Best small hybrid cars 2025
High quality small hybrid cars from rated and reviewed dealers
Last updated March 10, 2025 by
Mario Christou
10 best small hybrid cars: the best picks for maximum fuel efficiency
Small hybrid cars bridge the gap between small EVs and petrol-powered city cars. Small electric cars make a lot of sense in town, but with a small battery comes limited range and they’re far from practical on long journeys. A combustion-engined small car meanwhile is often slow, and you don’t get the benefit of any low-cost electric range.
Hybrid cars bring together the best of both worlds, with a petrol or diesel engine in tandem with an electric motor and batteries to maximise fuel economy whilst keeping the peace of mind of combustion-engine refuelling and range.
Self-charging hybrids use electric power as an MPG booster and they’re most effective in town; being charged by the car’s engine and regenerative braking to improve performance and efficiency. Think of a self-charging hybrid as a hyper-efficient combustion-engined car - they typically have small batteries so can only travel a few miles on electric mode alone as a result.
As you increase vehicle size, plug-in hybrids become an option, which come with enough range to cater for most short commutes, and an engine that kicks in when the battery range gets exhausted. Because of the larger batteries, it’s rare to find a small car with a plug-in hybrid engine, though, so it’s worth considering what suits your needs.
Our expert reviews team has put together this list of the 10 best small hybrids on sale after some extensive testing. If you can live with a pure-electric city car then check out our guide to the best small electric cars on sale too.
2025
Smart Spender Award
Highly Commended
What's good
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Best for: most things
The Renault Clio Hybrid is a brilliant little car, combining a clever hybrid drive system and plush interior in a rather stylish package. It’s lost none of what makes the petrol-powered Clio great but with the added benefit of better fuel economy.
Renault has been rather clever with its use of hybrid tech, and even with an advanced hybrid system the Clio manages to be a properly affordable car, earning it a high commendation in the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year Awards’ ‘Smart Spender’ category.
The electric motor helps get you up to speed quickly and quietly, though the engine can sound a little gruff when pushing on up to motorway speeds. Things quieten down once you reach a cruise, though it’s still not as refined as some non-hybrid alternatives.
The Clio feels fairly comfortable on a twisty road, but the light steering makes it tricky to judge how much grip you have, takes the edge off the fun factor. It has little in the way of body lean, and plenty of grip when carving through corners which does inspire confidence.
Around town the Clio is a doddle to drive, with good forward visibility and compact dimensions making it easy to manoeuvre through tight roads. It’s not the most comfortable choice of small car, being unsettled by bigger bumps, and the combination of poor rear-visibility and a lacklustre rear-view camera don’t help when parking in tight spaces.
The interior itself is a highlight, with a funky dashboard, portrait-oriented infotainment screen and easy to use heater controls. You’ll find high quality, soft touch materials all around - but some scratchier plastics do reside in the harder-to-reach parts of the interior.
Some boot space has been lost to accommodate the battery pack, but even at 301 litres the Clio can fit about as much luggage as most of its alternatives. Rear seat space is a little tight at the knees but front passengers have plenty of room - and there are storage cubbies all around the interior.
The Renault Clio Hybrid is a brilliant little car, combining a clever hybrid drive system and plush interior in a rather stylish package. It’s lost none of what makes the petrol-powered Clio great but with the added benefit of better fuel economy.
Renault has been rather clever with its use of hybrid tech, and even with an advanced hybrid system the Clio manages to be a properly affordable car, earning it a high commendation in the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year Awards’ ‘Smart Spender’ category.
The electric motor helps get you up to speed quickly and quietly, though the engine can sound a little gruff when pushing on up to motorway speeds. Things quieten down once you reach a cruise, though it’s still not as refined as some non-hybrid alternatives.
The Clio feels fairly comfortable on a twisty road, but the light steering makes it tricky to judge how much grip you have, takes the edge off the fun factor. It has little in the way of body lean, and plenty of grip when carving through corners which does inspire confidence.
Around town the Clio is a doddle to drive, with good forward visibility and compact dimensions making it easy to manoeuvre through tight roads. It’s not the most comfortable choice of small car, being unsettled by bigger bumps, and the combination of poor rear-visibility and a lacklustre rear-view camera don’t help when parking in tight spaces.
