid at Arnold Clark branch

If you are interested in the best self-charging hybrid cars then look no further than the Hyundai Tucson, The model is now in its fourth generation and looking, driving and feeling the best it ever has.

The mid-sized SUV has a 'Prius'-style self-charging petrol/electric engine, alongside a six-speed auto gearbox. The automatic gearbox is mated to a 60PS electric motor which is powered by a 1.49kWh battery.

The battery might not be the biggest, but it's very efficient and replenishes itself with regenerative energy. You can also select between full-hybrid or full-electric motion using the button on the centre console, which means you can always cruise in control.

At 4.5m long, the Tucson is one of the larger mid-sized SUV models in the segment. Inside, the Tucson shares its aesthetics with Hyundai's latest electric models; showcasing twin screens, which are now 12.3 inches in size in new models (up from 10.25 inches before).

The redesigned dashboard has a new horizontal crash pad, while there's also a wireless charging pad housed in the centre armrest.

Sometimes boot space in hybrid models can be compromised due to the position of the battery. However, the Tucson still offers an impressive 616 litres of cargo space.

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MG ZS Hybrid

MG ZS

Speaking of the best value hybrid cars on the market, we have the MG ZS. According to MG founder Cecil Kimber, he wanted to make hybrid and EV cars that would be 'affordable and fun to drive'.

The model was recently voted 'Best Hybrid Car 2025' by Carbuyer, so don't just take it from us! With the flagship Trophy trim only costing around £25,000, it still undercuts most rivals in terms of affordability for all the features and tech you get.

The model has a smarter front face thanks to the way that the 'stellar field' front grille of the original model has evolved into a more striking hexagonal grille which frames the famous MG logo.

There are full-LED headlamps which sweep back towards the wings, plus 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside you get leather-style upholstery, heated seats and steering wheel, 360-degree camera and a 12.3-inch touchscreen.

In terms of cargo space, with all five seats in use, a respectable 443 litres is available. If you fold the rear bench down, it extends to 1,298 litres.

When looking at the model's performance and handling, opt for the SE trim and you'll get a 197bhp engine capable of going from 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds. The ZS can also achieve up to 55.4mpg*, so it's an efficient hybrid, too.

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Dacia Jogger Hybrid

Dacia Jogger with pitched tent

The Dacia Jogger is the Renault-owned Romanian brand's first hybrid vehicle to come to market. But what makes the Jogger one of the best hybrid cars on the market? Well, it offers a proper full hybrid powertrain, seven seats and automatic transmission, all for under £25,000.**

It's our pick of the best hybrid estate cars available in 2025. The Jogger has a 1.6-litre petrol engine paired to a clutchless four-speed auto gearbox and a couple of electric motors that are powered by a 1.2kWh battery.

It's also Dacia's longest model, measuring 4.5m thanks to the 30cm wheelbase increase it has over its Sandero hatch stablemate. The interior looks great too, with a seven-inch digital instrument screen that shows things like mpg, energy flow and how much batteries charge the hybrid system still has.

The boot volume is only 213 litres, but you can fold the rear bench to free up as much as 712 litres of space. Plus, if you need more room, the middle row seats roll forward and split in a 60:40 configuration.

...you're guaranteed plenty of space. Yes, the back row is a touch tighter for head and knee room than in the middle section but it's still more comfy back there than larger seven seaters like the Škoda Kodiaq and the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

- Peter Martin

But as we mentioned, this is a bigger hybrid car than most available at this price point, you'll find wide-opening doors and reasonable knee room throughout the cabin.

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Honda Civic e:HEV

Honda Civic e:HEV

Over the last 50 years, the Honda Civic has arguably been one of the most popular cars in the UK. Since it first hit British roads in 1972, the Civic has gone through many updates and facelifts. But a couple of years ago, the Mk11 model of the Civic arrived on the scene, with a full hybrid powertrain.

The Honda Civic e:HEV is a self-charging car, meaning you don't have to plug in, but can still reap the benefits of a ride with lower emissions. And in terms of performance, this Civic certainly delivers. It's almost completely silent when you're driving on purely electric power, ensuring for a truly smooth motoring experience. Looks-wise, the Civic's striking fastback body style has always been iconic - one of the many reasons why it's so appealing to drivers of all ages. Inside, the cabin ergonomics make for a convenient and comfortable cockpit experience, with everything just where you want it.

In comparison to some of its rivals like the Kia Ceed, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf, the Honda Civic e:HEV definitely has more room. The hatchback's five-door body also means it's easy to access the rear passenger compartment.

Out back, there's an impressive 410 litres of room. That's 30 more litres than you'd find in a Volkswagen Golf and 97 more than in a Toyota Corolla. Plus, with the rear seats dropped, cargo volume grows to 1,220 litres.

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Vauxhall Astra Hybrid

Vauxhall Astra Silver

The Vauxhall Astra has been and continues to be one of the most popular cars on UK roads, so it's no surprise that the hybrid version of the model makes our list of the best hybrid cars of 2025.

