Last updated June 26, 2025 by
Mario Christou
Best hybrid SUVs of 2025
SUVs are some of the most popular cars on sale at the moment, and hybrid SUVs especially have come a long way from their agricultural, off-road biased predecessors. You鈥檙e just as likely to see an SUV on the school run as a hatchback or estate - their lofty seating position and headroom making them a more comfortable proposition for a lot of families.
But the biggest advancement in SUV tech over the years has been the enormous range of engine and motor offerings you can now choose from. Gone are the days when having an SUV meant putting up with a clattery old diesel or an enormous - and thirsty - petrol engine. Electric SUVs are popping up everywhere, but for those seeking a balance between fuel economy and peace of mind then a hybrid offering might be the best choice.
There are different types of hybrids available too. Mild hybrids don't feature on this list as they are a sort of half-way hybrid system. They use a small battery alongside a normal engine to add a little efficiency boost. They don鈥檛 have motors powerful enough to drive the car by themselves, so to most people they鈥檙e indistinguishable from a normal petrol or diesel car.
Then there are self-charging hybrids which don鈥檛 have much electric-only range but tend to be the cheapest way into hybrid ownership. Self-charging hybrids are essentially combustion-engined cars with electrical assistance which also charge their own batteries, making them more efficient than pure petrol or diesels.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, referred to commonly as PHEVs, have electric motors with large batteries alongside an engine. They don鈥檛 rely on the engine for charging either, as you can plug them in to charge from external sources. Where the advantage comes in is that you can choose when a PHEV operates on electric power - and when the engine should kick in to take over power duties instead.
Our expert reviews team has put together this list of the best hybrid SUVs on sale in the UK, with both self-charging hybrids and PHEVs, though if you think you can make do without an SUV鈥檚 size you could check out the best small hybrid cars instead.
Best for: pretty much everything
The BMW X5 isn鈥檛 just one of the best SUVs or hybrids on sale right now, but one of the best cars full stop. Little wonder that it鈥檚 at the top of this list then. The hybrid is so good in fact, that it鈥檚 the only petrol-powered offering aside from the big V8-engined performance models.
BMW was an early advocate of the comfy, sporty and road-focused SUV with the first X5 - and it鈥檚 a formula which the current X5 follows, with more poshness added in for good measure.
The xDrive50e model produces a combined 489hp from its 3.0-litre petrol engine and hybrid system. With a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds and up to 67 miles of electric-only range, not only is the X5 PHEV a properly fast SUV - it鈥檚 one you should barely ever have to fill up if you don鈥檛 have a long commute. Its battery can鈥檛 be topped up with a DC rapid charger, but it only takes three hours to fill up from an 11kW charging point.
The X5 M50e is a rather fun car to drive on a winding road too. It鈥檚 agile for a two-and-a-half tonne beast, better in corners than a Mercedes GLE, but still more comfortable than a Porsche Cayenne.
Inside, the X5 has a fantastic cabin - full of premium materials and soft-touch surfaces. A dual-screen infotainment and driver鈥檚 display combo sits on top of the modern-looking dashboard, whilst even the standard vegan leather trim is nice to the touch. Real leather is an option, however, and the X5 has an enormous 650-litre boot.
On the outside, BMW has avoided giving the X5 the same polarizing design treatment as some of its stablemates; a mix of crisp lines and curves. It鈥檚 a well proportioned big SUV. The X5 is a rather adept family bus, and in hybrid spec it鈥檚 easy on the wallet to run too.
The BMW X5 isn鈥檛 just one of the best SUVs or hybrids on sale right now, but one of the best cars full stop. Little wonder that it鈥檚 at the top of this list then. The hybrid is so good in fact, that it鈥檚 the only petrol-powered offering aside from the big V8-engined performance models.
BMW was an early advocate of the comfy, sporty and road-focused SUV with the first X5 - and it鈥檚 a formula which the current X5 follows, with more poshness added in for good measure.
