► MHEV technology very widespread
► So there’s lots of choice out there
► We pick 10 of the best
Take a look at our best hybrid cars page, and it’s clear that almost every car on sale is now available as a mild hybrid. But suffice to say, the team rallied round and here we have what our experts reckon is the top 10 best mild hybrids you can buy in the UK right now.
The list covers a wide range of different vehicle types – and budgets – so if you’re in the market for a modest amount of electrical assistance then there’s almost certainly something here for you.
What is a mild hybrid anyway?
A mild-hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) is not to be confused with a full self-charging hybrid or a plug-in hybrid – in that they are not typically intended to run on electric power alone for any length of time.
Unlike plug-in hybrid technology, mild-hybrid technology focuses on making the conventional engine its attached to more efficient. To this end, it usually comprises of a fancy ‘starter-generator’ in place of a traditional alternator, and a small extra battery.
The starter-generator allows the stop-start system to operate through a wider range – switching off the engine as you coast to a halt rather than waiting for you to be at a standstill, for example – and has greater brake-energy recuperation. As such, it can also offer a small amount of torque assistance to the engine pulling on the juice stored in that additional battery.
This all brings minimal efficiency gains – compared with a full hybrid – but more detectably, a smoother driving experience. Generally speaking. Not so much a stepping stone as a tiny tiptoe towards a battery electric car.
Best mild hybrids in 2023
BMW 3-series (M340i)
While the mild hybrid aspect of the BMW M340i might seem a little bit besides the point, if adding a 48v system is what it takes to keep the 3.0-litre straight-six twin-turbo in production we’re all for it.
Perhaps not the last word in outright involvement, but with xDrive and the option of a Touring body, this is one superb all-weather all-rounder with a more than adequate 369bhp. Pricing from £57,625.
Read our BMW 3-series review
Range Rover Sport
You can get a lot of nice Range Rovers with a mild-hybrid engine – including the smaller Evoque and more imperious full-fat model – but our preference lies with the latest Range Rover Sport.
It combines nearly all the luxury and off-road chops of its bigger brother with added dynamism, making it a very complete car. Three of the four conventional engines have MHEV assistance. Prices start from £83,325.
Read our Range Rover Sport review
Ford Puma
We’d have put the Ford Fiesta in this list, but Ford is taking it off sale in mid-2023 with no plans for replacement – so the related Ford Puma it is.
Based off the same chassis, this compact SUV is still fun to drive and still sports some excellent mild-hybrid engines, and if it isn’t quite as controlled in the corners, well, you do at least get the Megabox and other enhanced practicality features. Prices start from £24,920.
Read our Ford Puma review
Mercedes-Benz E-Class (E220d Estate)
Pretty much every ordinary Mercedes comes as a mild hybrid now, but we’ve singled-out this particular E-Class Estate because it’s hugely practical, supremely comfortable, projects a very self-assured image and… has a diesel engine.
We’re not supposed to think this is cool anymore, but the combo of diesel torque and parsimony with EQ Boost assistance rated at 19bhp is super sweet. Prices start from £50,775.
Read our Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
Suzuki Swift Sport
Something of a palette-cleanser after those big bruisers, the Suzuki Swift Sport is a notable exponent of mild-hybrid technology as well.
Though far from being the most powerful supermini hot hatch – it has just 127bhp – it delights in weighing only just more than a tonne, giving it a power-to-fun ratio that punches well above that modest-seeming level. Drive it carefully and you’ll even see 50mpg. Prices start from £23,070.
Read our Suzuki Swift Sport review
Audi Q7
After a big SUV that looks slightly less like it should be stood in the middle of a field? Then the Audi Q7 could be for you.
The entire standard engine range has 48v mild-hybrid assistance these days (there are a couple of Q7 plug-in hybrids as well, while the high-performance SQ7 sadly ditched the MHEV tech when it switched from diesel to petrol power) and the whole car feels as solid as ever. It costs from £58,685.
Read our Audi Q7 review
Land Rover Defender
Distinctive style, go-anywhere capability and an impressive degree of customisation define the modern Land Rover Defender. Meaning it’s now unquestionably the kind of car that’s welcome, well, everywhere.
It’s not a cheap vehicle, nor really a utilitarian one anymore, but it compensates with an assured driving experience and mild-hybrid engines to combat the bluff, unaerodynamic shape. Probably pick something else if you really want to be green. Prices start at £60,705.
Read our Land Rover Defender review
Ford Transit Custom
Yes, yes, a van. But Ford was the first van maker to properly embrace mild-hybrid technology – to the extent that every version of the Transit Custom now comes with an MHEV engine (previously it was an optional upgrade).
You can get these with lots of seats, a limited slip diff on the front and up to 168bhp. Plus you’ll be pleasantly surprised about how good they are to drive. Prices start at £38,860.
Read our Ford Transit Custom review
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage isn’t super exciting but it caters for everyone. You can buy a mild-hybrid, a regular hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and an entry-level variant with no hybrid assistance at all – although we happen to think that version is rather miserable and you probably shouldn’t.
Regardless of exact amount of electrical assistance, this is another practical family SUVs that does most things well. It’s good value too; it costs from £32,700.
Read our Kia Sportage review
Nissan Qashqai
This is the third-generation version of the car that kicked off the entire crossover trend. But if you’re not keen on everyone buying SUVs try not to hold a grudge, as with practice comes if not perfection then certainly some very well-rounded family transport.
The Nissan Qashqai is spacious, practical and – whisper it – quite good to drive. Both 1.3-litre petrol engines have mild-hybrid assistance. Prices start from £26,405.
Read our Nissan Qashqai review
Mild hybrids to avoid
For the most part this technology is pretty seamless, but Fiat hasn’t quite got its electric ducks in a row and if you’ve got a choice we wouldn’t go for an MHEV variant of any of its models (especially the Tipo).
Meanwhile, the Alfa Romeo Tonale has plenty of other things going for it, but the mild-hybrid engine is a muddle. This can – very unusually – actually move the Tonale on electric power alone for very brief moments. Neat. Much of the rest of the time, however, it feels like you’re the victim of a long-standing argument going on under bonnet between the petrol and electric components.