As the war in Iran continues causing fuel prices to rise even higher, more British motorists may be tempted to move from a petrol or diesel powered car to an electric one.

But there is a middle ground – going hybrid. A hybrid car is a car that uses a combination of fossil fuels and electricity to move itself along.

For some drivers, they enable them to drive on electric only mode in town, but enable them to travel long distances without range anxiety.

As a result, they’re a handy middle ground if you want automotive green credentials, but want belt and braces range reassurance. With that in mind, experts at renowned car publication Auto Express have put together a list of the best hybrid SUVs on the market.

Their verdict for the best car on sale in the UK at the moment was the BMW X3 30e xDrive. With prices starting from around £58,500 they said it could “double-up as a family transport and a good driver’s car”.

They praised the BMW for its ride and handling alongside “class-leading” infotainment as well as a “smooth and responsive” powertrain. A powertrain is a two litre petrol engine teamed with an electric motor.

Whilst the BMW came out on top in their rankings, the experts weren’t as sure on its looks, the material quality one got for their money, or the fact the steering was “light” and “short on feedback”.

Coming in second behind the BMW was Nissan’s Qashqai e-Power. The Qashqai has been around in some form or another for around 20 years now. This version, with prices starting from around £34,860 was praised for its powertrain too alongside a smooth ride and technology.

However, it lost marks for its CVT gearbox, a smaller boot than competitors, and “low speed fidget” when the car was tested on bigger wheels. Despite this, the reviewers chose it a close second behind the BMW.

Completing the podium in third was the Dacia Bigster Hybrid. Dacia has made a name for themselves in recent years by producing high quality cars and selling them at competitive prices.

The prices for the Bigster Hybrid start at £25,215 and its value for money was highlighted, especially how much space one got for the modest outlay. Furthermore, like the BMW and Nissan, its powertrain was given good marks.

However, also like the Nissan, issues were raised with the ride at lower speeds. Despite this, the reviewers said: “Dacia has a reputation of making cars which are practical and give buyers great value for money, and the Dacia Bigster Hybrid isn’t about to buck that trend.”

For those who wanted their hybrid SUV “to feel a little luxurious” the reviewers suggested potential buyers should look at other manufacturers for a more premium feel.