The interior itself is a highlight, with a funky dashboard, portrait-oriented infotainment screen and easy to use heater controls. You’ll find high quality, soft touch materials all around - but some scratchier plastics do reside in the harder-to-reach parts of the interior.
Some boot space has been lost to accommodate the battery pack, but even at 301 litres the Clio can fit about as much luggage as most of its alternatives. Rear seat space is a little tight at the knees but front passengers have plenty of room - and there are storage cubbies all around the interior.
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Best for: affordable hybrid efficiency
MG has managed an extraordinary feat with the MG3. It has transformed the small car from one of the worst cars we’ve ever reviewed to one of the best tiny hatchbacks you can buy. It’s still a budget choice, and you can feel it, but its mix of performance, efficiency and equipment is up there with the best of the small car options.
With 191hp from its hybrid system, the MG3 easily outperforms more expensive choices out there - making overtaking and getting up to motorway speeds a piece of cake.
The MG3 manages to be great fun on a winding road whilst staying fairly refined at motorway speeds. It may be slightly less efficient than other hybrid cars such as the Renault Clio and Toyota Yaris, but you might find the slight drop in MPG worthwhile for the significantly better performance.
A powerful electric motor means that the MG3 spends most of its time in the city running on electric power. The engine stays on to charge the batteries and it can sound a little gruff, but it’s not an overwhelming racket.
The MG3 has a well-equipped interior, even if it’s not up to the quality of some alternatives. The 10.3-inch infotainment system is responsive but can be fiddly to use, and it’s a similar story with the clear but busy driver display.
Soft touch plastics are dotted around the MG3 but there are definitely more hard, scratchy plastics in easy-to-reach areas than are welcome. The door cards in particular could do with higher-quality materials, but considering the MG3’s price it’s a forgivable transgression.
Front passenger space is good, though the seats are a little unsupportive. Passengers will be fairly happy in the back with big windows and useful door storage. A 293-litre boot is on the smaller end of the small-car scale, but the biggest disappointment is the lack of split-folding seats - a poor decision for the MG3’s versatility.
MG has managed an extraordinary feat with the MG3. It has transformed the small car from one of the worst cars we’ve ever reviewed to one of the best tiny hatchbacks you can buy. It’s still a budget choice, and you can feel it, but its mix of performance, efficiency and equipment is up there with the best of the small car options.
With 191hp from its hybrid system, the MG3 easily outperforms more expensive choices out there - making overtaking and getting up to motorway speeds a piece of cake.
The MG3 manages to be great fun on a winding road whilst staying fairly refined at motorway speeds. It may be slightly less efficient than other hybrid cars such as the Renault Clio and Toyota Yaris, but you might find the slight drop in MPG worthwhile for the significantly better performance.
A powerful electric motor means that the MG3 spends most of its time in the city running on electric power. The engine stays on to charge the batteries and it can sound a little gruff, but it’s not an overwhelming racket.
The MG3 has a well-equipped interior, even if it’s not up to the quality of some alternatives. The 10.3-inch infotainment system is responsive but can be fiddly to use, and it’s a similar story with the clear but busy driver display.
Soft touch plastics are dotted around the MG3 but there are definitely more hard, scratchy plastics in easy-to-reach areas than are welcome. The door cards in particular could do with higher-quality materials, but considering the MG3’s price it’s a forgivable transgression.
Front passenger space is good, though the seats are a little unsupportive. Passengers will be fairly happy in the back with big windows and useful door storage. A 293-litre boot is on the smaller end of the small-car scale, but the biggest disappointment is the lack of split-folding seats - a poor decision for the MG3’s versatility.
2025
Urban Living Award
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Best for: SUV style
It may be covered in chunky plastic cladding and have a rather angry soundy name, but the Toyota Yaris Cross is far from a mini-me Land Cruiser. In fact, it’s almost identical to the regular Yaris under the skin - save for being slightly bigger and more practical.
