Compare the best hybrid SUVs

High quality hybrid SUVs from rated and reviewed dealers

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Last updated February 12, 2025 by Mario Christou

Best hybrid SUVs of 2025

SUVs are some of the most popular cars on sale at the moment, and hybrid SUVs especially have come a long way from their agricultural, off-road biased predecessors. You’re just as likely to see an SUV on the school run as a hatchback or estate - their lofty seating position and headroom making them a more comfortable proposition for a lot of families.

But the biggest advancement in SUV tech over the years has been the enormous range of engine and motor offerings you can now choose from. Gone are the days when having an SUV meant putting up with a clattery old diesel or an enormous - and thirsty - petrol engine. Electric SUVs are popping up everywhere, but for those seeking a balance between fuel economy and peace of mind then a hybrid offering might be the best choice.

There are different types of hybrids available too. Mild hybrids don't feature on this list as they are a sort of half-way hybrid system. They use a small battery alongside a normal engine to add a little efficiency boost. They don’t have motors powerful enough to drive the car by themselves, so to most people they’re indistinguishable from a normal petrol or diesel car.

Then there are self-charging hybrids which don’t have much electric-only range but tend to be the cheapest way into hybrid ownership. Self-charging hybrids are essentially combustion-engined cars with electrical assistance which also charge their own batteries, making them more efficient than pure petrol or diesels.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, referred to commonly as PHEVs, have electric motors with large batteries alongside an engine. They don’t rely on the engine for charging either, as you can plug them in to charge from external sources. Where the advantage comes in is that you can choose when a PHEV operates on electric power - and when the engine should kick in to take over power duties instead.

Our expert reviews team has put together this list of the best hybrid SUVs on sale in the UK, with both self-charging hybrids and PHEVs, though if you think you can make do without an SUV’s size you could check out the best small hybrid cars instead.

BMW X5
2025
Adventurer's Choice Award

1. BMW X5

10/10
BMW X5 review
Battery range up to 45 miles

What's good

  • Powerful yet efficient engines
  • High quality interior
  • Fun to drive for an SUV

What’s not so good

  • Lumbar adjustment optional
  • M50d's fake engine noise
  • Firm on large alloy wheels
Best for: pretty much everything

The BMW X5 isn’t just one of the best SUVs or hybrids on sale right now, but one of the best cars full stop. Little wonder that it’s at the top of this list then. The hybrid is so good in fact, that it’s the only petrol-powered offering aside from the big V8-engined performance models.

BMW was an early advocate of the comfy, sporty and road-focused SUV with the first X5 - and it’s a formula which the current X5 follows, with more poshness added in for good measure.

The xDrive50e model produces a combined 489hp from its 3.0-litre petrol engine and hybrid system. With a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds and up to 67 miles of electric-only range, not only is the X5 PHEV a properly fast SUV - it’s one you should barely ever have to fill up if you don’t have a long commute. Its battery can’t be topped up with a DC rapid charger, but it only takes three hours to fill up from an 11kW charging point.

The X5 M50e is a rather fun car to drive on a winding road too. It’s agile for a two-and-a-half tonne beast, better in corners than a Mercedes GLE, but still more comfortable than a Porsche Cayenne.

Inside, the X5 has a fantastic cabin - full of premium materials and soft-touch surfaces. A dual-screen infotainment and driver’s display combo sits on top of the modern-looking dashboard, whilst even the standard vegan leather trim is nice to the touch. Real leather is an option, however, and the X5 has an enormous 650-litre boot.

On the outside, BMW has avoided giving the X5 the same polarizing design treatment as some of its stablemates; a mix of crisp lines and curves. It’s a well proportioned big SUV. The X5 is a rather adept family bus, and in hybrid spec it’s easy on the wallet to run too.

What's good

  • Powerful yet efficient engines
  • High quality interior
  • Fun to drive for an SUV

What’s not so good

  • Lumbar adjustment optional
  • M50d's fake engine noise
  • Firm on large alloy wheels
Dacia Duster
2025
Smart Spender Award

2. Dacia Duster

9/10
Dacia Duster review

What's good

  • Great value
  • Four-wheel drive available
  • Keeps the Duster's character intact

What’s not so good

  • Cheap plastics inside
  • Seats don't fold totally flat
  • No more diesel option
Best for: rugged on a budget

The Dacia Duster has come a long way from being ‘just’ the cheapest SUV on sale in the UK. Now in its third-generation, the Duster has earned itself a swanky and sophisticated new look as well as a swanky and sophisticated hybrid engine option.

