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Best self-charging hybrid cars you don't have to plug in 2026

Like the idea of a hybrid, but don't want to faff around with power cables? If so, these are the top 10 cars for you. Plus, we name the models that are best avoided

Darren Moss

Updated: 26 October 2026

In some ways, running a hybrid car that you won't have to plug in is the best of all worlds. After all, you'll get some of the benefits of electrification, such as the ability to run on electric power alone for short periods of time, and the lower fuel bills which come as a result of that. However, unlike with a fully electric car or a plug-in hybrid, you won't need to plug your car in to keep its battery topped up – and that means no faffing around with cables.

And while it's true that as a company car driver you'll pay more each month in Benefit-in-Kind tax than you would for a plug-in hybrid or electric car, as a private buyer you'll pay less for your car in the first place. And that means hybrid cars – sometimes referred to as 'self-charging hybrids' in marketing brochures – can make a lot of sense. But with the number of hybrids on the market increasing all the time, how do you decide which one is best...and which is best avoided?

How we chose the best self-charging hybrid cars

Fortunately, our team of experts have spent thousands of hours behind the wheel of every hybrid car on sale, driving them across hundreds of miles of public road and against key rivals at our private test track. From performance to practicality, and from reliability to running costs, we've assessed every hybrid car rigorously.

Plus, we've used our real-world survey data to place particular emphasis on the areas most important to hybrid car buyers – those are reliability, efficiency and a comfortable driving position.

Best self charging hybrids to buy now

Make and modelBest forWhy it makes our listKia SportageOur overall best self-charging hybrid carLow-end models represent great value, smart interior, generous rear leg roomHyundai Santa FeBest seven-seat hybrid carOutstanding practicality, comfortable and quiet, long warrantyHonda CivicThe best hybrid car to driveImpressive fuel economy, big boot, great to driveLexus LBXGreat interior with hybrid powerHigh-quality interior, efficient hybrid system, very well equippedToyota Aygo XThe most efficient car we've ever testedVery economical to run, well equipped, good to drive

Please note that the prices you see below will in some cases reflect the non-hybrid version of the car.

The What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now

What's new?

• October 2026: list reordered based on our most recent tesing, as well as adding new tables at the top of the story, and making it clearer how we arrive at our conclusions.
• August 2025: list reordered based on the most recent testing; MG HS and Toyota Aygo X are added, while the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris are removed.

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Kia Sportage

Best buy: 1.6 h T-GDi Pure Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

0-62 mph: 7.9 sec

MPG/range: 51.3 mpg

C02 emissions: 125 g/km

Seats: 5

Boot: 587 litres

Insurance group: 23E

Driving

Interior

Practicality

Buying & Owning

Strengths

• Lower-spec models are great value
• Smart interior
• Generous rear legroom and boot space

Weaknesses

• Rear headroom compromised with panoramic roof
• No clever rear seat functions
• Auto gearbox feels frustratingly slow with non-hybrid engine

Our pick 1.6 Hybrid Pure

In entry-level mild hybrid petrol form, the Kia Sportage is our reigning Family SUV of the Year. The step up in price to this hybrid version is such that it’ll take quite a while to recover the cost in fuel savings, but in most respects it’s just as impressive as its cheaper sibling.

The smart-looking interior is one of the best in the class, with mostly user-friendly controls, good-quality materials and a generous amount of space, plus there’s a large boot. Indeed, we managed to fit eight carry-on suitcases inside the Sportage's boot, which is well ahead of the rival Honda ZR-V and Renault Austral.

The Sportage offers a slightly more polished driving experience than the closely related Hyundai Tucson, as well as a longer warranty.

While hybrid versions of the Sportage are about £4500 more expensive than their petrol counterparts, it’s possible to bridge that gap by taking advantage of our Kia Sportage deals. Our preferred Pure trim has the biggest savings, cutting prices by more than £3000. Overall, the Sportage is the most well-rounded family SUV around.

