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Original poster

Which hybrid car

41 replies

Thesunishining · 09/05/2025 18:26

Looking for a reliable and middle range price hybrid car that we can keep for 10plus years without needing major repairs, spending too much money.

Self charging

Thinking Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Kia.

Would be grateful for any advice.

OP posts:

Pennyplant19 · 10/05/2025 08:11

SharkPants · 10/05/2025 06:57

I have a Toyota CHR. I love it. It's the best car I ever had! Good for city driving when the hybrid kicks in.

Same! I’ve always had Golfs or BMWs but wanted a hybrid and couldn’t afford their prices - so pleased with my CHR - fab car!

ErrolTheDragon · 10/05/2025 08:40

Jellyjellyonaplate · 10/05/2025 07:30

But if you can't plug it then how can it run just on electricity?

We need a estate car which seem to be harder to find economical ones in hybrid. We can do plug in hybrid as we have a plug in socket already.

Show quote history

It can’t run just on electricity all the time. But when the battery is full enough (filled when the ICE is running, when going downhill, and braking) then it can run solely using the electric motor with the ICE off.
mild hybrids don’t run in EV only mode, they can just get a boost from an electric motor.

it’s not just a petrol car with a bit of an extra battery. It’s got a simple but very efficient engine which because it can be augmented or replaced by the electric motor can run more of the time at its most efficient rev range.

the ‘touring sport’ is a small estate - it’s almost exactly the same size as a golf estate (my previous car) for comparison.

Kickingoff · 10/05/2025 08:45

I recommend finding a Facebook group for any car you plan to buy. I discounted quite a few cars based on the amount of moaning went on in the groups. It’s a good indication of reliability, cost of ownership etc.

Original poster

Thesunishining · 10/05/2025 09:11

Thank you. It looks like Toyota it is; will look for a CHR

OP posts:

Pashazade · 10/05/2025 09:32

@Pennyplant19how do you find the CHR compared to a Golf. I love my Golf but it is getting old and at some point we will need to move on. Love the Golf for boot size and reliability and visibility. How does the CHR compare? How is it on motorways? I do a fair mix of both in town and longer drives over a year.

Pennyplant19 · 10/05/2025 09:37

Pashazade · 10/05/2025 09:32

Compares favourably. I loved my golfs as they always felt so sturdy and ‘tank like’ and the CHR still feels very sturdy, but lighter to drive. Boot space is good - we took the dealers advice and went for the 1.8 over the 2L as the bigger battery on the 2L takes up more boot space. My yard stick is can I fit my 3 dogs (beagle size) in the boot, and I can, easily! Great on the motorway and round town.

Greentrilby · 10/05/2025 09:49

I was in your position two years ago and ended up buying a Toyota Yaris Cross, which is a self charging hybrid. Absolutely love it and it’s very, very frugal.

Pashazade · 10/05/2025 09:55

@Pennyplant19 thanks for that. Definitely one to add to the list, not sure I could fit three beagles in my current boot! 🤣

Original poster

Thesunishining · 10/05/2025 10:08

Greentrilby · 10/05/2025 09:49

I was in your position two years ago and ended up buying a Toyota Yaris Cross, which is a self charging hybrid. Absolutely love it and it’s very, very frugal.

This is a good option too. Off to look for Toyotas CHR or Yaris Cross.

OP posts:

salcombebabe · 10/05/2025 11:00

You definitely can't wrong with a Toyota! I have a 73 plate CHR, it's my second CHR and it's such a lovely car to drive. It's very reasonable on petrol as it's a self charging hybrid.

JadeSeahorse · 10/05/2025 11:17

If it's of any help, OP, we have a new plug in Toyota CHR hybrid which I could highly recommend.

We had an outside standard weatherproof plug point installed when we bought it. It does 40 miles on electric before kicking into petrol. We rarely do any long drives so are driving electric 95%of the time and it is incredibly cheap to run. Takes about 4.5 hours to charge fully. We don't have the special electricity rates as we don't like the idea of leaving it charging overnight and it still only costs us £30 per month to run. Gorgeous to drive too!
Definitely go for Toyota, whichever model.👍

DwayneTheRockJohnson · 10/05/2025 12:29

Hyundai Kona hybrid. Absolutely fab car.

Hopealong · 10/05/2025 12:37

We recently got a Toyota CHR too. We researched a bit and it seems Toyota started making hybrids well ahead of many other car manufacturers so have really got it sussed now. We didn't want full electric or soft hybrid so this fitted the bill. The amount of miles you get out of it on one tank of fuel still amazes me.

Original poster

Thesunishining · 10/05/2025 12:44

Thank you.

We found a Toyota CHR for 20k, 2022, 32,000 miles. at a car dealer. What other things we need to consider/look up?

And how does the Corolla compares to the CHR?

OP posts:

AuditAngel · 10/05/2025 12:46

I used to have a Toyota Prius plus, it was ex-demo and I ended up having it for 7 years due to Covid.

DH and I both drive Lexus, he is on his 3rd Lexus hybrid, had the last one 7 years. Mine is electric because I got a good deal on it (ex-demo), hybrid would have been my preference.

have relatives with CHR’s which they love. Toyotas rarely go wrong.

salcombebabe · 10/05/2025 15:03

I also believe that CHR's have a Lexus engine too! Lexus and Toyota are part of the same company

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