In fact, the new Duster has also earned itself a badge of honour as the winner of the Smart Spender category in the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year Awards.

Value for money still plays a big part in the Duster’s appeal, but it must be said that the hybrid version of the Duster is the most expensive way into Dacia ownership - no matter the trim level. It’s still cheaper than most of its small SUV alternatives though, with some good standard kit on the hybrid model.

With the engine and electric motor engaged, the Duster can crack 62mph in 10.1 seconds - but it’s the efficiency that impresses with an achievable 50mpg, if you’re very careful with your right foot. That’s even more impressive considering the Duster’s size, as it’s bigger than most of the family hatchbacks on sale.

Being the size that it is, the Dacia Duster is really practical compared to a lot of its alternatives. A boxy shape and tall roofline mean there’s plenty of interior space and a tall load space - but the hybrid battery does restrict boot volume to 430 litres.

The interior has taken a step up when compared to previous Dusters. There may not be any soft-touch plastics or leather in sight - this is still a value-focused car after all - but the cabin feels solid to the touch. Funky, thoughtful design features are abundant too, with a phone holder next to the Hybrid’s infotainment screen and rubber floor mats with fun little map references in their design.

Dacia has been just as creative with the outside of the Duster, and it’s a genuinely handsome SUV with nifty details. The front-end is dominated by its grille/headlight combo, giving the Duster the appearance of a super-rugged off-roader. Hard-wearing cladding surrounds the body too, which should protect your paintwork from dents and scrapes.

The Dacia Duster Hybrid really does punch above its weight class, and it’s one of our favourite hybrid SUVs as a result.

What's good

  • Great value
  • Four-wheel drive available
  • Keeps the Duster's character intact

What’s not so good

  • Cheap plastics inside
  • Seats don't fold totally flat
  • No more diesel option
Toyota Yaris Cross
2025
Urban Living Award

3. Toyota Yaris Cross

9/10
Toyota Yaris Cross review

What's good

  • Hybrid engine is economical
  • Generous standard equipment
  • Raised ride height gives excellent visibility

What’s not so good

  • Engine can be noisy
  • Fidgety over bumps
  • Slightly dour interior
Best for: fuel economy

Toyota’s Yaris Cross SUV brings a little sense of adventure to the mini-SUV category, with chunky styling in a small, city-friendly package. Think “Honey, I shrunk the RAV4”, but with the charm of the Yaris hatchback. Overall the Yaris Cross is a great little SUV, so much so that it drove off with the Urban Living Award at the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year awards.

Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre hybrid engine, and whilst you don’t get to choose when you’re in electric-only mode, the Cross does a fantastic job of starting the engine smoothly when it does kick in. That means it’s fairly hassle free, and drives pretty much like a regular petrol-powered SUV.

The Yaris Cross’s small footprint means it’s perfect for zipping around narrow streets and squeezing into small parking spaces, where some of the other hybrid SUVs on this list would certainly struggle. It’s also fairly capable on a twisty road, even if it can be a little firm over bumps and potholes at low speeds.

Being slightly longer than the Yaris hatchback and with a marginally taller roofline, Toyota have managed to eke out a surprising amount of space in the front of the Yaris Cross’s interior.

A lofty driving position with highly adjustable front seats means it’s easy to get comfortable in the Cross, but there isn’t a lot of interior storage and taller adults in the back might find headroom is at a premium. It’s the design of the cabin that lets it down, being a little drab with a lot of dark plastics - though they’re soft to the touch

What's good

  • Hybrid engine is economical
  • Generous standard equipment
  • Raised ride height gives excellent visibility

What’s not so good

  • Engine can be noisy
  • Fidgety over bumps
  • Slightly dour interior
Citroen C5 Aircross
2025
Comfortable Cruiser Award
Highly Commended

4. Citroen C5 Aircross

9/10
Citroen C5 Aircross review

What's good

  • Chic styling
  • Big boot
  • Comfortable to drive

What’s not so good

  • Some cheap bits inside
  • Awkward infotainment system
  • Rear seats are a bit tight
Best for: affordable comfort

When it comes to SUVs these days, a lot of manufacturers try to emphasise their dynamic characteristics. Some hit the mark, but others are simply too heavy and too stiff to find that balance. The Citroen C5 Aircross, meanwhile, drops any sporting pretension in the name of comfort and style.

