Best hybrid cars in 2025: which should you buy?
Straddle the line between petrol and electric power with some of the best hybrid cars out there
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By Ben Welham
Last updated: 2 July 2025
Top picks for hybrid cars
Hybrid cars can be a great first step for those hesitant about going fully electric, as they use a combination of petrol and electric power to get moving.
You can choose from a plug-in hybrid model (PHEV), a fully self-charging hybrid (HEV) or a mild hybrid (MHEV), with the latter two not even needing to be plugged in to charge.
Plug-in hybrid models are the best option if you want electric-only driving, while mild hybrids offer an extra boost towards the overall fuel efficiency.
Both can be a great choice for cutting back on fuel costs.
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What are the best hybrid cars?
Dacia Duster Hybrid 140
Hyundai Santa Fe
Renault Clio E-Tech hybrid
Toyota Corolla
Range Rover P460e
MG HS Plug-in Hybrid
Volkswagen Passat e-Hybrid
Mercedes GLC 300e
BMW 330e
BYD SEAL U DM-i
Dacia Duster Hybrid 140
 "Dacia Duster Extreme - Sam Sheehan")
The Dacia Duster Hybrid is a robust and affordable family SUV, which doesn’t scrimp on comfort and tech, despite the price.
This generation is the first-ever Duster Hybrid, so it’s a big moment for the Renault-owned brand, and it’s genuinely good.
Power comes from a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 140hp and a very respectable 55.4mpg – putting it in great stead for some weekend adventures.
Sam Sheehan, our motoring editor, said: "Let's be honest, the Dacia Duster isn't going to break a Nürburgring lap time record, but when it comes to camping, driving up rocks and even just doing the school run, it's absolutely brilliant."
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Hyundai Santa Fe
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Talk about big SUVs and you’ll probably think of a Range Rover or a Mercedes. But while they undoubtedly make great hybrid SUVs, the seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe is a hidden gem.
You get the choice of HEV or PHEV, with the former getting up to 41mpg, while the plug-in reaches an official 166mpg. It’s worth noting though, that this is only achievable if you mainly drive on electric power. We think around 50mpg is more realistic for mixed driving.
But don’t forget the PHEV can make use of an all-electric range of up to 36 miles, making it ideal for city driving.
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Renault Clio E-Tech hybrid
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Now that Ford has swung the axe on the Fiesta, there’s no better time for the Renault Clio to thrive.
While keeping a lot of the same tech from the old car, the newer Clio has refreshed styling and a cleaner interior.
The hybrid setup in question has a 1.6-litre petrol engine at its heart, along with a 1.2kWh battery and electric motor. That’s the same as the Arkana and Captur, and promises up to 67.3mpg.
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Toyota Corolla
 "Toyota Corolla exterior")
The Toyota Corolla is a top choice for a practical hybrid car, especially if you want something that’s affordable to run and enjoyable to drive.
There’s no need to plug in your Corolla to charge up, and you can still do most of your town driving using the electric motor.
A total of 64.1mpg from its 1.8-litre engine is up for grabs, and because it’s a Toyota, you know it’s going to do the distance.
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Range Rover P460e
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If there was ever a car that needed no introduction, it’s the Range Rover P460e – one of, if not, the most luxurious hybrid car ever made.
From the metres of plush leather to wonderful touches like speakers in the headrests, a Range Rover is the true epitome of luxurious living, but it also makes for a great hybrid.
The P460e (there’s also the P550e) can officially drive 75 miles on electric power, with a claimed fuel efficiency of 382.4mpg (35mpg in the real world). Still, not bad for a car weighing close to three tonnes.
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MG HS Plug-in Hybrid
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Like the Dacia, the MG HS is proof that cheap motoring can be some of the most rewarding, but the HS Plug-in Hybrid takes it one step further with PHEV technology.
This means you can drive up to 75 miles on electric power alone, beating almost all other hybrids.
And even when that runs out, you can rely on its 1.5-litre turbocharged engine to get you where you need to go.
"This thing represents exceptional value. It's a very worthy entrant into the premium SUV segment", Sam added.
Watch our MG HS review
Volkswagen Passat e-Hybrid
 "Volkswagen Passat Estate exterior – Craig Hale")
For decades, the Passat has been the workhorse for drivers up and down the country and into Europe. With a massive 690-litre estate boot, it’s also incredibly comfortable. And now, there’s a PHEV worth knowing about.
With a claimed EV range of 80 miles from its 19.7kWh battery, it’s perfect for city getaways or shorter commutes, meaning you can spend a large portion of your drive on electricity alone.
It even gets 731mpg in total, realistically closer to 40mpg with a mixture of petrol and electric stats (not just pure electric to get higher figures), which is still very good for such a practical car.
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Mercedes GLC 300e
 "Mercedes GLC Coupé front three quarters")
The C-Class is a very popular saloon car, but sometimes you want to sit higher up to get a better view of the road ahead, and that’s where the Mercedes GLC steps in. More specifically, the 300e petrol PHEV variant.
It has an electric range of up to 80 miles, which feels even better when you’re driving along in one of the classiest cabins out there.
This is a massive upgrade over the previous-generation car, which only achieved 27 miles of EV-only range.
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BMW 330e
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Drive on any of the UK’s motorways, and you’re likely to see a BMW 3 Series. This isn’t just because they’re comfortable, it’s because they make excellent long-distance cars, especially the hybrid.
The BMW 330e is the best of both worlds, with great efficiency on a long run and hybridity when you get into town.
With up to 353mpg (55mpg with mixed driving) and 63 miles with electric-only driving, it’s hard to rule it out as a superb company car or family run-around.
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BYD SEAL U DM-i
 "BYD SEAL U DM-i front + Ben Welham")
BYD is mostly known for its electric cars, but the BYD SEAL U DM-i is its plug-in hybrid SUV offering.
Powered mostly by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, but with the added benefit of a 26.6kWh battery, you can drive up to 78 miles on electric power alone, making it one of the best in its class.
Because BYD’s Blade Battery technology is so advanced and is only improving, this model will only get better with time, too.
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Discover used hybrid cars for sale
Explore our range of used hybrid cars, offering a variety of body styles, specs and prices to suit your needs and desires.
Whether it’s a self-charging hybrid, mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid, we’ve got the full range to choose from.
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