The xDrive50e model produces a combined 489hp from its 3.0-litre petrol engine and hybrid system. With a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds and up to 67 miles of electric-only range, not only is the X5 PHEV a properly fast SUV - it鈥檚 one you should barely ever have to fill up if you don鈥檛 have a long commute. Its battery can鈥檛 be topped up with a DC rapid charger, but it only takes three hours to fill up from an 11kW charging point.
The X5 M50e is a rather fun car to drive on a winding road too. It鈥檚 agile for a two-and-a-half tonne beast, better in corners than a Mercedes GLE, but still more comfortable than a Porsche Cayenne.
Inside, the X5 has a fantastic cabin - full of premium materials and soft-touch surfaces. A dual-screen infotainment and driver鈥檚 display combo sits on top of the modern-looking dashboard, whilst even the standard vegan leather trim is nice to the touch. Real leather is an option, however, and the X5 has an enormous 650-litre boot.
On the outside, BMW has avoided giving the X5 the same polarizing design treatment as some of its stablemates; a mix of crisp lines and curves. It鈥檚 a well proportioned big SUV. The X5 is a rather adept family bus, and in hybrid spec it鈥檚 easy on the wallet to run too.
2025
Smart Spender Award
Best for: rugged on a budget
The Dacia Duster has come a long way from being 鈥榡ust鈥 the cheapest SUV on sale in the UK. Now in its third-generation, the Duster has earned itself a swanky and sophisticated new look as well as a swanky and sophisticated hybrid engine option.
In fact, the new Duster has also earned itself a badge of honour as the winner of the Smart Spender category in the 2025 莲花直播 Car of the Year Awards.
Value for money still plays a big part in the Duster鈥檚 appeal, but it must be said that the hybrid version of the Duster is the most expensive way into Dacia ownership - no matter the trim level. It鈥檚 still cheaper than most of its small SUV alternatives though, with some good standard kit on the hybrid model.
With the engine and electric motor engaged, the Duster can crack 62mph in 10.1 seconds - but it鈥檚 the efficiency that impresses with an achievable 50mpg, if you鈥檙e very careful with your right foot. That鈥檚 even more impressive considering the Duster鈥檚 size, as it鈥檚 bigger than most of the family hatchbacks on sale.
Being the size that it is, the Dacia Duster is really practical compared to a lot of its alternatives. A boxy shape and tall roofline mean there鈥檚 plenty of interior space and a tall load space - but the hybrid battery does restrict boot volume to 430 litres.
The interior has taken a step up when compared to previous Dusters. There may not be any soft-touch plastics or leather in sight - this is still a value-focused car after all - but the cabin feels solid to the touch. Funky, thoughtful design features are abundant too, with a phone holder next to the Hybrid鈥檚 infotainment screen and rubber floor mats with fun little map references in their design.
Dacia has been just as creative with the outside of the Duster, and it鈥檚 a genuinely handsome SUV with nifty details. The front-end is dominated by its grille/headlight combo, giving the Duster the appearance of a super-rugged off-roader. Hard-wearing cladding surrounds the body too, which should protect your paintwork from dents and scrapes.
The Dacia Duster Hybrid really does punch above its weight class, and it鈥檚 one of our favourite hybrid SUVs as a result.
The Dacia Duster has come a long way from being 鈥榡ust鈥 the cheapest SUV on sale in the UK. Now in its third-generation, the Duster has earned itself a swanky and sophisticated new look as well as a swanky and sophisticated hybrid engine option.
In fact, the new Duster has also earned itself a badge of honour as the winner of the Smart Spender category in the 2025 莲花直播 Car of the Year Awards.
Value for money still plays a big part in the Duster鈥檚 appeal, but it must be said that the hybrid version of the Duster is the most expensive way into Dacia ownership - no matter the trim level. It鈥檚 still cheaper than most of its small SUV alternatives though, with some good standard kit on the hybrid model.
