If you’re not quite ready to make the full switch to a fully electric car, a hybrid model is well worth considering.
Whether it’s a plug-in or ‘self-charging’ model you’re looking at (the latter are best for those unable to charge at home and doing longer distances), there’s a huge range of models available. Particularly if you’re in the market for a family car. Let’s check out some of the best options…
BMW 330e Touring
BMW offers a particularly extensive range of plug-in hybrid models, and we think it’s hard to beat the 330e Touring if you’re in the market for a family car. Based on the excellent 3 Series Touring, the 330e produces up to 288bhp, while also allowing for an electric range of up to 37 miles.
BMW has also recently tweaked the car, giving it a more muscular exterior design, but the bulk of the changes affect the cabin – mainly the introduction of the latest Curved Display that helps to modernise the 3 Series’ cabin further.
Skoda Superb iV
The Skoda Superb has been a huge hit with families for a number of years, with its generous exterior dimensions ensuring there’s vast amounts of space inside the interior. Available as both a large hatchback and an estate, the boot offers a particularly impressive amount of room, and is ideal for handling everything family life can throw at it.
Alongside various petrol and diesel offerings, Skoda also sells a plug-in hybrid model. Badged as the iV, it develops 215bhp and can travel for up to a claimed 35 miles purely on electricity.
Ford Kuga
The Ford Kuga is in quite a unique position as it’s one of only a handful of cars that are available with both a hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain, and it means the choice of which you go for is really up to you.
Both use the same basic 2.5-litre petrol engine, with the plug-in having slightly more power. The PHEV is also able to travel for up to 39 miles on electricity and it’s remarkably efficient as well, even when the battery is out of charge. With generous equipment levels, attractive pricing and plenty of interior space, the Kuga is an appealing hybrid family SUV.
Alfa Romeo Tonale
This year is important for Alfa Romeo as it sees the introduction of the Tonale as its first compact SUV. Just arriving in showrooms, it’s offered as standard with efficient mild-hybrid powertrains, though a plug-in hybrid version will follow at the start of 2023.
Boasting Alfa Romeo’s trademark style, the Tonale is a welcome addition to this segment and contributes generous equipment levels along with an impressive new infotainment system. There’s a good deal of interior space on offer, too.
Nissan Qashqai
The Qashqai was the original crossover, and it remains a hugely popular choice with families, as the UK’s most popular SUV. It’s now purely sold with electrified powertrains, with a choice of a mild-hybrid or a new e-Power hybrid setup.
It’s the latter that’s the real highlight, with its impressive efficiency and electric-like driving ability making it ideal for those that just aren’t quite ready to move to an all-electric model. It’s practical, packed with safety kit and looks the part, and is a very appealing hybrid family car as a result.
Cupra Leon Estate e-Hybrid
Sporty brand Cupra already offers an impressive choice of electrified models, and the best option for families is the Leon Estate e-Hybrid. Getting a powerful 242bhp setup, it offers strong performance and an electric range of up to 36 miles.
The Leon Estate is packed with equipment and technology while fulfilling the family car brief well thanks to its generous rear seat space and large boot.
Jeep Compass 4xe
Jeep is another firm that’s quickly expanding its electrified range, and in fact, it’s only the Wrangler that’s its sole non-hybrid model these days. An ideal option for families is the mid-size Compass 4xe plug-in hybrid.
Bringing the style that this American brand is known for, there’s plenty of interior space and lots of standard equipment included too. If you like to go on adventures, the supreme off-road ability of this plug-in hybrid allows you to travel further off the beaten track than all of its rivals.