Hi Finola,

In terms of the better parallel series hybrids that offer no plug-in facility, at the moment you’re looking at Toyota, Lexus or Kia (with the aforementioned Niro). Toyota has decided to make hybrid and electrically-powered cars its forte over the years and has been building its Prius hatchback for more than 20 years and four generations now. The current Mk4 model is a fine car, with interesting looks and an adventurous cabin, plus it drives sweetly. If you did need more electric range, Toyota does a plug-in hybrid version of the same car.

The Niro’s trick is that, rather than being a hatchback hybrid, it’s a crossover, with all the attendant luxuries that brings – a higher driving position, more cabin space, added practicality and so on. While not terrifically exciting to look at or drive, the Niro is nevertheless a fine all-rounder and it comes backed up with the excellent seven-year warranty that Kia offers on all its new cars; even used examples of the Niro, launched in 2016, will have at least five years’ worth of manufacturer warranty remaining on them (there are mileage limits to the warranty, though, so bear that in mind if you’re looking at an unusually high-mileage example).

If you fancy sticking with Toyota’s know-how on hybrids, the Japanese company does do a RAV4 Hybrid but, to be honest, we’re not big fans of it. Also, the a brand-new RAV4 is on the way, so while you might get a superb reduction on the price of the existing model, you’re probably better off waiting for the more technologically advanced new version to arrive in showrooms. An outside bet is the Lexus CT 200h, a luxury hybrid hatchback, but it’s more money than the other cars listed here.