It’s not big by any means, but the Yaris Cross is one of the few cars of this size which has the road presence of a much larger vehicle. It’s such a capable blend of fun styling, practicality and efficiency that it won the ‘Urban Living’ category of the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year Awards.
The Yaris Cross is powered by a 1.5-litre self-charging hybrid system, and it’s so smooth that you can hardly tell when the engine has kicked in to take over from the electric motor. You can’t choose when that happens, but it’s a hassle-free setup and you get a healthy fuel economy boost compared to a pure-petrol alternative.
Motorways aren’t the Yaris Cross’s strong suit, as it can take a while to accelerate up to higher speeds - especially in the 116hp version as opposed to the 130hp one. The interior is well insulated meaning a fairly comfortable cruise, but it’s on a twisty road where the Yaris Cross surprises with its fun handling.
The Yaris Cross is easy to manoeuvre through narrow city streets and to position in tight parking spaces. The lifted ride height and lofty seating position make rush-hour driving more relaxing, as you can look ahead into traffic.
The front seats have plenty of support and adjustability, though they’re part of an otherwise dull and uninspiring interior. There are plenty of soft-touch plastics, but they’re all dark and drab with a fairly uninspired design.
A lack of interior storage is frustrating, but the size increase over the Yaris means that the Yaris Cross has ample space for both front and rear passengers - and a practical 391-litre boot.
It may be covered in chunky plastic cladding and have a rather angry soundy name, but the Toyota Yaris Cross is far from a mini-me Land Cruiser. In fact, it’s almost identical to the regular Yaris under the skin - save for being slightly bigger and more practical.
It’s not big by any means, but the Yaris Cross is one of the few cars of this size which has the road presence of a much larger vehicle. It’s such a capable blend of fun styling, practicality and efficiency that it won the ‘Urban Living’ category of the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year Awards.
The Yaris Cross is powered by a 1.5-litre self-charging hybrid system, and it’s so smooth that you can hardly tell when the engine has kicked in to take over from the electric motor. You can’t choose when that happens, but it’s a hassle-free setup and you get a healthy fuel economy boost compared to a pure-petrol alternative.
Motorways aren’t the Yaris Cross’s strong suit, as it can take a while to accelerate up to higher speeds - especially in the 116hp version as opposed to the 130hp one. The interior is well insulated meaning a fairly comfortable cruise, but it’s on a twisty road where the Yaris Cross surprises with its fun handling.
The Yaris Cross is easy to manoeuvre through narrow city streets and to position in tight parking spaces. The lifted ride height and lofty seating position make rush-hour driving more relaxing, as you can look ahead into traffic.
The front seats have plenty of support and adjustability, though they’re part of an otherwise dull and uninspiring interior. There are plenty of soft-touch plastics, but they’re all dark and drab with a fairly uninspired design.
A lack of interior storage is frustrating, but the size increase over the Yaris means that the Yaris Cross has ample space for both front and rear passengers - and a practical 391-litre boot.
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What's good
What’s not so good
Best for: being economical
If you’re after a Toyota hatchback that’s not so Cross, the regular Yaris is the one for you. It’s a smart looking car with a clearly laid-out interior and a funky choice of paint colours. It’s a good car to drive too, surprisingly capable on a twisty road when compared to most of its alternatives.
Under the bonnet is the same 1.5-litre engine and hybrid system as the larger Yaris Cross, available with two power options. The 130hp model is definitely more comfortable getting up to motorway speed, though you do lose a fraction of MPG compared to the 116hp model.
Once you’re at cruising speed the Yaris can feel slightly fidgety over dips and bumps - and the alternatives are more relaxing - but it’s not out of its element. Twisty roads are surprisingly fun too, with well-weighted steering and a surprising amount of cornering grip.
The Yaris feels most comfortable in town, where its CVT gearbox makes for seamless acceleration and the suspension does a good job of smoothing out broken roads - especially on non-GR Sport models.
A bold grille, sleek headlights and big, exaggerated wheel arches really do help the Yaris to stand out on the road - especially when painted in a two-tone colour option with a rather slick gloss black roof.
