Hybrid cars offer the best of both worlds.
You have an electric motor to waft through traffic, backed up by an engine so you don't need to recharge on long journeys. Here are our 10 favourite hybrid family cars, with low running costs and plenty of space.
We've included full hybrids and plug-in hybrids, as these take full advantage of the petrol-electric pairing. Save thousands by buying these models as used cars from Motorpoint.
- Volkswagen Passat
- BMW 3 Series
- Audi A3
- Skoda Octavia
- Renault Austral
- Hyundai Kona
- Kia Sportage
- Chery Tiggo 8
- Honda HR-V
- Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
Volkswagen Passat
Try to ignore the appeal of the ubiquitous Volkswagen Tiguan and consider the Passat instead. Now estate-only, the Passat is the perfect car for comfortable family journeys. Get the plug-in hybrid and you'll get up to 82 miles of EV driving, along with a petrol engine for backup. Plus, the Passat'll fast-charge (most PHEVs don't) and its refinement is even better with electric power. The Passat is the ultimate family estate – there's a whopping boot, vast rear-seat space, easy Isofix points and standard-fit sunblinds for the rear windows. And the cheapest Life trim includes a massive kit list including massaging front seats and an electric boot lid. There's very little to disagree with in the Passat.
Shop used Volkswagen Passat cars or read our Volkswagen Passat review
BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series is a great reminder that family cars don't always need to be SUVs. This handsome model comes as a spacious saloon or a practical Touring estate and has lots of passenger space, despite being one of BMW's smaller models. Choose the plug-in-hybrid 330e version to get a powerful 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine combined with an electric motor and battery pack. Resist the temptation to use all the acceleration on tap and you can cover up to 41 miles on electric power alone or achieve more than 140mpg if you use both power sources optimally.
Shop used BMW 3 Series cars or read our BMW 3 Series review
Audi A3
Family cars don't have to be massive SUVs or long estates. If you need something to carry the kids that's also easy to park in the city, try out an Audi A3. It's just a little longer than the mechanically related Volkswagen Golf, which means adults should be fairly comfortable in the back seats, and there's enough space for a pushchair in the boot. Under the bonnet is a slick plug-in-hybrid setup featuring more than 200hp for zippy acceleration. Recharge often and you can make the most of the A3's impressive electric range.
Browse used Audi A3 cars or read our Audi A3 review
Skoda Octavia
The Skoda Octavia shares many oily bits with the Volkswagen Golf, but families might find the Czech car a little easier to get on with thanks to its larger cabin and bigger boot. Cargo space is enhanced even further if you pick the cavernous Octavia Estate, which has 490 litres of storage on plug-in-hybrid versions. There are two plug-in options to choose from, starting with the Octavia iV, which has a combined 204hp plus a claimed electric range of 41 miles and average economy north of 200mpg. Or you can step up to the Octavia vRS with a 245hp PHEV setup for faster acceleration with a small hit to efficiency.
Search used Skoda Octavia cars or read our Skoda Octavia review
Renault Austral
Renault's latest round of hybrid cars are some of the best its ever made, with the family-sized Austral impressing on multiple levels. For starters, the interior is stylish and modern, while also being reasonably easy to learn your way around. Cabin space is comparable to other models in its class, but the Austral really impresses once you're out on the road. The 200hp full-hybrid setup is punchy and mostly relies on its responsive electric motor to do the heavy lifting, so you're barely ever bothered by engine noise while achieving nearly 60mpg on average. It's properly comfortable too, unlike so many rivals that try to double up as sports cars.
View used Renault Austral cars for sale or read our Renault Austral review
Hyundai Kona
Older Hyundai Kona models weren't an automatic recommendation for family buyers, as their compact bodywork meant interior space was limited. The latest model, however, is a far better choice for hauling your nearest and dearest around. For starters, it's been enlarged so there's now proper space in the back seats and enough room in the boot for a pushchair. Under the bonnet, Hyundai's 1.6-litre petrol engine and dual-clutch automatic gearbox are paired with a hybrid electric motor for zippy off-the-line reflexes and up to 50mpg.
Check out used Hyundai Kona cars or read our Hyundai Kona review
Kia Sportage
Earlier Kia Sportage models earned praise for their sensible qualities – their practicality, reliability and ease of use. The latest model, however, adds dramatic styling to the mix with a front-end look dominated by sharp angles and bold LED headlights either side of its rectangular grille. All the sensible stuff remains with pin-sharp screens for the driver's dials and infotainment system, and acres of space in the cabin for passengers and their things. Like other Kia and Hyundai models, the Sportage comes with a choice of full-hybrid or plug-in hybrid engines allowing you to pick the one that best suits your driving style.
See used Kia Sportage cars or read our Kia Sportage review
Chery Tiggo 8
Chery might be a fresh face on UK shores but its sub-brands Omoda and Jaecoo have already made a strong first impression. Like models from those lineups, Chery's cars offer astonishing value for money, undercutting virtually all traditional brands by thousands of pounds. Plus, when you step inside, there's absolutely no evidence that you're in a cost-cut product, with plush materials and a full suite of modern infotainment tech. Space is impressive for the cash too, with seven seats and lots of cargo space. Chery's 'Super Hybrid' setup spends most of its time in pure electric mode, so it's easy to forget there's also a petrol engine.
Shop used Chery Tiggo 8 cars or read our Chery Tiggo 8 review
Honda HR-V
Toyota was the first big brand associated with hybrids, but Honda actually beat it to the punch in most major markets with the Insight in 1999. As such, it also has a huge back catalogue of hybrid models, with the HR-V being one of the more recent additions. It shares a few features with the genius Jazz supermini – including its smooth 1.5-litre self-charging-hybrid engine, and clever theatre-style 'Magic Seats' in the back that flip up to reveal massive cargo space. The body is usefully larger, however, with noticeably more passenger space.
Take a look at used Honda HR-V cars or read our Honda HR-V review
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
Toyota is synonymous with hybrids thanks to the worldwide success of its Prius. The Corolla Touring Sports is a sweet spot in the Japanese brand's lineup for family buyers, combining a smooth, efficient full-hybrid engine with a practical body that's large enough for kids and clobber. Basic 1.8-litre models are fine for regular driving duties, but we prefer the effortless performance offered by the beefier 2.0-litre version. Opting for the Touring Sports estate version also means 2.0-litre buyers aren't as badly affected by the addition of the larger hybrid battery, which eats into cargo space in the hatchback version. Also consider the badge-swapped Suzuki Swace as a more affordable alternative.
Browse used Toyota Corolla Touring Sports cars or read our Toyota Corolla review
Found the right hybrid family hauler for you?
Check out Motorpoint's huge range of used hybrid cars for sale. For more inspiration, check out our picks for the best hybrid SUVs you can buy nearly new.
