Best Hybrid Family Cars

Family cars are essential when navigating the hustle and bustle of daily life, from school runs to the family ‘big’ shop and last-minute appointments. For families looking for practicality and affordable running costs, self-charging, hybrid cars are a great option. These cars provide an efficient and cost-effective option, whether using the car to commute or for longer journeys. 

Compared to non-hybrid cars, self-charging cars are great for city driving — they can drive purely electric before your engine kicks in. They tend to be more affordable than plug-in hybrid alternatives and recharge themselves on the go. Self-charging hybrids combine decent fuel economy, a hassle-free driving experience, and a sensible price tag. 

Before buying a new hybrid car, there are a few things to think about:

• Budget: Come up with a budget to stick to in your search. Hybrid vehicles can have a higher upfront cost compared to traditional fuel cars. 

• Driving Needs: Consider your daily commute distance, long trips, and the availability of charging stations near you. 

• Fuel Efficiency: Research their fuel economy ratings to understand how much you could potentially save on fuel costs over time.

• Maintenance Costs: Hybrid cars may have lower fuel and maintenance costs over time, but they could have higher repair costs for specialised components.

• Environmental Impact: Think about the environmental benefits of driving a hybrid and whether this will benefit your family. 

• Space and Comfort: Compare the interior space and comfort features of different hybrid models, especially if you have a larger family. Think about features like infotainment, automatic tailgates and wide-opening doors to make your life easier. 

Below, we’ll take a closer look at the best hybrid family cars that could be a perfect fit for your family: 

Top 10 best family hybrid cars 

1. Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is a pioneer in hybrid technology, offering great fuel efficiency, and a roomy interior, and comes with a good reputation for reliability. It’s a hatchback with loads of space for school bags and the weekly shop. You’ll feel right at home in the Prius, with a range of advanced safety features so you can feel safe wherever you go, making it a top choice for eco-conscious families that need a practical car for everyday driving. 

At a glance 

• 5-star NCAP rating 
• 53 miles of all-electric range 
• Open the car with your hands full with keyless entry
• 5-door hatchback 
• Blind spot monitor and safe exit assist 
• Boot space to fit 4 suitcases 

1. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Need the space that comes with an SUV? Look no further than the Toyota RAV4. With plenty of room for passengers — both small and tall, along with solid fuel economy, the RAV4 Hybrid could be a great choice for your family. It also comes with loads of standard safety features for peace of mind on the road. And it’s made by one of the most well-known, reliable manufacturers on the market — what more could you ask for?

At a glance 

• 5 Star NCAP rating 
• 46 miles of all-electric range 
• Some of the best fuel economy figures on the market 
• Wide seats with ISOFIX points for your smallest passengers 
• Back seats fold down flat so you can stack luggage up to the roofline 

1. Toyota Corolla Hybrid

A compact yet spacious saloon, the Toyota Corolla has excellent fuel economy and provides a drive so smooth that you don’t have to worry about waking your baby in the back seat! The Corolla features a stylish design, loads of user-friendly technology to make your life easier, and a suite of advanced safety systems, making it well-suited for families looking for a reliable and efficient car to get them from A to B.

• 5-star NCAP rating 
• 46 miles of all-electric range
• ISOFIX points 
• Enough boot space to carry a bike with wheels still attached
• Tie-down hooks to keep your shopping and luggage safe
• Safety features including lane and speed assist 

1. Hyundai Kona 

Another great option if you’re looking for a family SUV, the Hyundai Kona’s spacious interior has plenty of room for 5 passengers of all ages and heights, making it ideal for family outings and daily commutes. The Kona comes with impressive fuel efficiency, helping you save a little extra on petrol or diesel each month. It feels noticeably smooth and with advanced safety features, you can have peace of mind that your precious cargo is safe on the go.

At a glance 

• 5-star NCAP rating 
• Self-charging and plug-in cars available 
• Lane keep assist and smart cruise control as standard 
• Wide seats in the back with loads of leg and headroom 
• ISOFIX points in the back 
• No loading lip in the boot with additional underfloor storage 

1. Hyundai Tucson 

The Hyundai Tucson is an SUV that might just tick all of your boxes, with loads of room for the kids, their friends and the dog. The Tucson feels smooth on the road and is perfect for long trips or running errands around town. It has a huge boot, with room for your shopping or school bags and a large 10.25” infotainment display as standard to keep everyone happy. Plus, it's got lots of safety features including Driver Fatigue Warnings to help keep you and your family safe on longer-distance journeys. 

