Top 10 best hybrid family cars 2024

When it comes to choosing hybrid family cars, it’s worth thinking about what really matters. Practicality, comfort, and low running costs are likely top of the list – and that’s exactly where cars like these excel. 

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are ideal if you can charge at home, dramatically reducing fuel bills while still being ready for long journeys at a moment’s notice. Full-hybrids – or ‘self-charging’ hybrids – suit those who can’t plug in, offering a great balance of flexibility and low running costs. For a lighter touch, mild hybrids use an electric motor to assist the engine, boosting efficiency without requiring charging, although they’re less economical overall.  

All hybrid family cars combine some form of electric assistance with a petrol engine, delivering smooth, quiet driving around town while easily tackling motorways. They’re spacious enough for family life, packed with equipment, and offer a great stepping stone into electric motoring. Whether you opt for a plug-in, full, or mild hybrid, a hybrid family car is a brilliant choice.

The best hybrid family cars on sale now

After thoroughly testing every hybrid car available on the UK market, we have come up with this list of the best hybrid family cars available. However, if you would prefer a full EV, then take a look at our list of the best electric family cars.

1. Hyundai Tucson

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• Prices from £39,275
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 43 miles

The Hyundai Tucson is an affordable and practical family SUV with very distinctive looks. You have both full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, with the former using a 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with a small electric motor and battery to make an impressive 227bhp. That means performance is strong, but it's also efficient, returning a claimed 49.6mpg (WLTP). The plug-in hybrid Tuscon takes the efficiency and performance up a notch, increasing the power to 249bhp, and able to manage 43 miles on electric power alone with a fully charged battery. Official economy is a claimed 201.8mpg (WLTP), although you’ll need to plug in regularly to achieve anywhere near that.

The Hyundai is also good to drive and has a lot of standard kit, plus it's well built and should be really reliable. It's not as much fun to drive as some of its rivals, such as a Ford Kuga, but it's a great all-round family car. 

Read our full Hyundai Tucson review to find out more.

2. Skoda Kodiaq PHEV

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• Prices from £41,935
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 75 miles

When searching for a family car, space and value for money are crucial. The great news is the latest Skoda Kodiaq hits the mark brilliantly. When transporting the family, you certainly aren’t short of the necessary room, the boot has a humongous 745 litres capacity with the seats up, and the rearmost seats have enough space for children.

Skoda offers both mild-hybrid petrol and diesel models, which can be specified with seven seats, but the one we recommend is the plug-in hybrid version. While you may lose the third row of seats due to the battery in the boot, what you do get is a 1.5-litre engine mated to an electric motor which, when the battery is fully charged, is capable of 75 miles of electric-only range; and when you run the car in hybrid mode, Skoda says it can return 565mpg (WLTP). However, you’ll need a diet of regular charging and lots of short trips to get anywhere near that. 

3. Toyota Corolla

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• Prices from £30,505
• Maximum WLTP combined mpg: 64mpg

Toyota revived the Corolla name for its Auris replacement in 2018, and the latest car is both a great all-rounder and a fine alternative to the non-hybrid establishment. Power comes from a 1.8 or 2.0-litre petrol engine mated to a small battery. Around 50-66mpg is achievable and CO2 emissions are 101-120g/km.

The Corolla’s well sorted chassis strikes a great balance between handling and comfort, while an array of bodystyles means there’s a car in the range for just about everyone. Clunky infotainment and a less-than-perfect CVT gearbox are slight issues, but not enough to spoil what's a great recipe overall. 

Read our full Toyota Corolla review to find out more.

4. Ford Kuga

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• Prices from £38,735
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 42 miles

The Ford Kuga is a great hybrid family car in all its forms, whether you choose the full hybrid or the plug-in hybrid. The former is a brilliant option if you can’t charge at home or work, offering smooth performance and excellent efficiency. With 187bhp and a 0-62mph time of 9.1 seconds, it’s not built for speed, but it’s more than capable enough for everyday driving. Ford claims 51.4mpg (WLTP), so school runs and weekend errands won’t hit your wallet too hard, making it a practical, family-friendly choice.

The plug-in hybrid, on the other hand, comes into its own if you can regularly charge it. Its 42-mile electric-only range means most short trips could be completed without using a drop of petrol, and will help to improve your economy on longer journeys. This version is slightly slower to 62mph than the regular hybrid, taking 9.2 seconds, but the lower running costs more than make up for that. Both models deliver a comfortable ride, well weighted controls, a roomy interior, and a 645-litre boot, making the Kuga a practical choice for family life.

Read our full Ford Kuga review to find out more

5. Skoda Superb

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• Prices from £34,875
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 84 miles

The Skoda Superb is a standout hybrid family car no matter which version you pick, ticking nearly every box. It offers exceptional safety, with a five-star Euro NCAP rating, and plenty of room for both passengers and their gear. The mild-hybrid hatchback features a spacious 645-litre boot, while the estate version increases the boot capacity to 690 litres and adds the option of a plug-in hybrid variant.

