Best small hybrid car 2022

Toyota Yaris

Toyota’s second-smallest car, and its smallest hybrid, the Yaris is sold exclusively in petrol-electric form. It uses the firm’s well-proven hybrid system, which consists of a three-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine and a CVT automatic gearbox with an integrated electric motor. Toyota has tailored it over the years to be very seamless and efficient in operation, resulting in the potential to travel surprising distances in EV mode. The Yaris itself has been transformed in its latest guise, with a sporty appearance that bears a close resemblance to the rally-bred Toyota GR Yaris. Yet this car returns almost twice the fuel economy of the hot hatchback…

Renault Clio

Renault says it borrowed engineers from its Formula 1 team to help create the hybrid system it calls E-Tech. It’s a clever setup, which sounds complex on paper but performs seamlessly in action. The 1.6-litre engine is able to frequently shut down, saving on fuel, and the boost delivered from the e-motor helps acceleration. Renault claims impressive fuel economy for what is a punchy system with nearly 140hp, and the E-Tech seems to deal with steep hills and fully-laden drives at motorway speeds more easily than regular Clios with smaller engines. The little Renault remains a good-looking car with a smart interior, too.

Honda Jazz

Honda has made the latest Jazz a full hybrid, with the introduction of its e:HEV technology. It’s described as a dual-motor system: instead of driving the front wheels, the engine actually powers a generator motor. This supplies electricity to another motor, which then drives the wheels – the Jazz doesn't have a traditional gearbox. It all sounds futuristic, but works seamlessly in practice and helps deliver great fuel economy, plus low CO2 emissions. You can feel the punchy boost of the electric motor when pulling away from the lights, while the extended EV ability is good for reducing fuel bills.

• Read our full Honda Jazz review

Hyundai Ioniq

When Hyundai launched the Ioniq, it made the far-sighted statement that it would not feature a traditional non-electrified engine. Instead, the line-up would comprise hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric versions of the same car. Sized in-between a supermini and a family hatchback, the Ioniq has a wind-cheating shape and tech-packed interior. But it’s also easy to drive, with a practical layout and solid build quality. The hybrid is an extremely fuel-efficient model, with 62.8mpg average economy and CO2 emissions from just 85g/km. That’s small hybrid car economy from a model with the advantage of a bit more interior space.

Kia Niro

The Kia Niro has proven to be a very popular car. Like the Hyundai Ioniq, the range is made up entirely of electrified models. The fully-electric e-Niro was one of the first affordable EVs with a long range, and you can also buy a plug-in hybrid. The most affordable is the regular hybrid, though, which serves up everyday economy of more than 50mpg in a roomy and practical crossover SUV package. The Niro is easy to drive, has a good level of standard equipment even in entry-level form, and it also comes with the firm’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty for added peace of mind. With a replacement due later this year, there are some good deals to be had, too.

Jeep Renegade

The Jeep Renegade e-Hybrid is an affordable new way into a small and rugged-looking hybrid SUV. Sitting alongside the pricier Renegade 4xe plug-in hybrid, the new e-Hybrid model promises to cut fuel consumption by 15 percent and reduce CO2 emissions by a similar amount. The electric system gives ‘silent start’ ability and zero-emissions electric drive, while it also supports the 1.5-litre petrol engine during acceleration to reduce load and boost economy. Jeep is even bolstering its eco credentials with the use of sustainable materials and a new seat fabric called Seaqual, which is made from recycled plastic recovered from the ocean.

Subaru XV

If you want a small hybrid car that offers off-road-ready all-wheel drive, the Subaru XV e-Boxer is for you. It has a 2.0-litre flat-four ‘boxer’ engine, with an electric motor and CVT automatic gearbox that permanently drives all four wheels. The ‘symmetrical all-wheel drive’ system is extremely tenacious and makes easy work of muddy fields or snowy roads. It makes this hybrid a particularly stable and safe-feeling machine in inclement weather, while also providing low-speed pure electric running and a useful saving in fuel costs. The XV is also well-built and has a rich array of standard equipment.

Toyota C-HR

The Toyota C-HR is an intriguing small four-door coupe-SUV, with extremely bold styling that sets it apart from almost anything else on the road. Some elements of the design prioritise style over practicality – those in the rear will wish the windows were bigger, for example – but it’s fundamentally still a usable car for growing families. The C-HR uses the same 1.8-litre hybrid setup found in the Prius and Corolla, giving a similarly impressive proportion of pure electric motoring, particularly in town. Visibility challenges aside, this is also an easy car to drive and, like all Toyotas, it’s likely to prove extremely reliable and long-lasting.

Suzuki Swift

Technically, the Suzuki Swift isn’t a proper hybrid. It’s a mild hybrid system, which only really offers engine-off zero-emissions driving when you are slowing down to a halt. Nonetheless, we’re including it here because Suzuki markets it as a hybrid – and it’s one of the most affordable ways into any type of hybrid system. Prices start from less than £15,000. The technology is effective, too: the 48v system delivers nearly 60mpg and CO2 emissions from just 106g/km. The electric motor assist also helps boost the little 1.2-litre engine under acceleration, so it feels more muscular than a non-hybrid model. Yes, it’s mild, but it’s still an effective small hybrid car for the money.