The best hybrid company cars - driven, ranked and rated

Our choice: Toyota Corolla 2.0 VVT-i Design Hybrid

Toyota's enduring family hatchback is a bit of an underdog in its class, quietly offering solid driving dynamics in a good-looking, generously equipped and practical package. 

The Corolla's powertrain is quite clever in that it forces you to drive more conservatively, as not doing so risks a loud high-rev mooing.

Will Rimell, News editor

Riding on the Japanese brand’s TNGA platform, the Corolla was developed with more enthusiastic European driving tastes in mind, allowing you to make swift, untroubled progress down a twisty back road. 

Precise handling is complimented by the Corolla’s pliant and comfortable ride, which serves up plenty of refinement.

You can have a 138bhp 1.8-litre engine, but you should plump for the more powerful 2.0-litre unit. It pairs a four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors for an output of 176bhp. There’s more than enough poke for everyday driving, with the motors delivering plenty of zip. 

It will return in excess of 60mpg and CO2 emissions of as low as 106g/km (that will be a BIK rating of 27%, thank you), so the Corolla is a business-savvy choice.

Our choice: Mercedes-Benz C200 AMG Line

When it comes to the corporate car park pecking order, the kudos of the three-pointed star takes some beating. Indeed, it’s not the sharpest to drive, but the classy and cosseting C-Class still feels a cut above. 

The Mercedes C-Class is a car that does most things very well while bathing you in technology and comfort.

Murray Scullion, Digital editor

Lurking behind the C200 model's grille is a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that’s boosted by a 19bhp electric motor for a total of 201bhp. 

While its performance is more modest, there's still enough poke for a sub-6.0sec 0-62mph time and it has a top speed of 155mph. CO2 emissions of 142g/km place it in the 34% BIK bracket, which makes it one of the dearer options in this list.

The BMW 3 Series may have more rear-drive dynamism, but the C-Class’s comfort-biased ride, hushed cabin and adroitly appointed interior makes it a pleasant long-distance cruiser. 

Our choice: Honda Civic 2.0 i-MMD e:HEV Elegance

For the petrolheads among us, the Type R is the only Honda Civic worth thinking about. 

Quite a few Hondas are built in China now (the ZR-V, CR-V and e:Ny1), but the Civic, Jazz and HR-V are made in Japan for the European market.

Illya Verpraet, Road Tester

However, you ignore the standard Civic at your peril, because it’s one of the most capable family hatchbacks that money can buy.

Its clever 181bhp hybrid system is punchy and responsive while also smooth and quiet like an electric car; it even has a pure EV mode.

The steering is nicely weighted and accurate and it rides well, too, with high levels of refinement that make motorway schleps less arduous. 

The Civic’s subtly premium cabin is smartly designed and full of decent-quality materials, and it’s remarkably roomy, with its 410-litre boot good enough for plenty of sales samples. 

As for the bottom line, the Civic claims up to 60.1mpg at the pumps and falls into the 27% BIK bracket.

Our pick: Dacia Duster Hybrid 140 Expression

If you ever find yourself straying off the beaten track or need a bit of additional ground clearance to handle a breaker’s yard, the overtly rugged Dacia Duster is the company car of choice. 

The Duster has even more charm than its forebears, and the view over the high bonnet is very ‘mini Toyota Land Cruiser’.

Illya Verpraet, Road Tester

The third-generation Duster remains a budget-friendly option in the SUV class yet is much more refined, driveable, stylish and efficient than any of its forebears – particularly with the Hybrid 140 engine. 

With a frugal 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and two electric motors (one to drive the wheels and another to act as a starter-generator to feed the battery), the 138bhp hybrid Duster is brisk and competitively quick.

You will easily achieve close to 50mpg day to day and, because the full hybrid Duster emits 114g/km of CO2, it has a competitive BIK rating of 28%. 

A new platform ensures there’s polish to the Duster’s ride and handling: there’s good balance and grip and it isolates passengers from lumps and bumps well, especially at lower speeds in town. 

Our choice: BMW 520i M Sport

The BMW 520i harks back to a pre-crossover era of defined classes and a clear automotive hierarchy. 

