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What's the Best Hybrid Car for 2025
No matter whether you should buy a hybrid car or not, the simple fact is that many motorists are starting to see the benefits of owning one in 2025.
This section lists a handful of the best hybrid 4x4s available right now, and how they rank for style, performance, and price in the United Kingdom.
The Benefits of Hybrid Technology
So... what are hybrid cars anyway? If we use a simplified car vocabulary of automotive terms, hybrid cars are...
"Vehicles that use a gasoline engine as well as an electric motor to help reduce carbon emissions and improve fuel efficiency."
They switch between or combine these power sources depending on driving conditions. Still, there are three main types of hybrid vehicles:
- Parallel hybrids (the engine and the motor both drive the wheels)
- Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) (having a larger battery means they can be charged externally).
- Series hybrids (the engine generates electricity and the motor drives the wheels)
The net result is much better fuel economy and a significant reduction in emissions. As a bonus, most of the latest hybrids have regenerative braking which captures energy during deceleration and via the braking system.
Typical examples include the Honda Accord Hybrid, Nissan Leaf 2025 model, Toyota Rav4 Prime, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Top Hybrid 4x4 Cars in 2025
After reviewing various 4WD vehicles that use hybrid technology, we picked some of the most noteworthy factors for our list.
However, the final decision will obviously depend on each driver's individual needs, but especially budget, off-road driving capabilities, and interior space.
Dacia Bigster Hybrid 4x4
Not only is the all-new Bigster spacious and modern, it holds a position above the Duster models and the 1.8-litre petrol hybrid engine averages 50 mpg.
Key Features:
The main benefit of the Hybrid 155 powertrain is its economical use of fuel. When driven under certain conditions, the manufacturers claim that it achieves 60.1 mpg.
If so, it's certainly a cost-effective choice of hybrid for drivers in the UK.
Plus, having the ability to operate in electric mode (for up to 80% of the time in urban driving) is another way for city commuters to reduce fuel costs.
The spacious and practical design creates ample cabin space and 667 litres of boot capacity. The "best-in-class" leg and headroom also means the Dacia Bigster Hybrid 4x4 is ideal for shopping trips and outdoor adventures.
The starting price for the Dacia Bigster Full Hybrid with 155 Powertrain is £27,995 in the United Kingdom (excludes metallic paint).
Pro Tip: Hence, it's true to say the Bigster is cheaper than the 2025 Kia Sportage Hybrid Crossover SUV and the Nissan Qashqai e-Power. This is why we consider the Dacia Bigster as being the best value 4x4 hybrid car for sale in the United Kingdom.
Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid
Combining a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor means the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is great for rural driving and for fuel efficiency (around 40 mpg in urban settings and about 30 mpg on motorways).
So, how does it benefit motorists in the United Kingdom? Well, the majority of UK drivers need to navigate the challenge of congested city streets and long rural journeys. So, keeping the running costs down helps to balance fluctuating fuel prices.
Here's the deal:
The practicality of 7 seater family cars is a major factor for vehicle owners who need a roomy interior and the flexibility of 6 or 7-seat configuration.
In fact, after folding down the second and third rows to the flat position you get up to 1,949 litres of cargo space.
Despite having a price tag of £51,885, the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) has CO2 emissions of only 38g/km and the extra advantage of lower tax costs (BIK) if you're a company car user.
Note: Another section contains more information about Hyundai 4x4 models with other items of interest in the news from their headquarters in Seoul, South Korea.
Jeep® Avenger 4xe Hybrid Car
If you search in Google for an affordable hybrid SUV you might find the Avenger 4xe featuring on the page.
It comes with a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine and two electric motors.
Further enhancements in off-road driving performance come from the smart all-wheel-drive system - a setup that adjusts power delivery based on various driving conditions.
Moving on...
The 48V hybrid setup offers outstanding traction and stability.
In fact, we also added it to our list of popular SUVs for the way it handles rainy roads, muddy lanes in the countryside, and snow.
The high ground clearance of 210 mm combines well with a 400 mm water-fording capacity. Thus, it's one of the best 4x4 hybrid cars for rural drivers.
Having a fuel consumption rating near 52 miles per gallon results in low running costs for this impressive and compact all-wheel drive SUV.
The base price for the Jeep® Avenger 4xe Hybrid is £30,999 with Upland trim and £34,999 for the North Face Edition.
Pro Tip: Our Jeep® Avenger Electric review takes the lid off to find out why this electric hatchback could become a world leader in electrified SUVs, even in the United Kingdom.
Range Rover Sport P550e
It's fair to view the Range Rover plug-in hybrid as one of the high-end and luxurious sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
Nonetheless, when Jaguar Land Rover has finished making them, the advanced four-wheel drive system gets tough in the rough and it's able to withstand some far-reaching off-road abuse.
The makers claim the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Range Rover P550e has a 71-mile all-electric range. Whether that's true for most owners or not, it's unlikely to be the driving force behind buying one that's priced at £138,555 in the United Kingdom.
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in
Even though their cars are renowned for being reliable and efficient, it might surprise you to learn that the Japanese automakers released the first Toyota RAV4 XT-R 4-door model in June 2005.
The 2025 RAV4 Hybrid comes with optional all-wheel drive and it has an abundance of cargo space.
It meets the grade in our list of the best 4x4 hybrid cars primarily for its stylish body shape, for delivering a comfortable ride, and for its overall refinement.
But wait - there's more:
The RAV4 plug-in variant delivers 282.4mpg and up to forty six (46) miles of electric-only driving (as claimed by Toyota Motor Corporation).
Even so, the four-wheel drive (4WD) system proves its capabilities with ease and it's definitely not shy of rough and rugged terrains.
The recommended retail price (RRP) of the 2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid starts around £44,000 in the United Kingdom.
Pro Tip: Another section explains some of the most important advantages of hybrid cars and how the use of multiple, and different, classes of on-board energy systems can achieve maximum performance and fuel economy.
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