The best hybrid cars 2021
Hybrids are very much part of our motoring landscape right now. Not everyone is ready to make the leap to fully-electric so hybrids bridge the gap as we transition toward reducing vehicles’ tailpipe emissions.
Choosing a hybrid means using electric power where possible without sacrificing the convenience of the global fuel station infrastructure.
Whether you pick a full hybrid (which charges as you drive and which can travel short distances on electric propulsion alone) or a plug-in hybrid (also called a PHEV, which can travel typically 20-40 miles without the use of an engine). They can offer sensible, practical and cost-effective motoring.
Is petrol and diesel going to be banned?
The simple answer is ‘not yet’. By 2030, new cars won’t be allowed to be powered just by petrol or diesel engines, but new hybrids will be available for a period, as long as they are capable of driving a ‘significant’ distance. But the Government hasn’t yet defined ‘significant’ so don’t let that sway your decision on whether you should get a hybrid or not.
What this means today is manufacturers are expanding their ranges to include models with hybrid technology to satisfy this growing future demand.
What’s hot?
What do we mean by ‘hot’? For us, it’s smart, efficient and desirable. And the great news is the choice of interesting and practical hybrids is huge.
Choosing a hybrid doesn’t limit you to any specific type of car: there are city cars and supercars - and everything in between - which use hybrid technology. So we’ve picked our best hybrid cars of 2021.
Volkswagen Golf GTE
The benchmark for the mid-sized do-everything car, the eighth generation of the Volkswagen Golf now joins the hybrid gang. Gently sporty, definitely practical and now partly electric as a PHEV, the Golf GTE promises a 40-mile electric range with the the smooth 1.4 TSI petrol engine for longer drives.
BMW 330e
If you are looking for a decent-handling exec saloon with the advantage of plug-in hybrid technology, BMW’s 330e should fit the bill. Enjoy a decent 36-mile range and those famed BMW driving characteristics.
Mercedes-Benz E300 e/de
If you are seeking a luxury drive with the convenience of hybrid technology, the Mercedes-Benz E300 e/de plug-in hybrid will deliver a cosseting interior, graceful looks and up to 34 miles on battery power alone. The E-Class is also one of the few hybrids to be offered both as a petrol (e) or diesel (de) version. The de is also offered as one of the best hybrid estate cars, too.
Land Rover Defender PHEV
The new Defender had to make it in this list as one of the best petrol hybrid cars. It is a fine 4x4 both on- and off-road. And now it’s available in PHEV form so regular local trips can be achieved in EV mode. But if your thoughts turn to adventuring - as they surely will with this capable Land Rover - then its petrol engine will take you the distance.
Škoda Superb Estate iV
When it comes to smart wagons, few come close to the elegance and refinement of the Škoda flagship Superb. It’s spacious, well-built and delightfully understated. It also has a very usable plug-in range of up to 37 miles making it the best hybrid company car.
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports Hybrid
Toyota has been associated with building the best hybrid cars for almost a quarter of a century and while much of the technology is common across different models, we’ll plump for the Corolla estate or Touring Sports Hybrid. We like the looks, good interior space and the no-nonsense hybrid tech just getting on and doing its thing. Available with either 1.8 or more powerful 2.0-litre petrol hybrid engines.
Volvo XC60 Recharge
Of all the Volvo SUVs, the mid-sized Volvo XC60 ticks all the boxes for one of the best hybrid SUV around. This elegant Swede is large enough for an exciting road trip but nimble enough for cities and rural lanes. And now carrying Volvo’s new Recharge branding, it’s available as a PHEV offering up to 32 miles on a charge.
Honda NSX
It’s hard to believe the first generation NSX is over 30 years old. Three decades on, the NSX has arguably become the supercar in the list of best small hybrid cars. All-wheel-drive and 581PS, this hybrid isn’t about compromise but performance. Beautifully made and with a fine-handling chassis, the NSX is an absolute delight.
Honda Jazz e:HEV
For a compact hybrid, Honda’s all-new Jazz delivers great space within its small dimensions - ideal for both city and extra urban life. Power is 97 PS from a combination of battery and 1.5-litre petrol engine. We can confidently mark the Honda Jazz as one of the best hybrid electric cars as no plugging-in is needed so it’s ideal for those without ready access to a charging point
Jeep Renegade 4Xe
If it’s a capable and compact SUV you desire, Jeep’s Renegade 4Xe could fit the bill. Chunky looks with some retro Jeep styling cues plus 4x4 capability, the Renegade 4Xe is a plug-in hybrid which will drive up to 26 miles on a full charge.
Are hybrid or electric cars better for the environment?
For some, the appeal of the PHEV is simply the lower benefit-in-kind tax when compared to standard petrol or diesel cars but they can also keep running costs down by using low-cost charging.
And of course, while you are utilising their electric-only range, tailpipe emissions are zero.
Also remember that PHEVs are slightly heavier than their engine-only alternatives due to battery weight. This makes them slightly less efficient when not used in EV mode. The good news is that for many drivers, much of their motoring can be done in EV mode.
In fact with the average commute being around 25 miles, most PHEVs will allow most if not all regular drives without using a drop of petrol or diesel.
The important message is: to keep costs and emissions down, you really do need to charge hybrid and electric vehicles rather than defaulting to using the petrol or diesel engine.
When looking at the statistics of a hybrid vs electric cars environmental impact, it is clear to say it is more environmentally friendly to drive on electric alone. Hybrids still require fuel, but only if you are driving further than 25 miles a trip.
One way to keep an eye on your carbon footprint is by checking the emissions when leasing hybrid or electric vehicles. You can check this in the technical spec of each make and model of vehicle on our site.