There is some nice surfacing in the new 5 Series, but the buttons on the faceted light panels require a second or third stab too often.

Illya Verpraet, Road Tester

This G60-generation 5 Series isn’t as handsome as its predecessors, but there’s no denying it’s an imposing option, while its interior is spacious and full of plush materials. (The frustrating infotainment is the only letdown.) 

And while it is a fairly big and heavy barge, the 520i drives with natural BMW balance and just enough rear-drive swagger.

Crucially for a car that will be cruising motorways and fast arterials, the 5 Series also offers exceptional noise isolation and comfort.

The electric i5 and PHEV models will be most popular with fleet managers, but this mild-hybrid version promises to be a reassuringly straightforward option.

Its turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine makes 205bhp, which is good for 0-62mph in 7.5sec, although its BIK rating of 32% means fairly high tax bills.

Our choice: Peugeot 408 Hybrid 136 e-DSC6 Allure 

Yes, it’s another SUV-inspired crossover, but the 408 is certainly an elegant one, with sleek coupé lines that hide a classy and accommodating interior. Quality is good, while details such as the 3D-effect instrument cluster add interest.

In the main, the 408 is relaxing, unobtrusive company. It’s a car that establishes an easy-going gait on most roads, settling down conspicuously well at higher speeds, and the cabin is a fine place to spend time.

Richard Lane, Deputy road test editor

Another aspect that will grab your attention is the neat and precise handling that calls to mind the firm's finer efforts from its standard-setting dynamic heyday.

It’s just a shame the ride lacks some of the typical fluidity provided by French cars in the past, with a slightly stiff-legged low-speed gait. 

And while the mild-hybrid drivetrain is smooth and efficient, it has just 134bhp at its disposal, so it’s no firebrand, even if the standard six-speed automatic gearbox does its best to maximise what’s available.

Still, the 408 Hybrid will return up to 52.5mpg, while a BIK rating of 29% means lower-rate earners sacrifice only around £1900 over the course of a year.

Our choice: Kia Niro Hybrid 1.6 GDi 3

You're spoiled for choice when it comes to the Kia Niro, which is available with either electric, PHEV or full hybrid power.

The Niro scores with a thoughtfully designed interior that offers excellent space, looks that stand out from the crowd, strong standard equipment, good infotainment and Kia’s market-leading seven-year warranty.

Illya Verpraet, Road Tester

However, for most, it’s the 'self-charging' hybrid that delivers the best blend of usability and value, even if company car users can save more on tax with the more heavily electrified models.

The second-generation Niro exudes plenty of distinctive kerb appeal, especially if you go for the contrasting C-pillar paint finish.

Inside, it packs enough space for five and a dashboard that neatly combines the latest in digital screens with easy-to-use physical switchgear. Fit and finish is good too and kit is generous across the board. 

While it's not the most exciting to drive, the Niro Hybrid's tried and tested drivetrain offers unruffled progress, with more than enough performance for most daily duties, plus its 25% BIK rating is lower than many other hybrids'.

Our choice: Volkswagen Golf 1.5 eTSI Style

If there’s one thing more dependable than death and (company car) taxes, then it’s the Volkswagen Golf.

All Golfs have very natural handling, with steering that's crisp and accurate and weights up progressively as you load up the chassis in a corner.

Illya Verpraet, Road Tester

The German hatchback remains the gold standard when it comes to compact family cars and continues to resonate with consumers even in the face of SUV-mania. 

Volkswagen has still needed to keep the Golf fresh, though, and the 'Mk8.5' model features some subtle styling updates and an interior that’s both classy and versatile.

You can even have a spacious estate version if the standard hatchback’s boot is too small for your family life.

It rides on Volkswagen's familiar MQB platform, which means it retains the neat handling and smooth ride of the previous Golf. It’s not as fun as the Ford Focus, but it’s not far off.

There’s a choice of standard petrol and diesel engines, but the mild-hybrid petrol offers a punchy 148bhp and a 29% BIK rating – lower than the petrol and just a fraction higher than the diesel.