PHEVs and regular hybrids rated
In just four years’ time, new petrol and diesel cars will no longer be sold in the UK, but there’s a lifeline for those not yet ready to go fully electric: the new hybrid cars It will continue to be sold until 2035.
Whether ‘self-charging’ or plug-in (PHEV), hybrids are currently the first choice for those looking to combine green emissions rates with low running costs and the ability to refuel in minutes from a pump.
They offer a safety net for private buyers: in urban areas you can only silently navigate while running. HOUSE Then switch to the combustion engine for longer trips on the highway.
For company car For drivers, PHEVs bring much lower benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax rates, helping to further reduce operating costs.
The technology surrounding hybrids and PHEVs has matured significantly in just the last few years, and a handful of new PHEVs are now electric range only More than 80 miles.
Hybrids like this Honda Civic e:HEV It has also grown in popularity, appealing to people who don’t have a driveway for charging but still want more than 60mpg.
we think Volkswagen Golf eHybrid It is the best hybrid money can buy today. It’s a practical family hatchback that’s easy to drive, easy to use and comes with truly admirable all-electric range.
So what other hybrids make the top 10? Read on to find out.
1. Volkswagen Golf eHybrid
Best for: All round talent
The latest Golf marks a true return to form for the archetypal family hatchback. It comes in two PHEV forms; 201bhp eHybrid and 268 horsepower GTE, The first of these is our pick from the range, and we think it’s the best hybrid you can buy today.
Best Hybrid Award of 2025 Autocar AwardsThe Golf eHybrid offers a massive 138km electric range in a package that drives well, has slippery steering, assured grip and a very supple ride.
While it’s not a car that will make you grab the keys for an illegal B-road blast, its ability to effortlessly accomplish any task is endearing, as is the chameleon-like quality that adapts to any environment.
Drawbacks include the touchscreen infotainment system being a bit frustrating to use, and the hybrid models having marginally less boot space, reduced to 273 litres.
2.Toyota Corolla
Best for: Daily economy
Toyota is now well advanced in normalizing hybrid power, and no car on sale does it better than the Corolla.
It combines a healthy dose of visual style with strong perceived cabin quality, and is dynamically enhanced and quite successfully tuned to distinguish ride and handling sophistication.
In its top-spec 2.0-litre hybrid form, it delivers a somewhat sporty performance. Alternatively, the more modest 1.8-litre hybrid (it even comes in Corolla Commercial van form for those who need it) will routinely return 70mpg daily if you keep one eye on efficiency.
Versatile ownership credentials mean Corolla owners can feel just as good about owning and driving as they do about their spending at the pump.
3. Skoda Superb iV
Best for: families
Whether company car buyers or those looking for an efficient, family estate car with an outstanding EV range, the Skoda Superb PHEV is an extremely attractive option.
Skoda has a knack for taking Volkswagen Group hardware and software and using it to create a more attractive and useful car, and the Superb iV is no exception.
This PHEV gains major improvements over its predecessor: with a massive 25.7kWh of power mounted in the boot, it promises an impressive electric range of up to 135km and falls into the very wallet-friendly 6% BIK tax band.
The addition of such a large battery means the standard car’s 690-litre boot capacity drops to 510 litres, but the Superb remains an excellent family wagon and a standout in the estate class.
4. Volvo V60 T6
Best for: Versatility
You could spend a lot more than that on a modern electric Volvo, but the way this particular V60 combines value for money with efficiency, usable electric range and everyday versatility reminds you of the best family cars the Swedish firm produced decades ago, before it became preoccupied with hard-edged modern design.
After all, who in their right mind would argue that 345 hp and 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds aren’t enough for a family car where comfort is at the forefront?
Who can argue with the ride and handling, which clearly aims for the first of these concepts at the expense of the second, but doesn’t disparage either?
Who wouldn’t be pleased with a smart, attractive, well-packaged interior packed with tidy storage solutions and a 519-litre boot that comes with its own pop-up luggage compartment organizer and elastic bag holder?
The V60 T6 Recharge seals the deal here with a hybrid system that offers a lab-verified 55-mile electric range and plenty of associated operating cost savings potential.
5.BMW 330e
Best for: sports character
BMW has introduced significant updates to the PHEV version of the 3 Series, making it more competitive in its class in terms of electric range.
