Far from it. Well over 420,000 hybrid cars still found homes in the UK last year, and in Europe almost one in three cars sold were hybrids. While more than ever are making the leap to full battery electric power, hybrid cars still provide a vital stepping stone for those not ready to give up on petrol power just yet.
Cost is a key motivator here. According to the 2024 RAC Report on Motoring, 55% of drivers not planning to get an electric car next state it’s because they’re too expensive to buy, and more of those surveyed plan to get a conventional hybrid car.
That’s why we’ve rounded up the ten cheapest hybrid cars available to buy or lease new in 2025. There are plenty of capable, quiet, smooth and fuel-sipping hybrid models available for well under £30,000 – and even one below £20,000.
What’s more, for buyers on smaller budgets we’ve listed a few of our favourite affordable hybrid cars to buy used – available for less than £5,000.
It’s important to point out that we’re not including mild hybrids in this list because they don’t offer the same efficiency and refinement benefits that full hybrids (sometimes known as self-charging hybrids) offer. You also won’t find any plug-in hybrids at this price point. Our guide to the different types of hybrid car on the market explains more.
Cheapest hybrid cars 2025: shortlist
- MG3 Hybrid+
- Renault Clio E-Tech
- MG ZS Hybrid+
- Toyota Yaris Hybrid
- Dacia Jogger TCe 140 Hybrid
- Mazda 2 Hybrid
- Dacia Duster TCe 140 Hybrid
- Renault Captur E-Tech
- Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid
- Honda Jazz
Cheapest hybrid cars 2025: Top 10
1: MG3 Hybrid+
Price: £18,495 Combined MPG: 64.2
MG has a habit of embarrassing other big brands when it comes to value for money, and the MG3 Hybrid+ is no different. Here is a high-tech new supermini with space for four adults, a great driving experience and a 0-62mph time of just eight seconds – and it’s well under £20,000. That’s way less than the starting price of a Skoda Fabia, which comes with a measily 80hp versus the MG’s 193hp. How do they do it?
2: Renault Clio E-Tech Full Hybrid 145
Price: £21,695 Combined MPG: 67.3
We’re big fans of the Renault Clio at RAC Drive, and while it doesn’t quite offer the astonishing value of the MG 3 it isn’t too far off. Stylish looks, a smart interior, a big boot and strong ride and handling are its biggest plus points, while Renault’s clever E-Tech full hybrid system delivers good performance and strong efficiency.
3: MG ZS Hybrid+
Price: £21,995 Combined MPG: 55.4
It’s the MG3 that grabs the headlines with its sub-£20k price, but arguably the ZS Hybrid+ deserves the same level of praise. Here’s a fully-fledged hybrid SUV – the size of a Nissan Qashqai – with a big boot and room for the family, plus punchy performance and plenty of tech. Yet it’s the price of a mid-spec petrol supermini. For many, the MG ZS is all the car you’ll need, even if it isn’t the most efficient option in this list.
4: Dacia Jogger TCe 140 Hybrid
Price: £23,100 Combined MPG: 58.9
Make no mistake: if Dacia made a Sandero hybrid the brand would be higher up this list. As it is, though, the Jogger is still excellent value as the UK’s cheapest seven-seater AND one of the cheapest hybrids on the market. It offers seven proper seats, an easy and comfortable driving experience and a good level of standard equipment for the money – only its disappointing safety rating lets it down.
5: Toyota Yaris Hybrid
Price: £23,140 Combined MPG: 70.6mpg
Hybrid cars probably wouldn’t be so popular if it wasn’t for Toyota. Cars like the Prius brought the petrol-electric technology to the mass market, but nowadays that car has taken a back seat to excellent models such as the Yaris Hybrid. It’s the most efficient car here, but it’s no slouch, while the smooth CVT gearbox and Toyota’s excellent reputation for reliability make it a safe choice.