When it comes to SUVs these days, a lot of manufacturers try to emphasise their dynamic characteristics. Some hit the mark, but others are simply too heavy and too stiff to find that balance. The Citroen C5 Aircross, meanwhile, drops any sporting pretension in the name of comfort and style.

The plug-in hybrid C5 Aircross combines an electric motor with a 1.6-litre engine, and when they’re working in unison it produces 225hp and hits 62mph in 8.7 seconds.

Thanks to its 13.2kWh battery pack tucked under the boot floor, the Aircross Hybrid has up to 36 miles of electric-only range before the engine kicks in. If you live in a city or you have a short commute, this might be plenty - and your running costs could be kept to a minimum with the engine barely seeing any use.

On top of that, if the petrol engine does ever kick in it’s fairly smooth, making the C5 Aircross a very pleasant drive around town. It’s not just the powertrain that makes it a pleasant car to potter about in, but the interior too.

It may have a few hard plastics in the cabin and the buttons aren’t exactly stylish, but big windows, comfy seats with a high driving position and a sturdy feel make the C5 a relaxing drive - and a worthy choice compared to German and Korean counterparts.

The boot is a little smaller than the C5’s petrol and diesel powered siblings to fit its hybrid battery, but it’s still a usably large space at 460 litres and the loading edge is conveniently low. The Aircross is a very comfortable hybrid SUV - practical and stylish too - which is why it’s highly commended as one of Carwow’s best ‘Comfortable Cruisers’ in 2025.

What's good

  • Chic styling
  • Big boot
  • Comfortable to drive

What’s not so good

  • Some cheap bits inside
  • Awkward infotainment system
  • Rear seats are a bit tight
Range Rover

5. Range Rover

9/10
Range Rover review

What's good

  • Extremely manouvrable with four-wheel steering
  • Superbly refined and comfortable
  • Looks fantastic

What’s not so good

  • Some cheap plastics inside
  • Feels wide through town and tighter roads
  • A big step to get into the cabin
Best for: hybrid opulence

The Range Rover might be the poshest hybrid SUV you can buy at the moment. You probably won’t see a Range Rover rock crawling these days, but you’ll almost certainly see a load of them crawling through traffic in Knightsbridge or Mayfair.

An ‘e’ suffix is Range Rover’s way of saying ‘plug-in hybrid’, and there are two options available: the P460e with 460hp, and the P550e with…550hp. In the real world there’s little separating the two on performance and EV terms, as both will do up to 75 miles on a full charge thanks to their identical 38.2kWh battery capacities.

A full charge from empty takes 15 hours from a home 3-pin plug, but a fast charger can get the Range Rover hybrid to 80% capacity in 40 minutes. It’s worth remembering that a battery as large as the Range Rover’s will still cost a pretty penny to charge, so it might not save you as much money as you’d expect.

Electric silence goes hand-in-hand with the Range Rover’s luxurious cabin, bursting to the seams with soft leather, wood and metal trims. The entire dashboard is leather-trimmed, with a crisp infotainment display that appears to float above it.

Interior space is great too, though that’s a given seeing as the Range Rover is such a large car. It wears its size well though, with sleek front-end styling for such a boxy shape.

What's good

  • Extremely manouvrable with four-wheel steering
  • Superbly refined and comfortable
  • Looks fantastic

What’s not so good

  • Some cheap plastics inside
  • Feels wide through town and tighter roads
  • A big step to get into the cabin
Land Rover Defender 110

6. Land Rover Defender

9/10
Land Rover Defender 110 review

What's good

  • Practical interior with seven seats
  • Wide range of excellent engines
  • Comfortable on-road and capable off it

What’s not so good

  • High running costs
  • Tight third row
  • Question marks over reliability
Best for: hybrid off-roading

If the Range Rover is the peak luxury hybrid of British SUVs, the Defender is its active, outdoorsy cousin. It may not be quite as grand or as powerful as the posh Range Rover, but it’ll be even more comfortable when the going gets rough.

Don’t think that the Defender isn’t a posh SUV though; far from it. The P400e plug-in hybrid is equipped with a 2.0-litre engine which produces 404hp with its hybrid assistance. Even though it’s a heavy, squared-off beast the Defender can still hit 62mph in 5.4 seconds.

