10 of the best hybrid cars

Which hybrid car lease should you choose?

Hybrid cars have well and truly hit their stride – and honestly, it’s about time. They’re the perfect compromise between traditional petrol/diesel engines and full electric alternatives, giving you the best of both worlds.

The numbers don’t lie either.

Past research by YouGov has shown that 46% of buyers would choose a hybrid, with no signs of this trend slowing down. Compare that to the 61% considering petrol cars and 30% of consumers eyeing up fully electric vehicles, and you can see that hybrids are carving out a serious chunk of the market.

However, while nearly half of car buyers are looking for a hybrid, only 43% of those surveyed understood the differences between the different types.

That’s a pretty hefty knowledge gap – and one that our leasing experts are perfectly poised to help you navigate, so you end up in the right car for your needs.

And if you’re thinking about future-proofing your next lease, you might want to factor in the government’s upcoming Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) charges.

From April 2028, electric and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivers will face a new mileage-based charge – 3p per mile for EVs and 1.5p per mile for PHEVs. That means if you’re doing 8,500 miles a year in a PHEV, you’ll be looking at around £128 in extra charges.

Not exactly pocket change, but still roughly half of what regular petrol and diesel drivers pay in fuel duty.

And, if you do want to avoid this extra charge, mild and full hybrids won’t be charged this additional eVED.

If you fancy dipping your toe in the electric waters, but you’re not quite ready for the full plunge, a hybrid car lease could be the perfect stepping stone. And there are some genuinely excellent hybrid cars available right now for you to lease.

With improved fuel economy and reduced running costs, they’re almost a no-brainer.

We’ve rounded up 10 of the best hybrid cars available – but which will be your perfect pick?

Kia Sportage

One of our favourite family SUVs, the Kia Sportage is brilliant at keeping both costs and family arguments down to a minimum.

With acres of rear space, you’ll fit car seats and kids in without the usual game of automotive Tetris. The interior feels premium, everything is built to last, and the boot is spacious enough that packing for a family holiday won’t leave you in tears.

Really, any Sportage is a winner.

But if you want to slash fuel costs and keep emissions low, it’s the plug-in hybrid that deserves a spot on your car lease shortlist.

Our pick: Kia Sportage 1.6T GDi 241 PHEV GT-Line S

Honda Civic

Bold statement incoming: the Honda Civic might just be the best hybrid hatchback (say that five times fast) you can lease right now.

With seriously impressive fuel economy, a luxury feel to the finish, and enough tech to keep you both safe and entertained, the humble Civic has transformed into something rather special.

But the real magic happens under the bonnet.

Honda’s petrol-electric hybrid system is genuinely phenomenal. The 2.0-litre petrol engine works beautifully with two electric motors and a 1.06kWh battery, delivering 181bhp and around 30 miles of electric-only range (WLTP Comb).

If you’re driving around town and can keep the battery topped up, you’ll be running on electric power for most journeys.

Lower costs and cleaner emissions? That’s what we call a win-win.

Our pick: Honda Civic 2.0 eHEV Elegance

Nissan Juke

The original Nissan Juke was a proper trailblazer – quirky looks aside, it basically invented the small SUV category and inspired countless copycats. Or copycars, if you will.

The latest version keeps that high riding appeal but adds hybrid power to the mix.

Sure, those distinctive looks still divide opinion, but there’s no arguing with the practicality. You get a smart interior packed with kit, and the hybrid system makes perfect sense for urban driving.

The Juke Hybrid uses a 141bhp 1.6-litre engine that’ll get you from 0-60mph in 10.4 seconds. Not exactly thrilling, but perfectly adequate.

The clever bit is the regenerative braking with an e-Pedal button that ramps up the braking effect. On the highest setting, the car slows to walking pace pretty sharpish when you lift off the accelerator, making stop-start traffic way less work.

With 56mpg fuel economy and CO2 emissions from 114-115g/km, it’s properly efficient too. Plus, you get a 12.3-inch touchscreen with all the connectivity you need, and even the entry-level version comes with 17-inch alloys and cruise control.