“Just when you thought the Kia Sportage couldn't get any better, consider this – it undercuts several rivals on price, including the Ford Kuga and Honda ZR-V.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

See our full Kia Sportage review

New car deals

Best price from £27,985

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £27,985

RRP from: £31,395

Nearly new deals

From £22,390

Leasing deals

From £306

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Kia Sportage

Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £305.77 Initial payment £3,669.24

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

• Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
• Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
• Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

• Full manufacturer’s warranty
• Road tax and roadside assistance included
• Free returns within 30 days*

Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.

In partnership with

£3,914 total upfront (£3,669 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months

• Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
• No balloon payments
• Road tax included

Hyundai Santa Fe

Driving

Interior

Practicality

Buying & Owning

Strengths

• Outstanding seven-seat practicality
• Comfortable and quiet at speed
• Long warranty

Weaknesses

• PHEV’s underwhelming electric-only range
• Not the quickest or most agile seven seater
• Some rivals are even cheaper

Our pick 1.6T Hybrid 2WD Premium

If bigger is better, then the Hyundai Santa Fe must be one of the best cars around, because it's absolutely huge. Don't think that space hasn't been put to good use though, because the Santa Fe is incredibly spacious and practical in all three of its rows making it our favourite seven-seater. Indeed, even taller adults will be perfectly comfortable for a long journey spent in its rearmost seats. Plus, this Santa Fe feels far plusher inside than its predecessor, with more than a passing resemblance to the latest round of Land Rover models – no bad thing – and quality which should stand up well to the rigours of family life.

You can have your Santa Fe with regular hybrid or plug-in hybrid power, but we think that the former will be the best bet for most buyers, not least since it's substantially cheaper to buy. In hybrid form, the Santa Fe builds speed quickly once you put your foot down, and its electric motor and 1.6-litre petrol engine work well together. It should be a frugal combination, with the hybrid Santa Fe returning almost 40mpg in our hands over a mixed test route.

Stick with two-wheel drive and Premium trim and you'll have the sweet spot in the range. You won't be wanting for kit, either, because all of the things you're likely to want, including heated front seats, wireless phone charging and adaptive cruise control, all come as standard.

Yet for all its brilliance, it’s still possible to save more than 10% off the list price of a new one. With our Santa Fe deals, you can save as much as £10,000, even on our preferred Premium version, which cuts the cost to about £42,500.

"I was surprised at how agile the Santa Fe feels, given its sheer size and space. The well-weighted, accurate steering helped me to place the car exactly where I wanted to on the road, and the body control through corners was good." — Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

See our full Hyundai Santa Fe review

New car deals

Best price from £37,399

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £37,399

RRP from: £49,185

Nearly new deals

From £35,995

Leasing deals

From £391

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Hyundai Santa Fe

Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £390.69 Initial payment £4,688.28

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

• Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
• Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
• Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

• Full manufacturer’s warranty
• Road tax and roadside assistance included
• Free returns within 30 days*

Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.

In partnership with

£4,933 total upfront (£4,688 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 24 months

• Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
• No balloon payments
• Road tax included

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Honda Civic

Best buy: 2.0 h i-MMD Sport eCVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

0-62 mph: 7.9 sec

MPG/range: 56.5 mpg

C02 emissions: 113 g/km

Seats: 5

Boot: 410 litres

Insurance group: 27E

Driving

Interior

Practicality

Buying & Owning

Strengths

• Impressive fuel economy
• Big boot
• Great to drive

Weaknesses

• Fairly pricey
• Rear head room isn't great
• Tyre noise

Our pick 2.0 e:HEV Elegance

The Honda Civic’s two electric motors and a 2.0-litre petrol engine give it a total output of 181bhp. That was enough to take it from 0-60mph in a brisk 6.8sec in our test, yet it easily achieves a frugal 50mpg in real-world driving.

Urban traffic is mostly tackled on electric power, and the 2.0-litre petrol engine is nicely hushed when it joins in at higher speeds. What’s more, sharp handling and taut body control make the Civic fun to drive on country roads.

Even our preferred entry-level Elegance trim has lots of kit, and it's even better value when you factor in our Honda Civic deals. Indeed, Sport and Advance trims are both available with reductions of up to £3500. You can even get a discount of around 10% on our favourite Elegance trim, bringing the Civic’s price closer to that of the Volkswagen Golf.