The hybrid Defender’s battery is fairly small though, especially when compared to the Range Rover, with a maximum capacity of 19.2kWh. That means the Defender can only go 32 miles on electric battery alone - and that’s with gentle driving.

32 miles could be plenty for inner-city commuting, but it’s not ideal for commutes with any real distance to them - and you could find yourself relying on the engine for charge more often than you’d like.

Even as a hybrid, the Defender’s party piece is its true off-road ability. Whether you’re just after some bad-weather security - or a car that can venture into fields, wade through bogs and climb rocky trails - the Defender will almost certainly feel at home.

It’s also a very cool looking SUV; big and brash, with an aggressive modern take on the classic Defender’s round headlights and square grille. The seating position is imperious too; even Range Rover owners squirm at the traffic lights next to a Defender.

If a shorter electric range isn’t a dealbreaker and a big, comfy yet rugged car is your cuppa then the Defender P400e might tick all the right boxes.

What's good

  • Practical interior with seven seats
  • Wide range of excellent engines
  • Comfortable on-road and capable off it

What’s not so good

  • High running costs
  • Tight third row
  • Question marks over reliability
Skoda Kodiaq
2025
Adventurer's Choice Award
Highly Commended

7. Skoda Kodiaq

8/10
Skoda Kodiaq review

What's good

  • Clever, spacious interior
  • Huge boot
  • Still available as a diesel

What’s not so good

  • Plug-in hybrid not available with seven seats
  • Some expensive optional extras
  • Alternatives are more fun to drive
Best for: spacious travel

The Skoda Kodiaq is one of Carwow’s favourite family SUVs, and for good reason. Skoda has a habit of producing cars with Tardis-like interior space, without having outrageously large proportions on the outside.

Yet another example of the classic Skoda packaging is the new Kodiaq, which builds on its already spacious predecessor by giving it…even more space inside, and posher materials. The plug-in hybrid engine is new to the Kodiaq too, and it makes it a rather economical family hauler.

With almost 75 miles of electric range, it’s entirely possible that you’ll forget that the Kodiaq hybrid even has a petrol engine under the bonnet - without being desperate for a charger every time you park.

A big advantage of the Kodiaq’s 75 mile electric range is the low company car tax band, meaning that the Kodiaq isn’t just a good car - it’s fantastic value for money.

The battery pack in the boot means that the Kodiaq loses the two extra seats of the petrol and diesel version, but the boot itself is enormous and very useful for families who go on frequent trips. Dogs will be happy too, with their palatial mode of transport.

The rest of the family will be happy too, as the Kodiaq has plenty of room inside - and a stylish cabin design which is a huge step up from the old model. The use of multiple materials and swoopy lines elevates the Kodiaq’s dashboard from some of its alternatives. Who says practicality has to be boring?

What's good

  • Clever, spacious interior
  • Huge boot
  • Still available as a diesel

What’s not so good

  • Plug-in hybrid not available with seven seats
  • Some expensive optional extras
  • Alternatives are more fun to drive
Renault Captur

8. Renault Captur

8/10
Renault Captur review
Battery range up to 28 miles

What's good

  • Great Google-based infotainment
  • Hybrid model is economical
  • Big boot for a small SUV

What’s not so good

  • Suspension is firm over bumps
  • Some safety kit reserved for top-spec models
  • Hybrid system hesitant at times
Best for: chic design

Renault seemed to hit its stride with the latest Captur, with an updated design inspired by the bigger Renault Scenic translating into a stylish, eye-catching mini-SUV. The updated Captur doesn’t have that many engine options, but the self-charging hybrid is still available - and it's the Captur’s best engine choice too.

A 1.6-litre petrol engine is supplemented with an electric motor and batteries to produce a combined 145hp. The stand out feature is how well the Captur moves under electric power alone at low speeds, with the engine kicking in only when necessary - making it very economical around town. You don’t get to choose when, but it’s a pretty smooth transition when it does happen.

Unfortunately it’s not very comfortable around town, and you can feel the Captur get shaken over broken roads and potholes at low speed. What that does mean, though, is that the little hybrid Renault can take twists and turns at high speeds without leaning too much in the corners. It’s no hot hatch, but it doesn’t feel out of place on a country lane.

