A-Z: the best and worst electric and hybrid cars on sale

What is it? A neat, tidy integration of engine and electricity in a hatchback. Just not cheap.

Why should I care? Although it's expensive, the A3 e-tron is a step in the right direction: well-integrated tech that drives well. 

Price: £35,940

Engine: 1395cc, 4cyl turbo + e-motor, 204bhp

Economy: 166.2mpg, 38g/km CO2

What is it? More weight added to an already heavy car. Claimed 30-mile e-range.

Why should I care? Company buyers will love 48g/km CO2 tax; everyone else will hate the 30mpg reality and stick with the more sensible diesel.

Price: £66,010

Engine: 2967cc, V6 TD + e-motor, 373bhp

Economy: 156.9mpg, 48g/km CO2
 

What is it? The cleverest, best designed, most futuristic electric car on sale today.

Why should I care? Because the i3 is a stunning machine that’s arguably too revolutionary to tempt conservative buyers. But that’s not you, is it?

Price: from £32,330

Engine: single electric motor, 170bhp

Range: 125 miles

What is it? The world’s first three-cylinder supercar, and a carbon-tubbed bargain to boot.

Why should I care? If this is the future of sports cars, we’re in good hands. Wonderful to drive, beautifully executed and so, so special.

Price: from £104,660

Engine: 1499cc, 3cyl turbo + e-motor, 362bhp

Economy: 134.5mpg, 49g/km CO2

What is it? The same basic three-cylinder engine as the i8, but not a lot else.

Why should I care? As a way to carry five people with low tax bills it’s fine, but there are more interesting, capable hybrids out there.

Price: from £33,185

Engine: 1499cc, 3cyl turbo + e-motor, 224bhp

Economy: 141.2mpg, 46g/km CO2

What is it? A company-car driver’s dream ticket a high-speed, low-tax saloon solution.

Why should I care? Not the best for e-range, but the extra e-torque gives this 3-Series a useful power boost. Thoroughly competent.Price: from £34,475

Engine: 1998cc, 4cyl turbo + e-motor, 252bhp

Economy: 148.7mpg, 44g/km CO2

What is it? As above, but £10,000 more expensive. Otherwise a game of spot the difference.

Why should I care? We’re being a bit unkind, but BMW’s design has got generic of late. Otherwise the new 5 hybrid has plenty to recommend it. 

Price: from £43,985

Engine: 1998cc, 4cyl turbo + e-motor, 252bhp

Economy: 141.2mpg, 46g/km CO2

What is it? As above, but £25,000 more expensive. And with a fair chunk more power, too.

Why should I care? BMW has taken its move into hybrid seriously, and when a car this big has CO2 of less than 50g/km, you have to take notice.

Price: from £68,940

Engine: 1998cc, 4cyl turbo + e-motor, 326bhp

Economy: 134.5mpg, 49g/km CO2

What is it? A rival for the Audi Q7 e-tron and Volvo’s XC90 T8. Just not quite as new and fresh.

Why should I care? The tech that underpins this X5 is solid enough, but alongside its rivals, it struggles to make much noise. Competent, not class-leading.

Price: from £54,820

Engine: 1998cc, 4cyl turbo + e-motor, 313bhp

Economy: 85.6mpg, 119g/km CO2

What is it? An ordinary saloon car fitted with an ordinary hybrid system. Largely ordinary.

Why should I care? With no turbo to aid mpg, the Mondeo struggles to reduce emissions as much as rivals. Will be just as good in the real world, though. 

Price: £27,665

Engine: 1999cc, 4cyl + e-motor, 187bhp

Economy: 67.3mpg, 92g/km CO2

What is it? The Koreans have a crack at the Toyota Prius. Do it well. No one is surprised.

Why should I care? Not because of the cutting-edge tech, but the price Hyundai has managed to do it for. Considering a Prius? Come here first. 

Price: from £20,095Engine: 1580cc, 4cyl + e-motor, 141bhp

Economy: 74.3mpg, 79g/km CO2

What is it? A car that few have heard of, let alone bought. Mid-size Japanese saloon with big V6.