With the engine and electric motor engaged, the Duster can crack 62mph in 10.1 seconds - but it鈥檚 the efficiency that impresses with an achievable 50mpg, if you鈥檙e very careful with your right foot. That鈥檚 even more impressive considering the Duster鈥檚 size, as it鈥檚 bigger than most of the family hatchbacks on sale.
Being the size that it is, the Dacia Duster is really practical compared to a lot of its alternatives. A boxy shape and tall roofline mean there鈥檚 plenty of interior space and a tall load space - but the hybrid battery does restrict boot volume to 430 litres.
The interior has taken a step up when compared to previous Dusters. There may not be any soft-touch plastics or leather in sight - this is still a value-focused car after all - but the cabin feels solid to the touch. Funky, thoughtful design features are abundant too, with a phone holder next to the Hybrid鈥檚 infotainment screen and rubber floor mats with fun little map references in their design.
Dacia has been just as creative with the outside of the Duster, and it鈥檚 a genuinely handsome SUV with nifty details. The front-end is dominated by its grille/headlight combo, giving the Duster the appearance of a super-rugged off-roader. Hard-wearing cladding surrounds the body too, which should protect your paintwork from dents and scrapes.
The Dacia Duster Hybrid really does punch above its weight class, and it鈥檚 one of our favourite hybrid SUVs as a result.
2025
Urban Living Award
Best for: fuel economy
Toyota鈥檚 Yaris Cross SUV brings a little sense of adventure to the mini-SUV category, with chunky styling in a small, city-friendly package. Think 鈥淗oney, I shrunk the RAV4鈥, but with the charm of the Yaris hatchback. Overall the Yaris Cross is a great little SUV, so much so that it drove off with the Urban Living Award at the 2025 莲花直播 Car of the Year awards.
Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre hybrid engine, and whilst you don鈥檛 get to choose when you鈥檙e in electric-only mode, the Cross does a fantastic job of starting the engine smoothly when it does kick in. That means it鈥檚 fairly hassle free, and drives pretty much like a regular petrol-powered SUV.
The Yaris Cross鈥檚 small footprint means it鈥檚 perfect for zipping around narrow streets and squeezing into small parking spaces, where some of the other hybrid SUVs on this list would certainly struggle. It鈥檚 also fairly capable on a twisty road, even if it can be a little firm over bumps and potholes at low speeds.
Being slightly longer than the Yaris hatchback and with a marginally taller roofline, Toyota have managed to eke out a surprising amount of space in the front of the Yaris Cross鈥檚 interior.
A lofty driving position with highly adjustable front seats means it鈥檚 easy to get comfortable in the Cross, but there isn鈥檛 a lot of interior storage and taller adults in the back might find headroom is at a premium. It鈥檚 the design of the cabin that lets it down, being a little drab with a lot of dark plastics - though they鈥檙e soft to the touch
Toyota鈥檚 Yaris Cross SUV brings a little sense of adventure to the mini-SUV category, with chunky styling in a small, city-friendly package. Think 鈥淗oney, I shrunk the RAV4鈥, but with the charm of the Yaris hatchback. Overall the Yaris Cross is a great little SUV, so much so that it drove off with the Urban Living Award at the 2025 莲花直播 Car of the Year awards.
Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre hybrid engine, and whilst you don鈥檛 get to choose when you鈥檙e in electric-only mode, the Cross does a fantastic job of starting the engine smoothly when it does kick in. That means it鈥檚 fairly hassle free, and drives pretty much like a regular petrol-powered SUV.
The Yaris Cross鈥檚 small footprint means it鈥檚 perfect for zipping around narrow streets and squeezing into small parking spaces, where some of the other hybrid SUVs on this list would certainly struggle. It鈥檚 also fairly capable on a twisty road, even if it can be a little firm over bumps and potholes at low speeds.
Being slightly longer than the Yaris hatchback and with a marginally taller roofline, Toyota have managed to eke out a surprising amount of space in the front of the Yaris Cross鈥檚 interior.
