► Worried about the environment, but don't want range anxiety as well?
► Urban-friendly low-emission cars that can roam anywhere
► Superminis, hatchbacks and small SUVs
EVs are happening whether we like it or not, but in 2021 hybrid cars still represent a viable stepping stone between conventional cars and full-blown electric ones. There are many situations where a hybrid makes more sense than either an electric vehicle or a combustion-engined car.
Take the popular Renault Zoe. The EV claims over 250 miles of range – and if all you do is drive around town at 30-40mph, it'll deliver it too. But in smaller electric cars in particular, you'll find that if you want to travel at motorway speeds the range plummets. The 250-mile Zoe becomes a 150-mile exercise in charger roulette.
With that in mind, a small hybrid could work best for many people. Here are the best in 2021:
Best small hybrid cars
Toyota Yaris Hybrid
The original small hybrid car, the Toyota Yaris is now in its second generation and continues to be very good as both a small car and a hybrid. The current Yaris is sportier, more spacious and less 'upright' than its predecessor, and although you're limited to five doors it's still got some of the wide-arched look of the GR Yaris hot hatch. That's where the similarity ends, though, with 114bhp squeezing through the front wheels and a focus on economy.
In town, the revised hybrid powertrain gets away from the lights smartly on electric power from an 80bhp motor. The new battery pack is small and light, tucked under the back seats, so the Yaris still feels nimble.
At least up to 30mph, it's more than capable of surprising drivers complacently relying on diesel torque.
The aim of the Yaris Hybrid is to reduce local emissions by running in EV mode for slow, short trips, and to improve economy elsewhere, with the hybrid taking some of the strain off the petrol engine; with more than two decades of experience, Toyota's got that bit sorted.
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Renault Clio E-Tech
Renault's latest Clio is already impressive, with enjoyable handling and significant improvements in fit, finish and material quality throughout. The addition of an electrified model seems unusual given Renault's investment into pure EVs, but it's a very welcome development. It's got 140bhp and a lot of F1-style technology crammed under the bonnet, and a modest 1.2kWh battery in the boot, adding just 10kg to the Clio's weight compared with the equivalent non-hybrid.
1.2kWh is enough for typical short urban drives, but the real focus is bringing the emissions down. CO2 is less than 100g/km and economy is approaching the 70mpg levels often associated with super-efficient diesels. It's quick, it's clever, and it's reasonably priced.
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The definitive hatchback hybrid
Audi A3 e-Tron and Volkswagen Golf GTE
Two for the price of one? The hybrid technology is fundamentally the same; 200bhp from a 1.4-litre turbo petrol and an electric motor, 30+ mile range and an engaging hot hatch experience with lower benefit-in-kind tax and running costs. The Golf's just been updated, and the Audi A3 e-Tron will follow suit (at the time of writing, you can still buy the older generation).
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The chief differences between them are badge prestige and interior style. They're equally competent, refined and impressive hybrid hatchbacks. The prestigious A3 e-Tron has been something of a bargain from lease brokers and large dealers as stocks are cleared for the new model, so it may even prove to be the more affordable option in the short term.
VW Golf GTE review
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Small hybrid SUVs
Jeep Renegade 4xe
Yes, it's a Jeep, but it's a small one – the Renegade shares its platform with the Fiat 500X and L. Short dimensions, high driving position and squared-off ruggedness make it really appealing for cities even without the batteries, but it's also one of the smallest plug-in hybrid SUVs on the market. A decent electric-only range should reduce benefit-in-kind tax liability and allow the majority of urban trips to be free of local emissions, but it's still a Jeep – so there's a grippy four-wheel drive system that leverages the instant, controllable torque of the electric motor.
Combining both turbo petrol and electric motors for 240bhp means the Renegade 4xe is also fairly rapid, reaching 60mph in less than 7.0 seconds. It might be square, but it's also pretty cool.
Jeep Renegade 4XE
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Kia Niro PHEV
Seven-year warranty, engaging handling and proven electric powertrain tech marks the Niro PHEV out, but the subtle marketing may mean it's easily overlooked next to the Sportage or XCeed, or the attention-getting e-Niro. It may be the better choice, though, as it blends the best of both worlds and offers solid, traditional Kia value with cutting-edge tech. Its weakest aspect may be that for the budget, there are a lot of cars with more flair.
We're running one on our long-term test fleet, so you can get more real-world experiences of the Kia Niro PHEV here.
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Mini Countryman PHEV
This Mini isn't exactly tiny, but it's still one of the smaller SUVs with a plug-in powertrain. The overly cute styling hides serious engineering, as the PHEV's 218bhp-combined petrol and electric motors propel the all-wheel-drive Countryman to 60mph in 6.8 seconds. In a 30 limit? It can achieve up 26 miles of pure-EV driving if you're in less of a rush, recharging with energy recovered during braking or by self-charging – so in common with the other hybrids here, you don't need to worry about having a wallbox or plug when you're limited to on-street parking.
Pleasing, tactile materials and interesting shapes meet high-tech displays in the Countryman's interior, for a futuristic but still welcoming ambience. It's easy and fun to drive, a good size for growing families, and it's got that classic British badge (and flag hidden in the lights).
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The different types of hybrid
Hybrid is the 21st-centry buzzword that started out meaning one thing, and now encompasses a whole load of range-extending to emission-reducing solutions. Series hybrids, like the original Prius, deliver lower emissions by being able to run the engine as a generator at optimal load; only the shortest electric-only drives are possible.
Mild hybrid cars achieve a similar goal by using small, lightweight extras batteries to trim off the most inefficient stages of driving, but they can't move on electric power alone – look for 48V or MHEV in the name or specs to spot these.
Plug-in hybrid systems use larger batteries to greater effect, and are able to make short trips without producing local emissions. They usually operate as a series hybrid as well, reducing emissions and fuel consumption in more situations and topping up the battery with power that would otherwise be wasted.
However, the large batteries needed add weight and reduce space, so they're not ideal for the smallest cars, and they're often less economical than a diesel for high-mileage use.
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Is a small hybrid car a good buy in 2021?
For many drivers, it's a great option – particularly a plug-in model, if you've access to a socket for recharging. Reduced commuting, uncertainty around schools and offices, an overall improvement in air quality and the desire to avoid petrol stations and other places of cross contamination all support running a good hybrid, as any change in circumstances that means longer distances or more frequent driving won't cause the same stresses that running a pure electric car might involve.
Reliability and longevity are also improved as many hybrid cars spend little time using their fossil-fuel engine, too, and can usually use regenerative braking in town to save wear on pads and discs as well. No solution is perfect, but small hybrid cars really can offer the best of both worlds for zero-emission town drives and freedom to escape the urban jungle.