"While I love the upgraded stereo which comes with Advance trim, a word of warning – you lose a bit of space in the boot to accommodate its sub-woofer." — Jack Mortimer, Content Editor

See our full Honda Civic review

New car deals

Best price from £29,999

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £29,999

RRP from: £34,325

Nearly new deals

From £28,491

Leasing deals

From £369

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Honda Civic

Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £368.87 Initial payment £4,426.44

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

• Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
• Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
• Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

• Full manufacturer’s warranty
• Road tax and roadside assistance included
• Free returns within 30 days*

Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.

In partnership with

£4,671 total upfront (£4,426 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months

• Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
• No balloon payments
• Road tax included

Lexus LBX

Best buy: 1.5 VVT-iE Premium Plus E-CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

0-62 mph: 9.2 sec

MPG/range: 61.4 mpg

C02 emissions: 103 g/km

Seats: 5

Boot: 332 litres

Insurance group: 24E

Driving

Interior

Practicality

Buying & Owning

Strengths

• High-quality interior
• Efficient hybrid system
• Very well equipped

Weaknesses

• Slightly unsettled low-speed ride
• Tight rear seat space
• Rivals have a more intuitive infotainment system

Our pick 1.5 Hybrid Premium Plus

As the only small SUV from a premium brand to offer full hybrid power, the Lexus LBX is an outlier in its class. It’s barely any more expensive to buy than many regular petrol rivals, though, and it promises much lower fuel bills.

The interior is entirely worthy of a brand as upmarket as Lexus, with plush materials in all the key areas and rock-solid build quality, plus a generous roster of equipment.

True, some rivals are more practical, but the LBX is competitive in terms of occupant and boot space, and its ride smooths out at speed to make it a relaxing cruiser.

The LBX is closely related to the rather more ordinary Toyota Yaris Cross, but the good news is there are plenty of deals available to bring both models close on price. While you’ll struggle to get a discount on the entry-level Urban, our Lexus LBX deals can help you cut as much as £1500 off the list price of our favourite Premium Plus version. Little wonder that this small hybrid SUV is a former What Car? Car of the Year.

“I loved my time running the Lexus LBX as a company car, it matched the fuel-sipping nature of the Toyota Yaris Cross upon which it is based with the premium build quality you'd expect from Lexus.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor

See our full Lexus LBX review

New car deals

Best price from £30,106

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £30,106

RRP from: £30,995

Nearly new deals

From £26,699

Leasing deals

From £228

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Lexus LBX

Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 36 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £228.28 Initial payment £2,739.36

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

• Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
• Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
• Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

• Full manufacturer’s warranty
• Road tax and roadside assistance included
• Free returns within 30 days*

Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.

In partnership with

£2,984 total upfront (£2,739 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 36 months

• Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
• No balloon payments
• Road tax included

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Toyota Aygo X

Best buy: 1.5h Icon CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

0-62 mph: 9.2 sec

MPG/range: 74.34 mpg

C02 emissions: 87 g/km

Seats: 4

Boot: 0 litres

Insurance group: 16A

Driving

Interior

Practicality

Buying & Owning

Strengths

• Very economical to run
• Well equipped and good to drive
• Warranty lasts for up to 10 years

Weaknesses

• Cramped in the back
• Smaller boot than rivals
• Top-spec trims are considerably costlier

Our pick 1.5 Hybrid Icon

The Toyota Aygo X is all grown up, exudes SUV vibes and has seen its pure-petrol engine ditched in favour of a Yaris-sourced hybrid engine. And that means as a hybrid small car, it's pretty much in a class of one.

It's more than just a great hybrid though. As well as stellar fuel economy (74.3mpg under official figures), the Aygo X is good to drive, well-equipped and reliable, too. But even if you do encounter a problem, it'll be covered by a warranty of up to ten years just as long as you have your car serviced by Toyota. Among its relatively few drawbacks are a small boot and that it's a strict four-seater.

