Hybrid cars 2012

Low tax bills, strong fuel economy and a cleaner planet - these are the reasons the hybrid car is here to stay.

However, if you've wanted to join the hybrid car club, choosing which from the myriad new models on sale can be a tough call.

That's where this guide will help; it lists all the hybrid cars currently on sale in alphabetical order.

The top hybrid cars on sale
Hybrid cars: pros and cons

Fisker Karma

The Fisker Karma isn't just a pretty face - underneath those svelte lines sits an electric motor that can travel for 50 miles, with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine acting as a back-up for longer journeys. Its credentials of 37.7mpg and 99g/km of CO2 aren't bad, either.

On Bing: Fisker Karma photos

Honda CR-Z

The Honda CR-Z is the world's first sporting hybrid car, a 2+2-seater coupe that boats 56.5mpg and emissions of 117g/km.

Read a Honda CR-Z review
On Bing: Honda CR-Z photos

Honda Jazz Hybrid

The Honda Jazz is one of the most spacious and smart superminis you can buy. And it has now become a lot more appealing thanks to a hybrid system returning 62.8mpg and CO2 emissions of only 104g/km.

Read a Honda Jazz Hybrid review
On Bing: Honda Jazz Hybrid photos
Video: Honda Jazz Hybrid

Honda Insight

Can't afford the £22k+ to get into a Toyota Prius? Then the Honda Insight could be the answer. It's hybrid system isn't as clever as the Toyota's, but it only splurts out 101g/km of carbon dioxide and averages 64.2mpg.

Read a Honda Insight review
On Bing: Honda Insight photos
Buy a Honda Insight from £4,000

Infiniti M35h

Like its other Japanese cousins, Infiniti is forging ahead with hybrid tech and fitted an electric motor to its M35h saloon. With performance in mind, the fact it still averages 40.4mpg and only emits 162g/km is impressive.

Read an Infiniti M review
On Bing: Infiniti M35h photos

Lexus RX450h

Lexus has been offering hybrid tech for years now and the RX450h is the latest iteration of its luxury SUV that isn't ashamed to be a four-wheel drive. Emissions of 145g/km and economy of 44.8mpg are class leading among similar petrol-driven cars.

Read a Lexus RX450h review
On Bing: Lexus RX450h photos
Buy a Lexus RX hybrid from £11,000

Lexus CT200h

A refined, comfortable and classy hatchback, the Lexus CT200h - as advocated by Kylie Minogue - will average 68.9mpg and return emissions as low as 94g/km.

Read a Lexus CT200h review
On Bing: Lexus CT200h photos

Lexus GS450h

The Lexus GS450h is the saloon version of the RX450h, sharing the same running gear, but taking power to the rear-wheels only. Acceleration is of the very-brisk variety, which is even more of a bonus when you consider it returns 35.8mpg and only exhales 179g/km.

Read a Lexus GS450h review
On Bing: Lexus GS450h photos
Buy a Lexus GS450h from £12,000

Lexus LS600h

The Lexus LS600h is the luxury saloon for those with a conscience. Combined with its 5.0-litre V8 engine sits an electric motor that means it manages 30.4mpg and only coughs out 218g/km.

Read a Lexus LS600h review
On Bing: Lexus LS600h photos
Buy a Lexus LS600h from £35,000

Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4

Peugeot is breaking from the hybrid norm with its 3008 Hybrid4, which takes an electric motor and combines it with a diesel engine to provide an otherworldly fuel economy figure of 74.4mpg and emissions of 99g/km.

Read a Peugeot 3008 review
On Bing: Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 photos

Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

A hybrid Porsche! The world really has gone mad... but while we in the west are comfortable with diesel cars, emerging markets such as China are petrol-mad. A top-drawer petrol-electric hybrid such as the Panamera is the answer, especially with emissions of only 159g/km and fuel consumption of 41.5mpg.

Read a Porsche Panamera review
On Bing: Porsche Panamera S Hybrid photos
Buy a Porsche Panamera from £62,000

Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid

Following the success of luxury hybrid SUVs like the Lexus RX450h, the Cayenne S Hybrid will please diesel-haters yet won't ruin their finances with a fuel figure of 34.4mpg and emissions of 193g/km.

Read a Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid review
On Bing: Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid photos
Buy a Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid from £67,000

Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is the world's most recognisable hybrid car and also one of the longest-running. Toyota has currently sold more than three million hybrids around the world, most of them Prius'. In its latest guise it returns 89g/km and 72.4mpg making it the king of the hybrid class.

Read a Toyota Prius review
On Bing: Toyota Prius photos
Buy a Toyota Prius from £2,000

Toyota Auris Hybrid

Building on the success of the Toyota Prius, the Auris Hybrid is a cheaper version that still oozes practicality but is slightly more economical and cheaper to buy. Combined economy is 74.3mpg and emissions are 89g/km.

Read a Toyota Auris Hybrid review
On Bing: Toyota Auris Hybrid photos
Buy a Toyota Auris Hybrid from £16,000

Vauxhall Ampera

The Vauxhall Ampera is more advanced that most hybrids as its 1.4-litre engine acts like a generator, meaning this is an electric car you don't necessarily have to plug in. It can drive for up to 40 miles on battery-power alone, which explains the 175mpg and emissions of 40g/km.

Read a Vauxhall Ampera review
On Bing: Vauxhall Ampera photos

Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid

The Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid uses the same 3.0 V6 petrol motor and electrical drivetrain as the Porsche Cayenne and returns the same 193g/km of CO2 and 34.4mpg at the pumps.

Read a Volkswagen Touareg review
On Bing: Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid photos
Buy a Volkswagen Touareg from £7,500

More green motoring advice
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The most economical cars
The best electric cars
Car tax guide