Which is the best Hybrid car?

Inside, it feels well put together and the standard of equipment is very reasonable. It’s a nimble supermini to drive, yet you’re in a well put together interior. We’d avoid the bigger wheeled options and the pricey Excel trim, but otherwise this makes a lot of sense.

Best buy: Yaris 1.5 VVT-I Hybrid Icon

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Toyota Prius

With the fourth generation of Prius coming along, you’d have to say this was the daddy of the hybrid market. You can fit five people inside in some comfort, helped in part by the lack of transmission tunnel in the floorpan. There’s plenty of room and bundles of kit, especially safety kit.

The base model T3 gives you electric windows, Bluetooth, a head-up display and air-con. Economy is pretty good, over 65mpg in the real world, but the price can be steep. The Plug-in Prius costs a considerable £11,400 more than the T3 but then you’ll be saving at the pumps as well as enjoying a free VED.

Best buy: Prius T3

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Toyota Auris Hybrid

Yes, three Toyotas in the hybrid round-up. The Auris Hybrid isn’t the most exciting to look at or to drive, but it’s roomy and reasonably refined. The petrol engine tends to sound a bit urgent if you work it hard, so it’s best all round to adopt a more laid-back approach.

The 1.8-litre hybrid engine with CVT transmission emits just 79g/km of CO2 in the Hybrid Active model. That should be good for 78.5mpg according to Toyota as well.

For a company car this makes a lot of economic sense although private buyers may find them still pricey. It’s best not to be tempted by all the add-ons, just stick to a basic vehicle and you won’t go far wrong.

Best buy: Auris 1.8 VVT-I Icon Hybrid

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Lexus RX450h

The vehicle that came out top in the 4x4 sector of the JD Power customer satisfaction survey. It’s one of the least polluting SUVs you’ll find, and can run incredibly silently in electrical mode, which it can do for short journeys. It’s refined, holds its value extremely well, and you get plenty of kit.

The interior isn’t up with the best in class, but the entry-level SE still gets keyless entry, xenon headlamps, dual-zone climate control and rain-sensing wipers.

Best buy: RX450h SE

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Lexus IS300h

Handsome, well equipped and incredibly reliable, this is a worthy contender. Around town you can pootle about using near-silent electric power only. Overall you should be looking at around 67.3mpg with just 97g/km of CO2 so you won’t be spending much at the pumps.

Smaller wheels suit both the handling and the economy of the IS300h so don’t be tempted by 18in alloys. And don’t be tempted by the baubles offered by the higher specs. Keep to the lower SE trim and enjoy a really solid hybrid.

Best buy: IS300h SE

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Hybrid

There’s a strong case that this hybrid actually beats its petrol- and diesel-engined brothers. You get tremendous refinement and build quality as well as low running costs, and in company car terms this is a massive five bands below the BMW competitor. It makes a lot of sense on the economic front.

And the economy front. The 2.1-litre turbodiesel and the electric motor combine to give 68.9mpg with only 109g/km of CO2. That’s a compelling case in itself. It may not be the most amazing driver’s car, but you do get masses of equipment at all levels.

We’d stick with the lower SE spec as you still get a raft of standard equipment including DAB radio, auto wipers, LED lights and Bluetooth and USB. Resist the extras and focus on this excellent core vehicle.

Best buy: E300 Bluetec Hybrid SE

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Lexus GS300h

Another fine entry from Lexus in the hybrid stakes. This is a great cruiser, quiet, refined and economical. The 220bhp on tap courtesy of a 2.5-litre engine and electric motor means you have plenty in reserve for covering those miles.

In lowest SE spec it should manage 60.1mpg with 109g/km of CO2 which is good. On the other hand this comes with some pretty basic trim, including cloth seats. At the top end sits the much better equipped Premium model, but that’s a whacking £12,000 price hike. So we’d go for the Luxury model which sits in the middle.

Best buy: GS300h Luxury

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C220 Bluetec Sport

Sit in the cabin of the C-Class Hybrid and you’ll be amazed at the quality of fit and finish and equipment. The entry-level SE gets a ton of kit, including rain-sensing wipers, reversing camera, and climate and cruise control. It’s a lovely cabin to be in, and it’s spacious too, from front to back to boot.

On top of that you get just 94g/km of CO2 so you’re well below any tax threshold. All this in the C-Class, with only tiny niggles to counter the terrific handling, ride, fit and finish.

For once we wouldn’t go for the basic SE trim, partly because this only comes with manual transmission. Most will go for the Sport, which adds the auto box along with even more standard equipment.

Best buy: C220 Bluetec Sport

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