Inevitably, the hybrid tech has pushed the price up, and you can get larger cars for similar money. Discounts for our favourite version, the near-£22,000 entry-level Icon, are relatively few, but there are savings of around £3000 to be had on mid-spec Design trim. Check out our Toyota Aygo X deals for the latest prices.

"I expected the Aygo X to feel a little out of its depth on the motorway, but the 1.5-litre engine is plenty powerful enough. I found entertaining on a country road, too." — Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

See our full Toyota Aygo X review

New car deals

Best price from £18,295

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £18,295

RRP from: £21,645

Nearly new deals

From £12,995

Leasing deals

From £219

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Toyota Aygo X

Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 36 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £219.43 Initial payment £2,633.16

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

• Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
• Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
• Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

• Full manufacturer’s warranty
• Road tax and roadside assistance included
• Free returns within 30 days*

Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.

In partnership with

£2,878 total upfront (£2,633 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 36 months

• Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
• No balloon payments
• Road tax included

Toyota Corolla Touring Sports

Best buy: 1.8 VVT-h Icon Touring Sports CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

0-62 mph: 9.4 sec

MPG/range: 64.2 mpg

C02 emissions: 100 g/km

Seats: 5

Boot: 596 litres

Insurance group: 17E

Reliability

Safety

Costs

Quality

Performance

Strengths

• Impressively low CO2 emissions on hybrids
• Comfortable ride
• Great reliability record

Weaknesses

• More wind and road noise than in rivals
• So-so infotainment system
• Digital driver's display could be easier to use

Our pick 1.8 Hybrid Icon

Toyota’s family car comes in a choice of hatchback and estate guises, and both are class leaders. Whichever bodystyle you prefer, it’ll be hybrid powered; we recommend the cheaper 1.8-litre option, which will be quick enough for most people’s needs and is the most frugal, but there’s a 2.0-litre version if you want extra performance.

The Corolla strikes a fine balance between agility and ride comfort, while its interior is sturdily built and well equipped, although some rivals are plusher or roomier in the back. While we recommend the entry-level Icon trim because it beautifully balances standard equipment and price, you might be tempted to consider higher-spec models once you’ve factored in dealer discount prices. We have Toyota Corolla deals that can help you save as much as £5000 on a racy GR Sport or up to £6000 on a plush Excel. Indeed, these discounts help these trims undercut the Icon’s list price.

As with the other Toyotas in our top 10, it’ll also be a reassuring long-term ownership prospect, thanks to low running costs, a long warranty and the promise of great reliability.

“The 43-litre fuel tank of the Corolla Touring Sports allows me to cover 450 miles between fill-ups – perfect for those of us with high-mileage jobs.” – George Hill, Reviewer

See our full Toyota Corolla review

New car deals

Best price from £31,445

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £31,445

RRP from: £32,155

Nearly new deals

From £22,497

Leasing deals

From £297

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Toyota Corolla Touring Sports

Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £297.16 Initial payment £3,565.92

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

• Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
• Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
• Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

• Full manufacturer’s warranty
• Road tax and roadside assistance included
• Free returns within 30 days*

Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.

In partnership with

£3,811 total upfront (£3,566 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months

• Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
• No balloon payments
• Road tax included

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Hyundai Tucson

Reliability

Safety

Costs

Quality

Performance

Strengths

• Well-made, user-friendly interior
• Spacious for passengers and luggage
• Good range of engines

Weaknesses

• Some rivals have tidier handling
• Slightly more expensive to buy than rivals
• No sliding rear seats

Our pick 1.6T Hybrid Element

As with the closely related Kia Sportage, the engine options in Hyundai’s family SUV’s include a regular hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, but it’s the former that we rate higher. It gives punchy performance (it’s slightly quicker from 0-60mph than the equivalent Sportage), and the Tucson is refined and comfortable at all speeds.

An interior update last year brought a more user-friendly dashboard, and quality is now on a par with that of the Sportage. In other respects the Tucson is very family-friendly, with plenty of passenger space and a big boot. Being pricier to buy and run, though, keeps it behind the Sportage in this list.

We might favour the Sportage over the Tucson, but there’s no denying that the discounts on offer counter that. Indeed with our Hyundai Tucson deals, it’s possible to save more than £8500 off a new one. Those discounts are typically reserved for more plush trims, but you can still cut £5000 off the list price of our favourite Premium version.

