TOP 10 HYBRID CARS

Hybrid cars can genuinely offer high levels of fuel economy if driven carefully. You can now choose from an increasing range of petrol-electric hybrids and diesel-electric hybrids, so here’s our top 10 list of hybrid cars – see our Top 10 Electric Carsfeature for plug-in hybrids.

1 BMW ACTIVEHYBRID3 47.9MPG

Okay, so it may be a controversial first place, but the fact is that the BMW ActiveHybrid3 comes close to the M3 in terms of the driving experience and performance, but with around half the emissions and twice the economy – that’s why it’s our favourite – if expensive – hybrid.

2 TOYOTA PRIUS 72.4MPG

Back in the real world, the Toyota Prius hybrid takes some beating as an economical family hatchback. It offers space and low emissions, together with an easy driving experience thanks to the CVT transmission, even if that isn’t to everyone’s tastes.

3 LEXUS GS 450H 45.6MPG

The Lexus GS 450h is a very refined way to travel, combining performance and economy – although not both at the same time.

4 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS HYBRID 65.7MPG

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Hybrid is a diesel-electric hybrid rather than a petrol-electric hybrid, so it has an impressively high official combined economy figure of 65.7mpg.

5 TOYOTA AURIS TOURING SPORTS 70.6MPG

The Toyota Auris Touring Sports is unique because it’s currently the only hybrid estate, which means that it offers lots of space and good potential economy. An Auris hatchback is also available.

6 TOYOTA YARIS HYBRID 70.6MPG

The Toyota Yaris Hybrid brings full hybrid technology to the supermini class, together with an impressive 70.6mpg.

7 HONDA JAZZ HYBRID 62.8MPG

The Jazz is Honda’s offering in the supermini class, with an official combined economy figure of 62.8mpg from Honda’s IMA ‘mild’ hybrid system.

8 LEXUS IS 300H 65.7MPG

The Lexus IS 300h offers a smaller, more affordable hybrid option than the GS 450h. Official economy is 65.7mpg.

9 CITROEN DS5 HYBRID4 80.7MPG

Peugeot and Citroen both offer diesel-electric hybrids – the most stylish of them is the Citroen DS5 Hybrid4, which has an official combined economy figure of 80.7mpg, although this is difficult to achieve in real-life.

10 AUDI A8 HYBRID 44.8MPG

The Audi A8 Hybrid combines a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine with compact hybrid technology to deliver 44.8mpg.