Nowadays, you hear a lot of talk about electric cars in the UK, but hybrids go massively under the radar. They blend the best of both worlds, having the efficiency of electric cars with the convenience of traditional cars.
While electric cars are undoubtedly the future of motoring, hybrids provide a present-day solution to the environmental issues facing the automotive industry. Whether you’re looking for a mild or plug-in hybrid, there’s plenty of choice.
In this blog, we’ll introduce you to the five best hybrids available in the UK, discussing their features, performance, and efficiency.
If there’s one thing that Toyota does well, it’s making brilliant hybrid cars. Available as a hatchback or a touring sport, the Toyota Corolla returns solid build quality, reliability, and value for money.
Available with either a 1.8 or 2.0-litre self-charging petrol engine, the Corolla is punchy and comfortable to drive. Both engines return more than 60mpg, and the electric motor manages on its own in stop-start traffic, ideal for a city commute.
Inside, the Corolla is simple to navigate and features a good range of tech. As standard, there’s a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument display.
Like the Toyota Corolla, the Honda Civic has been a trusted car for many years globally. Now in its 11th generation, the Civic continues to impress.
Using Honda’s e:HEV drivetrain, which takes the form of a 2.0-litre petrol engine combined with a 1.06kWh battery to power an 181bhp electric motor. In return, the Civic provides very good performance at over 50mpg.
The hybrid system in the Civic works differently from most. Because of how small the battery is, it can’t run on electric power for that long. However, it can do it at any speed.
You’ll also get a very nice interior featuring a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a seven-inch digital instrument display.
The Kia Niro is the Ford Fiesta of the hybrid world. Although other hybrids might be more exciting or come with a better exterior design, the Niro won’t let you down. A five-door crossover SUV, the Niro is available as either a self-charging or plug-in hybrid.
For the self-charging version, the Niro comes with a 1.6-litre petrol engine that’s combined with a 1.32kWh battery and an electric motor. It’ll return 139bhp and a combined fuel economy of 64.2 mpg.
The Niro PHEV uses the same petrol engine, however, it comes with an 11.1kWh battery. It increases power output to 180bhp and returns an official fuel economy of 353.1mpg.
The Mercedes-Benz C300e is a plug-in hybrid saloon or estate car perfect for those who like to ride in style but want to go green.
Using a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 129bhp electric motor and 25.4kWh battery, the C300e can drive solely electric power for up to 70 miles. It also returns an official combined fuel economy of up to 565mpg. However, we’d expect this to be less in the real world.
As always, with a Mercedes, you get a fantastic cabin. There are plenty of premium materials dotted about, and there’s a great range of tech, such as an 11.9-inch infotainment system and a 12.9-inch digital gauge cluster.
The Mazda MX-30 R-EV is a plug-in hybrid crossover that’s undeniably the stand-out hybrid car for 2024. It’s economical, good to drive, spacious, and has a comfortable interior. Good job, Mazda.
Where other plug-in hybrids use conventional engines, the MX-30 has a small 830cc rotary engine that makes it smoother than a traditional engine. It acts as a generator to top up the 17.8kWh battery, which powers the 168bhp electric motor. It will run on electric power for 53 miles and return a weighted combined fuel economy of 285mpg.
We’d say that the R-EV version of the MX-30 is better than its electric sibling. The battery is large enough for city driving, while the petrol engine allows for long-distance driving without having to worry about range anxiety.
The MX-30 R-EV’s interior is well-built and comfortable. There is enough room for a family, and there’s a good amount of tech, such as an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Looking for more motoring advice? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts produces a range of blogs on various topics, such as Ford Puma: Why Is It So Successful and What Electric Vehicle Manufacturer Should I Choose.
We are also one of the UK’s largest car leasing brokers, offering a range of affordable leasing deals to suit your every need. For more information, call us on 0345 811 9595 or check out our leasing deals.