A lofty driving position with highly adjustable front seats means it鈥檚 easy to get comfortable in the Cross, but there isn鈥檛 a lot of interior storage and taller adults in the back might find headroom is at a premium. It鈥檚 the design of the cabin that lets it down, being a little drab with a lot of dark plastics - though they鈥檙e soft to the touch
2025
Comfortable Cruiser Award
Highly Commended
Best for: affordable comfort
When it comes to SUVs these days, a lot of manufacturers try to emphasise their dynamic characteristics. Some hit the mark, but others are simply too heavy and too stiff to find that balance. The Citroen C5 Aircross, meanwhile, drops any sporting pretension in the name of comfort and style.
When it comes to SUVs these days, a lot of manufacturers try to emphasise their dynamic characteristics. Some hit the mark, but others are simply too heavy and too stiff to find that balance. The Citroen C5 Aircross, meanwhile, drops any sporting pretension in the name of comfort and style.
The plug-in hybrid C5 Aircross combines an electric motor with a 1.6-litre engine, and when they鈥檙e working in unison it produces 225hp and hits 62mph in 8.7 seconds.
Thanks to its 13.2kWh battery pack tucked under the boot floor, the Aircross Hybrid has up to 36 miles of electric-only range before the engine kicks in. If you live in a city or you have a short commute, this might be plenty - and your running costs could be kept to a minimum with the engine barely seeing any use.
On top of that, if the petrol engine does ever kick in it鈥檚 fairly smooth, making the C5 Aircross a very pleasant drive around town. It鈥檚 not just the powertrain that makes it a pleasant car to potter about in, but the interior too.
It may have a few hard plastics in the cabin and the buttons aren鈥檛 exactly stylish, but big windows, comfy seats with a high driving position and a sturdy feel make the C5 a relaxing drive - and a worthy choice compared to German and Korean counterparts.
The boot is a little smaller than the C5鈥檚 petrol and diesel powered siblings to fit its hybrid battery, but it鈥檚 still a usably large space at 460 litres and the loading edge is conveniently low. The Aircross is a very comfortable hybrid SUV - practical and stylish too - which is why it鈥檚 highly commended as one of 莲花直播鈥檚 best 鈥楥omfortable Cruisers鈥 in 2025.
When it comes to SUVs these days, a lot of manufacturers try to emphasise their dynamic characteristics. Some hit the mark, but others are simply too heavy and too stiff to find that balance. The Citroen C5 Aircross, meanwhile, drops any sporting pretension in the name of comfort and style.
When it comes to SUVs these days, a lot of manufacturers try to emphasise their dynamic characteristics. Some hit the mark, but others are simply too heavy and too stiff to find that balance. The Citroen C5 Aircross, meanwhile, drops any sporting pretension in the name of comfort and style.
The plug-in hybrid C5 Aircross combines an electric motor with a 1.6-litre engine, and when they鈥檙e working in unison it produces 225hp and hits 62mph in 8.7 seconds.
Thanks to its 13.2kWh battery pack tucked under the boot floor, the Aircross Hybrid has up to 36 miles of electric-only range before the engine kicks in. If you live in a city or you have a short commute, this might be plenty - and your running costs could be kept to a minimum with the engine barely seeing any use.
On top of that, if the petrol engine does ever kick in it鈥檚 fairly smooth, making the C5 Aircross a very pleasant drive around town. It鈥檚 not just the powertrain that makes it a pleasant car to potter about in, but the interior too.
It may have a few hard plastics in the cabin and the buttons aren鈥檛 exactly stylish, but big windows, comfy seats with a high driving position and a sturdy feel make the C5 a relaxing drive - and a worthy choice compared to German and Korean counterparts.
The boot is a little smaller than the C5鈥檚 petrol and diesel powered siblings to fit its hybrid battery, but it鈥檚 still a usably large space at 460 litres and the loading edge is conveniently low. The Aircross is a very comfortable hybrid SUV - practical and stylish too - which is why it鈥檚 highly commended as one of 莲花直播鈥檚 best 鈥楥omfortable Cruisers鈥 in 2025.
