Which Hybrid Car Is Best – The best hybrid cars can be a good choice for drivers who want to save fuel but don’t want to be stuck with a fully electric, battery-powered vehicle.
The demand for hybrid cars is increasing rapidly, and more and more car manufacturers are offering hybrid engine options besides petrol and diesel.
Which Hybrid Car Is Best
There are so many options available, it’s useful if you want to avoid the quirky style (or even the Uber driver’s taste) of the pioneering Toyota Prius. From the compact Honda Jazz to sporty hybrid SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid, there is now an electrified model for every taste.
The Best Hybrid Cars
However, not all hybrids are created equal. We’ve tested models with disappointing reliability, very high emissions, and many things that don’t deliver the promised fuel economy when you actually use them on the road.
Get the final say on every car we test, all fuels, with our independent car reviews.
A hybrid car combines a conventional engine (usually petrol, but some diesel hybrids) with an electric motor. Depending on the type of hybrid, the electric motor works in tandem with the petrol engine or independently for a short period of time to save fuel and reduce exhaust emissions.
Below are the best hybrids we tested, including the best SUVs, the best affordable hybrids, and the best plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). These are all good cars. Not only do they pass the same tests as their conventional petrol and diesel rivals, but they can also offer significant fuel economy.
The Best Hybrid Cars Of 2020
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There are three main types of hybrid cars. What’s best for you will depend on how you use it and – most importantly – whether you can easily set up a charging point at home to recharge the battery that powers the hybrid electric motor.
Best Hybrid Cars For 2023
A full hybrid, also known as a ‘self-charging’ hybrid, is a petrol (and to a lesser extent diesel) car with a battery that is different from the standard 12V car battery. These batteries are charged using energy recovered during braking or coasting, and are then used to drive small electric motors.
An electric motor can drive a car’s wheels in combination with a petrol/diesel engine, or even by itself (although usually only for short distances and moderate speeds).
Electric motors are especially useful when the car is least fuel efficient with petrol or diesel, such as when starting from a standstill, and can dramatically reduce fuel consumption when driving in stop-and-go mode in town. Some hybrids will also charge the battery directly from the petrol/diesel engine under certain conditions.
Some newer full hybrid models use their petrol engine to charge the battery, which is then used to drive the wheels, as some manufacturers find them more efficient. In some cases, such as in the case of the Honda Civic e:HEV, the petrol engine can drive the drive wheels, for example when fast acceleration is required.
Most Affordable Hybrid Cars In India: Toyota Hyryder, Maruti Grand Vitara, Honda City, Toyota Camry, Lexus Es 300h
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) – pioneered in the UK by models such as the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – have a much larger battery than full hybrids and only have electric range – usually around 20 to 40 miles. However, to get anywhere close to the fuel economy claimed for most models, you’ll need to leave it plugged in to maximize battery power.
Most PHEV models can also use the engine to charge the battery, but this is much less efficient. When the battery runs out, the PHEV operates as a full hybrid.
Our research shows that compared to fully electric vehicles, PHEVs use more electricity due to their weight and smaller electric motors. If you can plug in your car regularly at home, you may want to consider switching to an electric car soon.
The time it takes to charge the hybrid car battery will depend on the size of the battery and the speed of the electric charger. If you charge at home, it can take several hours. It takes less than an hour at the fast charging station.
Best Mpg Hybrids & Plug In Hybrids For 2020
The main difference between a full hybrid and a plug-in hybrid is that a mild hybrid cannot work on electricity alone. The battery only serves to assist the internal combustion engine, not from it. This limits their potential for low CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.
Some give extra power when accelerating; Others allow you to shut off the engine when braking or coasting to save fuel. Mild hybrid batteries can also work with regular 12V car batteries to power systems not related to the engine such as car air conditioning.
You probably won’t notice much difference between driving a mild hybrid and a regular petrol or diesel car. The exception is that while modern cars shut down the engine on the spot to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, many light hybrid cars will kill the engine when coasting or slowing down.
So, for example, if you brake at a stoplight, at low speed the engine will stall while you are still moving, and won’t start again until you release the brake and accelerate, not needed. At first it might feel a little strange to come to a complete stop without starting the engine, but you will get used to it soon enough.
Electric Cars Vs Petrol Cars Vs Hybrid Cars
Hybrid cars run on gas and electricity, so in theory they should reduce the amount of fuel you use while driving. This means the car will emit less CO2.
However, it really depends on how you plan to use your hybrid vehicle. If you use your car mostly for short trips where you can run completely on battery power, your hybrid may be better for the environment than a regular car. But it’s important to remember that it will still produce the same emissions as a normal car when not using the battery. Our road and lab tests provide real-world fuel consumption figures for every car we test in a variety of driving scenarios.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to these questions, as it all depends on your personal circumstances. There’s no denying that electric cars are better for the environment in terms of emissions because they don’t produce them. But it’s not for everyone – or at least not yet.
Whether you’re charging an electric car or a hybrid, public charging networks can get confusing with different networks, connection types, and capabilities. Find out from our guide on how to charge an electric car, including charging at home.
Top Electric And Hybrid Cars That We Drove In May 2022
Our independent car tests show the true range of an electric car, so you can get a clear idea of how far you can go on a single charge – check out our best electric cars.
Because they run (at least sometimes) on gasoline or diesel fuel, hybrid cars cannot be considered as completely emission-free as electric cars. This can have consequences when traveling in clean air zones or other restricted areas in busy cities.
Hybrid cars, including PHEVs, are no longer exempt from congestion charges in London, although you no longer have to worry about the Greater Metropolitan ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone).
Only fully electric cars are exempt from congestion charges in London. It’s important to remember that the discount doesn’t apply automatically – you’ll need to register your car with Transport for London beforehand. If you have not registered your vehicle, you are still responsible for paying for it.
Best Luxury Hybrid And Electric Cars In 2021
Currently, other clean air zones, such as those introduced in Bath and Birmingham, apply only to petrol cars made before 2005, so most cars are not affected. However, this may change over time.
It is part of a package of environmental initiatives that aim to achieve the UK’s legally binding net zero emissions targets (in Scotland by 2045 and across the UK by 2050).
Starting in 2030, the sale of some new hybrid cars, as well as all petrol and diesel cars, will be banned. This will include a ban on the sale of all new mild hybrids and possibly some other hybrid models.
Starting in 2035, sales of all new complete hybrids and plug-ins will be limited. Since that date, all the new cars you can buy are zero-emissions cars. This includes zero-emission options such as all-electric cars and hydrogen cars.
Hybrid Cars In India 2023
According to government guidelines on the ban, there’s more