The hybrid Astra offers customers who are still unsure about committing to switching to electric an appealing interim option. You get an eight-speed automatic gearbox and an electric motor which is powered by a 12.4kWh battery.

With its 180PS powertrain, Vauxhall reckons it can go up to 42 miles* (EAER-rated) on electricity alone, reaching an electric top speed of 84mph. To take advantage of that, you need to go into the dedicated pure electric drive mode.

There are four trims available, but all come with a 10-inch colour touchscreen and 10-inch digital instrument cluster with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. You'll also find an extensive variety of driver convenience and safety technology.

Plus, there's an estate body type available if you want something more spacious than a hatchback. The Vauxhall Astra is another fantastic example of the best second-hand hybrid cars available on the market today.

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Renault Rafale Hybrid

Renault Rafale

A new arrival to Arnold Clark showrooms in 2025 is the Renault Rafale. When it comes to best hybrid family cars, we have it at the top of our list. This stylish and sophisticated mid-sized crossover SUV is built upon the Renault-Nissan CMF-CD platform which other models like the Renault Australe share.

The Rafale is based on Renault's aviation past and gets its name from the C.460 Rafale monoplane. The model comes in three different trims - Techno, Techno Esprit Alpine and the flagship Iconic Esprit Alpine.

The powertrain is powerful, economical, automatic and self-charging. The 200 hp E-Tech full hybrid petrol powertrain is linked to a clutchless multimode automatic gearbox, providing impressive figures - 60.1 mpg* and 105 g/km CO2 - and a range of up to 683 miles. *

The model handles smoothly out on the road, offering an extremely satisfying driving experience. Here's what Duncan had to say about the model when he took it for a road test:

I like the hybrid because it gives me huge range and the way it goes from EV to petrol internal combustion engine is so smooth. The transition in some cars can be a little bit jumpy but this is so smooth!

- Duncan Vincent, Arnold Clark YouTube presenter

The Rafale's coupé-SUV body style is similar to a Peugeot 408. However, on the inside, its Alcantara upholstery adds a sporty, luxurious feel to the cabin. You'll get 535 litres of boot space with all five seats in use, collapse the rear bench to extend this to 1,709 litres.

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Toyota C-HR Hybrid

Toyota C-HR Hybrid

The second generation of the Toyota C-HR hit the market at the end of 2023, with Toyota adding a PHEV variant to their hybrid line-up. The updated C-HR benefits from improved styling, smart looks and updated tech.

Inside, you'll find a well-designed, intuitive and comfortable cockpit. Buttons below your touch screen infotainment system allow you to manage climate control. Use the switches on the centre console to navigate hybrid and electric drive modes.

Boot space has decreased in the newer variation of the C-HR, with either 388 or 364 litres, depending on your choice between 1.8 or 2.0-litre hybrid drivetrains. Either way, the rear seat back still splits 60:40.

You'll still be able to find second-hand models with the larger boot in stock if cargo space is non-negotiable.

The selling point for us with regards to the C-HR is economy and efficiency. The 1.8-litre engine can return up to 60.1mpg* on the combined cycle and around 105g/km of CO2. The 13.8kWh battery can also take you up to 41 miles* on electric power alone when fully charged.

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Mercedes-Benz CLA Hybrid

Mercedes-Benz CLA Hybrid

If you're on the hunt for one of the best hybrid cars around but fancy a more luxurious option, the Mercedes-Benz CLA is worth taking note of. The Mercedes-Benz CLA range offers a plug-in hybrid option in the form of the CLA 250 e.

The model uses a 1.33-litre engine mated to a revised 15.6kWh battery and a powertrain that has a system output of 218hp. The CLA 250 e also has an improved all-electric driving range of up to 51 miles*, an improvement of eight miles on previous models.

This second-generation version of Mercedes-Benz's four-door CLA Coupé has been revised and it's a bit more compact and coupé-like, yet has four doors and a decent-sized 395-litre boot.

Mercedes-Benz say the CLA 250 e is a 'sporty' alternative to its more conventional C-Class saloon; it shares its chassis, steering and braking architecture with A and B-Class models.

Inside, the is very similar to the A-Class, which means that the 10.25-inch instrument screen has new display styles: 'Classic', 'Sporty' and 'Discreet'.

The USB ports are now illuminated, there's a Nappa leather-trimmed steering wheel, ARTICO-trimmed 'comfort' seats and, on most models, you now get wireless connectivity for the 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring system, alongside a 10.25-inch touchscreen media centre display.

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**Please contact us directly for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to requirements, including status and availability. Price illustrations based on available stock at time of writing. Prices may vary. *Figures for fuel consumption, the CO2 produced, and/or the pure electric range are provided for comparative purposes only and are based on laboratory testing. The actual figures under real-world driving conditions will depend upon a number of factors, including any accessories fitted after registration, variations in driving styles, weather conditions, vehicle load and the health of the battery.