Making the switch to electric motoring is daunting, not least because used EVs are so expensive. With that in mind, you might want to consider buying a hybrid car instead. That way, you pay less, combine a petrol engine and an electric battery to alleviate charger anxiety, and as this rundown of the best used hybrid cars shows there’s plenty of variety to suit all budgets and tastes.
Many people simply don’t have space for an EV in their life by maybe not having access to off-road parking, no space for a wallbox, or they simply don’t want the hassle of the incessant planning which comes part and parcel of long-distance electric car driving.
So, the road to the electrification of our cars looks more like a winding mountain road than a straight Roman one. Some drivers are nervous about considering an electric vehicle (EV) at all. Luckily, there are self-charging and plug-in hybrids, which will go further and can be refuelled quickly while still offering the benefit of reduced local emissions.
So what are the best used hybrids on the used car market today? Let’s take a look.
The UK’s best used hybrid cars 2024
Editor’s choice: Toyota Prius (2015-2022)
Lots of choice, plug-in and self-chargers offered, and solid reliability
The original and best? Well, perhaps. This list wouldn’t be complete without an appearance from the Prius. Heading off derision from drivers, the Toyota Prius ticks a lot of boxes for practical motorists, looking for a reliable, comfortable, fuel-efficient family car. All examples will be potentially covered by Toyota’s 10-year Relax warranty support.
The plug-in variant only has four seats, but the ‘self-charging’ hybrid has five. Both have a 1.8-litre petrol engine, though if that is more than you really need, you may wish to consider the smaller (and cheaper) Auris, and if your budget doesn’t stretch so far, you choose one from the previous-generation model range.
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Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid (2010-2018)
Impressive performance meets usefully low running costs in town – if you plug in
Though the Cayenne hybrid won’t suit everyone’s budget, for those ready and willing to splash out while taking a mighty step towards going green(er), Porsche has the answer. It’s a full plug-in hybrid, which offers the potential of low-cost battery-only driving, but prices are still higher than the equivalent petrol-only model.
The 2014 E-Hybrid features a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 engine which emits a mere 79g/km of carbon dioxide while packing 410hp. The fussy dashboard and fiddly cockpit buttons can be overlooked for the style, both interior and exterior, and sporty performance.
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Volvo V60 Twin Engine (2010-2018)
Safe, secure and economical, this Volvo is worth seeking out
The reputation Volvo has for safety means this V60 medium-sized estate not only comes with the technology to minimise emissions, but also to minimise accidents, collisions and distraction. As a used family car, it works well – and like the Porsche above, it’s a plug-in, which interestingly is also powered by a gutsy five-cylinder diesel engine.
The Volvo V60 doesn’t compromise on space even though it’s more compact. It’s sporty, handles well, sounds great thanks to its interesting engine. The PHEV Volvo can deliver in excess of 350mpg (claimed), seven times that of its petrol or diesel counterparts, but even when the battery is flat, more than 50mpg is achievable – a figure many of the best used hybrid cars will struggle to match. Hard to find, but well worth seeking out.
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Toyota Yaris (2011-2020)
Cheap as chips to run and completely dependable used
The Toyota Yaris is one of the most popular non-plug in hybrids you can buy – and in previous generation form, it earned high praise for its excellent reliability and low running costs. Like all Toyotas it benefits from an extended manufacturer warranty up to ten years and 100,000 miles as long as it gets serviced at a main dealer.
It offers great fuel economy — around 78mpg in some cases — and stylish looks. It also looks at home in the city or on the motorways. The Yaris will take you 1.2 miles on pure electric before the 1.5-litre petrol engine kicks in. Though it can be a little sluggish uphill, the interior is spacious and the handling is solid for a decent, practical runaround.
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Kia Niro (2016-2022)
Long warranty peace of mind meets well equipped tall hatchback with a practical attitude
The Kia Niro is a usefully-sized family crossover that’s also available as pure-electric (e-Niro), plug-in hybrid or ‘self-charging’ hybrid. The models were released in a staggered fashion, starting with the latter, and all are readily found on the used car market, although strong residual values mean they’re no longer cheap to buy.
Still, it’s good news with bags of space for the family and an enviable reputation for reliability. The Niro is also fairly cheap to run, capable of delivering a claimed 64mpg – call it 45mpg-plus in daily driving. Another plus point is that drivers also benefit from the remainder of the seven-year warranty that has become synonymous with the Korean brand.
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BMW 330e (2020-)
Accomplished small, upmarket BMW keeps a sporty feel while reducing emissions
Boasting up to 41 miles of pure-electric range, and backed up with excellent performance and economy, the BMW 330e is a brilliant plug-in hybrid. Carrying all the hallmarks of the premium car manufacturer, the BMW 3 Series is extremely popular since it offers generous tax breaks as company options.
That means they’re beginning to trickle on to the used car market. Our favourite is the 330e Touring, which works particularly well for families where luggage, pets, kids and hobbies feature heavily. It’s a great all-rounder particularly if you don’t want the bulk and image of an SUV, and unsurprisingly as one of the best used hybrid cars it’s in high demand and short supply. You won’t regret it – if you can find one at the right price.
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Volkswagen Golf GTE (2013-2020)
Powerful, economical Golf GTI style hybrid proved almost too popular new
The Volkswagen Golf GTE is based on the ever-popular model, which in seventh-generation form we reckon might just be the high watermark for the long-running hatchback. The Golf GTE is an eco-friendly family friendly package, but one that can also be a great deal of fun. Demand was so high that VW had to stop production for a while, which explains the number of Audi A3 e-Trons you’ll find for sale now.
With an all-electric range of up to 30 miles and claimed fuel economy of 200mpg-plus, the advantages of this plug-in hybrid are there for all to see. All you might count against it is that in comparison with the brilliant GTI and GTD, it’s not quite as exciting. But overall, the GTE hits that sweet balance of practicality, comfort, affordability and environmental kudos.
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What’s the big deal about hybrids?
Hybrids come in different varieties. Mild hybrids will use electric motor technology to help with acceleration. ‘Self-charging’ hybrids have much smaller batteries, they will drive in electric mode, but not for great distances or at higher speeds. However they do help improve the vehicle’s fuel economy, since they use ‘regenerative braking’ technology to capture the kinetic energy surplus in braking and going downhill to recharge the battery. What’s more, with these hybrids, there’s not the faff of plugging in…
…Unlike a plug-in hybrid, which does just that. It’s the closest to a pure electric vehicle, and arguably the most environmentally friendly after 100% electric. Yet, plug-in hybrids require the biggest lifestyle changes to benefit the most from the technology. With a bigger battery, a plug-in hybrid will take you further on electric-only propulsion, but you’ll also have the security of the engine kicking in when the battery has depleted and benefit from the same regenerative braking magic.
You may find a hybrid to be the stepping stone you need to build confidence and trust in these emerging options, and the best used hybrid cars are ones which have not spent too much time plugged in, ironically.
What are the drawbacks of going for a hybrid?
Opting for a hybrid vehicle will bring you fewer driving expenses. Specifically, fuel economy tends to be better. Also, wear and tear on components is lower, since the regenerative braking technology redirects the energy and pressure on such parts.
That said, ‘self-charging’ is a bit of a misnomer – the batteries are much smaller and the higher price point of these vehicles means the savings don’t always justify the outlay. Moreover, government incentives are changing, e.g. the ULEZ charge which once included hybrids are being revised to exclude them.
Finally, getting the best electric range is very much down to the driver.
