Last updated March 11, 2025 by
Mario Christou
Best diesel hybrid cars of 2025: our favourites for short and long-range efficiency
A diesel hybrid car combines a diesel engine with an electric motor, so you get the benefit of electric power in the city combined with a diesel engine’s efficiency on long motorway journeys. Not only is it surprising that there aren’t more diesel hybrid cars on sale, but it’s a shame because their combined advantages make a lot of sense.
The vast majority of diesel hybrid cars use a plug-in hybrid system, meaning that you get a usable amount of electric-only range with the convenience of a combustion engine to go along with it. If you have easy access to a charger, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) cars can be run on electric power alone for long periods of time thanks to their large battery capacity - so you should be able to avoid regular trips to the fuel pump.
Self-charging hybrids are a little bit cheaper and simpler, because their batteries are charged by the car’s engine and regenerative braking - not from an external source. They’re equipped with much smaller battery packs than plug-in hybrids, and they use their electric motors to help the combustion engine along. They’re more akin to a hyper-efficient petrol or diesel car, rather than an electric vehicle.
Most diesel engines are super fuel efficient on long distance drives, and an electric vehicle’s strengths are clearest in the city - which is why diesel hybrids make so much sense. Carwow’s expert review team has put together this list of the best diesel hybrid cars you can buy on the new and used market. If a diesel engine isn’t a requirement for you, check out this list of the best hybrid cars for petrol-powered alternatives.
What's good
What’s not so good
Best for: a stylish all-rounder
Practical, stylish, fast, comfortable and with excellent electric-only range, the Mercedes E-Class Estate is a shining example of a diesel-hybrid car’s best qualities. It’s a pricey option, but if it’s in your budget then the big estate is a fantastic choice.
Mercedes is the only manufacturer still producing diesel-hybrid cars, but having no direct alternatives hasn’t stopped it from engineering a genuinely good powertrain. Under the E 300de’s bonnet is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, paired with a 19.5kWh battery and electric motor to produce 313hp.
The electric motor is powerful enough to get the E-Class up to speed with ease, but even when running on diesel power the engine is very smooth and well insulated.
A 65.2 mile electric-only range should be more than enough for most commutes, avoiding the use of the diesel engine without having to charge every day. You’ll rarely have to use a fuel pump, but even if you do exhaust the battery it only takes two hours to reach full capacity on a wall box charger.
The E-Class looks about as elegant - and futuristic - as estates get, with soft curves and sharp creases doing a bang up job of hiding the large Mercedes’ size. At the back, a full-width light bar cuts across the tailgate with an interesting ‘three-pointed star’ LED motif when the lights are on.
Inside the E-Class is an absolute tech-fest, with a 14.5-inch beast of an infotainment screen as standard on all models. You get a 12.3-inch driver display behind the steering wheel and an optional 12.3-inch display for the passenger. It’s not all intuitive to use either, and combined with all of the steering wheel buttons it’s a bit overloading to the senses.
Interior quality is fantastic, with luxurious materials and solid-feeling surfaces all around you. There’s plenty of space inside and everyone will find it easy to get comfortable - though extra-tall people in the back might be a little tight on headroom. Unfortunately there’s a compromised boot to fit the batteries, with its 460-litre capacity trailing behind its alternatives.
A quiet engine means the E-Class is a delight to drive over long distances, whilst its soft suspension irons out motorways and soaks up lumps and bumps on broken city roads. It may be less fun than a BMW 5 Series on a twisty road, but it doesn’t feel out of place when you’re carving through corners.
Practical, stylish, fast, comfortable and with excellent electric-only range, the Mercedes E-Class Estate is a shining example of a diesel-hybrid car’s best qualities. It’s a pricey option, but if it’s in your budget then the big estate is a fantastic choice.
Mercedes is the only manufacturer still producing diesel-hybrid cars, but having no direct alternatives hasn’t stopped it from engineering a genuinely good powertrain. Under the E 300de’s bonnet is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, paired with a 19.5kWh battery and electric motor to produce 313hp.
The electric motor is powerful enough to get the E-Class up to speed with ease, but even when running on diesel power the engine is very smooth and well insulated.
A 65.2 mile electric-only range should be more than enough for most commutes, avoiding the use of the diesel engine without having to charge every day. You’ll rarely have to use a fuel pump, but even if you do exhaust the battery it only takes two hours to reach full capacity on a wall box charger.