At a glance 

• 5-star NCAP rating 
• 33 miles of all-electric range (with plug-in version available) 
• Seats fold down almost flat for more boot space 
• Loads of headroom and space for feet in the back 
• Two ISOFIX mounting points to secure the kids
• Drives smoothly on long-distance journeys 

1. Honda CR-V Hybrid 

When it comes to the best hybrid family cars, the Honda CR-V Hybrid shouldn’t be overlooked. With a self-charging engine, it gives families all the practicality of an SUV with the chance to save on fuel with every journey. It has comfortable seats and loads of room for everything you might need on the go. The hybrid engine makes for a smooth journey and comes with a Sports mode if you enjoy a bit of excitement! This car also has Traffic Jam assistance and other safety features to make those morning commutes safer. 

At a glance

• 4-star NCAP rating 
• 50 miles of all-electric driving 
• Higher than average headroom in the back
• Wide-opening doors to make loading your things easier 
• Easy access to ISOFIX points 
• Square-shaped boot for easy stacking with underfloor storage
• Lane keep assist, cruise control and collision avoidance

1. Lexus RX Hybrid

Another great family SUV, the Lexus RX Hybrid is efficient and stylish for those looking for something a little more luxurious! It features a plush interior with generous seating space and luxury materials to keep even the fussiest passengers happy. The RX Hybrid also has a smooth and quiet drive (great for long distances), along with good fuel economy so you can go further for less. Not only that, it features some high-tech assistance features like Emergency Braking and Lane Keep Assist for your peace of mind. It's an attractive choice for families looking for a safe, roomy car. 

At a glance 

• 5-star NCAP rating 
• 40 miles of all-electric driving 
• 2 ISOFIX mounts for car seats 
• Plenty of legroom in the back for growing teens to stretch out 
• Powered tailgate so you can open your boot with your hands full 
• Large, square boot so you can stack flat packs, suitcases or your shopping 

1. Ford Kuga Hybrid 

The Ford brand is well-known when it comes to family cars, and is one of the most popular on the road. The Ford Kuga is a compact SUV, which is great if you don’t have room to park some of the larger family cars. The model has a roomy cabin with comfortable seating and loads of room for those who travel with everything but the kitchen sink. Along with a smooth and composed drive quality, the Kuga Hybrid also comes with assistance systems like a quick-clear heated windscreen to make your mornings a little easier. 

At a glance 

• 5-star NCAP rating 
• 28-41 miles of all-electric driving 
• ISOFIX mounts on the 2 outer back seats 
• Loading lip is flush with the boot floor, slide everything you need in easily 
• Loads of room for knees, shoulders and heads in the back 
• Wide-opening doors and plenty of room for car seats 

1. Kia Niro Hybrid 

Sensible and practical, but by no means boring! The Kia Niro is a compact crossover that delivers excellent fuel efficiency for a comfortable journey. Inside, it has a practical layout including loads of seating space for passengers of all ages. The Niro also has plenty of storage space too, making it suitable for family outings — so nothing gets left behind! 

The Niro Hybrid also comes with a user-friendly infotainment system and, while you don’t want to think about the worst happening, the model has a long list of standard safety features like forward collision assist and blind spot monitoring for enhanced safety on the road. Available in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, save on your fuel bills and go further for less. 

At a glance 

• 4-star NCAP rating 
• 30 miles of all-electric driving
• Square boot space with hooks to keep your shopping in place 
• Wide-opening rear doors perfect for car seats 
• Flat-loading floors so you can travel with more 
• Head-up display so you can keep your eyes on the road no matter what’s going on in the back seat! 

1.  Kia Sportage 

The Kia Sportage emerges as a top contender as one of the best hybrid family cars. A staple on the roads, its spacious interior makes a great choice for a family car — whether you’re ferrying your kids from place to place, or carrying your shopping, the Sportage has loads of room to make travelling more comfortable. The space makes it perfect for family adventures and daily tasks. 

The Sportage has impressive fuel efficiency, so you can save money on fuel costs while minimising your environmental impact. The electric motor makes for a smooth journey and is loaded with driving aids including pedestrian detection and blind spot cameras for extra peace of mind.

At a glance 

• 5-Star NCAP rating 
• 43 miles of all-electric driving 
• Forward collision avoidance and pedestrian detection 
  
• Roomy boot with enough space to travel with luggage 
• Wide back seats for 3 people to travel comfortably 

Hybrid cars are a good choice for families looking to reduce their carbon footprint as well as their petrol costs. With a huge range of hybrid and plug-in hybrid family cars available, there’s bound to be something to suit you, whether that’s a stylish, sporty-looking car to enjoy when the kids are at school or a spacious SUV for regular long journeys. To find out more, get in touch with our experts today for more information.