Inside the Yaris has a simple but dark interior, with a solid feel and soft-touch materials. A lacklustre design and grey, featureless plastics let it down though. It’s tight inside too, especially for tall rear passengers - though in a surprise twist the boot manages to carry as much physical luggage as some alternatives with bigger boots.
If you’re after a Toyota hatchback that’s not so Cross, the regular Yaris is the one for you. It’s a smart looking car with a clearly laid-out interior and a funky choice of paint colours. It’s a good car to drive too, surprisingly capable on a twisty road when compared to most of its alternatives.
Under the bonnet is the same 1.5-litre engine and hybrid system as the larger Yaris Cross, available with two power options. The 130hp model is definitely more comfortable getting up to motorway speed, though you do lose a fraction of MPG compared to the 116hp model.
Once you’re at cruising speed the Yaris can feel slightly fidgety over dips and bumps - and the alternatives are more relaxing - but it’s not out of its element. Twisty roads are surprisingly fun too, with well-weighted steering and a surprising amount of cornering grip.
The Yaris feels most comfortable in town, where its CVT gearbox makes for seamless acceleration and the suspension does a good job of smoothing out broken roads - especially on non-GR Sport models.
A bold grille, sleek headlights and big, exaggerated wheel arches really do help the Yaris to stand out on the road - especially when painted in a two-tone colour option with a rather slick gloss black roof.
Inside the Yaris has a simple but dark interior, with a solid feel and soft-touch materials. A lacklustre design and grey, featureless plastics let it down though. It’s tight inside too, especially for tall rear passengers - though in a surprise twist the boot manages to carry as much physical luggage as some alternatives with bigger boots.
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Best for: urban comfort
Citroen has designed a rather funky compact-SUV with the C3, with boxy looks and a lifted ride height giving the little Citroen a squared-off, butch appearance.
It manages to avoid looking overly aggressive, but the C-shaped headlights, bluff front end and plastic cladding really do bestow the C3 with a bolder look than its size would suggest.
Inside is a similar case, with a clever design and nifty features bringing an upmarket feel to a budget-conscious interior. The harder plastics on the dashboard have been trimmed in fabric, masking the scratchy feel but also adding some vibrance to the otherwise plain black dash.
You get a 10.3-inch infotainment screen as standard, and while the graphics aren’t the most crisp it comes with loads of functionality. The seats are very comfortable, visibility is fantastic all round and there's plenty of headroom compared to most of the C3’s alternatives. The 310-litre boot is a decent size, though it’s a deep space rather than a long one.
Comfort is where the C3 shines, and its soft suspension soaks up lumps and bumps on the road very well. Heavy crosswinds may feel slightly unsettling as a result, and you do feel some body lean on a twisty road, but there’s a healthy amount of grip there too.
Citroen has designed a rather funky compact-SUV with the C3, with boxy looks and a lifted ride height giving the little Citroen a squared-off, butch appearance.
It manages to avoid looking overly aggressive, but the C-shaped headlights, bluff front end and plastic cladding really do bestow the C3 with a bolder look than its size would suggest.
Inside is a similar case, with a clever design and nifty features bringing an upmarket feel to a budget-conscious interior. The harder plastics on the dashboard have been trimmed in fabric, masking the scratchy feel but also adding some vibrance to the otherwise plain black dash.
You get a 10.3-inch infotainment screen as standard, and while the graphics aren’t the most crisp it comes with loads of functionality. The seats are very comfortable, visibility is fantastic all round and there's plenty of headroom compared to most of the C3’s alternatives. The 310-litre boot is a decent size, though it’s a deep space rather than a long one.
Comfort is where the C3 shines, and its soft suspension soaks up lumps and bumps on the road very well. Heavy crosswinds may feel slightly unsettling as a result, and you do feel some body lean on a twisty road, but there’s a healthy amount of grip there too.
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Best for: strong standard equipment
If the Mazda 2 Hybrid looks familiar to you, that’s because it is. It’s pretty much identical to the Toyota Yaris Hybrid, save for some cosmetic tweaks. You don’t get the choice of power outputs that the Yaris does, but much like its Toyota twin the Mazda 2 Hybrid is a great little car. (Oh, and it’s not to be confused with the Mazda-specific, non-hybrid Mazda 2.)