The E-Class looks about as elegant - and futuristic - as estates get, with soft curves and sharp creases doing a bang up job of hiding the large Mercedes’ size. At the back, a full-width light bar cuts across the tailgate with an interesting ‘three-pointed star’ LED motif when the lights are on.
Inside the E-Class is an absolute tech-fest, with a 14.5-inch beast of an infotainment screen as standard on all models. You get a 12.3-inch driver display behind the steering wheel and an optional 12.3-inch display for the passenger. It’s not all intuitive to use either, and combined with all of the steering wheel buttons it’s a bit overloading to the senses.
Interior quality is fantastic, with luxurious materials and solid-feeling surfaces all around you. There’s plenty of space inside and everyone will find it easy to get comfortable - though extra-tall people in the back might be a little tight on headroom. Unfortunately there’s a compromised boot to fit the batteries, with its 460-litre capacity trailing behind its alternatives.
A quiet engine means the E-Class is a delight to drive over long distances, whilst its soft suspension irons out motorways and soaks up lumps and bumps on broken city roads. It may be less fun than a BMW 5 Series on a twisty road, but it doesn’t feel out of place when you’re carving through corners.
Battery range up to 57 miles
What's good
What’s not so good
Best for: interior luxury
If an E-Class Estate doesn’t provide a lofty-enough driving position or enough boot space for you, then its GLE SUV sibling might be the best alternative. It shares the same 2.0-diesel hybrid system as the E-Class but in a much taller SUV body.
Mercedes has managed to extract an extra 20hp compared to the E 350de, though you don’t feel the extra power due to the GLE’s extra weight. Where the GLE excels is in its 65.9 mile electric range, one of the best of any plug-in hybrid SUV on sale.
Unlike many SUVs on sale though, the GLE doesn’t try to look too sporty. It’s another elegant Mercedes design, with curvy bodywork and posh trim pieces such as the big grille and swoopy silver trim on the front bumper.
Poshness continues inside the GLE, with a whole cow and forest worth of leather and wood around you. It’s less tech-heavy than the E-Class, though it’s far from old-fashioned with a minimalist, curved dual-screen setup perched on top of the dashboard and funky air vents.
The GLE is incredibly comfortable, with sofa-like seats and soft air suspension taking our broken city roads in its stride. Motorways are a breeze too, with the GLE floating its way over dips at high speed.
It might not be as convenient to live with in the city than its E-Class sibling, and alternatives such as the BMW X5 are more fun to drive, but the GLE makes for a pretty classy, jacked-up cruiser - and you can have it as a swoopy coupe-SUV too.
If an E-Class Estate doesn’t provide a lofty-enough driving position or enough boot space for you, then its GLE SUV sibling might be the best alternative. It shares the same 2.0-diesel hybrid system as the E-Class but in a much taller SUV body.
Mercedes has managed to extract an extra 20hp compared to the E 350de, though you don’t feel the extra power due to the GLE’s extra weight. Where the GLE excels is in its 65.9 mile electric range, one of the best of any plug-in hybrid SUV on sale.
Unlike many SUVs on sale though, the GLE doesn’t try to look too sporty. It’s another elegant Mercedes design, with curvy bodywork and posh trim pieces such as the big grille and swoopy silver trim on the front bumper.
Poshness continues inside the GLE, with a whole cow and forest worth of leather and wood around you. It’s less tech-heavy than the E-Class, though it’s far from old-fashioned with a minimalist, curved dual-screen setup perched on top of the dashboard and funky air vents.
The GLE is incredibly comfortable, with sofa-like seats and soft air suspension taking our broken city roads in its stride. Motorways are a breeze too, with the GLE floating its way over dips at high speed.
It might not be as convenient to live with in the city than its E-Class sibling, and alternatives such as the BMW X5 are more fun to drive, but the GLE makes for a pretty classy, jacked-up cruiser - and you can have it as a swoopy coupe-SUV too.
What's good
What’s not so good
Best for: city-friendly lofty seating
The GLC is the middle child of Mercedes’ SUV range. It’s smaller than the GLE and GLS, but it’s larger than the GLB and GLA, and it does fit a lot of criteria for a good hybrid family car - plus an 80-mile electric range is phenomenal.