“My kids really appreciated the Tucson's heated outer rear seats, which come as standard on our recommended Element trim level.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

See our full Hyundai Tucson review

New car deals

Best price from £27,890

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £27,890

RRP from: £33,485

Nearly new deals

From £22,120

Leasing deals

From £314

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Hyundai Tucson

Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £313.72 Initial payment £3,764.64

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

• Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
• Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
• Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

• Full manufacturer’s warranty
• Road tax and roadside assistance included
• Free returns within 30 days*

Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.

In partnership with

£4,010 total upfront (£3,765 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months

• Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
• No balloon payments
• Road tax included

Toyota Yaris Cross

Driving

Interior

Practicality

Buying & Owning

Strengths

• Very fuel efficient
• Smooth driving manners
• Uncluttered dashboard is easy to use

Weaknesses

• Could be more spacious in the back seats
• Not as fun to drive as the Ford Puma
• Not all safety kit is available on all trims

Our pick 1.5 Hybrid Icon

Despite what the official fuel economy figures say, this small SUV holds the record as the most efficient car we’ve ever tested, averaging 60.1mpg and returning a remarkable 103.3mpg around town – beating even the regular Yaris.

Although the Yaris Cross isn’t as roomy inside as some of its rivals, six-footers will fit in the back, and the boot is a respectable size. The rest of the interior isn’t exactly plush, but it feels robust, and a user-friendly dashboard layout includes physical controls for the air-con.

The rival Volkswagen T-Roc is quieter and comfier, and the Ford Puma is more fun to drive. But if fuel efficiency is a higher priority in your book, the Yaris Cross is the car for you. Indeed, with our Yaris Cross deals, it could be the car for you if you’re looking for an appealing cash saving, too, because discounts approaching 10% are possible. That represents savings of around £2000 on our preferred Icon version and £2500 on the plush Excel trim.

"I like a bit more poke than most people, so if I was buying a Yaris Cross I'd be tempted to look at a GR Sport or Premium Edition version, which brings a useful power boost from 114bhp to 129bhp. Most people will find the first choice plenty powerful enough, though.” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

See our full Toyota Yaris Cross review

New car deals

Best price from £27,075

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £27,075

RRP from: £27,445

Nearly new deals

From £22,980

Leasing deals

From £248

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Toyota Yaris Cross

Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 36 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £247.78 Initial payment £2,973.36

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

• Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
• Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
• Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

• Full manufacturer’s warranty
• Road tax and roadside assistance included
• Free returns within 30 days*

Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.

In partnership with

£3,218 total upfront (£2,973 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 36 months

• Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
• No balloon payments
• Road tax included

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MG HS

Best buy: 1.5 T-GDI 24.7 kWh SE Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

0-62 mph: 6.8 sec

MPG/range: 705 mpg

C02 emissions: 12 g/km

Seats: 5

Boot: 530 litres

Insurance group: 26A

Driving

Interior

Practicality

Buying & Owning

Strengths

• Classy interior with loads of kit for the money
• Hybrid versions are good to drive
• Plug-in hybrid has a huge electric range

Weaknesses

• MG’s poor reliability record
• Non-hybrid 1.5 petrol is disappointing
• Some rivals have even more luggage space

Our pick Hybrid+ SE

The MG HS might be our reigning plug-in hybrid of the year, but the regular hybrid version is pretty darn good, too. And outside of the PHEV's impressive electric only driving range, there's very little to split them.

The MG HS has a great interior and is loaded with kit — which is the reason the entry-level SE variant is our top pick. There's plenty of room for passengers in the front and back, and there's no shortage of storage space, either. Boot space should be sufficient for many drivers, but hybrid versions of the Dacia Bigster and Kia Sportage have more. It's also good to drive, although MG's poor reliability rating might be more of a concern.

Still, the MG HS hybrid is very well priced, but things are even better when factoring our MG HS deals. That's because it's possible to save a staggering £8500 off the price of our favourite trim, the SE, with sees the price drop to around £21,000. Even the high-spec Trophy trim has savings of around £6500.