The biggest differentiator of the Mazda 2 Hybrid to the Yaris is its styling. The Toyota is a little bolder at the front with its larger, angrier grille. The Mazda looks sleeker, with a smaller grille and more pronounced trims either side of it than the Yaris.
Inside is much the same between the two, with only a different badge on the steering wheel to remind you that you are in fact driving a Mazda. That means the same high quality but uninspiring trim, with lots of dark plastics and a tight rear passenger space.
The biggest differences between the two cars comes down to the price and aftercare. The Mazda 2 Hybrid comes in at around £1,000 more expensive than the Yaris does, which could be enough to put you off if you’ve not got any brand loyalty to Mazda - even if you do prefer the 2’s looks.
Warranty is another factor, and whilst Toyota offers a fantastic 10-year warranty, Mazda only offers a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. The Mazda 2 Hybrid is still a great small hybrid car, but it’s hard to justify why you’d pick one over the Yaris.
If the Mazda 2 Hybrid looks familiar to you, that’s because it is. It’s pretty much identical to the Toyota Yaris Hybrid, save for some cosmetic tweaks. You don’t get the choice of power outputs that the Yaris does, but much like its Toyota twin the Mazda 2 Hybrid is a great little car. (Oh, and it’s not to be confused with the Mazda-specific, non-hybrid Mazda 2.)
The biggest differentiator of the Mazda 2 Hybrid to the Yaris is its styling. The Toyota is a little bolder at the front with its larger, angrier grille. The Mazda looks sleeker, with a smaller grille and more pronounced trims either side of it than the Yaris.
Inside is much the same between the two, with only a different badge on the steering wheel to remind you that you are in fact driving a Mazda. That means the same high quality but uninspiring trim, with lots of dark plastics and a tight rear passenger space.
The biggest differences between the two cars comes down to the price and aftercare. The Mazda 2 Hybrid comes in at around £1,000 more expensive than the Yaris does, which could be enough to put you off if you’ve not got any brand loyalty to Mazda - even if you do prefer the 2’s looks.
Warranty is another factor, and whilst Toyota offers a fantastic 10-year warranty, Mazda only offers a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. The Mazda 2 Hybrid is still a great small hybrid car, but it’s hard to justify why you’d pick one over the Yaris.
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Best for: stylish design
The Peugeot 208 has been one of the most stylish small cars on sale since it was launched in 2019, and the latest refresh has managed to make it even better looking - without losing any of its charm in the process.
Crisp lines, bold styling and funky curves are all over the 208 - and the ‘lion claw’ motif in the LED running lights and taillights are the car’s most striking features. Contrasting wheel arches and roof colours add even more character to the exterior.
The 208 has one of the most interesting interiors of any of the small cars on sale, and it’s full to the brim with plush materials and quirky design features. The small steering wheel is a classic Peugeot design feature, but whilst it’s nice to the touch it can obscure the driver display in certain seating positions.
Interior space, meanwhile, is at a premium in the 208. It’s not particularly roomy in the front or back, though the front seats are very supportive and they come with plenty of adjustment. The 311-litre boot is similar to taller alternatives such as the Citroen C3 Aircross, which is useful in such a compact car.
Feel-good factor is one of the 208’s strong suits, and it’s a fun little car to drive on a twisty road thanks to its darty-steering - even if it’s not quite as competent as a Renault Clio. Motorways are a breeze too, with the 208 feeling both stable and comfortable at high speeds.
The Peugeot 208 has been one of the most stylish small cars on sale since it was launched in 2019, and the latest refresh has managed to make it even better looking - without losing any of its charm in the process.
Crisp lines, bold styling and funky curves are all over the 208 - and the ‘lion claw’ motif in the LED running lights and taillights are the car’s most striking features. Contrasting wheel arches and roof colours add even more character to the exterior.
The 208 has one of the most interesting interiors of any of the small cars on sale, and it’s full to the brim with plush materials and quirky design features. The small steering wheel is a classic Peugeot design feature, but whilst it’s nice to the touch it can obscure the driver display in certain seating positions.