Striking looks help the GLC to stand out against its alternatives, and whilst it’s not quite as imposing as the larger GLE it’s a very swish bit of design. The LED headlights are joined to the grille - which is filled with tiny Mercedes badges - and the rest of the car looks sleek with its swoopy lines and curves.
Inside has a familiar look to the rest of Mercedes’ line up, with mostly premium materials and plenty of room to get comfortable in the front and back. There are a few too many scratchy plastics in touching distance for a car of this price, but overall the GLC’s cabin is still a pleasant space.
The boot is smaller than most of the GLC Hybrid’s alternatives at only 400 litres, but it’s the price you pay for the outstanding electric range.
As with the rest of Mercedes’ diesel-hybrid range, the GLC is powered by a 2.0-litre four cylinder engine with hybrid drive. It’s powerful enough to make the GLC a doddle getting up to speed on the motorway, and it’s a very comfortable car to drive around town.
Twisty roads aren’t the car’s strong suit, with the gearbox a little hesitant when deciding what gear to be in and a Porsche Macan is a much more fun car to drive on a country lane.
The GLC is the middle child of Mercedes’ SUV range. It’s smaller than the GLE and GLS, but it’s larger than the GLB and GLA, and it does fit a lot of criteria for a good hybrid family car - plus an 80-mile electric range is phenomenal.
Striking looks help the GLC to stand out against its alternatives, and whilst it’s not quite as imposing as the larger GLE it’s a very swish bit of design. The LED headlights are joined to the grille - which is filled with tiny Mercedes badges - and the rest of the car looks sleek with its swoopy lines and curves.
Inside has a familiar look to the rest of Mercedes’ line up, with mostly premium materials and plenty of room to get comfortable in the front and back. There are a few too many scratchy plastics in touching distance for a car of this price, but overall the GLC’s cabin is still a pleasant space.
The boot is smaller than most of the GLC Hybrid’s alternatives at only 400 litres, but it’s the price you pay for the outstanding electric range.
As with the rest of Mercedes’ diesel-hybrid range, the GLC is powered by a 2.0-litre four cylinder engine with hybrid drive. It’s powerful enough to make the GLC a doddle getting up to speed on the motorway, and it’s a very comfortable car to drive around town.
Twisty roads aren’t the car’s strong suit, with the gearbox a little hesitant when deciding what gear to be in and a Porsche Macan is a much more fun car to drive on a country lane.
Battery range up to 34 miles
What's good
What’s not so good
Best for: compact comfort
Much like its larger E-Class sibling, the Mercedes C-Class is an elegant, classy and comfortable way to get around. It’s the poshest of the German compact luxury-saloons on the inside, and it’s a looker on the outside too.
The exterior has a proper ‘mini S-Class’ vibe to it, especially in the generation that came with the C 300de diesel plug-in hybrid model. It’s a handsome thing, even if it’s not quite as sporty to look at as the BMW 3 Series and not as chic as the Audi A4.
It’s a similar story inside, with a swoopy centre console that rises up onto the dashboard and a ‘floating’ screen above the trio of central air vents. The infotainment can’t hold a candle to the latest Mercedes tech, but it’s nice not being bombarded with information from multiple screens - and the steering wheel buttons don’t need a degree in codebreaking to operate.
Being a previous generation of Mercedes, the plug-in tech isn’t quite as advanced as on the current cars. A smaller battery than on its newer siblings means the C 300de can only travel as far as 35 miles on electric power. That should still be enough for most round-trip commutes though, especially with regular charging.
It’s a quick car on the road, with over 300hp from its hybrid system making it a breeze to get up to motorway speeds. Twisty roads aren’t as sure-footed as in a regular C-Class because of all the extra battery weight - but even then a 3 Series is much more fun. As a cruiser though, the C 300de makes a solid used buy.
Much like its larger E-Class sibling, the Mercedes C-Class is an elegant, classy and comfortable way to get around. It’s the poshest of the German compact luxury-saloons on the inside, and it’s a looker on the outside too.
The exterior has a proper ‘mini S-Class’ vibe to it, especially in the generation that came with the C 300de diesel plug-in hybrid model. It’s a handsome thing, even if it’s not quite as sporty to look at as the BMW 3 Series and not as chic as the Audi A4.
It’s a similar story inside, with a swoopy centre console that rises up onto the dashboard and a ‘floating’ screen above the trio of central air vents. The infotainment can’t hold a candle to the latest Mercedes tech, but it’s nice not being bombarded with information from multiple screens - and the steering wheel buttons don’t need a degree in codebreaking to operate.
