The Best Affordable Hybrid Cars – 10 Best Hybrid Cars to Buy in 2023 As more and more cars get the hybrid treatment, here are the 10 best hybrid cars to buy now…
Electric cars are becoming more common on our roads due to political and environmental pressures. Many drivers see hybrids as a “best of both worlds” approach to an eco-friendly engine in mild, standard and plug-in form. As this technology is applied to more and more models, the choice is wider than ever, from the best hybrid cars to superminis to family SUVs.
The Best Affordable Hybrid Cars
The appeal isn’t hard to see. Conventional hybrid technology is able to improve the fuel efficiency of many cars, meaning there are real financial savings. Hybrids also make a lot of sense for urban or low-mileage private buyers, as well as fleet users looking to reduce car company tax bills. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) need to be plugged in regularly to deliver the best, but can offer a true electric-only range of 30 miles or more.
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Mild hybrid vehicles appeal to those who don’t worry about charging because they have a small electric motor that is only used to assist the engine and does not operate independently. Mild hybrids are generally the cheapest way to own a hybrid, but there’s no such thing as pure electric drive.
With manufacturers always striking a fine balance between performance and efficiency, hybrids of all kinds play a key role in bridging the gap between internal combustion and all-electric cars.
The latest Toyota Yaris is one of the most responsive superminis on the market, and its mix of talents is hard to fault. The only engine available in the standard car is a 114bhp 1.5-litre petrol with Toyota’s proven ‘Auto Charge’ petrol-electric hybrid technology. This setup is probably friendlier around town, but it will hold its own on the highway as well. It’s a proper off-roader, like the car itself.
The Yaris is not only stylish on the outside, the equipment is also very generous, the base model comes with 16 inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and wipers, adaptive cruise control, air conditioning, reversing camera back and multifunction leather. – Trimmed steering wheel as standard.
Top 10 Best Seven Seater Electric And Hybrid Cars 2023
The latest Honda Civic is low and understated compared to its sleek predecessor, but hides an attractive and well-engineered feel under the skin. For the 11th generation of its Volkswagen Golf rival, Honda has limited the Civic to a single engine option, and the 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid setup is a bit unorthodox.
The gasoline engine is used as a generator to power a battery, which in turn drives an electric motor, but it can also direct the wheels at high speeds. The result is a quiet, relaxed power delivery that keeps the combustion engine under strain, delivering good performance and around 60.1mpg. With its spacious, premium cabin and clear dynamics, the Civic has never been stronger.
Available in hybrid, PHEV and pure electric, the Kia Niro offers great technology, cabin space and mature dynamics whichever version you choose. The hybrid is based on a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine derived from the original Niro, but the second-generation model looks fresh in all other respects.
Kia’s compact SUV rides on the company’s K3 platform, and while the hybrid isn’t the weakest, it delivers strong performance and the Niro is mostly comfortable to drive. It’s compatible with all but the roughest surfaces, and thanks to its square shape, there’s plenty of room for passengers to rest. Derived from the EV6, the Niro’s quick and rich infotainment setup is also best in its class.
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Its bold styling isn’t to everyone’s liking, but there’s no denying the Hyundai Tucson’s profound quality as a family SUV. It’s so good, in fact, that we named it our Mid-Size SUV of the Year for 2022. The hybrid model uses an electrically assisted 1.6-liter engine with 230 hp, and its performance figures are respectable for a wide range. and the technical machine.
Like the Kia Sportage, which shares its underpinnings with the Hyundai, the Tucson drives gently without being sporty, and its comfortable ride makes it a pleasant companion for long trips. Inside, a liberal use of fingerprint-prone gloss black trim underpins an otherwise attractive and well-built cabin, which offers a generous level of standard kit.
The fourth and fifth ranked models on this list are almost interchangeable, so the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson are pretty evenly matched. The Hyundai is slightly more economical and slightly more cushioned over bumps, but for some, the Kia’s radical design and more sophisticated interior will be worth the extra expense.