Why should I care? You probably shouldn’t. Infiniti has missed the low emissions point by combining e-power with thirsty V6. On the plus side: rapid. 

Price: £43,390

Engine: 3498cc, V6 + e-motor, 364bhp

Economy: 45.6mpg, 139g/km CO2

What is it? As above, only more so. Q70 is big but flawed as a hybrid version.

Why should I care? With a combined average of 26.2mpg for the Sport Tech, you really shouldn’t. Smooth and kitted it might be, but economical? No. 

Price: from £44,015

Engine: 3696cc, V6 + e-motor, 320bhp

Economy: 45.6mpg, 145g/km CO2

What is it? Kia’s take on BMW’s 330e. Good for peace of mind, bad for thrills.

Why should I care? A plug-in with a claimed 30-mile e-range. So call it 15 miles. Still, enough to get you to the shops and back. 

Price: £33,995

Engine: 1999cc, 4cyl + e-motor, 205bhp

Economy: 176.6mpg, 37g/km CO2

What is it? Basically a Toyota Prius in a different set of clothes. Underwhelming in every regard.

Why should I care? Toyota/Lexus kickstarted the hybrid revolution, but are now content to do little
to move it on. A missed opportunity on wheels. 

Price: from £22,495

Engine: 1798cc, 4cyl + e-motor, 136bhp

Economy: 78.5mpg, 82g/km CO2

What is it? Lexus’s hybrid rival to the BMW 530d. Diesel too dirty for you? Step right this way, sir.

Why should I care? Because this 450h kicks the 300h model into the dirt in a straight line. And the crazy interior takes inspiration from the LFA.

Price: from £52,995

Engine: 3456cc V6 + e-motor, 340bhp

Economy: 45.6mpg, 145g/km CO2

What is it? Lexus saying whatever diesel can do, hybrid can do better. For the record, it can’t.

Why should I care? Because if you like cosy places the IS will cosset you all day long, but any more than half throttle and the CVT will frustrate you.

Price: from £29,995

Engine: 2494cc, 4cyl + e-motor, 220bhp

Economy: 65.7mpg, 97g/km CO2

What is it? A coupe version of the IS300h above, but the sportiness ends at the number of doors.

Why should I care? Because it’s not a bad-looker, and smoother than Tom Selleck in a bath full of Brylcreem. It’s different, but lacking dynamically.

Price: from £36,995

Engine: 2494cc, 4cyl + e-motor, 220bhp

Economy: 57.6mpg, 113g/km CO2

What is it? A spiritual, but altogether more mainstream successor to the Lexus LFA

Why should I care? You shouldn’t, this hybrid version is mighty clever, but it’s the V8 version of the LC that you want. Sorry, planet.

Price: £76,595

Engine: 3456cc V6 + e-moto 354bhp

Economy: 44mpg, 149g/km CO2

What is it? A bigger. better, bolder version of Lexus’s flagship – not yet on sale in the UK.

Why should I care? It has the same powertrain as the LC500h Coupe, unfortunately it’s not a particularly inspiring one. Will be a rare sight. 

Price: £80,000 (est)

Engine: 3456cc V6 + e-motor 354bhp

Economy: 44mpg, 149g/km CO2

What is it? The most radical-looking member of the mid-size premium SUV bunch. Don’t cut your finger.

Why should I care? Because it’s a brave move from Lexus, taking on the Germans with design flair. Unfortunately not as good to drive as any of ’em.

Price: from £30,995

Engine: 2494cc, 4cyl + e-motor, 194bhp

Economy: 56.5mpg, 116g/km CO2

What is it? The NX300h’s bigger brother. Same slashed styling, but more space and power.

Why should I care? Because we can’t all drive around in Range Rover Sports and BMW X5s, can we? And some of us wouldn’t want to...

Price: from £48,645

Engine: 3456cc V6 + e-motor, 309bhp

Economy: 53.3mpg, 120g/km CO2

What is it? A plug-in hybrid version of Mercedes’s brilliant BMW 3-Series rival, with added smugness.

Why should I care? As tax dodging goes, this is peerless – just look at those claimed economy figures. Soon compatible with wireless charging. 