Being a previous generation of Mercedes, the plug-in tech isn’t quite as advanced as on the current cars. A smaller battery than on its newer siblings means the C 300de can only travel as far as 35 miles on electric power. That should still be enough for most round-trip commutes though, especially with regular charging.
It’s a quick car on the road, with over 300hp from its hybrid system making it a breeze to get up to motorway speeds. Twisty roads aren’t as sure-footed as in a regular C-Class because of all the extra battery weight - but even then a 3 Series is much more fun. As a cruiser though, the C 300de makes a solid used buy.
Battery range up to 34 miles
What's good
What’s not so good
Best for: not being a Mercedes SUV
As far as big SUVs go, the Audi Q7 has been a family favourite since its launch. And whilst it’s no longer available with a diesel-hybrid engine option, Audi was one of the first manufacturers to introduce a plug-in diesel-hybrid with usable electric range.
A 3.0-litre diesel V6 sits under the enormous bonnet, with a battery pack under the boot floor - which robs the hybrid Q7 of its third-row of seats. Whilst Mercedes manages over 60 miles of range with their diesel hybrids, Audi only managed to muster a claimed 34 miles from the Q7.
That should still be enough for most city commutes though, and on a long drive the Q7 can charge its own battery - meaning you can go back to electric mode once you reach your next city. It’s comfy on long drives, with soft suspension, supportive seats and masses of space.
Even if it’s not as tech-heavy as the new Q7’s interior, the TDI e-tron has a very well laid out dash - and the infotainment screen retracts into the dashboard at the press of a button. It’s a refreshing change from being bombarded with screens these days, making night drives much less strenuous on the eye.
The biggest downside to the Q7 TDI e-tron is the weight, with an extra 400kg from the battery pack and electric motor exaggerating body lean on a twisty road. But if you take it easy, the Q7 is a very relaxing car to drive - and a good used buy.
As far as big SUVs go, the Audi Q7 has been a family favourite since its launch. And whilst it’s no longer available with a diesel-hybrid engine option, Audi was one of the first manufacturers to introduce a plug-in diesel-hybrid with usable electric range.
A 3.0-litre diesel V6 sits under the enormous bonnet, with a battery pack under the boot floor - which robs the hybrid Q7 of its third-row of seats. Whilst Mercedes manages over 60 miles of range with their diesel hybrids, Audi only managed to muster a claimed 34 miles from the Q7.
That should still be enough for most city commutes though, and on a long drive the Q7 can charge its own battery - meaning you can go back to electric mode once you reach your next city. It’s comfy on long drives, with soft suspension, supportive seats and masses of space.
Even if it’s not as tech-heavy as the new Q7’s interior, the TDI e-tron has a very well laid out dash - and the infotainment screen retracts into the dashboard at the press of a button. It’s a refreshing change from being bombarded with screens these days, making night drives much less strenuous on the eye.
The biggest downside to the Q7 TDI e-tron is the weight, with an extra 400kg from the battery pack and electric motor exaggerating body lean on a twisty road. But if you take it easy, the Q7 is a very relaxing car to drive - and a good used buy.
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Battery range up to 31 miles
Best for: diesel-hybrid on a budget
The Volvo V60 was, and still is, a breath of fresh air compared to the German alternatives. Between 2013 and 2017 you could buy one with a diesel-hybrid engine option; a 2.4-litre diesel paired with an electric motor.
A 30-mile electric only range was the V60 Twin Engine’s highlight, and you could select electric drive by using a button on the centre console. When in mixed hybrid mode, the diesel engine is more efficient than a regular V60 but when the battery is depleted, there’s a noticeable drop in fuel efficiency due to the extra weight of the batteries.
Especially when compared to its BMW 3 Series alternative, the V60 is a rather boring car to drive. It’s comfy on a motorway cruise thanks to its soft suspension, but heavy steering and a lot of body lean around bends means the V60 is totally out of its depth on a twisty road.
Inside the V60 is a striking ‘floating’ centre console and comfortable seats both front and rear, but it does look massively dated when compared to Volvo’s current range. Boot space is compromised by the battery pack, but a 430-litre capacity and a well-shaped loading bay mean the boot is fairly usable.
