Compare the best self-charging hybrid cars
High quality self-charging hybrids from rated and reviewed dealers
10 best self-charging hybrids in 2024
Self-charging hybrids use a battery-powered electric motor, usually combined with a petrol engine. The battery can be topped up using the engine as well as regenerative braking, which captures and converts some of the energy normally lost when you slow down, rather than being plugged into the mains, hence the ‘self-charging’ name. Fuel economy is typically not as impressive as plug-in models, but they are more fuel efficient than a regular combustion-engined car, and the smaller batteries tend to mean they’re more affordable.
Electric cars might be the future, but it’s clear that they’re not for everyone, particularly if you can’t charge at home so can’t keep running costs low. As a result, hybrids – such as the self-charging hybrids we’re looking at here – are a great compromise, offering low-emissions driving with the security of being able to refuel anywhere.
Here, our expert reviews team has put together a list of the best self-charging hybrids on sale in 2024.
What's good
What’s not so good
The Renault Clio is our favourite small car, because not only does it look ultra-chic, it has a big, practical boot and a quality interior. What’s more, just because it’s a small car doesn’t mean you’re stuck with some weedy engines – it’s one of few cars this size with a self-charging hybrid engine. It’s a bit more expensive than the basic petrol, but fuel costs should be lower and it’s easier to drive around town with its automatic gearbox.
2024
Comfortable Cruiser Award
Highly Commended
What's good
What’s not so good
The Honda Civic is a fantastic hatchback and proves you don’t need a massive SUV if you’re looking for a family car. Sure, the cabin isn’t particularly exciting, but that’s about where the complaints end. It’s spacious in the cabin and the boot is bigger than alternatives such as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf offer. It’s also comfortable over bumps and the self-charging hybrid engine is smooth and economical.
2024
Smart Spender Award
What's good
What’s not so good
Once you get over the sorta SUV, sorta estate shape, the Dacia Jogger is a brilliant family car. It’s not much fun to drive but it’s comfortable and easy going with an economical hybrid engine. It can seat seven in a surprising amount of comfort, but you can fully remove the third row to open a massive boot. The interior is practical rather than posh, but when you see how cheap it is you can’t really complain.
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What's good
What’s not so good
The Toyota Corolla stands out amongst countless other hatchbacks because of its stylish, well-designed exterior and one of the plushest interiors in its class. It also drives well, steering precisely and staying comfortable over dodgy road surfaces. The self-charging hybrid engines run silently on electricity in town, but also handles motorways with ease, too. If you need more space there’s an estate version, too.
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There’s more than one type of hybrid system on the market, with the Nissan Qashqai e-Power offering a different take on the technology. The self-charging system in the Qashqai uses a petrol engine that charges the battery, with the electric motors always powering the wheels, so you get the smoothness of an electric car. Elsewhere, there are all the features that have made the Qashqai one of the most popular family SUVs, such as a spacious, comfortable interior and stylish looks.
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The Kia Sportage is one of the country’s best-selling cars and it’s easy to see why. The front-end styling could prove divisive, but it certainly stands out, while inside you’ve got a quality cabin and plenty of tech. The hybrid system is particularly smooth, making the Sportage a comfortable and refined thing to roll around in.
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What’s not so good
Love it or hate it, the design of the Lexus NX certainly isn’t boring. The distinctive grille and sharp bodywork creases make the car stand out and the interior is similarly striking, with the materials feeling tactile and premium. In fact, you’re left in no doubt that this is a car to match, quality-wise, anything being produced by BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz. At the same time, the well-established Lexus hybrid system means that the NX can still return a fuel consumption figure of 50mpg despite being pretty big and heavy.
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The Toyota Yaris has been flying the flag for small self-charging hybrid hatchbacks for some time, so the current generation is the sum total of all that experience – and it shows. That’s because it's easy to drive and very economical to run, while the sporty design is a huge improvement on previous versions and it comes packed with lots of modern tech.
Battery range up to 35 miles
What's good
What’s not so good
There are lots of family SUVs on the market for buyers to choose from, with many having similar qualities. The Ford Kuga stands out a little because it’s one of the few that are engaging to drive, with the car handling in a way that is reminiscent of its excellent Focus stablemate. It’s also well designed, inside and out, with a spacious cabin and a good level of standard equipment.
Battery range up to 28 miles
What's good
What’s not so good
If you like the look of the Renault Clio but need something a bit more spacious, the Captur is a great option. Even compared with similarly sized SUVs it has a roomy interior and a really big boot. It’s let down a bit by a dated infotainment system, while you’ll have to spend more for the top trims to get the best technology, but if you’re after an affordable, spacious SUV it ticks all the right boxes.
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