The Best Used Hybrid Cars

The best used hybrid cars worth checking out today

Though there’s a real push toward full-electric vehicles, for many people a hybrid vehicle is a great fit. Combining an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery means a traditional engine to fall back on, but with the opportunity to benefit from the lower running costs that electrification brings. Fortunately, hybrids have been on sale for a little while now, so there is a reasonable number available in the used market. Let’s take a look.

Honda CR-Z

The CR-Z arrived in 2010 as a sporty hybrid and thus featured an eye-catching exterior design and a relatively compact body. It combined a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and battery and, strangely for a hybrid, had a six-speed manual gearbox. But today, with prices hovering around £5,000, the CR-Z makes for an inexpensive left-field hybrid choice. It’ll return over 52mpg and cost just £20 to tax.

Lexus CT

Lexus has been using electrical assistance in its cars for quite some time now and has the technology down to a fine art. The CT, a slightly elongated hatchback with a typically sharp Lexus design, is a ‘regular’ hybrid with a 1.8-litre engine and an electric motor and battery. It’s exempt from London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone charge, too. Early, highmileage examples can be had for around £5,500, but reasonable-mileage versions with plenty of equipment are around the £10,000 mark.

Toyota Prius

There are few better-known names in the hybrid world than Prius and it’s now a very tried-and-tested option. There are plenty of used examples, too, with prices starting from around £2,000 – though these will be earlier models with seriously high mileage. Later models use a 1.8-litre engine – compared with the older 1.5-litre version – but you’ll still get a very respectable 70.6mpg combined, so it’s ideal for reducing fuel bills.

Mitsubishi Outlander

The Outlander was one of the groundbreaking hybrid models, and the plug-in hybrid is the go-to choice as it offers super-efficient motoring and the chance of seeing up to 156mpg providing you keep it topped up with electricity. Prices are competitive, with second-generation cars built around 2015 standing at around £17,000. It’s a big, practical car for the money.

Volkswagen Golf GTE

Fancy something a little sportier? The Golf GTE aimed to combine Golf GTi driver involvement with the efficient running of a hybrid. With a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor with a battery, this plug-in hybrid can slot into everyday life easily. First-generation cars – built around 2015 – can be had for as little as £12,000, though expect to pay slightly more for lower-mileage, higher-spec versions.

BMW 530e

The BMW 530e could be a great more-refined option. It’s as comfortable and spacious as the regular 5, but has that efficient petrol-electric hybrid setup to help reduce fuel bills. Early 2018 models of the spacious 530e can be had for under £20,000, so it’s definitely at the top end of our price list. Push that budget higher and you’ll find lower-mileage versions, of course.