Top Mild Hybrid Cars - Efficiency and Power in 2024

Discover the best MHEVs for a more fuel-efficient drive

Published: 25 October 2023
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If you’re not quite ready to make the switch to an electric car but would like to drive a car that’s more efficient than a conventional combustion engine model, then a mild hybrid could be the ideal choice. In this guide, we highlight the top mild hybrid cars of 2024 and explain more about low-voltage battery-powered vehicles. Read on to find out more…

What is a mild hybrid car?

A mild hybrid car - also known as a mild hybrid electric car (MHEV) - combines multiple sources that work together to power the vehicle and its components. In this instance, a standard petrol or diesel engine is paired with a low-voltage battery alongside an electric motor.

Compared to fully hybrid or electric cars, the battery used in a mild hybrid model is just 48 volts. This is why it cannot power the car on its own, so requires additional support from an internal combustion engine assisted by an electric motor.

How does a mild hybrid car work?

If a car has mild hybrid capabilities, this means it doesn’t need to be plugged into an electrical point to charge and instead self-generates a low-level amount of power through a regenerative process. When the car brakes or deceleration takes place, the electric motor recovers and stores this energy to be used during times of acceleration - this is known as regenerative braking.

The point of a mild hybrid model is to offer motorists improved efficiency which tends to result in greater fuel economy, and an overall improved performance thanks to the addition of a small 48V battery.

Top 10 mild hybrid cars of 2024

When it comes to searching for a car with mild hybrid technology, we’ve done the hard work for you. Below, we’ve listed the top 10 MHEVs of 2024 (in alphabetical order) where there really is something for everyone:

Dacia Jogger HYBRID 140
Fiat 500 Hybrid
Ford Puma Mild Hybrid
Hyundai KONA Hybrid
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
Jeep Renegade e-Hybrid
Kia Sportage Hybrid
Nissan Qashqai e-POWER Mild Hybrid
Range Rover Sport Mild Hybrid
Suzuki Swift Sport Mild Hybrid

Dacia Jogger HYBRID 140

Starting Price: From £22,995
PROS: Ample amount of space, well thought out design, extremely practical, and great value for money
CONS: Smaller-sized boot space due to 7-seater design, the rear seats don’t fold flat

First on our list of the top 10 mild hybrid cars is the multi-award winning Dacia Jogger HYBRID 140 model. Singled out as the best car for families at multiple industry awards, the versatile seven-seater MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) is available with a hybrid powertrain. It excels in areas such as running costs, on-board safety technology, and general on-the-road performance.

Explore our exclusive Dacia Jogger HYBRID 140 offers here at Wilsons Epsom. As an official Dacia stockist, we can offer some of the lowest prices on the latest models.

Fiat 500 Hybrid

Starting Price: From £15,999
PROS: High-quality interior, included D-FENCE pack improves the in-car environment, an efficient driving experience for low-cost motoring
CONS: Can feel cramped in the cabin, has a poor driving position

If you’re looking for a small city car packed with a hybrid powertrain, then look no further than the Fiat 500 Hybrid model. Combining urban practicality with Italian style, this smart and sassy little car really does pack a punch. The Fiat 500’s mild hybrid system harnesses the excess energy used from braking to improve acceleration and overall responsiveness on the road.

Explore our exclusive Fiat 500 Mild Hybrid offers here at Wilsons Epsom. We are an official Fiat stockist and can offer some of the best prices in the UK - which includes a manufacturer contribution on new models.

Ford Puma Mild Hybrid

Starting Price: From £25,640
PROS: Smart SUV design, delivers up to 20% better acceleration, fun to drive
CONS: Not much legroom in the rear, the infotainment system is better in other models

Reinvented for the modern market in 2020, the Ford family welcomed the Ford Puma Mild Hybrid model for mild hybrid efficiency during every drive. With a human-centric focus on design, the panoramic roof helps set the Puma apart from its rivals. The SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) is available with a manual gearbox or in automatic transmission.

Hyundai KONA Hybrid

Starting Price: From £28,025
PROS: Features the latest smart technology and safety features, manufacturer warranty, and roadside assistance included as standard
CONS: Not as fast as some other models, the design is not everyone's cup of tea

Building on an already hugely popular model, the Hyundai KONA Hybrid version is a bold-looking SUV that has been upscaled to perform better when driving on city streets or out in rural settings. Named Car of the Year by Auto Express, its design and interior space have been praised for ultimate practicality in addition to the family-centred focus.

Explore our exclusive Hyundai KONA Hybrid offers here at Wilsons Epsom. As an official Hyundai stockist, we can provide preferable prices on new models, including too-good-to-miss finance deals.

Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid

Starting Price: From £33,799
PROS: An impressive range of smart driver technology and safety systems, optimised engine performance, and sophisticated design
CONS: No turbo-petrol engine available, the interior centre console is lacklustre

Following in the footsteps of the KONA brand is the Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid SUV which joins the electrified powertrain line-up. Available as a 48V mild hybrid petrol engine version, the new TUCSON Hybrid model is developed to reduce emissions and in turn, monthly motoring costs. The 1.6-litre Smartstream petrol engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission two-wheel drive gearbox.

Explore our exclusive Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid offers here at Wilsons Epsom. We are proud to be an official Hyundai stockist which means we can offer unbeatable deals on new models.

Jeep Renegade e-Hybrid

Starting Price: From £28,999
PROS: Roomy cabin and large boot space, shorter gear-shifting times, and a 7th gear included for maximum efficiency
CONS: Not the highest safety rating compared to rivals, less economical than other models

The next generation of Jeep is here! Introducing the Jeep Renegade e-Hybrid powertrain mild hybrid model with new electrification technology to improve the overall daily driving experience. Designed for adventure and long-distance driving, the Renegade retains all the Jeep charm with a layer of luxury too - including an adjustable leather interior.

Explore our exclusive Jeep Renegade e-Hybrid offers here at Wilsons Epsom. As an official Jeep stockist, you can benefit from perks such as three free services when purchasing a new model from us.

Kia Sportage Hybrid

Starting Price: From £28,645
PROS: A great all-round performer and ample driver assistance safety systems included
CONS: Lower MPG than other models, no electric-only mode option

A name known and trusted by many, Kia offers a number of hybrid powertrain options including the Kia Sportage Mild Hybrid option. The MHEV model is available as a 1.6 turbocharged petrol or diesel variant with a standard 48V battery capacity, which proves to be a good practical family-sized SUV.

Nissan Qashqai e-POWER Mild Hybrid

Starting Price: From £27,480
PROS: Perfectly blends hatchback compactness and SUV practicality, sophisticated and spacious interior, wide-opening rear doors
CONS: Not much difference between Drive Mode features, engine is noisier than other mild hybrid vehicles

Nissan has elevated its electrified range with the innovative e-POWER powertrain offering more options to drivers. As such, the Nissan Qashqai e-POWER is a mild hybrid featuring a lithium battery that stores energy recovered from braking. To help improve performance on the road, this third-generation model is lighter than ever before, helping to make it the UK’s number one crossover.

Explore our exclusive Nissan Qashqai e-POWER with Mild Hybrid technology here at Wilsons Epsom. As official Nissan stockists, we can offer some of the best deals in the country.

Range Rover Sport Mild Hybrid

Starting Price: From £80,325
PROS: Looks good and a luxury interior to match, extremely capable on the roads
CONS: Expensive to buy, not always reliable

When you invest in a high-end model of car, you’d expect the very best options available to you, and that’s exactly what Land Rover offers. The Range Rover Sport Mild Hybrid 4x4 model is available as a petrol or diesel engine supported by a small-sized electric motor. It’s comfortable and convenient to drive on or off-road.

Suzuki Swift Sport Mild Hybrid

Starting Price: From £24,270
PROS: Customisable and great choice of colours, fun to drive
CONS: Not as powerful as competitors, the interior is pretty basic

The Suzuki Swift Sport Mild Hybrid is a compact hatchback car with added hybrid technology for an even more economical drive. As a sporty model, the added hot hatch element makes it a lot of fun to drive and Suzuki likes to throw in lots of extra equipment as standard, which is a bonus.

Other types of hybrid cars

The world of hybrid vehicle technology has evolved to cater to everyone’s needs. As such, there are three main types of hybrid cars widely available. They are:

Mild Hybrid Cars
Full Hybrid Cars
Plug-in Hybrid Cars

How does a mild hybrid differ from a regular hybrid car?

Each form of hybrid technology works in a different way, which is certainly the case when comparing a mild hybrid to a regular (full) hybrid vehicle. The key difference is that mild hybrid cars cannot run solely on electric power for periods of time like full or plug-in hybrids. Instead, the mild hybrid element is there to improve overall performance and has economic benefits too.

In essence, mild hybrid power is there to give the car an electric boost - helping it to perform in particular situations, such as when accelerating. This is made possible through a process called regenerative braking, which captures and stores the energy produced in this way, utilising it for when the car requires a shift in speed.

