Compare the fastest hybrid cars
High quality fast hybrid cars from rated and reviewed dealers
Fastest hybrid cars of 2024
Hybrid cars are all about fuel economy and low emissions, right? Well, yes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing performance. Go for any of the cars on this list and you can enjoy rapid acceleration while doing your bit to cut emissions and improve local air quality. Here’s our rundown of the fastest hybrid cars you can buy through carwow.
It's worth highlighting that plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models are the mainstay of this list, as conventional hybrids that can't be plugged in tend to prioritise efficiency over performance.
1. BMW 3 Series 330e
BMW 3 Series review
Battery range up to 34 miles
You can rely BMW to ensure its plug-in hybrid models offer all of the performance and handling prowess its conventionally powered cars bring to the table, and the 3 Series 330e is a case in point. With 292hp, a 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 143mph, you're unlikely to be wanting for more shove. The fact the 330e (officially) returns 201mpg (this assumes you will plug the battery in to charge often) and has company-car-tax friendly low CO2 emissions seals the deal.
2. Audi Q5 TFSI e
Audi Q5 review
Battery range up to 32 miles
Adding an electric motor and battery pack to a car with an engine obviously has benefits in terms of low emissions and high fuel economy, but it also means you're adding another power source to the vehicle, which is why so many PHEVs are pretty quick. The Audi Q5 TFSI e is no exception to this, with 299hp on tap giving you a 0-62mph time of just 5.3 seconds - that's properly quick, by anyone's book. All this wrapped up in a sensible, desirable SUV body, too.
3. Volvo XC90 T8
Volvo XC90 review
Battery range up to 28 miles
A Volvo? A seven-seat Volvo? A seven-seat Volvo SUV? In a list of fast hybrid cars? Yes.
The telltale name to look out for is 'T8', as this indicates that underneath the sleek, sensible body of the XC90 (the same hybrid setup is also offered in other Volvos) sits a turbocharged, supercharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, together with a battery pack and electric motor. These put out 455hp in total, giving the large XC90 a 0-60mph time of just 5.1 seconds, together with an all-electric range of around 41 miles (officially).
4. Skoda Octavia vRS Estate
Skoda Octavia vRS Estate review
Battery range up to 43 miles
As mentioned above, adding a secondary power source to a car tends to mean more power, which explains why in addition to conventional petrol and diesel options, Skoda offers a plug-in hybrid version of the performance-orientated Octavia vRS. Pick this version and you'll be getting a 245hp car that can go from 0-62mph in just seven seconds, while officially returning 217.3 mpg (though as with all official mpg figures for PHEVs, this assumes much charging and little use of the petrol engine).
We've opted for the Estate version here, though there's also a hatchback if you don't need or want the 490 litres of space available in the wagon.
5. Cupra Formentor eHybrid 245
Cupra Formentor review
Cupra spun off from parent company SEAT (itself a part of Volkswagen) a couple of years ago with the aim of specialising in sporty, stylish cars, and the Formentor is a highly convincing example of that. The eHybrid version features the same plug-in hybrid setup as the VW Golf GTE, giving you a 0-62mph time of 7 seconds, wrapped up in a really great looking SUV body.
6. Mercedes E-Class Estate E300de
Mercedes E-Class Estate (2020-2023) review
After more practicality from your fast hybrid car? Look no further than the E-Class Estate E300de plug-in hybrid. With an all-electric range of 32 miles officially, together with a 0-62mph time of 6 seconds, the C300de blends clean-running and performance together perfectly, while the sensibly shaped estate boot will help you make the most of family life. The E300de is unusual in this company in that it's a diesel-electric hybrid, meaning efficiency is bound to impress when the engine is running.
7. Range Rover Sport P510e
Range Rover Sport review
The latest Range Rover Sport is an impressive machine, not least if you go for the P510 plug-in hybrid model. That '510' refers to the 510hp the electrified 3.0-litre petrol engine provides, and Land Rover quotes a battery-powered range of 70 miles officially, and says you should be able to get 54 miles in the real world.
Oh, and as for performance, the Sport 510e manages 0-60mph in just 5.2 seconds, which is pretty swift for any car, let alone one as luxurious as the new Sport. There's also a 440e model, which is hardly much slower, taking 5.5 seconds to do the same 0-62mph sprint.
8. Lexus RX 450h+ Plug-in Hybrid
Lexus RX review
The latest Lexus RX is available as a conventional hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. The plug-in model musters 309hp for a 0-62mph time of just 6.5 seconds. That’s a serious turn of pace for a big and luxurious SUV. The 450h+ is fast, even running on electricity alone, with an electric top speed of 83mph. Fuel economy doesn’t suffer for the sake of performance, so long as you can recharge regularly – the Lexus has an official combined figure of 235mpg.
9. Mini Countryman PHEV
MINI Countryman (2016-2023) review
Battery range up to 28 miles
The Countryman PHEV offers a similar proposition to the XC90, with plug-in hybrid power and a practical SUV body. True, being a Mini the Countryman is some way off being as practcial as the Volvo, but it's undeniably more affordable and more fun to drive. With 220hp and a 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds it's fast, too.
10. Volkswagen Golf GTE
Volkswagen Golf GTE review
The Golf GTE offers a similar take on the performance PHEV as the Skoda Octavia vRS, with 245hp and 235mpg, together with a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds - only a smidge slower than the Golf GTI. True, the GTE isn't available as a sensible estate, but it's a sharp handling, sharp looking plug-in hybrid hatch.
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