Best self-charging hybrid cars you don't have to plug in 2025
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. We also name the model that looks good on paper but is actually best avoided...
Sometimes you just want to keep things simple, and if you like the idea of saving money on your fuel bills, but don't want to plug your car in to charge, then the next best thing is a hybrid. Unlike plug-in hybrids (PHEV) or electric cars, hybrid cars – sometimes called 'self-charging' hybrids – don't need plugging in to keep their batteries topped up.
The trade-off is that hybrid cars can't go as far as their plug-in siblings on electric power alone, but they can still cover short distances without using petrol power, or if you regularly drive in town at slow speeds, you can still spend a significant amount of time on electric power.
Our expert team of road testers have spent countless hours assessing every hybrid car on the market, testing them over thousands of miles both on public roads, and back-to-back against their key rivals at our private test track. We focus on the areas which matter most to hybrid car buyers, measuring everything from practicality to performance, and from reliability to running costs.
The result of that comprehensive road testing is the list you see here of the best hybrid cars. Plus, we've also named the hybrid car which we think you should avoid. And if you're interested in learning more about driving or living with a hybrid car, then we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions at the bottom of this page.
Don't forget that if you're interested in learning more about any of the cars featured here, you can click the links through to our in-depth new car reviews, or see how much you can save with our New Car Deals service.
Please note that the prices you see here will in some cases reflect the non-hybrid version of the car – we've noted the prices for hybrid versions as of the time of writing alongside each model where that's the case.
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Our pick: 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid Elegance 5dr eCVT
Strengths
- Spacious interior with flexible rear seats
- Lots of standard equipment
- Efficient engine
Weaknesses
- Very pricey by small car standards
- Not the quietest cruiser
- Some rivals are more fun
Our pick 1.5 e:HEV Elegance | Price from £27,395
No other small car is as practical as the Honda Jazz. As well as being really spacious inside, its boot is huge and its rear seats have versatile flip-up bases.
The Jazz’s 1.5-litre petrol engine is supplemented by two electric motors that do much of the legwork around town, the result being impressive official fuel economy of 62.8mpg. True, the rival Toyota Yaris is even more frugal, but that car is nowhere near as roomy inside.
The Jazz holds its value well, helping to keep ownership costs down, and it comes very well equipped. But that’s just as well, because it’s very pricey to buy by small car standards. Plenty of rivals are more fun to drive, too.
"The Jazz's cinema-style rear seats allow you to fit much more into the rear space than in any other small car – if you're looking for a small car with the space of a big one, I'd start and end your new car search with the Jazz." – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
Our pick: 1.5 Hybrid Design 5dr CVT
Strengths
- Excellent real-world fuel economy
- Toyota's reliability record
- Slow predicted depreciation
Weaknesses
- Firm ride, especially on higher-spec models with bigger wheels
- Poor rear passenger space
- So-so interior quality
Our pick 1.5 Hybrid Icon | Price from £23,140
Officially, the Toyota Yaris is the most efficient car in this top 10, with an average of 70.6mpg. And our tests show that this small car is capable of returning around 60mpg in real-world use, so it’ll cost less to run than most of the other models here.
That’s not the only reason why you’d buy a Yaris, though. It’s also the cheapest of all the models here to buy, in our recommended entry-level Icon trim, which is well equipped and robust inside. True, the rear seats are cramped and the boot is small, but Toyota’s strong reliability record and warranty of up to 10 years make the Yaris a tempting long-term ownership prospect.
"I was amazed at just how economical the Yaris hybrid engine was in real-world use, and that frugality also leads to low C02 emissions, which means the Yaris is in a lower company car tax bracket than many small car rivals" – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
See our full Toyota Yaris review
Our pick: 1.5 Hybrid Design 5dr CVT
Strengths
- Very efficient
- Smooth driving manners
- Uncluttered dashboard is easy to use
Weaknesses
- Could be more spacious in the back seats
- Lots of road noise on motorways
- Not as fun to drive as the Ford Puma
Our pick 1.5 Hybrid Icon | Price from £26,155
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.
"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, Reviewer
See our full Toyota Yaris Cross review
Our pick: 2.0 eHEV Sport 5dr CVT
Strengths
- Impressive fuel economy
- Big boot
- Lots of luxury and safety kit
Weaknesses
- Quite pricey
- Rear head room isn't great
- Road noise intrudes
Our pick 2.0 e:HEV Elegance | Price from £33,005
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 if it wasn’t so much pricier to buy than its key hybrid rival, the Toyota Corolla, it would be closer to the top of this list.