Price: from £39,445

Engine: 1991cc, 4cyl turbo + e-motor, 289bhp

Economy: 134.5mpg, 49g/km CO2​

What is it? More plug-in hybrid black magic from Mercedes, a good fit for the high-tech E-Class.

Why should I care? This could take a meaty chunk out of your company-car tax bill. Beware, keen drivers – you can feel the extra weight.

Price: from £45,510

Engine: 1991cc, 4cyl turbo + e-motor, 295bhp

Economy: 134.5mpg, 49g/km CO2

What is it? A large Mercedes SUV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Duh. 

Why should I care? As it was so heavy in the first place, what’s a few more kilos of batteries? Volvo XC90 and Audi Q7 do the same thing but better.

Price: from £66,540

Engine: 2996cc, V6 bi-turbo + e-motor, 437bhp

Economy: 76.4mpg, 84g/km CO2

Price: from £75,750

Engine: 2143cc, 4cyl TD + e-motor, 228bhp

Economy: 65.7mpg, 120g/km CO2

What is it? A luxury limo with an unusual diesel-electric engine... no plugging in here.

Why should I care? Because it goes like a diesel V6, but emits much less, and is as smooth and effortless as you’d expect from the S.

What is it? Another hybrid S-Class – this one can run under its own electric steam.

Why should I care? Because it will waft you from board meeting to country residence and sidestep hefty tax bills along the way. Not cheap, though.

Price: from £91,665

Engine: 2996cc, V6 bi-turbo + e-motor, 437bhp

Economy: 100.9mpg, 65g/km CO2

What is it? A reasonably priced, large plug-in hybrid SUV. Also, very underwhelming to drive.

Why should I care? Because it’s basically the same price as a diesel to buy, but will cost you a lot less to run. It’s plug-in tech for the everyman.

Price: from £34,304

Engine: 1998cc, 4cyl petrol + e-motor, 200bhp

Economy: 156.9mpg, 42g/km CO

What is it? If you haven’t heard of the Leaf, you’re not trying hard enough. 

Why should I care? OK, it looks odd, but isn’t that the point? A mid-life update means over 150 miles per charge. Go, be free, explore!

Price: from £26,180

Engine: single electric motor, 107bhp

Range: 155 miles​

What is it? An electric van with or without seats in the back. Not one for the fashion-conscious.

Why should I care? Because if you do lots of short-range deliveries in town, or spend your life ferrying kids around your local area, it could be the one.

Price: from £28,907

Engine: single electric motor, 107bhp

Range: 106 miles

What is it? A plug-in hybrid Porsche capable of 0–62mph in 5.9secs and 85.6mpg. Tempting, no?

Why should I care? Because with the V6 and motor working together there’s substantial acceleration, and you get green brake callipers, just like the 918.

Price: £64,512

Engine: 2995cc, V6 s/c + e-motor, 410bhp

Economy: 85.6mpg, 75g/km CO2​

Price: from £79,715

Engine: 2894cc, V6 bi-turbo + e-motor, 456bhp

Economy: 88.5mpg, 56g/km CO2

What is it? A new Panamera with a new plug-in powertrain. More power, better economy : )

Why should I care? Because if you like to go fast
in a straight line, then it’s a remarkable bit of kit.
Also now available in mad Turbo S e-hybrid guise.

What is it? The Renault Clio’s futuristic cousin – a full EV that’s surprisingly affordable.

Why should I care? Bother doing the maths and compared with a petrol hatch, this could save you enough every year for a holiday in the Dordogne. 

Price: from £18,495 + battery hire

Engine: single electric motor, 91bhp

Range: 186 miles

What is it? Half quad-bike, half-car, entirely ridiculous. An EV for the sadists out there.

Why should I care? Because there’s no better way to get noticed about town than in a Twizy. There’s also no better way to look like an idiot when it rains.

Price: from £6,995 + battery hire

Engine: single electric motor, 17bhp

Range: 62 miles​

What is it? Merc’s dinky two-seater transplanted with a batteries and motors. Makes perfect sense.

Why should I care? Because you don’t want to be doing long journeys in a Smart anyway, so you might as well be doing them fossil fuel-free. 

