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 charge up 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.
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
Cupra Formentor
The Cupra Formentor is the first model designed from the ground up by SEAT's high-performance offshoot. And what a way to launch the new brand – this coupe SUV is big enough for the family despite its show-stopping looks and powerful performance. You don't need to sacrifice low running costs either, thanks to the Formentor's choice of two plug-in hybrid engines. Both include a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine for long-range cruising ability, with the entry-level version having 204hp and a 36-mile EV range, and the upgraded model getting 245hp with a 34-mile range. Average economy in ideal conditions can top 200mpg.
Browse used Cupra Formentor cars or read our Cupra Formentor 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
Ford Kuga
Family buyers have flocked to the Ford Kuga thanks to its many strengths. It's composed and comfortable on the move, while also being surprisingly fun to drive. There's room inside for five adults and lots of space to manoeuvre kids into their car seats. You get a choice of a full-hybrid engine with 190hp – this achieves 49mpg and doesn't need to be plugged in to recharge – or a more powerful plug-in-hybrid engine. If you have the ability to recharge your car, the Kuga PHEV can average 250mpg in ideal conditions and boasts a 29-mile EV-only range.
Check out used Ford Kuga cars for sale or read our Ford Kuga 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 LED intersections between the headlights and the 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
Citroen C5 Aircross
The 1.6-litre plug-in-hybrid setup under the Citroen C5 Aircross' bonnet also appears in its platform mates – the Vauxhall Grandland and Peugeot 3008. However, we think the Citroen might be the best of the bunch. For one, it's comparatively affordable, undercutting the more premium Peugeot, while also having a larger cabin. You'll find three separate rear seats – with Isofix on the outer two – making the C5 Aircross perfect if you regularly fill all five seats. It's far too roly-poly to put much 'sport' in 'sport utility vehicle', but that soft suspension means it rides over bumps with much more grace than many over-firm rivals.
Shop used Citroen C5 Aircross cars or read our Citroen C5 Aircross review
Honda Jazz
The Honda Jazz is a small, city-friendly hatchback, so what's it doing on a list of family cars? Well – don't let its small footprint fool you – the Jazz has a Tardis-like cabin with lots of room for tall adults or bulky child seats on the second row. The tall side doors mean you won't have to stoop to secure your kids in their seats, and there's just about enough room in the boot for a small-ish pushchair. This most recent Jazz is both easy and satisfying to drive with rapid responses from its hybrid motor around town, and mature motorway manners that'll quickly see you forget this is a small, affordable car.
Take a look at used Honda Jazz cars or read our Honda Jazz 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
MG ZS
This is the latest MG ZS and it's a dramatic improvement on its slightly plasticky predecessor. You'll find the same 1.5-litre full-hybrid engine as the new MG3 hatch, which means a respectable 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds, excellent responsiveness around town, and around 55mpg without any need to plug in and recharge. Perceived quality in the cabin is far better than the old ZS, with more soft-touch materials, crisp infotainment graphics, and satisfying touchpoints like the perforated leather on the steering wheel and the chunky Tonka-toy gear shifter. There's also enough space in the cabin to make family life easy, despite its compact footprint.
See used MG ZS cars for sale or read our review of the previous-generation MG ZS
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.
