A hybrid car is one that combines a battery-powered electric motor with a petrol or diesel engine. The idea is that you get the convenient refuelling of a petrol or diesel engine, together with the zero-emission nature of a motor and batteries.
Hybrids come in two main forms: conventional hybrids, sometimes called self-charging hybrids, and plug-in hybrids (PHEV). Self-charging hybrids draw their power from the engine and the car braking and can only travel in electric mode at low speeds for short distances. PHEVs can be plugged in and charged up and can travel much further on their batteries.
1. Honda Civic
After a couple of styling mis-steps over the years, Honda has knocked it out of the park with the current Civic. With fantastic handling, a big, practical boot and good space in the back seats, the Civic is comfortable in town, refined on the motorway and engaging on country roads. It's also a fairly handsome thing now, while the petrol-electric self-charging powertrain can return high 50s mpg in mixed driving.
2. Kia Niro Hybrid
Aside from being good-looking on the outside, quality on the inside and refined to drive, one of the most appealing things about the Kia Niro is that there is a wide variety of power options to choose from. Want a fully electric Niro? Kia has one of those. Prefer plug-in hybrid power? Yep, there's one of those as well. After a self-charging hybrid? You guessed it. All models are comfortable, relaxing and well made, and the smooth hybrid officially returns 60mpg.
3. Lexus NX
tylish, well-built and comfortable: the Lexus NX is a very easy car to like. It’s available as a regular self-charging hybrid, and as a plug-in hybrid with nearly 50 miles of electric range. It’s an impressive car, even if its petrol engine is a bit thrashy under acceleration, but Lexus has one of the best reputations in the business when it comes to reliability, while its dealer network is said to be a paragon of efficiency and politeness by customers.
4. Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla not only looks good, it’s also pretty enjoyable to drive, not something one has always been able to say about Toyota's mid-size cars. There are two self-charging hybrid engine options, one with 122hp and one with 184hp, with the more powerful one better suited to people who cover a fair few motorway miles. The Corolla feels well made inside, but some family hatchbacks are more spacious – though the Touring Sports estate has you covered if you need extra room.
5. Lexus LC
Proof that hybrid cars aren't all worthy, sensible family affairs, the Lexus LC is, arguably, the best-looking car on sale today. And while the emotional choice would be to go for the 5.0-litre V8 500 model, those after hybrid economy should check out the LC 500h, which blends a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a self-charging electric battery and motor. Whichever you go for, the LC is an amazing grand tourer, while interior quality is unimpeachable.
6. Renault Clio
Small, French hatchbacks have been a mainstay of UK motoring life for generations, and the Clio itself has been on our roads for more than 30 years. It's evolved into a pretty classy player, with a comfortable interior featuring nice styling details like the knurled metal heating controls. The E-Tech hybrid is a bit more expensive than the entry-level petrol model, but brings an automatic gearbox, plus be tter economy and smoothness.
7. Toyota C-HR
The latest Toyota C-HR isn't the cheapest hybrid SUV you can buy, but it is one of the best-looking. The latest model has a funky look, particularly with one of the two-tone paint options. There's also a choice of two self-charging hybrid engines, which are a bit noisy but offer excellent fuel economy. It's not hugely practical but it is very comfortable to cruise around town in.