Price: £20,000 (est)

Engine: single electric motor, 81bhp

Range: 100 miles

What is it? Tesla’s four-door saloon, and in P100D guise the world’s fastest-accelerating four-door.

Why should I care? Because if you want to be a part of the EV elite, no other car will do. A large mile range makes it a realistic only car, too. 

Price: from £66,935

Engine: dual electric motors, 328bhp

Range: 298 miles

What is it? Tesla’s bewinged, seven-seater electric SUV. Also comes in ludicrously fast 595bhp version.

Why should I care? It has gullwing doors that are needlessly complicated but incredibly cool, and it’ll outdrag any SUV on the planet. Just ask Rory. 

Price: from £85,335

Engine: dual electric motors, 328bhp

Range: 259 miles

What is it? The Prius’s tech, in a normal hatchback and estate body.

Why should I care? It doesn’t look absolutely mad, and comes without Uber prejudice attached. Sensible as it gets, if you like that sort of thing.

Price: from £20,985

Engine: 1798cc 4cyl + e-motor, 136bhp

Economy: 80.7mpg, 79g/km CO2

What is it? The butt of a thousand Uber jokes, and the car that kickstarted the hybrid revolution.

Why should I care? Because for sitting in traffic and making small talk with your passengers, there really is no finer car.

Price: from £24,115

Engine: 1798cc, 4cyl petrol + e-motor, 178bhp

Economy: 94.2mpg, 70g/km CO2

What is it? A seven-seat Prius, so you can take many people or much more luggage. 

Why should I care? Next time you order an Uber to the airport and you’re taking a great many bags, it might be one of these...

Price: from £27,660

Engine: 1798cc 4cyl petrol plus e-motor, 134bhp

Economy: 68.9mpg, 96g/km CO2

What is it? The cheapest of Toyota’s hybrid hatchbacks, at £5k less than an Auris.

Why should I care? If you’re after a modicum of fun, you shouldn’t. But properly worthy cars get little more attainable than this. 

Price: from £17,595

Engine: 1497cc 4cyl petrol plus e-motor, 98bhp

Economy: 85.6mpg, 75g/km CO2

What is it? Either a very expensive Toyota, or the turning point for fuel cell vehicles.

Why should I care? Think hydrogen is the future, not electric? It’s the only fuel cell you can actually buy at the moment. 

Price: £66,000

Engine: hydrogen fuel cell + e-motor, 154bhp

Range: 342 miles

What is it? Toyota’s tried and tested hybrid powertrain in a trendy crossover.

Why should I care? It’s a hybrid SUV. Yes, you can have a RAV4 hybrid. But this is so much cooler, right? 

Price: from £23,685

Engine: 1798cc 4cyl petrol plus e-motor, 120bhp

Economy: 74.3mpg, 86g/km CO2

What is it? VW’s brilliant sub-£10k city car morphs into a full EV.

Why should I care? It’s a fun, dinky hatch that you can plug in without feeling preachy. Shame the price has more than doubled…

Price: £25,280

Engine: electric motor, 81bhp

Range: 99 miles

What is it? A plug-in Golf hatchback. As ‘normal’ looking as EVs get, basically.

Why should I care? As a fully electric car that’s not a bit weird and doesn’t make you look like you’re preaching, it’s perfect. See also the VW e-Up.

Price: from £31,680 

Engine: electric motor, 113bhp

Range: 186 miles​

What is it? A saloon or estate with a more powerful tune of the Golf GTE’s powertrain.

Why should I care? It’s an interesting Passat! And a cooler, cleaner, more desirable company car than a default diesel.

Price: from £37,025

Engine: 1395cc 4cyl turbo + e-motor, 215bhp

Economy: 156.9mpg, 40g/km CO2​

What is it? A petrol-electric version of the ubiquitous family SUV.

Why should I care? An already cosseting, Zen-like family car can now travel silently. Oh, and it’s got 401bhp...

Price: from £60,455

Engine: 1969cc 4cyl turbo +e-motor, 401bhp

Economy: 134.5mpg, 49g/km CO2