I’m a car expert and I’ve driven every HYBRID SUV on sale – here are the best ones
SOME people just aren’t ready to go full-electric, even if they will have to when buying a new car from 2030 in Britain. If you’d rather start by dipping your toe into the world of EV motoring, a hybrid is a good place to start. Before we get into the list, let’s explain the difference […]
SOME people just aren’t ready to go full-electric, even if they will have to when buying a new car from 2030 in Britain.
If you’d rather start by dipping your toe into the world of EV motoring, a hybrid is a good place to start.
Before we get into the list, let’s explain the difference between a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid car.
A standard hybrid (usually) has a petrol engine, battery and electric motor. You don’t plug it in, the engine charges the battery as you drive and periods of electric-only driving are possible, although they’re often short and mainly at lower speeds.
A plug-in hybrid has either a petrol or diesel engine, plus a battery and electric motor. As its name suggests, you can plug it in.
Because its battery is usually bigger, it can drive for much longer periods on just electricity and at higher speeds.
A mild-hybrid car is a bit of a marketing exercise, really. It can’t drive on electricity alone, but instead has clever tech onboard that’ll help the engine be more fuel efficient. We aren’t featuring these here.
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1. Lexus NX
The Lexus NX was only launched recently and is one of the best Lexus cars for years.
It’s comfy and quiet to drive, has decent space for a family inside, a high-quality cabin and comes in not one but two hybrid forms.
The first can’t be plugged in but can still drive on electricity for short periods, while the PHEV version can be plugged in and will officially travel around 45 miles.
That’s enough for most people’s commute or day-to-day local trips.
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2. Kia Sportage
Another SUV that hasn’t been around long is the latest Kia Sportage.
It’s had a dramatic new look, more space inside, better quality and infotainment and is better to drive than before too.
Like the Lexus the Sportage comes as a standard or plug-in hybrid. The latter will do 43 miles on a charge.
3. Volvo XC60
Long gone are the days of Volvo’s boring boxy models. Now they’re still safe, but also look great an are selling like hot cakes.
Volvo has also been a leader in hybrid technology, making some of the best ones about.
The XC60 is the cream of the crop, but a practical, plush cabin, recently improved infotainment, a big boot and a relaxing drive.
There’s are T6 or T8 plug-in hybrids to choose from but the cheaper, less powerful T6 is the better buy. It can go 48 miles on electricity.
4. Ford Kuga
Ford is famous for making keenly-priced cars that are great to drive and the Kuga is no exception.
It has the Ford feel when cornering, but also does the important stuff right like good space for a family and great levels of comfort and quiet.
It comes as a standard or plug-in hybrid, but we’d go for the plug-in. Its 35-mile range is shorter than others here, but it’ll still cover most peoples’ needs.
5. BMW X3
Another family SUV that’s great to drive is the BMW X3 – although it costs a fair bit more than a Ford.
Still, it feels its price inside, is spacious and has one of the best infotainment systems money can buy.
Only a plug-in hybrid version is available, which can go around 30 miles on a full charge.