Our pick: Nissan Juke 1.6 Hybrid Tekna

Chery Tiggo 7

Meet the family SUV that’s putting everyone else on notice with its keen pricing.

The Chery Tiggo 7 comes from one of the world’s biggest car companies, and they’re not messing about.

With a high-quality interior, generous standard equipment, and pricing that undercuts most rivals, the Tiggo 7 is a seriously tempting proposition.

The plug-in hybrid version, which Chery calls ‘Super Hybrid’ (keep this name in mind – it’ll appear again), packs an 18.4kWh battery that’ll officially manage up to 56 miles (WLTP Comb) before the petrol engine needs to step in. That’s proper electric-only range for most daily driving.

You sit nice and high, which gives you a commanding view of the road ahead. Large rear windows and clever cut-outs in the pillars boost visibility, while front and rear parking sensors, plus a rear-view camera, makes parking a doddle.

Inside, you get twin 12.3-inch screens - one for instruments, one for infotainment - and physical controls for the air-con, so you’re not swiping through menus just to adjust the temperature.

With three adults fitting comfortably in the back, loads of storage options (including a cooled wireless charging pad and a cooled cubby in the armrest (perfect for your sandwiches)), and a 426-litre boot, it’s genuinely practical too.

Our pick: Chery Tiggo 7 1.5T PHEV Aspire

Hyundai Tucson

Sharing its bones with the Kia Sportage, the Hyundai Tucson is another excellent family SUV lease option.

Its bold styling might split opinion – it’s definitely not subtle – but there’s no denying it’ll stand out in the Tesco car park (or other supermarket of your choosing).

And when every road in the car park looks the same, you need a car that helps you find your way back.

Nearly every Tucson comes with some level of hybrid tech.

The entry-level models get mild hybrid assistance to boost fuel efficiency, while stepping up the range brings you to the self-charging hybrid. It’s more affordable than the plug-in version, doesn’t need access to a charger, and has enough battery capacity for short electric-only spurts around town.

Less faff, lower costs, music to our little ears.

Our pick: Hyundai Tucson 1.6T Plug-in Hybrid N Line

JAECOO 7

The JAECOO 7 is the newcomer that’s making some serious noise in the hybrid SUV space, and for all the right reasons.

Like its Chery cousin, it uses the ‘Super Hybrid System’ – a plug-in setup combining a 1.5-litre engine with an electric motor for 201bhp total. The 18.3kWh battery delivers up to 57 miles of electric-only range (WLTP Comb), and the battery never fully depletes.

How?

Well, when the battery is running low, the engine boosts its charge, so the car operates like a regular hybrid when you can’t plug it in. Although, regularly plugging it in is the way to maximum fuel efficiency.

So, we do recommend plugging in when you can.

The hybrid system is impressively quiet and refined, the seats are supportive, visibility is excellent, and the interior quality is genuinely good. There’s not much more you could ask for from your next hybrid lease.

Our pick: JAECOO 7 1.5T SHS Luxury

OMODA 9

The OMODA 9 is the SUV that’s taking aim at premium rivals while keeping mainstream pricing. It’s a bold strategy, but when you look at what’s on offer – it works.

This is a car built for comfort. It’ll eat up the motorway miles while making sure your backside is cradled in the utmost luxury, meaning you never get that horrendous numb bum feeling that makes you waddle when you get out to stretch at the services. (Just us?)

But it’s not just comfortable. The Super Hybrid System - yes, that one - is clever, packing a massive 34.5kWh battery this time that OMODA claims is good for 93 miles (WLTP Comb) of zero-emissions driving.

That’s proper electric car territory, with DC fast charging capable of topping up from 30-80% in just 25 minutes.

The combined 443bhp gives it a 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds if you’re feeling frisky, while CO2 emissions of 38g/km keep it in the 5% Benefit in Kind tax bracket for company car drivers.

Sold? We are.

Our pick: OMODA 9 1.5T SHS Noble

Renault Clio

One of the best superminis around, the Renault Clio has undergone some serious improvements that make it more tempting than ever.