Best for: hybrid opulence
The Range Rover might be the poshest hybrid SUV you can buy at the moment. You probably won鈥檛 see a Range Rover rock crawling these days, but you鈥檒l almost certainly see a load of them crawling through traffic in Knightsbridge or Mayfair.
An 鈥榚鈥 suffix is Range Rover鈥檚 way of saying 鈥榩lug-in hybrid鈥, and there are two options available: the P460e with 460hp, and the P550e with鈥550hp. In the real world there鈥檚 little separating the two on performance and EV terms, as both will do up to 75 miles on a full charge thanks to their identical 38.2kWh battery capacities.
A full charge from empty takes 15 hours from a home 3-pin plug, but a fast charger can get the Range Rover hybrid to 80% capacity in 40 minutes. It鈥檚 worth remembering that a battery as large as the Range Rover鈥檚 will still cost a pretty penny to charge, so it might not save you as much money as you鈥檇 expect.
Electric silence goes hand-in-hand with the Range Rover鈥檚 luxurious cabin, bursting to the seams with soft leather, wood and metal trims. The entire dashboard is leather-trimmed, with a crisp infotainment display that appears to float above it.
Interior space is great too, though that鈥檚 a given seeing as the Range Rover is such a large car. It wears its size well though, with sleek front-end styling for such a boxy shape.
The Range Rover might be the poshest hybrid SUV you can buy at the moment. You probably won鈥檛 see a Range Rover rock crawling these days, but you鈥檒l almost certainly see a load of them crawling through traffic in Knightsbridge or Mayfair.
An 鈥榚鈥 suffix is Range Rover鈥檚 way of saying 鈥榩lug-in hybrid鈥, and there are two options available: the P460e with 460hp, and the P550e with鈥550hp. In the real world there鈥檚 little separating the two on performance and EV terms, as both will do up to 75 miles on a full charge thanks to their identical 38.2kWh battery capacities.
A full charge from empty takes 15 hours from a home 3-pin plug, but a fast charger can get the Range Rover hybrid to 80% capacity in 40 minutes. It鈥檚 worth remembering that a battery as large as the Range Rover鈥檚 will still cost a pretty penny to charge, so it might not save you as much money as you鈥檇 expect.
Electric silence goes hand-in-hand with the Range Rover鈥檚 luxurious cabin, bursting to the seams with soft leather, wood and metal trims. The entire dashboard is leather-trimmed, with a crisp infotainment display that appears to float above it.
Interior space is great too, though that鈥檚 a given seeing as the Range Rover is such a large car. It wears its size well though, with sleek front-end styling for such a boxy shape.
Best for: comfortable, stylish road trips
The Tayron is the Goldilocks of the Volkswagen SUV range. It鈥檚 smaller than the obnoxiously large and luxurious Touareg, but the boot is usefully bigger than the family-favourite Tiguan.
And though it鈥檚 essentially an XL version of the Tiguan on which it鈥檚 based, Volkswagen has managed to make it look more distinctive than its smaller counterpart. A more upright front end, flat bonnet, wider wheel arches and tall roofline give the big Volkswagen a lot of road presence.
The interior also feels more upmarket than it does in the Tiguan, thanks to some choice touches such as the trim piece across the full width of the dashboard and funky ambient lighting.
It鈥檚 a shame that the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version loses the third row of seats the Tayron usually comes with, and while the boot is smaller than in petrol models, you still get a whopping 750 litres of cargo capacity.
You also get up to 76 miles of electric-only range in the PHEV, which means you should hardly ever see a petrol station with frequent charging and a reasonable commute.
The Tayron is very comfortable around town and on a motorway cruise, though rough roads are more noticeable on models equipped with large wheels, and it feels stable on a twisty lane.