"With the extra weight the hybrid HS carries, I found it was surprisingly comfortable on a long run. The electrical assistance means the engine is quiet and smooth." – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor

See our full MG HS review

New car deals

Best price from £20,999

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £20,999

RRP from: £27,495

Nearly new deals

From £16,250

Leasing deals

From £287

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

MG HS

Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £286.89 Initial payment £3,442.68

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

• Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
• Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
• Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

• Full manufacturer’s warranty
• Road tax and roadside assistance included
• Free returns within 30 days*

Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.

In partnership with

£3,688 total upfront (£3,443 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months

• Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
• No balloon payments
• Road tax included

Kia Sorento

Driving

Interior

Practicality

Buying & Owning

Strengths

• One of the more spacious seven seaters at this price
• A massive boot
• Well equipped

Weaknesses

• Priced above mainstream rivals
• Hybrid engine isn't as fuel efficient as a Honda CR-V's
• Interior quality not as good as similarly priced premium rivals

Our pick 1.6 Hybrid Pure

The Sorento may have been dwarfed by the electric EV9 as Kia’s largest model, but all versions come with seven seats and fantastic practicality as standard. The second-row seats slide and recline for added versatility, and there’s loads of space for adults, even in the third row – more than in the rival Skoda Kodiaq.

Of the three Sorento power options, most buyers will be best served by this 212bhp hybrid model for a good blend of power and efficiency. Some rivals are quieter and more cosseting on the motorway, but the Sorento is generally a fairly relaxing cruiser. We’d recommend entry-level 2 trim, which is generously equipped and keeps the price sensible.

While the Sorento tends to be cheaper than the closely-related Hyundai Santa Fe, there aren’t quite as many Kia Sorento deals available. That said, it’s still possible to save around £4500 off the price of our favourite Pure trim, with a similar discount for  high-spec Evolve versions.

“I give Kia big plus points for not burying the Sorento's climate controls behind the infotainment touchscreen. The proper physical controls are much easier to use on the move.” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

See our full Kia Sorento review

New car deals

Best price from £43,725

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £44,999

RRP from: £43,725

Nearly new deals

From £39,213

Leasing deals

From £479

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Kia Sorento

Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £478.93 Initial payment £5,747.16

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

• Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
• Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
• Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

• Full manufacturer’s warranty
• Road tax and roadside assistance included
• Free returns within 30 days*

Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.

In partnership with

£5,992 total upfront (£5,747 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months

• Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
• No balloon payments
• Road tax included

And the traditional hybrid to avoid...

MG 3

This small car offers punchy performance for a keen price, and its ride is pretty comfy. However, real-world fuel economy is nothing special, and the MG 3 is only so-so to drive. Its interior is also relatively tight for space and feels rather flimsy in places.

Read our review

How to choose the best self-charging hybrid car

If you like the idea of driving a car with electrical assistance, but you don’t want to faff around with cables, then a self-charging hybrid car is the obvious way to go. Unlike plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars, you don’t have to worry about plugging in to keep the battery topped up, and you still benefit from the low fuel bills that electric power promises.

But is a hybrid car right for you? Here we explain what you should take into account if you’re thinking of buying one.

What is a self-charging hybrid car?

Self-charging hybrid cars, or full hybrids as they’re more accurately known, are powered by either a petrol or diesel engine and an electric motor (which gets its power from a small battery). As such, they can run on just the combustion engine or for short distances on pure electric power – or on a combination of the two.

Unlike plug-in hybrids or electric cars, self-charging hybrids don’t need to be plugged in to charge the battery. Instead, the battery is recharged by running the engine or by regenerative braking – a system which harvests waste energy and feeds it back to the battery.

This electrical assistance means that hybrids are very economical, as the car doesn’t rely on the combustion engine as much as a regular model would. You won’t be stopping for fuel as often, which equates to lower running costs, and if you drive a lot around town, you could be able to do a good portion of the journey on electric power alone.

However, hybrid cars can’t travel for nearly as long on pure electric power as plug-in hybrids, because they have a smaller battery. If you want to travel a significant amount of petrol-free miles, you’d be better off with a plug-in hybrid or fully electric car.