How to choose a mild hybrid car

If a mild hybrid variant seems like the kind of car you want, then there are a number of things to look for in an MHEV model. Here’s what you’ll need to consider:

Decide if you would prefer a petrol or diesel engine to perform alongside the electric motor - perhaps consider the price of fuel on this one
Opt for a model that provides a decent level of technology and numerous advanced driver assistance safety systems (ADAS)
Consider the type of driving you’ll be doing - mild hybrids source their power from regenerative braking methods
Establish what size car you need - the bigger the vehicle, the larger the engine will be so may offset any economical benefits
Determine your budget and source an MHEV that fits within your finances

Pros and cons of mild hybrid cars

We want you to be sure a mild hybrid car is the right choice for you. To help in your decision-making, we’ve listed the advantages and disadvantages of MHEV technology in one handy table:

Advantages of mild hybrid cars	Disadvantages of mild hybrid cars
Fuel economy is improved thanks to electric motor assistance	Mild hybrids cannot perform on electricity-only power - they require fuel
Regenerative braking charges the battery so there’s no need to stop and plug-in	They aren’t as efficient as full or plug-in hybrids
You’ll still feel that familiarity of a conventional combustion engine car	MHEVs aren’t eligible for Government grants like fully electric models are
Enjoy improved responsiveness during every journey	Emissions are still produced from the tailpipe
No fear of ‘range anxiety’ as the mild hybrid will work if your car has fuel	You will still need to pay the London Congestion Zone charges and other CAZ (Clean Air Zone) charges
Fewer emissions from the tailpipe means lower road tax rates	Servicing can be more expensive than cars with conventional engines
Mild hybrids are cheaper to buy than full or plug-in hybrids	Replacement parts may cost more than vehicles without hybrid technology

Mild hybrid models to avoid

As with everything in life, for all the good things, there must come bad. This is the case for some models of mild hybrid cars, as not all have a reliable track record! Here are three MHEVs to avoid:

BMW 5 Series Saloon with Mild Hybrid Technology
Ford Focus Mild Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz C-Class with EQ Boost

FAQS and Answers

We appreciate there’s a lot of information to digest about MHEV technology, so we hope our guide on the topic has helped make things clearer. Do you still have an unanswered question about mild hybrid cars? If so, take a look at our FAQs section below:

Is it worth buying a mild hybrid car?

If you’re looking for a car that’s slightly more economical than a conventional petrol or diesel engine model, then an MHEV could be for you. You’ll also benefit from increased performance and there are no concerns about having to plug in either.

What are the disadvantages of a mild hybrid car?

An MHEV cannot travel on electric power alone, so still requires you to fill with fuel. Equally, you won’t be eligible for EV perks such as zero road tax or Government grants.

Which manufacturers make mild hybrid cars?

Due to demand, many manufacturers have developed cars with mild hybrid technology (MHT). The most popular are Fiat, Hyundai, and Nissan.

Is it worth buying a hybrid car in 2024 UK?

Yes, whether you opt for a mild hybrid, full hybrid, or plug-in hybrid model, it is absolutely worth investing in a hybrid car in 2024. Electric vehicles are the future and a hybrid is an ideal halfway house before fully committing to an EV.

Which is better mild hybrid or hybrid?

Fully hybrid cars can perform for short periods of time solely on electric power, whereas mild hybrids can’t. However, MHEVs prove cheaper to buy than standard hybrid models so it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons.

How long do mild hybrid batteries last?

While MHEV batteries haven’t been around long enough to gain a greater understanding of how long they will last, it is expected that mild hybrid batteries will perform for at least 100,000 miles. If properly maintained and serviced throughout their lifetime, this figure could quite easily increase.

At what speed do hybrid cars switch from battery power to petrol power?

A regular full hybrid car will utilise the battery power when reaching speeds of between 40mph to 80mph.

Are mild hybrid cars cheaper to insure?

Mild hybrid cars are cheaper to insure than fully hybrid or plug-in hybrids, but not when comparing them to petrol or diesel vehicles. This is because MHEVs have more specialist parts compared to cars fitted solely with combustion engines.

Buy the best mild hybrid cars at Wilsons Epsom

When it comes to buying a new hybrid car, or a used hybrid vehicle, we are a trusted choice by customers across London, Surrey, and the South of England. Here at Wilsons, we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of MHEVs from the biggest brands in the world.

Click here to see which are the best hybrid SUVs or here for our top hybrid car selection.

Our hybrid experts can help you understand more about the range of battery-assisted technology vehicles that are becoming increasingly popular. From the Fiat 500 Hybrid to the Nissan Qashqai Mild Hybrid with added e-POWER, why not book a test drive to find out what all the fuss is about - you won’t regret it!