Are hybrid cars worth it?
If you’re on the fence about buying a hybrid car, weigh up whether it’s worth it for you in our guide
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Hybrid cars are becoming more and more accessible on the used and new car market and can be a great option for improving your driving experience.
While electric vehicles (EVs) are the best choice for cutting fuel costs completely, choosing a hybrid model can be a good way to lower those costs without ditching fuel completely.
What is a hybrid car?
A hybrid car is a vehicle that has an internal combustion engine (ICE) as well as an electric motor and battery.
It uses this combination of technology to supplement fuel power with an electric boost, with some hybrids being able to drive for short distances using electric charge alone.
How do hybrid cars work?
As hybrid cars have an ICE and an electric motor and battery, they can use all systems to create the most efficient drive.
There are different types of hybrid cars that work in slightly different ways depending on how they get their charge.
The main principle is that the electric battery and motor will usually step in at lower speeds and shorter distances to use the electric mile range.
Over longer distances and at higher speeds, your hybrid car will use its fuel supply.
Different types of hybrid cars
Mild hybrid (MHEV) – a mild hybrid is a car that mostly uses an ICE but does include a small hybrid system to boost fuel efficiency. These types of hybrids are self-charging and use regenerative braking to give the battery a boost.
Self-charging hybrid – self-charging hybrids also use regenerative braking to charge up as well as energy from the car’s engine. They usually have a larger electric mile range than mild hybrid models.
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) – a plug-in hybrid car will have a higher electric mile range as you’re able to plug the car in and charge it up just like a regular EV. Most PHEVs have a range of up to 30 miles, so you can travel that far without using your fuel at all
Should I buy a hybrid car?
You might want to consider buying an electric car if saving on fuel is important to you but you’re not quite ready to make the big jump to a fully-electric car.
Benefits of hybrid cars
One of the main benefits of a hybrid car is improved fuel efficiency. As hybrid cars are built to be lightweight, their performance overall is improved.
That means you’ll need less energy to get moving and your car might even feel nippier thanks to the electric tech.
Hybrid cars also have a reduced carbon footprint, as the electric power reduces your reliance on fossil fuels.
This makes them slightly better for the environment while in use, but there are some arguments that the manufacturing process is still bad for the planet.
With any type of hybrid car, you get the flexibility of being able to rely on that electric motor and battery to supplement your driving.
Many hybrid models have ‘eco’ or ‘hybrid’ driving modes that you can use when you want to be particularly economical.
Things to consider before buying a hybrid
While hybrid cars can help you make savings on running costs, they are usually more expensive to buy brand-new.
You’ll need to consider whether the savings are worth the extra initial purchasing price, especially if you have your eye on a newer PHEV as these are usually the more expensive option.
If you choose a hybrid that requires plugging in to charge, you’ll have to consider where you’d like to charge up.
You can have a wall box electric car charger fitted at home or make use of close-by public charging points.
There are even some locations that allow you to charge up your car for free, and this is ideal for hybrid drivers as they don’t require as long to charge up as fully electric cars.
While EVs are exempt from congestion charges, hybrid vehicles are not and still have to pay these fees.
This can be a drawback, especially as congestion zones and Ultra Low Emission Zones continue to expand.
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Do you have to pay tax for a hybrid car?
In the earlier days of hybrid cars, drivers were entitled to certain discounts and advantages like free car tax and congestion zone exemptions. New rules in recent years have seen these advantages phased out slightly.
This now means that only hybrid models registered before 2017 are eligible for free road tax, as long as they produce less than 100g/km.
Hybrid models registered after 2017 are now subject to road tax. This works out as £145 for cars less than £40,000 after the first year.
If your car is worth more than £40,000, an additional £335 premium is added to your annual road tax for five years (starting from the second tax year for the vehicle).
Are hybrid cars worth it?
A hybrid car might be worth it for you if you want to cut back on fuel consumption and enjoy a more efficient drive.
This is especially true if you make lots of short trips like the school run or work commute, as with PHEVs you can rely completely on that electric mile range.
The initial purchasing cost of a hybrid car can seem a jump from traditional ICE models, but there are options like Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) and Hire Purchase (HP) car finance if you’d like to spread the cost across multiple payments.
Plus, hybrid cars come in lots of flashy new designs with plenty of tech. This makes them a great option for something that feels a real treat to drive.
The best hybrid cars
The best hybrid car will depend on your needs, as there are choices like hybrid SUVs, hybrid estates, and some impressive small hybrid cars to pick from.
We love the Toyota Corolla hybrid as a great all-rounder that's perfect for daily drives, while the Toyota Auris is another impressive pick with great value for money.
If you want a luxury hybrid that's fun to drive, the BMW 330e is a modern classic that's become very popular.
The Lexus NX is an ideal hybrid SUV if you're into the chunky car trend, but it's a lot more efficient than some petrol-hungry models on the market.