How efficient are hybrid cars?

Hybrid cars are often bought on the strength of their fuel economy. Every car with a combustion engine has an official miles per gallon (mpg) figure, which indicates how far you should be able to travel on one gallon (or 4.55 litres) of fuel.

It’s important to understand that the official figures you see in sales brochures don’t usually reflect what’s possible in real-world conditions.

At What Car?, we carry out our own Real MPG tests to find out how far your car will go in real-world driving. Our results show what's achievable if you’re driving gently and sticking to speed limits, but aren’t resorting to any unrealistically slow acceleration or special 'hypermiling' techniques.

Some of the best-performing models to have gone through our tests have been hybrids, including the most efficient model we’ve ever tested: the Toyota Yaris Cross. That car managed an impressive 60.1mpg, compared with its official figure of 62.7mpg. Indeed, the Yaris Cross, as well as the Toyota Yaris and Suzuki Ignis hybrids, outperformed the most efficient petrol and diesel cars in our tests.

How much is road tax on hybrid cars?

It’s true that hybrid cars generally cost more than petrol and diesel rivals to buy, though due to their smaller carbon footprint, they can qualify for lower tax bands. 

That’s most pertinent for the first year tax rate, which is based on the car’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This can range from £110 to more than £5000.

However, after this, you’ll pay the same rate of VED road tax each year. From 1 April 2025, there’s no longer a £10 annual discount relative to regular petrol or diesel cars.

Additionally, if you buy a hybrid car that exceeds £40,000, you’ll have to pay a £620/year Expensive Car Supplement (luxury car tax) on top. 

As company car tax is based on a mix of a vehicle’s CO2 emissions, its purchase price (the P11D value), and your income tax band, ‘self-charging’ hybrids often cost less than a car powered solely by petrol or diesel.

Are hybrid cars being phased out?

Hybrids and plug-in hybrids can remain on sale in the UK until 2035, under changes to the Government’s ZEV Mandate announced on 7 April 2025. Previously, hybrids had been included in the 2030 ban of petrol and diesel cars; however, sales of electric cars have been lagging behind targets for quite some time, so with the inclusion of hybrids, car manufacturers will be able to more flexibly choose how they meet the ZEV mandate targets.

Should I buy a hybrid car?

Buy one if:

• You travel a lot around town
• You want to reduce your running costs
• You don’t want to worry about plugging in

Don’t buy one if:

• You want to travel for longer distances on electric power
• You regularly drive long distances and so might not benefit from low running costs as much as someone who primarily drives in the city
• You need to reduce the initial cost of a new-car purchase

FAQs

Is there a hybrid that charges itself?

All of the cars on this list keep their batteries topped up using energy generated by the car’s engine, or that would otherwise be wasted by braking. These systems typically offer a welcome boost in fuel economy, but have much smaller batteries than those in the best plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). Indeed, a PHEV could save you even more money – especially if you've got a home EV charger. There are also plenty of mild-hybrids, but these can't travel very far on electric power alone.

Are self-charging hybrids any good?

Yes. Many of the best cars you can buy – including the What Car? award-winning Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota Corolla – use this technology. The hybrid systems in these cars can help slash your fuel bills, without the faff of plugging in to charge.

That said, if you can charge a car at home, plug-in hybrids and electric cars can potentially save you even more money. And, if you’re a company car driver, it’s hard to ignore the benefit-in-kind tax savings offered by EVs and some PHEVs.

Which is the most reliable hybrid car?

According to the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, the previous-generation Toyota RAV4 is the most reliable hybrid.  Other super-reliable hybrid cars include the Hyundai Kona and Lexus UX.

What’s the best plug-in hybrid?

If you’re able and willing to charge a car at home, or you can take advantage of company car tax incentives, a plug-in hybrid can make even more sense than a regular hybrid. Our rundown of the best plug-in hybrids is the definitive guide to the 10 best PHEVs you can buy today, and our top choice is the MG HS.

Hybrid cars

Top 10

Best hybrid cars

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