Best hybrid cars 2017: BMW, Volvo and more

Best hybrids 2016: Nine top choices

25 October

Hybrid cars are now considered mainstream, and most major manufacturers can sell you a car offering smooth electric motoring alongside petrol or diesel power on demand.

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There are three different types. Conventional hybrids don't require any more effort than running a normal car, as the batteries are charged on the go by recuperating energy through braking. These cars run on the combustion engine most of the time.

At the other end of the scale, range-extender hybrids run on electric drive all the time, and the small on-board engines are only there to charge the batteries.

Plug-in hybrids strike right down the middle. They require charging, but you'll get a mix of all-electric running alongside a petrol or diesel engine for when the batteries run low. If your commute is short, you could go days without using petrol, but the engine is always there if you need it.

The market is pretty diverse, and city cars, saloons, crossovers, hatchbacks and even some full-size SUVs are now available with some form of battery pack on-board. Here are some of the cars recommended by the critics if you're thinking of going hybrid soon:

BMW i3 range extender

BMW's small, fashionable electric car can be bought with a tiny two-cylinder petrol engine, turning it into a range extender.

Rather than being used as a source of propulsion in itself, the small engine is used solely to charge the batteries sending power to the electric drivetrain. The effect is noticeable, especially in BMW's newly updated i3 for 2016.

The dense battery pack means the i3 range extender can now do a claimed 276 miles on a single charge – almost double the 150-mile maximum older versions have been rated at. It's the equivalent of 470mpg fuel economy and emits just 12g/km CO2.

The i3 range extender can be bought new from £30,980, thanks to the car qualifying for the full £4,500 government grant.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi's Outlander PHEV is one of the most popular plug-in cars on sale in Britain today, thanks to its hushed hybrid driving style combined with its risen SUV driving position. It's a car Auto Express says makes sense for those looking for space, comfort and low company-car tax bills.

It uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine working with a generator and two electric motors on each axle. Combined, the power output is a respectable 204bhp. Most of the time, the wheels will be driven by the electric motors, though the petrol engine can take over on motorway drives.

Mitsubishi claims fuel economy of 148mpg and CO2 emissions of 44g/km. Prices start at £31,749.

Toyota Prius

The Prius is now in its fourth generation and remains one of the most established mass-production hybrid vehicles. The latest model introduces a more flamboyant and eye-catching design compared to its older siblings, plus new motor and battery technology for greater efficiency.

It still uses a 1.8-litre petrol engine as its main source of power, delivering 97bhp and a claimed 94.1mpg on a combined cycle for certain versions. It's a figure Auto Express says is optimistic, but consumption around the 70mpg and 80mpg marks is certainly achievable. Combined with the battery, the Prius has 121bhp. It is tax and congestion-charge exempt, clocking in just 76g/km CO2 on the optional 17ins wheels.

Its looks may be divisive, but inside the cabin, the interior is a step up from the previous model. It starts from £23,295.

Toyota Yaris Hybrid

For a hybrid based on a small conventional supermini, Toyota will fit a battery pack to its Yaris.

The 1.5-litre motor is hooked up to a compact battery to aid progress and boost fuel economy, delivering 76.3mpg and 85g/km CO2, along with 98bhp for 0-62mph in 11.8secs.

The downside is the gearbox - a continuously variable transmission that may be alien to some motorists. According to Auto Express, "it hampers refinement at motorway speeds, too, as the revs constantly rise and fall as you try to maintain a steady speed".

Prices start from £14,995 - £4,000 more than a standard Yaris, but plenty of equipment is thrown in as standard.

Mercedes C300h

One of the carmaker's most popular hybrid entrants is the C300h, a version of the C-Class saloon.

The car makes use of a 2.1-litre diesel engine and a 20kWh battery pack. What Car? says it's a good powertrain that delivers a high quality performance while emitting sub 100g/km CO2 figures, making it road tax exempt. Mercedes claims you'll get 79mpg.

The amount of power produced by the punchy 2.1-litre diesel engine makes it feel comfortable getting up to speed on the motorway. Having a decent level of power to rely on is reassuring, adds What Car?, although it feels the system could be a little more refined, saying the transition from electric power to diesel isn't as smooth as it is on the car's rivals.