The Sportage isn’t particularly flashy thanks to its adaptive suspension setup and light steering, but rear-seat passengers will appreciate its impressive cabin space, while the front is greeted by a pair of impressive head-up screens. 12.3 inch infotainment. It offers access to Kia’s class-leading technology suite with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (hev)
On the outside, the latest Renault Clio is very much an evolution of its predecessor, but big changes under the skin have taken it straight to the sharp end of the supermini market. Unlike rivals like the Skoda Fabia and Hyundai i20, the Clio offers a full hybrid powertrain that combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to produce 143bhp.
The hybrid manages a top speed of over 60 km/h and sprints from 0-62 mph in less than 10 seconds, and the rest of the package is a significant improvement over the old car. The Clio is relatively tame on twisty roads and the well-rated suspension offers a good combination of precision and comfort. Cabin quality is also particularly strong, with the five-door body only offering rear legroom for adults and a large 391-litre boot.
What was once a rugged and daring 4×4 has evolved into its latest generation advanced and frugal SUV. Given the rise of SUVs in recent times, the Toyota RAV4 remains a desirable hybrid-electric model that ups the game of its predecessors. In fact, it’s available exclusively electrified, in a ‘self-charging’ hybrid variant using a 2.5-litre petrol engine coupled with an electric motor.
The RAV4 is surprisingly sharp to drive in a tall and relatively heavy vehicle, but the hybrid setup can return more than 50mpg, thanks to its CVT gearbox, which is noisier. Still, the RAV4 is a practical machine despite its built-in electrical gobbling, and fit and finish are solid. However, the old infotainment system lets it down a bit.
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Beating BMW in the premium SUV segment is no mean feat, but Lexus has done just that with the latest NX. The company has always attracted customers with exceptional features, build quality and an impeccable dealer network, and the NX incorporates these qualities into the X3 package.
The NX 350h incorporates the latest powertrain technology from the Toyota RAV4 into a more luxurious and sophisticated SUV, and while it’s an objectively superior car, the Toyota’s pricing is as good as it gets. Still, buyers will appreciate the NX’s quiet roads and comfortable interior, which includes the most elegant technology suite we’ve ever seen in a Lexus. With the optional 14-inch touchscreen configuration, you certainly don’t need more pixels.
Like its Yaris and RAV4 relatives that appear on this list, the Corolla is another model that runs on Toyota’s now-proven “Auto Charge” gasoline-electric hybrid technology.
The British-built hatch is offered in 1.8 and 2.0-litre models, both of which automatically switch between their two power sources and use the car’s petrol engine to charge the battery. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) replaces the traditional automatic gearbox, and it helps to get the most out of the unit’s power.
Best Hybrid Cars 2022
Those who want a little more punch can opt for the top 2.0-litre hybrid model. With 177bhp on tap, 0-62mph takes just 7.9 seconds; Fuel economy and emissions take a slight hit, but this model still offers an excellent balance of performance and low running costs.
As the only seven-seater in our top ten favorite hybrid cars, the Kia Sorento is easily the most versatile car of the bunch. It’s also the most expensive, but the Sorento backs up its high asking price with good equipment levels and rounded dynamics. The hybrid version is built around a 1.6-litre petrol engine, which is relatively refined until pushed hard, and does a good job of moving the Sorento’s mass. Sure, it’s no sports car, but the seven-seater Kia feels cornered, insulating its occupants from many lumps and bumps.
Higher-spec cars get a 10.25-inch touchscreen inside, while heated seats, a heated steering wheel and smart cruise control are standard across the range. Despite some low-rent plastics sprinkled around the cabin, the Sorento’s interior is pleasant enough with plenty of storage and plenty of room for five adults and two children in the third row.
Choosing any hybrid car over a conventional alternative doesn’t have to be the big step that many fear.
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As with any new vehicle purchase, it is wise to estimate your annual mileage and take this into account