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Electric Car Awards 2026: Best hybrid family car

With fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars now coming in all shapes and sizes, we’ve named the best new and used buys in every class. Here we look at the best hybrid family cars

WINNER: Best hybrid family car

Audi A3 Sportback TFSIe 204 Sport

Audi A3 review Audi A3 deals

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Audi A3 front cornering

In the supermarket aisle of family cars, the Audi A3 Sportback is akin to the Tesco Finest offering. Sure, it’s priced a little higher than its more run-of-the-mill rivals, but in return you get the sort of premium quality you’d normally only expect to find in much more expensive choices.

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As a bonus, thanks to updates introduced earlier this year, the A3 is now better than ever. This is especially true if you’re a company car driver, because the TFSIe plug-in hybrid version now has an official electric range of up to 88 miles (previously it was limited to 40 miles). That’s significantly farther than the Mercedes A250e can go and is a match for the Volkswagen Golf eHybrid that won this award last year. That, in turn, means the A3 sits in one of the lowest benefit-in-kind tax brackets.

Audi A3 rear cornering

So, how does the A3 better the closely related Golf? Well, it thumps less when dealing with potholes and ruts, yet feels more controlled over undulations. And where the Golf’s air-con controls are touch-sensitive sliders, the A3 gets physical switches, which are far easier to use on the move.

List price

£39,345

Leasing

0-62 mph

7.4 sec

Top speed

140 mph

Official economy

256.8 mpg

C02 emissions

25 g/km

Insurance group

25E

Elsewhere in the A3’s interior, the latest refresh has had a big impact. Prominent plastics have been replaced by tactile fabrics, while additional ambient lighting bathes the car in soft light at night. Audi’s infotainment system responds quickly to inputs, and the 10.1in screen sits within easier reach of the driver than the equivalent in the A-Class.

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The A3 is still every bit as practical as it was before; tall rear passengers will find they have more room to stretch out than they would in a BMW 1 Series. And while the TFSIe has a smaller boot than other A3s due to the battery under the floor, it can still carry five carry-on suitcases, matching the Golf eHybrid’s tally.

A3 drivers can have some fun, too, because it’s one of the more agile family cars on sale. And with a total power output of 201bhp, you’ll have no trouble keeping pace with fast-moving traffic; indeed, the A3 TFSIe can reach motorway speeds on battery power alone.

Audi A3 dashboard

Our recommended trim is entry-level Sport, because this comes with every feature you’re likely to want, including three-zone climate control and heated front seats. And as you can see from our best price (below), sizeable discounts are available to give this premium car a not-so-premium price.

This is a case, then, of small gains adding up to give the A3 TFSIe the win. But as a famous supermarket likes to tell us, every little helps.

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Key facts

Engine 4cyl, 1498cc, turbo, petrol, plus electric motor Power 201bhp Torque 258lb ft Gearbox 6-spd automatic Official electric range 88 miles