If you’re not quite ready to choose a fully electric car, a hybrid model makes a lot of sense.
These vehicles continue to gain popularity as more people look to switch out of their conventional petrol and diesel cars and into a hybrid. These often bring better fuel economy and lower emissions, and though more expensive to buy, generally hold their value exceptionally well. Hybrid cars frequently top reliability surveys too, making them a sound option as a used buy, while you won’t need to worry about ULEZ restrictions as all are exempt.
So what are the best used hybrid cars available? Here we pick out the best models in various shapes and sizes.
Toyota Corolla
Toyota was the first firm to introduce a mass-market hybrid car more than 25 years ago, and this firm continues to be a pioneer of the technology. In fact, the majority of cars it now sells are hybrids of some kind.
The used car pick is the Corolla. Available as a hatchback or more practical Touring Sports estate car, both are ideal family cars owing to their roomy interiors, impressive safety equipment and outstanding hybrid efficiency. Though a new Corolla starts at more than £30,000, a four-year-old example can be picked up for around £13,500.
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Kia Niro
Kia’s Niro was quite ahead of the curve at its launch in 2016, being one of the first cars to be available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and a full-EV. The Niro helped to establish Kia as a leader in the electrified car world, with its easy-going nature and practical interior making it an appealing choice for many.
Our pick of the range is the standard hybrid, which is the most affordable to buy and still returns fantastic fuel economy. Low-mileage used examples can be bought from around £13,000. Some might even still be covered by Kia’s class-leading seven-year warranty.
Volkswagen Golf GTE
If you want a hybrid that brings a greater electric range, it’s worth looking at a plug-in hybrid. Ideal for those with shorter commutes and easy access to charging, one of the best options is the Volkswagen Golf GTE, which brings around 25 miles of electric-driving ability.
With a sportier-looking design than a standard Golf, the GTE also features more standard equipment and unique touches such as C-shaped LED running lights. Make the most of the electric range and it can be impressively efficient. Low-mileage examples can be bought from around £14,000 for a 2017 car.
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Lexus NX
Lexus is Toyota’s more premium brand, and as a result it also leads the way when it comes to hybrid cars, with virtually all of its models in the past decade being sold with this type of powertrain. Our pick would be the NX – a mid-size SUV that rivals the BMW X3.
Introduced in 2014, the NX offers an impressively refined and comfortable ride, while the general fit and finish feel particularly upmarket. Ideal for urban commutes, the NX, like all Lexus models, has a great reputation for its reliability. Low-mileage used examples can be bought from around £18,000.
Honda Jazz
Honda is another firm that’s going all-in on electrification, with all but one of its cars these days being either a hybrid or EV. This includes the popular Jazz, which is now sold purely with a self-charging hybrid setup that returns outstanding fuel economy.
The Jazz is one of the smallest cars to use this type of powertrain, but clever packaging ensures this Honda retains all the practicality that this supermini is known for. With a big boot and plenty of rear-seat space, it’s ideal for those looking to downsize. Honda didn’t introduce its new hybrid Jazz until 2020, so prices are still fairly high, though a tidy, low-mileage examples start from £17,000.
Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift uses a slightly different kind of hybrid, as it’s a ‘mild’ unit instead, which brings limited electric-running ability, but delivers strong fuel economy. Suzuki claims 56mpg, though more could be easily possible with careful driving.
If you’re looking for an affordable hybrid, the Suzuki Swift is ideal, with prices for used examples starting from under £10,000. Light controls make this supermini ideal around town, while if you skip the entry-level model, the level of standard equipment is very impressive.
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Volvo XC90 T8
At the opposite end of the spectrum, we have Volvo’s XC90 T8 – one of few hybrid cars that come with seven seats as standard. It’s a plug-in hybrid model that brings a 25-mile electric range, which you should make the most of, as its 2.0-litre petrol engine can be quite thirsty on its own.
That said, with more than 400bhp on offer, this large SUV offers plenty of space, all while having a stunning, high-end interior. The level of safety kit fitted to the XC90 is very impressive too. Low-mileage XC90 plug-in hybrids can bought for around £30,000, which gets you a lot of car for the money.
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