The Tayron is the Goldilocks of the Volkswagen SUV range. It鈥檚 smaller than the obnoxiously large and luxurious Touareg, but the boot is usefully bigger than the family-favourite Tiguan.
And though it鈥檚 essentially an XL version of the Tiguan on which it鈥檚 based, Volkswagen has managed to make it look more distinctive than its smaller counterpart. A more upright front end, flat bonnet, wider wheel arches and tall roofline give the big Volkswagen a lot of road presence.
The interior also feels more upmarket than it does in the Tiguan, thanks to some choice touches such as the trim piece across the full width of the dashboard and funky ambient lighting.
It鈥檚 a shame that the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version loses the third row of seats the Tayron usually comes with, and while the boot is smaller than in petrol models, you still get a whopping 750 litres of cargo capacity.
You also get up to 76 miles of electric-only range in the PHEV, which means you should hardly ever see a petrol station with frequent charging and a reasonable commute.
The Tayron is very comfortable around town and on a motorway cruise, though rough roads are more noticeable on models equipped with large wheels, and it feels stable on a twisty lane.
Best for: hybrid off-roading
If the Range Rover is the peak luxury hybrid of British SUVs, the Defender is its active, outdoorsy cousin. It may not be quite as grand or as powerful as the posh Range Rover, but it鈥檒l be even more comfortable when the going gets rough.
Don鈥檛 think that the Defender isn鈥檛 a posh SUV though; far from it. The P400e plug-in hybrid is equipped with a 2.0-litre engine which produces 404hp with its hybrid assistance. Even though it鈥檚 a heavy, squared-off beast the Defender can still hit 62mph in 5.4 seconds.
The hybrid Defender鈥檚 battery is fairly small though, especially when compared to the Range Rover, with a maximum capacity of 19.2kWh. That means the Defender can only go 32 miles on electric battery alone - and that鈥檚 with gentle driving.
32 miles could be plenty for inner-city commuting, but it鈥檚 not ideal for commutes with any real distance to them - and you could find yourself relying on the engine for charge more often than you鈥檇 like.
Even as a hybrid, the Defender鈥檚 party piece is its true off-road ability. Whether you鈥檙e just after some bad-weather security - or a car that can venture into fields, wade through bogs and climb rocky trails - the Defender will almost certainly feel at home.
It鈥檚 also a very cool looking SUV; big and brash, with an aggressive modern take on the classic Defender鈥檚 round headlights and square grille. The seating position is imperious too; even Range Rover owners squirm at the traffic lights next to a Defender.
If a shorter electric range isn鈥檛 a dealbreaker and a big, comfy yet rugged car is your cuppa then the Defender P400e might tick all the right boxes.
If the Range Rover is the peak luxury hybrid of British SUVs, the Defender is its active, outdoorsy cousin. It may not be quite as grand or as powerful as the posh Range Rover, but it鈥檒l be even more comfortable when the going gets rough.
Don鈥檛 think that the Defender isn鈥檛 a posh SUV though; far from it. The P400e plug-in hybrid is equipped with a 2.0-litre engine which produces 404hp with its hybrid assistance. Even though it鈥檚 a heavy, squared-off beast the Defender can still hit 62mph in 5.4 seconds.
The hybrid Defender鈥檚 battery is fairly small though, especially when compared to the Range Rover, with a maximum capacity of 19.2kWh. That means the Defender can only go 32 miles on electric battery alone - and that鈥檚 with gentle driving.
32 miles could be plenty for inner-city commuting, but it鈥檚 not ideal for commutes with any real distance to them - and you could find yourself relying on the engine for charge more often than you鈥檇 like.
Even as a hybrid, the Defender鈥檚 party piece is its true off-road ability. Whether you鈥檙e just after some bad-weather security - or a car that can venture into fields, wade through bogs and climb rocky trails - the Defender will almost certainly feel at home.