The full hybrid powertrain combines a 1.6-litre engine with an electric motor for efficient-yet-zippy driving, with the Clio managing around 60mpg in real-world conditions.

It’s not just the mechanical bits that impress though.

The French really know how to make a good-looking supermini, and the Clio is no exception.

It’s the perfect city car that can handle the occasional motorway stint, with the electric motor helping fuel efficiency around town and the petrol engine providing the back-up power when needed.

Our pick: Renault Clio 1.6 E-TECH full hybrid 145 Techno

Honda Jazz

You genuinely won’t find a more spacious supermini than the Honda Jazz.

That might not be scientifically verified, but we once managed to move an entire house in about five trips with one (it even gave the bigger SKODA Yeti a run for its money with how much we fit in), and it even fits a flat-packed Billy bookcase.

Just about.

It’s the perfect choice if you’re after the compact dimensions, but don’t want to compromise on practicality and versatility.

The fuel-sipping hybrid system keeps running costs low, and if you don’t want to commit to anything more electrified than a mild hybrid, this is one of the best examples around.

Are we in love with the Honda Jazz? Yes. But you will be too, if you just give it a try.

Our pick: Honda Jazz 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid Elegance eCVT

Toyota Corolla

We couldn’t finish a list of the best hybrid cars without including a Toyota – they really do know their stuff when it comes to hybrid powertrains.

The Toyota Corolla makes an excellent hatchback choice, with its 1.8-litre hybrid engine delivering superb fuel economy. The car itself is built like a tank (not in size, but in indestructability), and the interior is spacious and built to a high standard.

Sure, the stalwart, humble Corolla might be more conventional than some of the bolder hybrids available.

But there’s something to be said for the unfussy approach.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – and the Corolla’s all-round excellence certainly isn’t broken.

Our pick: Toyota Corolla Hatchback 1.8 Hybrid GR Sport

Everything you need to know about hybrid leasing

What are the different types of hybrid powertrain?

There are three main types of hybrid powertrain, and understanding the differences can save you from picking the wrong one for your lifestyle.

Mild hybrid (MHEV) is exactly what it says on the tin – the mildest of the hybrid options.

It has a small electric motor that captures energy when you lift off the accelerator and stores it in a little battery. This stored energy then gives the engine a boost when needed, improving fuel economy and making everything work more efficiently.

Self-charging or full hybrid (HEV/FHEV) is the next step up.

It works similarly to a mild hybrid, but with a bigger battery that can actually power the car on electricity alone for short distances. This helps you get more miles from each tank of fuel without any plugging in required.

Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is the final frontier before you plunge headfirst into a fully electric car lease.

Like the others, it combines electric and petrol power, but the battery is much bigger and needs plugging in to recharge.

The bigger battery means you can travel much further on electric power alone – many PHEVs manage over 30 miles of electric range, and some are even hitting the 70-90 mile mark.

If you can keep the battery topped up with regular charges, you’ll only really need the petrol engine for longer journeys, keeping your fuel costs way down.

What are the benefits of hybrid car leasing?

The benefits of choosing a hybrid lease are pretty compelling:

• Better fuel economy: More miles per gallon means fewer trips to the petrol station
• Reduced CO2 emissions: Better for the environment and often better for your wallet
• Lower running costs: Less fuel, lower road tax, and potentially reduced maintenance
• Reduced tailpipe emissions: Cleaner air in urban areas
• Lower Benefit in Kind tax: If you’re a company car driver, this could save you hundreds per month
• Cheaper road tax: Hybrids typically fall into lower Vehicle Excise Duty bands

What are the disadvantages of hybrid car leasing?

There aren’t many downsides to hybrid leasing, but it’s worth knowing about the few that exist.

The main issue is weight – all those extra electric components make hybrids heavier than their petrol or diesel counterparts. This is mostly noticeable in PHEVs with their larger batteries.

And – because PHEVs have larger batteries that can encroach on the interior space – quite a few plug-in hybrids have smaller boots.

The only other thing you’ll want to bear in mind is the introduction of the eVED in 2028. But other than that? Hybrid leasing is still a winner in our eyes.