The Volvo V60 was, and still is, a breath of fresh air compared to the German alternatives. Between 2013 and 2017 you could buy one with a diesel-hybrid engine option; a 2.4-litre diesel paired with an electric motor.
A 30-mile electric only range was the V60 Twin Engine’s highlight, and you could select electric drive by using a button on the centre console. When in mixed hybrid mode, the diesel engine is more efficient than a regular V60 but when the battery is depleted, there’s a noticeable drop in fuel efficiency due to the extra weight of the batteries.
Especially when compared to its BMW 3 Series alternative, the V60 is a rather boring car to drive. It’s comfy on a motorway cruise thanks to its soft suspension, but heavy steering and a lot of body lean around bends means the V60 is totally out of its depth on a twisty road.
Inside the V60 is a striking ‘floating’ centre console and comfortable seats both front and rear, but it does look massively dated when compared to Volvo’s current range. Boot space is compromised by the battery pack, but a 430-litre capacity and a well-shaped loading bay mean the boot is fairly usable.
Battery range up to 30 miles
Best for: road presence
Range Rover’s first attempt at a hybrid was a totally different beast to the current petrol plug-in hybrids on offer, being a V6 diesel self-charging hybrid instead. Whilst Range Rover claimed a whopping electric-only range of…one mile, even that was ambitious.
But being a self-charging hybrid means that the Range Rover HEV is more of an extra-efficient diesel than it is an electric car with an engine. Launched in 2013 means that the battery tech is rather outdated too, and you can tell that Land Rover hadn’t quite got the hang of it yet.
44mpg may have been a good number in the early 2010s, but with plug-in hybrids seeing fairly regular numbers closer to 100mpg nowadays - the Range Rover can’t quite compare.
Being a Range Rover, it’s still a handsome and imposing SUV with a posh interior and classy lines. On the outside, the link to the current generation Range Rover is clear - though Xenon headlights aren’t quite as bright as LEDs and it doesn’t have the slick rear end of the new car.
You sit very high up, looking down on traffic, surrounded by leather and wood. The infotainment screen is tiny by today’s standards, but you still get a digital driver display. Interior space is uncompromised by the batteries too, as they’re mounted underneath the car. If you can find one, the Range Rover HEV might make a good used diesel SUV on a budget.
Range Rover’s first attempt at a hybrid was a totally different beast to the current petrol plug-in hybrids on offer, being a V6 diesel self-charging hybrid instead. Whilst Range Rover claimed a whopping electric-only range of…one mile, even that was ambitious.
But being a self-charging hybrid means that the Range Rover HEV is more of an extra-efficient diesel than it is an electric car with an engine. Launched in 2013 means that the battery tech is rather outdated too, and you can tell that Land Rover hadn’t quite got the hang of it yet.
44mpg may have been a good number in the early 2010s, but with plug-in hybrids seeing fairly regular numbers closer to 100mpg nowadays - the Range Rover can’t quite compare.
Being a Range Rover, it’s still a handsome and imposing SUV with a posh interior and classy lines. On the outside, the link to the current generation Range Rover is clear - though Xenon headlights aren’t quite as bright as LEDs and it doesn’t have the slick rear end of the new car.
You sit very high up, looking down on traffic, surrounded by leather and wood. The infotainment screen is tiny by today’s standards, but you still get a digital driver display. Interior space is uncompromised by the batteries too, as they’re mounted underneath the car. If you can find one, the Range Rover HEV might make a good used diesel SUV on a budget.
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How to choose a hybrid diesel car?
What do you need it for?
The small choice of diesel hybrid cars, be it new or used, means that you’ll need to have fairly specific requirements for one to end up on your radar. If you do a regular mix of city and motorway driving then a diesel hybrid could be ideal - especially if you have passengers to ferry around in comfort, or a lot of luggage. The lack of small, sporty diesel hybrid cars means that if you’re after an exciting b-road blaster, you’d better look elsewhere.
Practicality
None of the new or used diesel hybrids are lacking in practicality, as they’re all large body styles in either saloon, SUV or estate forms. The Audi Q7 TDI e-tron has the largest boot by far at a cavernous 650 litres, but it’s only available pre-owned.
Reliability
All of the hybrid diesels have good reputations for reliability, though the Range Rover’s aged hybrid system could prove to be a costly repair if something goes wrong - especially as it’s out of any warranty period. The Mercedes options are still available, and they're your best bet for peace of mind - especially on a lease deal.
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