It鈥檚 also a very cool looking SUV; big and brash, with an aggressive modern take on the classic Defender鈥檚 round headlights and square grille. The seating position is imperious too; even Range Rover owners squirm at the traffic lights next to a Defender.
If a shorter electric range isn鈥檛 a dealbreaker and a big, comfy yet rugged car is your cuppa then the Defender P400e might tick all the right boxes.
2025
Adventurer's Choice Award
Highly Commended
Best for: spacious travel
The Skoda Kodiaq is one of 莲花直播鈥檚 favourite family SUVs, and for good reason. Skoda has a habit of producing cars with Tardis-like interior space, without having outrageously large proportions on the outside.
Yet another example of the classic Skoda packaging is the new Kodiaq, which builds on its already spacious predecessor by giving it鈥ven more space inside, and posher materials. The plug-in hybrid engine is new to the Kodiaq too, and it makes it a rather economical family hauler.
With almost 75 miles of electric range, it鈥檚 entirely possible that you鈥檒l forget that the Kodiaq hybrid even has a petrol engine under the bonnet - without being desperate for a charger every time you park.
A big advantage of the Kodiaq鈥檚 75 mile electric range is the low company car tax band, meaning that the Kodiaq isn鈥檛 just a good car - it鈥檚 fantastic value for money.
The battery pack in the boot means that the Kodiaq loses the two extra seats of the petrol and diesel version, but the boot itself is enormous and very useful for families who go on frequent trips. Dogs will be happy too, with their palatial mode of transport.
The rest of the family will be happy too, as the Kodiaq has plenty of room inside - and a stylish cabin design which is a huge step up from the old model. The use of multiple materials and swoopy lines elevates the Kodiaq鈥檚 dashboard from some of its alternatives. Who says practicality has to be boring?
The Skoda Kodiaq is one of 莲花直播鈥檚 favourite family SUVs, and for good reason. Skoda has a habit of producing cars with Tardis-like interior space, without having outrageously large proportions on the outside.
Yet another example of the classic Skoda packaging is the new Kodiaq, which builds on its already spacious predecessor by giving it鈥ven more space inside, and posher materials. The plug-in hybrid engine is new to the Kodiaq too, and it makes it a rather economical family hauler.
With almost 75 miles of electric range, it鈥檚 entirely possible that you鈥檒l forget that the Kodiaq hybrid even has a petrol engine under the bonnet - without being desperate for a charger every time you park.
A big advantage of the Kodiaq鈥檚 75 mile electric range is the low company car tax band, meaning that the Kodiaq isn鈥檛 just a good car - it鈥檚 fantastic value for money.
The battery pack in the boot means that the Kodiaq loses the two extra seats of the petrol and diesel version, but the boot itself is enormous and very useful for families who go on frequent trips. Dogs will be happy too, with their palatial mode of transport.
The rest of the family will be happy too, as the Kodiaq has plenty of room inside - and a stylish cabin design which is a huge step up from the old model. The use of multiple materials and swoopy lines elevates the Kodiaq鈥檚 dashboard from some of its alternatives. Who says practicality has to be boring?
Battery range up to 28 miles
Best for: chic design
Renault seemed to hit its stride with the latest Captur, with an updated design inspired by the bigger Renault Scenic translating into a stylish, eye-catching mini-SUV. The updated Captur doesn鈥檛 have that many engine options, but the self-charging hybrid is still available - and it's the Captur鈥檚 best engine choice too.
A 1.6-litre petrol engine is supplemented with an electric motor and batteries to produce a combined 145hp. The stand out feature is how well the Captur moves under electric power alone at low speeds, with the engine kicking in only when necessary - making it very economical around town. You don鈥檛 get to choose when, but it鈥檚 a pretty smooth transition when it does happen.
Unfortunately it鈥檚 not very comfortable around town, and you can feel the Captur get shaken over broken roads and potholes at low speed. What that does mean, though, is that the little hybrid Renault can take twists and turns at high speeds without leaning too much in the corners. It鈥檚 no hot hatch, but it doesn鈥檛 feel out of place on a country lane.
