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Car of the Year Awards 2026: Best hybrid executive car

A top-notch executive car must do it all – frugally and in style. Buyers want effortless long-haul capability, a comfortable and classy interior, and low benefit-in-kind tax rates

Best hybrid executive car

Mercedes E-Class E300e AMG Line Premium

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Car of the Year 2026 logo with Motoreasy logo

Mercedes E-Class front driving

Even if a fully electric vehicle (EV) isn’t feasible for you at the moment, the Mercedes-Benz E300e does a very passable impression of one, because its official 70-mile electric-only range means that most commutes can be completed without waking up its 2.0-litre petrol engine.

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Not that you’ll mind when petrol power is called for, because it helps this E-Class to reach 62mph in just 6.4sec; that’s quicker than a fair few hot hatches. Indeed, with 308bhp, the E300e feels just as nippy as the BMW 530e.

Mercedes E-Class Estate dashboard

The E-Class’s ride is pillow-soft, dealing with scuffed surfaces and broken Tarmac just as well as most luxury cars. And speaking of luxury, the E-Class’s interior is awash with upmarket materials and cutting-edge technology, including an optional extra screen that your front passenger can use to run social media apps or take photos.

While the Tesla Model 3 will be cheaper to run if you’re a company car driver, the long electric range of the E300e puts it in a lower benefit-in-kind tax band than most other plug-in hybrids, including the 530e. So, if you can’t yet switch to an EV, the E300e is the next best thing.

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