The C300H starts at £35,400 in SE trim and for that, you get a decently equipped C-Class with sat nav as standard.

Volkswagen Golf GTE

This comes with the advantage of being a derivative of one of the UK's most popular family hatchbacks and as the GTE namesake suggests, it's an attempt to make plug-in hybrid-propulsion hotter.

What Car? gives the Golf GTE four out of five and places it on its list of hybrids you should consider.

While not as fast as a Golf GTI, the GTE is more than engaging and has plenty of power on tap. A 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 148bhp works in tandem with a battery-powered electric motor for a total of 201bhp to play with. It completes 0-62mph in a respectable 7.6secs and top speed is clocked at 135mph.

Efficiency wise, it's a performer too. The plug-in system takes 3.5 hours to charge on a standard three-pin and once completely topped up, can be used to power the car on electricity alone for up to 31 miles. Tied to the petrol engine, range is rated at 580 miles and VW claims 166mpg, although real-world testing has pegged it closer to 60mpg.

The CO2 figure is the car's party piece, though. At 39g/km, it's VED exempt and low enough to make it a very tempting proposition for company car buyers.

Inside and out you can't go wrong – it is, after all, a hybrid version of a VW Golf and the level of equipment is high. So is the price, however. At £34,055, it costs more than the 300bhp range-topping Golf R.

Hyundai Ioniq

The Ioniq is one of the newest hybrids to hit the market and is Hyundai's first effort at a car with battery tech. It's also the first car ever to be offered with the choice of a conventional hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric powertrain.

A more conventional and subdued-looking rival to the Prius, the Ioniq, Auto Express says, is a solid alternative to the Toyota vehicle and should be popular considering its starting price is significantly smaller.

The £19,995 price tag is for the entry-level hybrid, which will the first version to launch when it arrives in showrooms this October. Hyundai claims it will manage more than 83mpg with 79g/km CO2 emissions.

The other hybrid and the full EV will become available at a later date, but lower CO2 emissions of 32g/km are quoted for the plug-in and an all-electric range of 174 miles is claimed for the battery-only car.

Auto Express says the Ioniq is nicer to drive than the Prius, thanks to its use of a proper gearbox, while the focus on comfort and refinement, together with decent passenger space and a big boot, means it "qualifies as a comfortable and spacious family car".

Kia Niro

The new Niro is a hybrid SUV recommended by CarBuyer and although the MPG figures aren't as impressive as other cars on this list, it's a great pick if you're after a straightforward, conventional family crossover that looks and drives just like any other car on the road - but with hidden hybrid talents under the bonnet.

It combines a petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined power output of 138bhp and Kia claims you'll get 74mpg on a combined run. The CO2 emissions of 88g/km means the Niro is road tax free.

It's designed to feel as normal as possible. For instance, the batteries are placed underneath the rear seats rather than the boot, so there's still a large stow in the back, while the gearbox is a dual-clutch automatic, letting you change gear as normal. Differences like these make the Niro feel familiar and family-friendly.

Prices start at £21,295, although CarBuyer says go for the mid-range 2 model, where you get the likes of sat nav, a reversing camera, automatic wipers and part-leather upholstery thrown in as standard.

Lexus IS 300h

One of the best hybrid saloon cars, as recommended by Auto Express, is the Lexus IS 300h, a "refreshingly different" executive saloon that's a compelling alternative to the likes of the BMW 3-Series.

"Quality, service and refinement are unbeatable, as is a lengthy kit list, while the hybrid system is super efficient", says the magazine.

The IS300h uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor that's good for 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds and a top speed of 124mph, and has impressive efficiency scores. Lexus claims that you'll get 67mpg out of its hybrid saloon and the 97g/km CO2 figures mean that it is road tax free.

It's a quiet and comfortable car to drive, with tidy handling to boot, but some drivers may find the gearbox unappealing. It's a CVT unit, which could take some getting used to as it won't behave like a standard five or six speed 'box. It's not the most responsive gearbox in the world either.

Inside the cabin is "superbly appointed and spacious". Prices start at £28,995.