Inside the Captur is a fairly well put-together cabin, with soft materials in the right places and a new 10.4-inch infotainment screen. Everything bar the entry-level trim gets Google software on its touchscreen which is fantastic, but even the basic cars get Apple Carplay/Android Auto and Google Maps built in.
Renault seemed to hit its stride with the latest Captur, with an updated design inspired by the bigger Renault Scenic translating into a stylish, eye-catching mini-SUV. The updated Captur doesn鈥檛 have that many engine options, but the self-charging hybrid is still available - and it's the Captur鈥檚 best engine choice too.
A 1.6-litre petrol engine is supplemented with an electric motor and batteries to produce a combined 145hp. The stand out feature is how well the Captur moves under electric power alone at low speeds, with the engine kicking in only when necessary - making it very economical around town. You don鈥檛 get to choose when, but it鈥檚 a pretty smooth transition when it does happen.
Unfortunately it鈥檚 not very comfortable around town, and you can feel the Captur get shaken over broken roads and potholes at low speed. What that does mean, though, is that the little hybrid Renault can take twists and turns at high speeds without leaning too much in the corners. It鈥檚 no hot hatch, but it doesn鈥檛 feel out of place on a country lane.
Inside the Captur is a fairly well put-together cabin, with soft materials in the right places and a new 10.4-inch infotainment screen. Everything bar the entry-level trim gets Google software on its touchscreen which is fantastic, but even the basic cars get Apple Carplay/Android Auto and Google Maps built in.
Best for: affordable electric range
The MG HS represents serious value for money when it comes to hybrid SUVs. It may not be as cheap to buy as an entry-level Dacia Duster, but for the standard kit it comes with and its outstanding electric range and performance - it鈥檚 a very wise buy. It鈥檚 rather handsome, too.
75 miles on electric power alone puts the HS in line with some of the most expensive cars on this list, and with its powerful motor it feels like you鈥檙e driving a full electric car. Keep it charged and HS will barely use any fuel, plus you won鈥檛 be scrambling to plug it in every night if you have a reasonably short commute.
On the motorway the HS is a very comfortable cruiser, with soft suspension and well controlled wind, road and engine noise. However, its soft suspension means it鈥檚 not the best performer on a twisty road - and the HS can feel a little bouncy on bigger bumps in the city.
Large windows, plenty of head and leg room and fairly supportive front seats are highlights of the interior - but the dashboard layout and storage for smaller bits and bobs is lacking. A 507-litre boot doesn鈥檛 disappoint though.
The HS鈥檚 fit and finish is still a step up compared to any other modern MG, and it does have a sleek looking pair of digital displays for infotainment and the driver. It鈥檚 just a shame that the software is clunky to use.
The MG HS represents serious value for money when it comes to hybrid SUVs. It may not be as cheap to buy as an entry-level Dacia Duster, but for the standard kit it comes with and its outstanding electric range and performance - it鈥檚 a very wise buy. It鈥檚 rather handsome, too.
75 miles on electric power alone puts the HS in line with some of the most expensive cars on this list, and with its powerful motor it feels like you鈥檙e driving a full electric car. Keep it charged and HS will barely use any fuel, plus you won鈥檛 be scrambling to plug it in every night if you have a reasonably short commute.
On the motorway the HS is a very comfortable cruiser, with soft suspension and well controlled wind, road and engine noise. However, its soft suspension means it鈥檚 not the best performer on a twisty road - and the HS can feel a little bouncy on bigger bumps in the city.
Large windows, plenty of head and leg room and fairly supportive front seats are highlights of the interior - but the dashboard layout and storage for smaller bits and bobs is lacking. A 507-litre boot doesn鈥檛 disappoint though.
The HS鈥檚 fit and finish is still a step up compared to any other modern MG, and it does have a sleek looking pair of digital displays for infotainment and the driver. It鈥檚 just a shame that the software is clunky to use.
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