Interior space, meanwhile, is at a premium in the 208. It’s not particularly roomy in the front or back, though the front seats are very supportive and they come with plenty of adjustment. The 311-litre boot is similar to taller alternatives such as the Citroen C3 Aircross, which is useful in such a compact car.
Feel-good factor is one of the 208’s strong suits, and it’s a fun little car to drive on a twisty road thanks to its darty-steering - even if it’s not quite as competent as a Renault Clio. Motorways are a breeze too, with the 208 feeling both stable and comfortable at high speeds.
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Best for: value for money
Much like the MG3, the ZS is another example of MG’s engineers getting it right the second time round. The first ZS had very few redeeming qualities - only its cheap price, really - but the current model is better in literally every way.
For starters it's a rather handsome small SUV. It may be slightly generic in its styling, but elegant headlights and an interesting shoulder line go a long way to making the ZS easy on the eye. Inside is plain, but comes equipped with some good features as standard.
Material choice is fairly poor, with a lot of hard plastics all within touching distance - including some trims designed to imitate stitched leather. This can be forgiven as the ZS is a budget option, clearly laid out and with a fairly intuitive infotainment system - though the driver’s display is a bit of a faff to read.
The ZS’s hybrid system is its highlight, with the same powerful electric motor and engine combo as the MG3. This means it’s not only quick off the mark but can run on electric drive for longer than most of its alternatives.
Light steering and a high driving position are useful around town, but firm suspension means the ZS gets shaken up by broken roads and potholes more often than you’d like. Motorways aren’t the most relaxing either with a fair amount of wind and road noise, and the ZS isn’t as fun on a country road as its alternatives.
Much like the MG3, the ZS is another example of MG’s engineers getting it right the second time round. The first ZS had very few redeeming qualities - only its cheap price, really - but the current model is better in literally every way.
For starters it's a rather handsome small SUV. It may be slightly generic in its styling, but elegant headlights and an interesting shoulder line go a long way to making the ZS easy on the eye. Inside is plain, but comes equipped with some good features as standard.
Material choice is fairly poor, with a lot of hard plastics all within touching distance - including some trims designed to imitate stitched leather. This can be forgiven as the ZS is a budget option, clearly laid out and with a fairly intuitive infotainment system - though the driver’s display is a bit of a faff to read.
The ZS’s hybrid system is its highlight, with the same powerful electric motor and engine combo as the MG3. This means it’s not only quick off the mark but can run on electric drive for longer than most of its alternatives.
Light steering and a high driving position are useful around town, but firm suspension means the ZS gets shaken up by broken roads and potholes more often than you’d like. Motorways aren’t the most relaxing either with a fair amount of wind and road noise, and the ZS isn’t as fun on a country road as its alternatives.
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Best for: flying under the radar
‘Vauxhall Corsa’ has been synonymous with small cars for decades, so it’s little wonder that it’s the UK’s best selling car. With a fresh design and a healthy amount of standard kit, the Corsa is the best it’s ever been.
Vauxhall’s new minimalist ‘Vizor’ front end has made its way onto the Corsa, with the sporty headlights now joined up by a black panel. A two-tone paint job adds a little character to the Corsa’s body shape too.
Inside, the Corsa has been refreshed with a 10.0-inch infotainment screen and a 7.0-inch driver display. The design is fairly basic, looking a little dated when compared to alternatives such as the Renault Clio and Citroen C3. Front space is adequate, but adult passengers in the rear will feel cramped.
A tight turning circle and large mirrors help when manoeuvring around town, as does the rear-view camera on GS trim levels and above. The Corsa takes motorways in its stride, keeping its composure at higher speeds - even if there's some noticeable wind noise.
Twisty roads are no problem for the Corsa either, but it’s unlikely to put a smile on your face. It doesn’t feel out of place when carving corners, but alternatives have more responsive steering.
‘Vauxhall Corsa’ has been synonymous with small cars for decades, so it’s little wonder that it’s the UK’s best selling car. With a fresh design and a healthy amount of standard kit, the Corsa is the best it’s ever been.
