Best used hybrid cars

Hybrids offer a tempting blend of electric and combustion-engined power. For many, they provide a great stepping stone into the world of electric vehicles as they allow you to drive on battery power for short periods of time but provide the safety net of a petrol or diesel engine for longer journeys.

They’ve been around for a little while, too, and because of that, there’s plenty of choice in the second-hand market. Let’s take a look at some of the best examples to check out today.

BMW 330e

The BMW 330e has proven to be a real hit. Popular among company car drivers thanks to its low emissions and subsequent low rate of tax, the 330e is a common sight on the used market. Available in saloon and later estate versions, the 330e is just as good to drive as the regular 3 Series but brings a fuel-sipping plug-in hybrid system that could return up to 37 miles of electric-only range.

While the 330e has been on sale for a number of years, the ‘G20’ series car - made between 2018 and 2022 - offers the best level of technology and efficiency. High-mileage examples can now be found for under £10,000, though we’d recommend spending around £14,000 for a lower-mileage version

Toyota Yaris Hybrid

While most people will think of the Prius when they consider the most popular hybrid Toyota, it’s the little Yaris that we’d actually recommend. It’s great to drive, easy to park and has a wonderful reputation for reliability. When well serviced, there’s no reason why a Yaris Hybrid should cause any mechanical-related headaches.

The third-generation car - made between 2011 and 2020 - is great value for money on the used market and could return up to 80mpg. Expect to pay around £6,700 for a higher-mileage example - though if properly maintained, there’s no reason to be put off a Yaris that has covered a lot of miles.

Kia Niro

When it debuted in 2016, the Kia Niro arrived with a three-pronged approach to engine choices with a ‘regular’ hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric model giving buyers a great range of options. With its efficient running and no-nonsense approach, the Niro really struck a chord with buyers.

It’s packed with standard equipment regardless of trim level, too, while Kia’s great reputation for reliability means that the Niro is a reliable choice for everyday drivers. Niro prices start from around £9,500 for examples with reasonable miles on the clock.

Volkswagen Golf GTE

The Golf has been on sale for decades, providing reliable transportation to the masses. One of its most famous variants is, of course, the GTI, but in 2014 Volkswagen took an electrified slant on its go-faster hatchback with a new GTE variant.

Combining performance and an electric-only range of up to 31 miles, the GTE offers a great compromise between low running costs and performance. It’s all wrapped in the same good-looking design as the standard Golf, too. Prices for the GTE start from around £7,500.

Hyundai IONIQ

In a similar vein to the Kia Niro, Hyundai’s IONIQ was offered with three types of electrified powertrain when it went on sale in 2016. Since that time it has continued along an upward path of popularity, with the quality and robustness of this clever model shining through.

Be it a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric the IONIQ makes for a very sensible buy, but with good levels of in-car tech, it’s a fine choice for keen gadget fans as well. Strong popularity means that prices of the Ioniq have remained high and you’ll pay around £7,000 for a high-mileage version as a result.

Volvo XC90 T8

Volvo’s XC90 has always come out on top in the family car stakes, with this seven-seater’s excellent build quality and smart, timeless looks making it a good choice for all types of buyers. Volvo has recently had a big push on electrified powertrains, but the XC90’s plug-in story starts back in 2015 when it was released with a clever combination of a four-cylinder petrol and electric motor.

In fact, Volvo supercharged and turbocharged the 1.5-litre petrol, which means that when combined with electric power this plug-in hybrid XC90 - badged T8 - is far quicker than you might expect a car of this size to be. As an upmarket SUV the XC90 T8 does command a premium, so expect to pay around £20,000 for a high-mileage version.

Ford Kuga PHEV

The Ford Kuga is a near-perfect family car. Comfortable, spacious and well-made enough to handle the rough-and-tough that comes with family life, it’s a car that’ll slot very easily into day-to-day driving. Earlier versions were mainly petrol and diesel, but that changed with later models introducing a clever plug-in hybrid setup which combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and battery. Expect to get around 50mpg - significantly better than a ‘usual’ SUV of this size.

You can find high-mileage versions of the Kuga PHEV for around £14,000, though expect to spend around £16,000 if you’d like one with fewer miles on the clock.

Lexus NX

Lexus is one of the most hybrid-focused car brands about, with its current crop of vehicles being mostly driven by a battery-assisted setup. One of its most standout models in recent times has been the NX. however, and while this mid-size SUV might’ve originally been sold with a petrol engine, Lexus soon made it into a hybrid-only model.

Thanks to the striking design that Lexus is known for, the NX still looks fresh today, while its futuristic appeal continues inside where you’ll find all manner of screens and displays. It’s all put together beautifully, too, with lots of high-end materials used throughout. Prices for the NX start from around £13,000.

Audi A3 Sportback e-tron

In Audi’s current range you’ll see a wide spread of hybrids, but one of the first to kick things off was this - the A3 Sportback e-tron. Using Audi’s successful A3 hatchback as a base, it introduced a clean-running plug-in hybrid setup that could return around 15 miles on electric-only power when fully charged.

The good news is that the rest of the car is just as solidly made and attractively designed as the standard A3, with only a smoothed-off grille differentiating it from the ‘regular’ car. Early examples can now be picked up for around £7,000.

Mini Countryman S E ALL4

The Countryman was one of the first models to showcase Mini in a new light. It provided an option for buyers who loved the look and feel of the funky hatchback but needed more space. As a result, the Countryman is a great option for drivers who want a decent level of personality from their car but with that all-important practicality.

You can get it as a plug-in hybrid, too, in the form of the Countryman S E ALL4. As the name suggests, it’s four-wheel-drive, but it can return around 35 miles of electric-only running. Prices start from around £11,500 for a high-mileage example.

Prices correct at time of publication [03/2025].