Best hybrid cars for Motability 2025

Best hybrid Motability cars - header image

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.

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.

Toyota Yaris

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Model: Yaris 1.5 Icon CVT
Advance payment: £245
PIP weekly cost: total mobility allowance
Car size: supermini
Fuel type: hybrid
Gearbox: automatic

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.

MG3

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Model: MG3 Hybrid + Trophy
PIP weekly cost: total mobility allowance
Advance payment: £499
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.

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 £499 advance payment and no additional weekly cost, it’s a difficult car to ignore.

Renault Captur

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Model: Captur 1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid Evolution
PIP weekly cost: total mobility allowance
Advance payment: £1,295
Car size: small SUV
Fuel type: hybrid
Gearbox: automatic

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.

Nissan Qashqai

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Model: Qashqai 1.5 E-Power Acenta
PIP weekly cost: total mobility allowance
Advance payment: £1,799
Car size: compact SUV
Fuel type: hybrid
Gearbox: automatic

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). For an advance payment of £1,799, or £2,599 for the plusher glass-roofed Connecta model, it’s a compelling choice for those spending the upper rate mobility allowance.

Suzuki Swace

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Model: Swace 1.8 Hybrid Motion CVT
PIP weekly cost: total mobility allowance
Advance payment: £2,099
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 £2,000 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).

Hyundai Tucson

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Model: Tucson 1.6 T Plug-in Hybrid N Line
PIP weekly cost: total mobility allowance
Advance payment: £2499
Car size: compact SUV
Fuel type: plug-in hybrid
Gearbox: automatic

Hyundai is incentivising Motability users to go for its electrified models right now, so the sporty N Line derivative of the Tucson is available in plug-in hybrid format for less than its mild hybrid models, with a £2,499 advance payment.

With a range of 33 miles, the Tucson PHEV is ideal if you tend to cover shorter distances and have access to home charging facilities, while at the same time offering long-distance capability and excellent practicality, along with a smooth automatic transmission and high driving position.