Do you want a hybrid car that isn't plug-in? Here are 5 examples that might suit you

The massive arrival of alternatives to combustion engines is leading many customers to consider abandoning those more traditional powertrains and taking the step towards electric or hybrid. However, the tedious waiting times to obtain a usable percentage of charge and the need to plug in PHEV vehicles too considerably reduce the options. Nevertheless, there are still many brands offering hybrid vehicles that don’t require a power outlet to run, and today we bring you five examples that could fit into your garage if you are considering buying one.

Every single one of the models proposed in this ranking is currently on sale, but hybrid powertrains have been around long enough to have made their way into a large part of the used market. However, another advantage of their long-established presence is that the price to pay for this technology is much lower than the outlay we would have to face to acquire a 100% electric vehicle.

Toyota Corolla

The Japanese firm is one of the pioneers of hybrid vehicles, something it demonstrated with the launch of the first Prius back in 1997. However, technological progress has allowed Toyota to apply this type of engine not only in more models, but also in a more efficient way, something the brand shows us with the new Corolla.

With this model Toyota revives an iconic name that arrives ready to replace the successful Auris, a vehicle whose legacy it has taken on and shaped to the times we live in. With this premise, we find a compact hybrid capable of delivering a combined consumption of 4.3 litres, three different body styles and two engine levels.

Its price? 20,850 euros, a figure that may vary depending on trim, body and powertrain, but whatever our configuration, the Corolla will always remain faithful to hybridisation. In this way, it is one of the most interesting models in its segment, since it is presented not only as a more efficient and less polluting alternative than its main rivals, but also cheaper despite the technology it incorporates.

Kia Niro

Without a doubt, the Kia Niro is one of the alternatives to consider for customers who want to leave traditional engines behind. This is because the Korean firm offers its quintessential SUV in three possible variants: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and 100% electric. In this way, we can stay loyal to the Niro while choosing the powertrain that best suits us or interests us.

The hybrid Niro -the version we are concerned with in this article- offers a clean and modern design, which fits perfectly with the latest trends used by the automotive industry. However, it is its interior where we find the most interesting aspects, since inside the Korean SUV two engines -one combustion and one electric- are hidden capable of delivering a combined output of 141 CV.

If we want to get this version of the Niro we will have to pay a total of 19,900 euros, a very competitive figure capable of outperforming many of its rivals. At the same time, we will have ample space and more than sufficient cargo capacity, two features that combine with low consumption and the ECO label, one of the most coveted DGT badges.

Toyota Yaris

Returning once again to the Japanese firm, we find the Toyota Yaris, one of the entry-level models and one of the most successful throughout its commercial life. In this latest generation, the brand’s favourite child has wanted to follow in the footsteps of its older siblings, and this has allowed it to adopt a hybrid mechanical layout.

In this way, the Yaris can offer its users two engines which, when they join forces, deliver a total output of 100 CV. With this performance, the Japanese supermini will be able to cover all our urban journeys and even hold its own on the open road, where it performs diligently.

It will be necessary to face an outlay of 16,600 euros, a figure corresponding to the Active trim. This is how the Toyota Yaris has become not only one of the first hybrid superminis on the market, but also one of the most accessible, thus standing as one of the most interesting options.

Lexus ES 300h

Over time, we have witnessed how hybrid technology has also been used to create luxury saloons, with the aim of delivering comfort, power and reduced consumption in equal measure. One of the current leading exponents of these characteristics is the Lexus ES 300h, the second flagship of the Japanese firm which, like its siblings, uses a hybrid powertrain.

Under the bonnet, a four-cylinder engine supported by an electric motor delivers up to 218 CV of power, a figure more than sufficient to move the Japanese saloon with ease. Its impeccable finish together with the latest technology join forces not only to support its mechanical setup, but also to rival the great German titans head-on.

With a starting price of 45,000 euros, the new Lexus ES 300h sits within the luxury saloon category in a very interesting way. It is true that this implies a greater outlay than the rest of the models mentioned here but, even so, it stands as one of the best options among hybrid vehicles.

Lexus RC 300h

And without leaving Lexus we must also make a special mention of the RC 300h, the sports car from the Japanese firm. This model stands as one of the few in its category to use a hybrid system, which allows it to offer more than adequate performance alongside consumption more typical of a supermini than of a sports car.

With 223 CV of power, the RC 300h is neither the most powerful nor the fastest in its segment, but it is one of the most efficient. Thanks to its hybrid nature, the Japanese sports car will not only offer us a high level of ride comfort, but also more than adequate performance when we want to enjoy the bends.

If we want to get an Lexus RC 300h, we will have to keep in mind an initial outlay of 48,100 euros. At this price, the Japanese sports car aims to compete directly with the BMW 4 Series and the Mercedes C-Class Coupé, two models that continue to favour combustion engines but which we could soon see using hybrid powertrains.