With a large 19.5kWh battery, the 330e is claimed to have an EV range of up to 63 miles, but in real-world conditions you’ll probably get closer to 50 miles.
What makes the 330e so appealing as a hybrid package is how well it can disguise the complexity of its powertrain.
One minute it’s a quiet, urban electric cruiser, the next minute it’s a well-balanced, rear-wheel-drive sedan or estate with driver interest and sporty character.
The duality of the 330e means the lack of an efficient 320d diesel model in the 3 Series range is no longer an issue.
6. Renault Clio E-Tech
Best for: They love supermini
Clio is the smallest car on this list and also the cheapest.
Badged E-Tech Full Hybrid, the hybrid version uses a 1.6-liter gasoline engine and two electric motors; These combine to deliver 143bhp and 151lb ft to the front wheels.
It can only be purchased with an automatic transmission, but its performance is strong. It will achieve a 0-62mph time of 9.3 seconds while boasting a fuel consumption figure of 67.3mpg.
Clio’s interior is stylish and comfortable, with an intuitive layout and useful buttons.
If you want to keep your feet on the ground, the Clio holds its own well on the road, too. It’s agile and composed in corners, and while it’s not as impressive as the Ford Fiesta it once was, it’s engaging and fun in most scenarios.
7. Range Rover Sport P460e
Best for: luxury charm
Range Rover Sport is everything you’d expect from a luxury SUV: practical, extremely versatile, smooth, elegant and excellent to drive.
The plug-in hybrid P460e packs efficiency thanks to its large 31.8kWh (usable) battery, giving it an excellent EV range of 76 miles, more than the rival BMW X5 xDrive50e (64 miles).
Despite the P460e’s 2660kg curb weight, it’s still a fast SUV. Its 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine and 215-hp electric motor deliver a total output of 454 hp, resulting in a 0-60 mph time of under 5.5 seconds.
Of course, being a luxury product, the Sport isn’t cheap (prices start from £90,310), but few PHEV SUVs offer the same level of comfort, refinement and smooth driving ability.
8.BMW 550e
Best for: long journeys
The BMW 5 Series is a true ‘have your cake, eat it and lose weight’ car, and we think the 550e model is one of the best hybrids on sale today.
The engine range opens with a The 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol is available as a 205bhp mild-hybrid (badged 520i), followed by a 295bhp, plug-in hybrid 530e.
At the top of the series is the 550e xDrive, which uses a 308-horsepower B58 six-cylinder gasoline engine and a 194-horsepower electric motor. Total output is 483 hp, which translates to a 0-to-62 mph time of 4.4 seconds.
Its strengths are its impressive handling and comfortable ride, aided by adaptive dampers. Its engines are also quite refined and offer significant speed across the range, but the top-of-the-range 550e is quite expensive.
9. Honda Civic
Best for: Comfort
Despite the growing number of SUVs, Honda has stuck to the traditional family hatchback template for the Civic and has recently received a number of tweaks as part of its mid-life update.
Incredibly, the Japanese machine is in its 11th generation but shows no signs of slowing down or resting.
Like the HR-V crossover and Jazz supermini, it uses Honda’s intelligent e:HEV powertrain; In most cases, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is used as a generator for a 1.05 kWh battery, which powers a 181 hp electric drive motor.
Honda claims the Civic is good enough for 56.5mpg, and during testing it was easy to match that figure without any real effort.
The Civic’s ride is much better than most of its rivals. It offers impressive handling, quick steering and impressive body control. Thanks to its tidy ride, it’s also one of the most comfortable hatchbacks on sale.
10.Mercedes-Benz E300e
Best for: smashing BIK
The new car market is advancing at an alarming pace. New brands are the new norm, with different marketing strategies and purchase reasons.
The E-Class goes against this and stays true to what it has always done: offering drivers quality, comfort, space and elegance.
The E300e is the model of choice for company car drivers. It’s rated for 70 miles of EV range and is one of the very few. PHEVIt will propose a 6% company car tax.
It’s also frugal in real-world conditions. We averaged 45.5 mpg in most of our testing and frequently saw 60 mpg; This means a total range of approximately 900 miles.
The average in EV mode was also 3.0 mpkWh; That’s a figure some EV purists would be jealous of.
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