Vauxhall’s new minimalist ‘Vizor’ front end has made its way onto the Corsa, with the sporty headlights now joined up by a black panel. A two-tone paint job adds a little character to the Corsa’s body shape too.
Inside, the Corsa has been refreshed with a 10.0-inch infotainment screen and a 7.0-inch driver display. The design is fairly basic, looking a little dated when compared to alternatives such as the Renault Clio and Citroen C3. Front space is adequate, but adult passengers in the rear will feel cramped.
A tight turning circle and large mirrors help when manoeuvring around town, as does the rear-view camera on GS trim levels and above. The Corsa takes motorways in its stride, keeping its composure at higher speeds - even if there's some noticeable wind noise.
Twisty roads are no problem for the Corsa either, but it’s unlikely to put a smile on your face. It doesn’t feel out of place when carving corners, but alternatives have more responsive steering.
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Best for: tried-and-tested dependability
The Honda Jazz has been a staple of small car practicality since its launch, and the current Jazz is no different. It may be more interesting to look at than ever before, but with a tall silhouette and clever rear seats it’s just as versatile as ever.
It’s far from sporty, but the Jazz has a smooth, aerodynamic design to maximise efficiency. Honda has fully embraced the Jazz’s practical body shape, and it’s a unique small car as a result.
The biggest advantage of its tall roofline is the amount of space inside, with plenty of headroom and legroom in the front and rear. Honda has given the Jazz what it calls ‘magic seats’, which fold completely flat and tilt forwards. When stowed away the boot becomes an extra-large load space; up from 309 litres to 1,205 litres - the largest capacity of any small car on sale in the UK.
Up front, the Jazz is a relaxing place to sit. It’s not the poshest interior, but the overall quality is excellent and the layout is intuitive to navigate. A 9.0-inch infotainment screen sits between the central heater vents whilst the driver gets a 7.0-inch digital display.
The Jazz handles city streets well, with its soft suspension ironing out bad roads and light steering taking the effort out of parking. The aerodynamic shape keeps wind noise to a minimum at high speeds, which combined with the comfy ride means the Jazz handles motorway journeys with ease.
The Honda Jazz has been a staple of small car practicality since its launch, and the current Jazz is no different. It may be more interesting to look at than ever before, but with a tall silhouette and clever rear seats it’s just as versatile as ever.
It’s far from sporty, but the Jazz has a smooth, aerodynamic design to maximise efficiency. Honda has fully embraced the Jazz’s practical body shape, and it’s a unique small car as a result.
The biggest advantage of its tall roofline is the amount of space inside, with plenty of headroom and legroom in the front and rear. Honda has given the Jazz what it calls ‘magic seats’, which fold completely flat and tilt forwards. When stowed away the boot becomes an extra-large load space; up from 309 litres to 1,205 litres - the largest capacity of any small car on sale in the UK.
Up front, the Jazz is a relaxing place to sit. It’s not the poshest interior, but the overall quality is excellent and the layout is intuitive to navigate. A 9.0-inch infotainment screen sits between the central heater vents whilst the driver gets a 7.0-inch digital display.
The Jazz handles city streets well, with its soft suspension ironing out bad roads and light steering taking the effort out of parking. The aerodynamic shape keeps wind noise to a minimum at high speeds, which combined with the comfy ride means the Jazz handles motorway journeys with ease.
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What do you need it for?
If your commute is city-based or only a few miles long, then a plug-in hybrid is an ideal choice as you’ll have more than enough range to do the journey on electric power alone. If you frequently do longer trips or your commute takes you on the motorway then a self-charging hybrid will be more economical.
Practicality
Small cars are never the most practical choice when carrying around a lot of passengers or if you need a big boot, but not all small cars are created equal. There’s often a trade off between rear leg room and boot space, so if you only need one or the other then there will be an option out there. If you often need to carry luggage and passengers then there are some small SUVs which might better suit your needs - or the Honda Jazz.
Cost
Hybrid versions tend to cost more than their petrol or diesel counterparts, but the costs can be offset over the car’s lifetime with the extra efficiency of their electric assistance. Do the maths though, because if you can't make the numbers add up in your ownership then you might be better off with a non-hybrid model.
Hybrid cars by make
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