"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." — James Tute, Content Editor
See our full Honda Civic review
Our pick: 1.6T Advance 5dr
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 Premium | Price from £38,490
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.
“My kids really appreciated the Tucson's heated outer rear seats, which come as standard on our recommended Premium trim level. It doesn't cost much more money over the cheaper N-Line model, either.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
See our full Hyundai Tucson review
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 1.6T-GDi HEV 2 | Price from £42,995
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 seat 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.
“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
Our pick: 1.6T GDi 157 48V ISG 3 5dr
Strengths
- Lower-spec models are great value
- Smart interior
- Generous rear leg room and boot space
Weaknesses
- Rear head room compromised with panoramic roof
- No clever rear seat functions
Our pick 1.6T-GDi HEV 3 | Price from £36,985
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. The Sportage offers a slightly more polished driving experience than the closely related Hyundai Tucson, as well as a longer warranty. 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, Honda ZR-V and Mazda CX-5.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor
See our full Kia Sportage review
Our pick: 1.8 Hybrid Icon 5dr CVT
Strengths
- Low CO2 emissions and great fuel economy
- Comfortable ride
- Loads of standard kit
Weaknesses
- Cramped in the back
- So-so infotainment system
- 12.3in digital instrument cluster could be easier to use
Our pick 1.8 Hybrid Icon | Price from £30,505
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. 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, Used Car Writer
See our full Toyota Corolla review
Our pick: 1.5 Premium Plus 5dr E-CVT
Strengths
- High-quality interior
- Efficient hybrid system
- Very well equipped
Weaknesses
- Fidgety low-speed ride
- Tight rear seat space
Our pick 1.5 Premium Plus | Price from £34,505
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. Plus, Lexus’s stellar reliability record and customer service never fail to impress..
“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
Our pick: 1.6 TGDi Hybrid Premium 5dr Auto
Strengths
- Outstanding seven-seat practicality
- Plush interior
- Long warranty and Hyundai’s reliability record
Weaknesses
- Pricier than some rivals
- So-so performance
- PHEV’s underwhelming electric-only range
Our pick 1.6T Hybrid Premium| Price from £47,200
As with the closely related Kia Sorento, the main talking point when it comes to Hyundai’s latest seven-seat SUV is its interior. In addition to being incredibly practical and spacious in all three rows, it’s stylish and feels far plusher than its predecessor (and the Sorento, for that matter). It’s also good to drive (although the ride can be slightly unsettled at times).
The regular hybrid Santa Fe is much cheaper than the plug-in hybrid version, making it the best choice for most buyers. And while it’s pricier to buy than the mild hybrid Skoda Kodiaq, for example, its extra space and more upmarket feel more than justify the outlay, especially if you stick with entry-level Premium trim and two-wheel drive. All told, the Santa Fe is not only our favourite seven-seater but also the best regular hybrid model you can buy.
"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
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And the traditional hybrid to avoid...
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 we choose the best self-charging hybrids
As the number of self-charging or full hybrids has grown, we ensure we drive every new model to find out how it performs against the competition.
As with all our reviews, we consider what buyers are looking for in a self-charging hybrid in particular and a new car in general. That’s informed by the 20,000-plus responses to our annual reader survey, which tells us what people want from their new car. In hybrid models, these factors are:
Reliability consistently comes high up on car buyers’ lists of priorities, and it’s no different for people shopping for a car with hybrid engine tech. The What Car? Reliability Survey is compiled using responses from more than 20,000 car owners, allowing us to give you a clear picture of how each model and manufacturer performs for dependability. We’re able to rank models, and determine the nature of common faults to give you the clearest picture possible.
Hybrid cars are often bought on the strength of their fuel economy. We compare the official economy figures with our own to give you a fair picture of what you can expect in the real world. Crucially, we compare these figures with those of rival models, helping you make the most frugal choice.
Whatever class of car you’re seeking, you’re likely to be looking for a model you can do long journeys in without having to call in a chiropractor afterwards. Our road testers consider how adjustable the seats are, whether there’s enough head and leg room for the tallest of drivers, and what lumbar support, if any, is included. We take comprehensive measurements, and compare these with rival models.
The comprehensive What Car? vehicle assessment regime for self-charging hybrids doesn’t end with those factors. To find out more about the tests we carry out as we rate and rank new car models see our how we test page.
FAQs
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.
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.
According to the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, the 2014-2021 Lexus NX is the most reliable hybrid car you can buy, with no faults at all reported by owners during the past year. The NX was followed closely by another Lexus, the ES, while the Hyundai Kona was the third most reliable hybrid car.
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.
