As electrified and hybrid cars start to become more common on the road, all segments and manufacturers are starting to adopt the more environmentally-friendly setup that also offers more fuel-efficient driving.
With hybrids more common on larger platforms, there are also options in the small car segment and with a government incentive available on some of these, you can spend less than you might have originally thought.
Here are our best small hybrid models currently on the market…
Hyundai Ioniq
Available as an electric, hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, the Ioniq covers all the bases of environmentally-considerate motoring. The conventional hybrid model is the cheapest of the range and starts from £20,885. With that you get a quoted 700 miles of range when combining both the electric and petrol motors, and it emits 79g/km CO2 for lower road tax rates. The Ioniq is practical too, and also offers lots of good tech, such as a central touchscreen and wireless smartphone charging.
Audi A3 e-tron
As one of the more premium options in the small hybrid segment, the Audi A3 e-tron comes in the brand’s Sportback guise. With it you get a 148bhp hybrid system that includes a three-cylinder 1.4-litre petrol that emits a quoted 38g/km CO2 – much better than many other vehicles of a similar size. It also comes with plenty of excellent features, such as dynamic suspension, Audi’s MMI infotainment and navigation system, and LED lights for the front and rear. Prices aren’t the cheapest at £36,495, but with nice driving dynamics and comfort options, the e-tron is a great option in the sector.
BMW i3 ReX
The i3 ReX is not your usual hybrid, but it counts due to its petrol turbine that helps to charge the batteries that power the all-electric powertrain. That added two-cylinder petrol range extender doesn’t add any extra oomph to the i3, but it helps extend the range by over 80 miles over the standard i3 – offering 205 miles of range. The premium finish and lack of an engine allow for an excellent interior space, and with great driving dynamics the i3 ReX is difficult to ignore – even if prices do start at £37,220.
Volkswagen Golf GTE
The Golf GTE has proven to be such a popular hybrid that Volkswagen has actually suspended taking orders just to keep up with public demand. But what’s not to like? A practical outlay, high quality driving and German reliability, the GTE is then wrapped in an ever-popular Golf package that is always in the top 10 of the UK best-sellers charts. The petrol-electric setup comes with a plug-in element that charges the battery pack, with an all-electric range of 31 miles. When the model does come back on sale, prices will start from £30,635, with the higher-spec Advance version starting from £32,135.
Toyota Prius
This is the model that started off the hybrid trend back in the late 90s, but the current version is the most advanced yet. Fitted with a 1.8-litre petrol engine paired with an electric setup, the Prius Hybrid comes with 121bhp at its disposal, and even from base specification great features aren’t difficult to come by. With a seven-inch touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, leather steering wheel and Toyota Safety Sense assistance systems, the Prius is a solid option in the small hybrid market – especially with prices starting from £24,240.