Inside the Captur is a fairly well put-together cabin, with soft materials in the right places and a new 10.4-inch infotainment screen. Everything bar the entry-level trim gets Google software on its touchscreen which is fantastic, but even the basic cars get Apple Carplay/Android Auto and Google Maps built in.

What's good

  • Great Google-based infotainment
  • Hybrid model is economical
  • Big boot for a small SUV

What’s not so good

  • Suspension is firm over bumps
  • Some safety kit reserved for top-spec models
  • Hybrid system hesitant at times
MG HS

9. MG HS

8/10
MG HS review

What's good

  • Roomy boot and back seat
  • PHEV with fantastic range
  • Cost-effective company car

What’s not so good

  • No fast-charging for PHEV
  • Not very enjoyable to drive
  • Infotainment is fiddly
Best for: affordable electric range

The MG HS represents serious value for money when it comes to hybrid SUVs. It may not be as cheap to buy as an entry-level Dacia Duster, but for the standard kit it comes with and its outstanding electric range and performance - it’s a very wise buy. It’s rather handsome, too.

75 miles on electric power alone puts the HS in line with some of the most expensive cars on this list, and with its powerful motor it feels like you’re driving a full electric car. Keep it charged and HS will barely use any fuel, plus you won’t be scrambling to plug it in every night if you have a reasonably short commute.

On the motorway the HS is a very comfortable cruiser, with soft suspension and well controlled wind, road and engine noise. However, its soft suspension means it’s not the best performer on a twisty road - and the HS can feel a little bouncy on bigger bumps in the city.

Large windows, plenty of head and leg room and fairly supportive front seats are highlights of the interior - but the dashboard layout and storage for smaller bits and bobs is lacking. A 507-litre boot doesn’t disappoint though.

The HS’s fit and finish is still a step up compared to any other modern MG, and it does have a sleek looking pair of digital displays for infotainment and the driver. It’s just a shame that the software is clunky to use.

What's good

  • Roomy boot and back seat
  • PHEV with fantastic range
  • Cost-effective company car

What’s not so good

  • No fast-charging for PHEV
  • Not very enjoyable to drive
  • Infotainment is fiddly
Peugeot 2008

10. Peugeot 2008

8/10
Peugeot 2008 review

What's good

  • Stylish exterior design
  • Fun and cheap to run
  • 3D dashboard display

What’s not so good

  • Adults cramped in the back
  • Sluggish automatic gearbox
  • Infotainment system can be a pain to navigate
Best for: eye catching styling

The Peugeot 2008 is proof that a practical, comfortable and economical car doesn’t have to look boring. There’s a definite feel of Peugeot 208 about it - but that’s no bad thing and the 2008 is a rather pleasant little SUV.

It’s available as a self-charging hybrid, with a 1.2 litre petrol engine and a hybrid drive system to go with it. It chooses electric-only mode for you as often as possible at low speeds, though you can’t decide when. It does make for very fuel efficient motoring, however.

Inside the 2008 is typical Peugeot design, with a tiny steering wheel and an instrument display perched above it on the dash. The dashboard is also home to a 10.0-inch infotainment screen floating above the heater vents, with posh graphics and standard Apple Carplay/Android Auto.

Plush materials are dotted all around the parts of the cabin you’re likely to touch, and there’s a decent amount of room for front seat occupants and some useful door storage all around. The rear bench isn’t too bad, but three adults would be a squeeze and the rear door opening themselves are tiny.

When it comes to city driving the 2008 is a comfortable commuter, with soft suspension ironing out bad roads and light steering making the small SUV easy to chuck about on tight streets. The same applies to motorway driving, but the downside of the 2008’s soft suspension is a lot of body roll on a twisty road.

What's good

  • Stylish exterior design
  • Fun and cheap to run
  • 3D dashboard display

What’s not so good

  • Adults cramped in the back
  • Sluggish automatic gearbox
  • Infotainment system can be a pain to navigate

Hybrid SUVs to avoid

Nissan Juke Hybrid

Despite its funky looks, the Nissan Juke hybrid is about as bland as a small SUV can be. It’s not particularly fun to drive, and it feels as though the Juke actively seeks out every imperfection on whichever road you’re driving on. Motorway driving is an uncomfortable, noisy experience - and the hybrid in particular makes it a habit to drone at a fixed RPM.

