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Best hybrid cars for Motability 2025

Driving a hybrid can help keep running costs at bay, and these are the best picks on Motability

​​Hybrid cars are increasing in popularity across all areas of the new car market, seen by many as a halfway house between internal combustion-engines and pure electric cars

Most have some form of electric-only driving ability, be that in small doses when moving in heavy traffic or, in the case of plug-in hybrid cars, in the form of a fully electric range of 20 to 50 miles before the petrol engine kicks in. 

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With lower running costs than most petrol or diesel cars, hybrids are an attractive proposition for Motability customers, but because they have a generally higher list price, they often attract a higher advanced payment or weekly cost than non-hybrid models under the scheme. 

There are still a few attractive options out there though – here are the ones that caught our eye. 

MG3 

  • Model: MG3 1.5 Hybrid Trophy Auto
  • PIP weekly cost: total mobility allowance
  • Advance payment: £399
  • Car size: supermini
  • Fuel type: hybrid
  • Gearbox: automatic

With a punchy 191bhp, the MG3 Hybrid + is as powerful as the old MG ZT muscle saloon, which has a 2.5-litre V6 under its bonnet – and that is how much times have changed over the past 20 years in the car industry. 

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Now under Chinese ownership, MG makes cars that are fun to drive and fast, with a seven-year warranty and lots of high-tech features. The MG3 Hybrid + is also amazingly good fun to drive – it’s a car that we really rate, not only for its great value but also for driver appeal. For a £399 advance payment and no additional weekly cost, it’s a difficult car to ignore. 

Renault Captur

  • Model: Captur 1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 145 Evolution 5dr 
  • PIP weekly cost: total mobility allowance
  • Advance payment: £495
  • Car size: small SUV
  • Fuel type: hybrid
  • Gearbox: automatic 
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There’s a lot of appeal to be found in the current Renault model line-up, and while it lacks the retro character of some of the brand’s latest models, the Renault Captur is far from a poor relation. 

In 1.6-litre Full Hybrid form it’s the best of both worlds: efficient, but also easy-to-own with no need for external charging. It’s also easy to drive, with two-pedal CVT transmission and a high driving position, while the tall doors allow easy access and the boot has a spacious-for-its-size 326-litre capacity.

Toyota Yaris

  • Model: Yaris 1.5 Icon CVT
  • Advance payment: £1,345
  • PIP weekly cost: total mobility allowance
  • Car size: supermini
  • Fuel type: hybrid
  • Gearbox: automatic
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Distinctively styled and fun-to-drive, the Toyota Yaris Hybrid is a compelling package at the best of times – made even more appealing when you consider it’s the least expensive hybrid on offer for Motability customers right now. It uses a 0.7kWh battery to boost its standard 1.5-litre petrol engine, meaning that its modest-sounding 115bhp power output is actually much livelier than it sounds. It’s also simplicity itself to drive, while a WLTP fuel economy figure of 69mpg means it’s also pretty frugal.

Nissan Qashqai

  • Model: Qashqai 1.5 E-Power Acenta Premium
  • PIP weekly cost: total mobility allowance
  • Advance payment: £1,649
  • Car size: compact SUV
  • Fuel type: hybrid
  • Gearbox: automatic
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Stacked with the latest tech and with futuristic looks, the latest iteration of the Nissan Qashqai builds boldly on the strengths of the previous generations of the British-built mid-size SUV. The latest model is available with Nissan’s impressive E-Power hybrid system, which combines a 187bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine with a full hybrid system to deliver over 54mpg (WLTP). 

Suzuki Swace

  • Model: Swace 1.8 Hybrid Motion CVT
  • PIP weekly cost: total mobility allowance
  • Advance payment: £1,999
  • Car size: estate
  • Fuel type: hybrid
  • Gearbox: automatic

The Suzuki Swace is essentially the very same car as the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports and is manufactured alongside it in Toyota’s Derby factory, but the Suzuki model requires an advance payment of almost £200 less than the Toyota, making it our choice here. 

For a £1,999 advance payment plus the total mobility allowance you get a spacious and comfortable estate car with loads of practical features and a high-tech yet intuitive cabin layout. Plus, it’s genuinely decent to drive with excellent refinement at speed and over 62mpg fuel economy (WLTP).

Best hybrid cars for Motability

Tell us which new car you’re interested in and get the very best offers from our network of over 5,500 UK dealers to compare. Let’s go…

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Shane is responsible for looking after the day-to-day running of the Auto Express website and social media channels. Prior to joining Auto Express in 2021, he worked as a radio producer and presenter for outlets such as the BBC.

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