6: Mazda 2 Hybrid
Price: £24,135 Combined MPG: 67.3
Don’t worry, you’re not getting déjà vu: the Mazda 2 Hybrid is effectively the Toyota Yaris Hybrid with different badges – a decision that helps Mazda with its fleet CO2 emissions. Effectively there’s no real difference between the two models other than the Mazda’s slightly higher list price, so whichever you choose comes down to who’s offering the keenest deals.
7: Dacia Duster TCe 140 Hybrid
Price: £24,350 Combined MPG: 56.5
Dacia’s second car in this list is another top value option, this time offering more rugged, go-anywhere appeal. The Duster is a firm favourite with buyers, not just because it’s cheap, but also because it’s a small SUV that can actually deal with some off-roading. Granted, the TCe 140 hybrid system (borrowed from Renault) only allows two-wheel drive, but it’ll still be more than capable of dealing with rough tracks and mucky car parks.
8: Renault Captur E-Tech Full Hybrid 145
Price: £24,795 Combined MPG: 61.4
Like the Renault Clio but need a bit more space? The Captur is best thought of as a roomier Clio with a rugged SUV design, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It gets extra practicality such as sliding rear seats and a bigger boot, but the main draw is that clever E-Tech hybrid system that means the Captur can still manage over 60mpg in careful driving.
9: Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid
Price: £26,155 Combined MPG: 64.2
The Toyota Yaris Cross does exactly what it says on the tin: like the Captur, it takes what’s good about the Yaris and expands it into a roomier, more desirable small SUV package. It isn’t as spacious as some of the cars in this list, but it continues to offer excellent efficiency, a smooth driving experience and Toyota’s unburstable reliability reputation.
10: Honda Jazz Hybrid
Price: £27,395 Combined MPG: 62.8
Just sneaking in at number ten is Honda’s cheapest car: the Jazz Hybrid. The Japanese maker reckons it’s so good that you can’t buy a regular petrol Jazz any more, and we’d be inclined to agree thanks to its strong fuel economy and effortless performance. The Jazz is also comfortable, well-made and surprisingly spacious for a small car, although the starting price looks high compared to the Renault Clio.
Best cheap used hybrid cars 2025: our picks
Toyota Yaris Hybrid
Price: from £5,000 Combined MPG: 91.2 (NEDC)
Toyota pioneered the hybrid car with the Prius, but while they are also excellent buys the most financially savvy have a smaller alternative deploying the same tech: the Yaris. Launched back in 2011, the Yaris Hybrid is not a car to excite keen drivers, but with excellent reliability and impressive efficiency its one of the cheapest cars to run that money can buy.
Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid
Price: from £7,000 Combined MPG: 62.8
Hyundai’s answer to the Prius is often overlooked in favour of its Japanese arch-rival, but we reckon the Ioniq is the better used buy as a result. With keen prices and plenty of standard kit, it’s a good choice for a smaller family – while its dual-clutch gearbox gives a nicer driving experience than alternatives.
Honda CR-V Hybrid
Price: from £12,000 Combined MPG: 42.8
If neither of the above options cut the mustard when it comes to space, we’d recommend the Honda CR-V Hybrid as a superbly spacious and comfortable SUV. With a high-quality interior, serene cruising manners and loads of kit, it’s a lot of car for surprisingly little cash if you don’t mind sifting through higher mileage examples.
Cheapest hybrid car FAQs
How much is the cheapest hybrid car?
The cheapest hybrid car you can buy new is the MG3 Hybrid+. Starting from just £18,495, you get plenty for your money including lots of tech and impressive performance from a 193hp hybrid setup.
Is it still worth buying a hybrid car?
Absolutely. If an electric car doesn’t yet work for you, hybrids offer some of the benefits of electric power such as low-speed smoothness and strong efficiency, without the high cost and charging concerns associated with EVs.
What is the most economical hybrid car?
The Toyota Yaris Hybrid takes the crown of the most economical hybrid car on sale – if you discount plug-in hybrids. It’s capable of up to 70.6mpg combined according to official figures.
