10 best traditional hybrids

If you travel mostly short distances and have a charger at home, then driving a plug-in hybrid can save you a fortune. But these cars are still quite expensive and not everyone has a garage. The alternative is to bet on a classic hybrid like the Prius, which has a very modest electric-only mileage but is offset by low cost – comparable to or less than a diesel car. There are many such hybrids on the market, and the British version of WhatCar has tried to determine the best.

Honda NSX

This hybrid supercar has a 3,5-liter V6 engine with two turbochargers, as well as three electric motors - one helps the engine drive the rear wheels, while others are responsible for each of the front wheels. This gives a total output of 582 horsepower. The NSX can only travel within the city at short intervals.

Pros - fast; silence in the city; good driving position.

Cons - slower than its sports competitors; does not drive like the best; bad infotainment system.

Lexus RX 450h L

While most luxury SUVs lose their third row of seats if you want them in a hybrid version, the RX L is only available as a hybrid and has 7 seats. It is true that the two rear wheels are very narrow and the V6 engine sounds rather rough at higher speeds, but in the city this car offers a peace of mind that simply cannot be replicated on combustion engine cars, no matter how dense they are.

Pros - good workmanship; impressive reliability; good equipment.

Cons – Complicated infotainment system; competitors offer better management; the engine sounds rough at higher rpm.

Toyota Yaris 1.5 VVT-i Hybrid

There are no hybrids cheaper than the Toyota Yaris, but the model is nevertheless well equipped and offers remarkable city performance such as economy and emissions. Just keep in mind that there is a generational change at the end of the year.

Pros – Generous standard equipment; comfortable ride; very good option for a company car.

Cons - weak engine; not very good management; a bit noisy.

Lexus IS 300h

Modern luxury sedans tend to use diesel engines, but the ES differs by combining a 2,5-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor. This approach creates a car that whispers around town and on the highway, but makes a little noise when accelerating.

Pros - low cost; plenty of legroom; amazing maneuverability.

Cons - the hybrid system is noisy if you're in a hurry; small trunk without folding rear seats; disappointing infotainment system. "Double" Toyota Camry is cheaper.

Toyota Prius 1.8 VVTI

The latest Prius is a significant step forward for the world's best-selling hybrid car in terms of both practicality and driving, putting it in direct competition with competing engines such as the Ford Focus and Opel Astra. What's more, it's even more economical than its incredibly economical predecessor.

Pros – excellent fuel economy; sophistication in the city; pretty good handling.

Cons - sluggish outside the city; mediocre brakes; little headroom for rear passengers.

Toyota RAV4 2.5 VVTi Hybrid

Despite being a large and practical SUV, the RAV4 is the most efficient city car tested by British experts. Many rivals handle better and the infotainment system is tricky to use, but the RAV4's incredible fuel economy makes it easy to ignore its shortcomings.

Pros – incredibly low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions; high reliability, keeps a high price in the secondary market.

Cons – Terrible infotainment system; internal combustion engines have better controllability; there is no version for 7 seats.

Honda Jazz 1.5 i-MMD Hybrid

The latest Jazz is a small car, but it offers an incredible amount of room for passengers and luggage, and the unique and large flexible rear seats further contribute to its practicality. It's not the funniest car in its class (Ford Fiesta) or the most comfortable ride (Peugeot 208), but excellent visibility contributes to good driving, and the economy, high resale price and equipment level are impressive.

Pros – very spacious with great seating flexibility; fairly rich standard equipment; excellent visibility.

Cons - clumsy traffic in the city and average handling; rough engine during acceleration; high cost options.

Hyundai Ioniq 1.6 GDi Hybrid

The Hyundai Ioniq is a great car for those looking to buy their first hybrid. It combines low maintenance and a relatively reasonable price with a pleasant and normal driving experience. It's also available as a plug-in hybrid if you need more mileage, and even as an all-electric vehicle.

Pros - high-quality interior; low operating costs; nice to drive.

Cons - limited headroom for rear passengers; not very stable in the city; the electric version is quite expensive.

Honda CR-V 2.0 I-MMD Hybrid

The latest CR-V doesn't have a diesel version, so it's fortunate that the 2,0-liter petrol engine and electric motor are combined to deliver similar fuel economy. Add to that some pretty good handling, a comfortable seating position and plenty of rear room, and the CR-V Hybrid is a serious and compelling proposition.

Pros - huge space in the back seat; good sized trunk comfortable driving position.

Cons - a rough engine in revolutions; poor infotainment system; no version for 7 seats.

Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVT-i Hybrid

Toyota definitely knows how to make good hybrid cars, as the Corolla is the company's fourth model on the list. It offers ultra-low fuel consumption. A ride that has been compromised in the past is now pampered, and the base trim is quite generous. Even the cheaper 1,8-litre version offers everything you need.

Pros – really low CO2 emissions; comfortable ride, rich basic equipment.

Cons - narrow back; below average infotainment system; bad soundproofing.