The Good, the Bad & the Ugly: The Top 5s
TOP 5 SUB-£400pcm PHEVS
GIANT TEST WINNER
1 PEUGEOT 308
THE GOOD: Bravely avant-garde design; decent fuel economy; rewarding to drive; different
THE BAD: What’s with Peugeot’s jousting-shield badge redesign?
THE UGLY: Interior layout looks fab but is a stressfest to use in real life
THE ONE TO BUY: Starts below £300pcm. Worth stretching to the top 225 version at around £410pcm if you fancy it – it’s a better drive
2 SKODA OCTAVIA iV
THE GOOD: Usual Octavia strengths (roomy, quality cabin) plus 34-mile EV range
THE BAD: Costs and weighs more than non-hybrid versions
THE UGLY: Well, ugly’s a bit harsh, but it’s not exactly catwalk material
THE ONE TO BUY: Fully loaded SE L is £400pcm/£28,555 (or £27,475 for the hatch)
3 FORD KUGA PHEV
THE GOOD: Kit; space; impressive 34- mile range in EV mode
THE BAD: Firm ride on sport suspension; limited trim options for PHEV versions
THE UGLY: Looks more bloated hatch than SUV; not Pumagrade fun
THE ONE TO BUY: ST-Line trim just comes in on-budget at £400pcm
4 MINI COUNTRYMAN
THE GOOD: Rapid (0-62mph in 6.2sec); quality interior; made in the UK?
THE BAD: Er, no, it’s made in the Netherlands; no fastcharge capability
THE UGLY: PHEV version is pricey; can’t match Kuga’s EV ability
THE ONE TO BUY: Base-spec Classic only option on budget
5 AUDI A3 SPORTBACK
THE GOOD: Handsome, gadgetstuffed hatch with useful electric range
THE BAD: S-Line looks best but has a knobbly ride; go for the Sport trim instead
THE UGLY: 18-inch wheels knock e-range from 40 to 37 miles
THE ONE TO BUY: A3 40 TFSI Sport with Comfort+Sound pack does it all for £400pcm
TOP 5 £400pcm+ PHEVS
1 BMW X5 45e
THE GOOD: Massive 54-mile official EV range; horizon-eating 5.5sec 0-62mph performance; great interior and infotainment system
THE BAD: Hybrid hardware cuts boot space by 150 litres; no seven-seat option
THE UGLY: Enough off-road skill for most but batteries spoil handling
THE ONE TO BUY: Almost all Brits go for showy M Sport and its 20-inch wheels: £71k/£900pcm
2 PORSCHE CAYENNE HYBRID
THE GOOD: Handling; badge; driver focus; choice of coupe or SUV bodies, both with 456bhp; 0-62mph in 5.0sec
THE BAD: Bigger battery from 2021 but EV range is still a poor 25-27 miles
THE UGLY: Stingy spec: add £2k for adaptive cruise and lane assist
THE ONE TO BUY: If you