Fuel economy is another strong point. The mild-hybrid offers a solid 54.1mpg (WLTP), while the PHEV claims a remarkable 784.3mpg (WLTP). While it’s unlikely drivers will see anywhere close to that figure in everyday use, the PHEV’s 84-mile electric range means local trips could be entirely emissions-free. As for performance, the mild-hybrid’s 1.5-litre engine produces 148bhp, reaching 0-62mph in 9.3 seconds. The PHEV is quicker, with its 201bhp offering a bit more punch and cutting the time down to 8.1 seconds.

Read our full Skoda Superb review to find out more.

6. Toyota C-HR

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• Prices from £31,300
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 41 miles

The Toyota C-HR hits the sweet spot with its safety, tech and economy. The updated infotainment system in this latest generation is much faster and more intuitive than before and comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity as standard. The C-HR also has a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, so it's got safety covered too. The cabin feels premium, and has a decent level of space for an average family. The legroom in the rear isn’t too tight and the outer two seats in the rear come with Isofix points, although some may find difficulty installing the seat due to the tight door opening. The boot offers 388 litres of space in the standard hybrid, but opting for the PHEV means losing 24 litres of space to make way for the battery. 

The PHEV is especially handy, with up to 41 miles of electric-only range – perfect for town driving or short trips – and fuel economy is impressive across the board. The 1.8-litre hybrid gets 60.1mpg (WLTP), the 2.0-litre hybrid delivers 57.7mpg (WLTP), and the PHEV knocks it out of the park with 313.8mpg (WLTP), although that's unlikely to be seen by most owners in day-to-day use. The 1.8 hybrid has 138bhp, the 2.0 hybrid offers 184bhp, and the PHEV brings a punchy 223bhp.

Read our full Toyota C-HR review to find out more.

7. Honda Civic

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• Prices from £35,005
• Maximum WLTP combined mpg: 56.5mpg

The latest 11th-generation Honda Civic has earned its place as one of the best hybrid family cars. It’s now hybrid-only, like the rest of Honda’s model range, but instead of following rivals with heavy plug-in systems, the Civic takes a simpler approach. Its smaller battery is constantly recharged by the engine and regenerative braking, making it lighter and less complex than many plug-in alternatives while still delivering impressive efficiency.

What makes the Civic truly shine is its smooth, effortless driving experience. Most of the time, the wheels are powered by an electric motor, with the petrol engine quietly working as a generator in the background. This gives the car an EV-like feel without the need to charge it. The rear legroom may not be the largest, but the Honda does come with a big 410-litre boot, which should be more than enough for the average family.

Read our full review of the Honda Civic to find out more.

8. Dacia Jogger Hybrid 140

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• Prices from £22,995
• Maximum WLTP combined mpg: 58.9mpg

When it comes to hybrid family cars, the Dacia Jogger is a refreshing option that defies the typical high price tags. For under £23,000, this spacious vehicle offers a practical interior and an efficient hybrid engine. If you are looking to make use of the third-row seats, they are more suited to children, but even with all the seats in place, the Jogger provides a respectable 212 litres of boot space. If you only need five seats, this increases to a generous 699 litres.

What truly sets the Jogger apart is its impressive fuel efficiency. With a combined WLTP figure of 58.9mpg, it’s a remarkably economical choice for families who want to keep running costs down. Offering plenty of space and a sensible price, the Dacia Jogger is a straightforward, no-fuss alternative to more expensive – and often more complex – hybrid family cars. 

9. Hyundai Santa Fe

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• Prices from £46,775
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 36 miles

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a hybrid family car that offers impressive space and practicality. Both the plug-in hybrid and standard hybrid models provide comfort for families, plus some models come with a useful seven-seat set-up. The PHEV, in its five-seat configuration, offers 621 litres with the seats up and an enormous 1,942 litres when they’re folded down. The standard hybrid has a slightly larger 628-litre boot with the seats up, expanding to 1,949 litres when folded.

The PHEV version delivers a 36-mile electric range and a claimed 174mpg with a fully charged battery, while the standard hybrid achieves 41.5mpg. The latter relies solely on the engine to drive and doesn’t offer any electric-only range, but it still provides a solid balance of performance and fuel economy. 

Read our full review of the Hyundai Santa Fe to find out more.

10. Citroen C5 Aircross

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• Prices from £27,780
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 36 miles

If you’re after a hybrid family car that prioritises comfort, the Citroen C5 Aircross is an excellent choice. Its bold, distinctive design ensures it stands out, even when parked next to its rivals, while the C5 Aircross impresses with its claimed 200mpg economy and up to 36 miles of electric-only range. 

Inside, the seats are incredibly comfortable, making long drives feel effortless. The rear seats are especially practical, offering the same level of comfort as those in the front, with the added benefit of individual adjustability. The C5 Aircross also comes as standard with a 10-inch touchscreen with a built-in sat-nav, and the system is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The plug-in hybrid C5 Aircross has a spacious 460-litre boot, so it has plenty of room for a family’s luggage.

Read our full review of the Citroen C5 Aircross to find out more.

​Best hybrid family cars 2024

1. Hyundai Tucson
2. Skoda Kodiaq PHEV
3. Toyota Corolla
4. Ford Kuga
5. Skoda Superb
6. Toyota C-HR
7. Honda Civic
8. Dacia Jogger
9. Hyundai Santa Fe
10. Citroen C5 Aircross