Renault Arkana Hybrid

The Renault Arkana Hybrid is another unfortunate example of style over substance. It’s not as harsh a ride as the Juke, but it’s still noticeably firm over potholes and bumps, and the brakes are too sharp when in regenerative mode. Combined with a lack of clear visibility in any given direction, the Arkana can be a rather frustrating car to drive in cities with lots of tight manoeuvring and bad roads.

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Hybrid SUVs FAQs

A hybrid SUV is a tall, practical car with the style (if not always the capability) of a 4x4, and which uses a combination of petrol and electric power to drive. The electric half of the system can either save fuel by running on battery alone, or can help by adding extra power when you need it.

Hybrid SUVs come with an electric motor and a petrol or diesel engine. That motor is fed power from a small battery (or in the case of a plug-in hybrid, quite a big battery). The idea is that the petrol engine can be tuned to run a more fuel-efficient setting, allowing the electric motor to add extra power when needed for acceleration. The electric motor can also power the car by itself for short bursts, and if you add up lots of those short bursts (such as when driving around town) you can see some very impressive fuel savings. Plug-in hybrid SUVs can charge up their larger batteries from mains power and drive for short commuting-style distances on electric power, saving their petrol engines and fuel tanks for longer drives.

To find out more about how hybrid SUVs work, check out our guide on what is a hybrid car?

Well you won’t be short of choice, that’s for sure. There are currently more than 50 hybrid models to choose from, and that number will only continue to grow over the coming months and years.

A self-charging hybrid SUV will only manage around a mile or so on electric power, as their batteries are quite small. Of course, the idea is that the battery charges up again quickly (from both the engine and from regenerative braking) so you get lots of those short hops in one journey, saving you quite a lot of fuel. A plug-in hybrid SUV gets a bigger battery and can charge from mains electricity, so can go a lot further on electric power - as much as 70 miles if you’re looking at a new Range Rover plug-in hybrid - but around 30-40 miles is more common.

In terms of plug-in hybrids, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e claims 565mpg on paper. Now, that’s a semi-fictional figure, as you’ll struggle to match it unless you plug in every day and only do short regular journeys. Worth remembering that on longer motorway runs, with a flat battery, fuel economy is closer to 35-40mpg. If it’s a regular self-charging hybrid you want, then Toyota’s C-HR will do a claimed 61mpg on the combined fuel economy cycle and will get pretty close to that in real world conditions.

The biggest hybrid SUV is the new Range Rover, which comes in two plug-in versions called P440e and P510e. Both models get a massive battery which gives them a claimed 70-mile electric-only range.

It may only be small, but the most affordable hybrid SUV is the little Toyota Yaris Cross, which has a basic price of just over £20,000.

With so much choice on the market, and cars so competent these days, picking a 'best' is tricky, not least because small hybrid SUVs come from almost every manufacturer offering a range of prices. The Toyota Yaris Cross is a great option, because it's just so economical and comes with an excellent warranty.

Well, if you really want the best of the best, the Bentley Bentayga and Range Rover plug-in hybrids are right up there, though these are six-figure cars.

First, decide if a plug-in or self-charging hybrid is right for you; company car drivers, and those who can charge at home may favour the PHEV option. Next, hybrids are so commonplace, and offered as an option with so many cars, that you should decide in general what cars you would consider, then find out if they come with hybrid power; decide the car first, not the powertrain.

Hybrid SUVs tend to be more expensive than their petrol and diesel counterparts, but the trade-off is that they also tend to be more efficient, not least when diesel has fallen out of favour in recent years, and SUVs tend to use a little more fuel than equivalent hatchbacks. It’s worth remembering that most hybrids are designed to deliver their best fuel economy at low speed, around town so if your regular driving involves endless motorway miles, a hybrid may not be the best bet for you. Equally, plug-in hybrids, once they’ve used up all their battery charge, are essentially lugging around the dead weight of a battery (although some newer models can fast-charge so you can actually top them up en route) and usually have smaller boot space than their petrol or diesel equivalents.

There are no overtly bad hybrid SUVs on the market, but be sure to make the right choice between plug-in and self-charging hybridisation: if you don't have off-street parking you're less likely to keep the batteries of a PHEV charged up, negating the efficiency gains the extra cost of a hybrid typically brings. Oh, and don't go thinking a mild hybrid is a proper hybrid; this term effectively means the car has a sophisticated stop-start system, and can switch off its engine when going down hill, for example; mild hybrids can't power themselves by electricity alone.