Six of the best low emission cars

If you’re looking to keep your emissions down and your wallet happy, these are six of the best low emission cars you can lease

Whether you’re trying to dodge congestion charges, slash your company car tax bill, or just want to do your bit for the planet without going fully electric, there are plenty of reasons why low emissions might be top of your car lease wish list.

With the government planning to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, and more cities introducing low emission zones faster than you can say ‘ULEZ’, it makes financial sense to start thinking about your tailpipe emissions now.

This is especially true if you’re after a business car lease.

Your Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax is directly tied to your car’s CO2 emissions, so choosing something cleaner can save you serious cash each month.

Not ready to commit to an electric car lease just yet?

No worries – these low emission alternatives will still keep your tax bill looking happier and healthier.

Technically, a low emission car is one that emits less than 100g/km of CO2. This figure comes from the WLTP test (a standardised lab test that measures how much of your car affects the environment and air quality).

The lower this number, the less fuel your car guzzles and the better it is for both the planet and your bank account.

Now, we’ll be honest. A couple of cars do creep slightly over that 100g/km mark.

But before you start tutting, hear us out. With average emissions sitting around 138g/km according to the Department for Transport, even our ‘higher’ emission picks are still significantly cleaner than most cars on the road.

Plus, they’re brilliant all-rounders that deserve a spot on your shortlist.

OMODA 9

CO2 emissions: 38g/km

Chinese car manufacturers have been making waves in the UK in recent years, and the OMODA 9 is no exception.

This Volvo XC60-sized SUV isn’t fully electric, but it doesn’t need to be when it’s packing a 34.5kWh battery that can deliver up to 93 miles of zero-emission range (WLTP Comb).

That’s plug-in hybrid tech done right.

The OMODA 9 is unashamedly built for comfort rather than thrills. With a combined 443bhp, it can rocket from 0-62mph in just 4.9 seconds, but it’s happiest cruising along the motorway where its comfort-tuned suspension shines.

The interior feels properly premium too, with twin 12.3-inch screens fused together, wireless charging pads, and high-quality materials.

There’s plenty of space for your passengers too, with room for everyone to stretch out.

And with the OMODA 9 SHS boasting emissions of just 38g/km, company car drivers will love the low BiK rate, while the claimed 700-plus-mile combined range means you can wave goodbye to range anxiety.

Our pick: OMODA 9 1.5T SHS Noble

Toyota Yaris

CO2 emissions: 91g/km

The Toyota Yaris is like that reliable friend who’s always got your back – absolutely dependable when it counts.

Toyota practically invented the hybrid game, and the Yaris proves they’re still the experts. Every Yaris comes with Toyota’s clever petrol-hybrid system as standard, so you’re guaranteed efficiency whether you go for the entry-level Icon or splash out on the sportier trims.

And don’t let its compact size fool you.

The Yaris is surprisingly spacious inside, with one of the most practical interiors in the small car class. The 286-litre boot might not sound huge, but it’s a useful square shape that’ll swallow your shopping without complaint.

The dashboard is refreshingly straightforward too, with proper physical buttons for the air con making it easier to use on the go.

Best of all, you’ll struggle to find a more economical non-electric car.

The Yaris sips fuel like you might nurse a glass of something very nice and very expensive. And, with Toyota’s legendary reliability, you won’t be seeing the inside of a garage very often.

Our pick: Toyota Yaris 1.5 Hybrid Design

Renault Captur

CO2 emissions: 97g/km

The Renault Captur has had a glow-up, and it’s looking rather pleased with itself.

Gone are the days when it looked like a jacked-up Clio with delusions of grandeur. The latest Captur mimics the Renault’s bigger, more expensive SUVs, giving you that premium look without the premium price tag.

The real party trick here is the full hybrid E-Tech system.

It’s a bit like having a very efficient personal assistant. It juggles between electric and petrol power to keep your fuel bills as low as possible, resulting in those impressive 97g/km emissions.

The 10.4-inch portrait touchscreen is angled towards you (very thoughtful), and Renault has kept physical controls for the important stuff (like air con).

And even the entry-level Evolution trim comes loaded with kit that would’ve been a luxury item just a few years ago, including a rear-view camera, parking sensors, and all the safety tech you could want.

Our pick: Renault Captur 1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid Evolution

JAECOO 7

CO2 emissions: 23g/km

Meet the JAECOO 7 – another Chinese contender that’s arrived with a very compelling argument for your attention.

If you like the idea of a plug-in hybrid, but don’t want to pay premium prices, the JAECOO 7 PHEV deserves a serious look. With just 23g/km of CO2 emissions, it’ll make your wallet very happy indeed.

The JAECOO’s party trick is its 18.3kWh battery, which delivers a competitive 57-mile electric-only range (WLTP Comb). That’s enough to handle most daily commutes on pure electricity, with the 1.5-litre petrol engine there as backup for longer trips.

Space is where the JAECOO really shines.

There’s acres of room in the back seats, and the 412-litre boot is genuinely practical with a square opening and no loading lip.

The interior quality is impressive too – everything feels solidly put together, with a mix of soft-touch materials and that reassuringly feel that suggests it’ll cope with family life without falling apart.

Plus, you get a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty and a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, for utmost peace of mind.

Our pick: JAECOO 7 1.5 PHEV Luxury FWD

Honda Jazz

CO2 emissions: 102g/km

The Honda Jazz is basically automotive origami – somehow Honda’s engineer have folded more practicality into this small car than should be physically possible.

Yes, it sneaks just over the 100g/km threshold, but at 102g/km it’s still cleaner than most cars on the road. More importantly, it’s one of the most cleverly designed small cars ever built.

The Jazz’s secret weapon is its ‘Magic Seats’.

The rear seat bases flip up like theatre seats, creating loads of vertical space for tall items. Need to transport a houseplant? No problem. Moving day? The Jazz transforms into a cavernous space with 1,205 litres of space when you fold everything down.

Every Jazz comes with Honda’s reliable hybrid system as standard, so you’re guaranteed excellent fuel economy.

And Honda’s reputation for reliability is legendary. This is the sort of car that’ll still be purring along when humanity has come to an end. Plus, you can extend the warranty up to 10 years if you service it at Honda dealerships.

Our pick: Honda Jazz 1.5L i-MMD Hybrid Advance

Hyundai Tucson

CO2 emissions: 22g/km

The Hyundai Tucson PHEV is proof you can have your family SUV cake and eat it (with impressively low emissions) too.

With just 22g/km of CO2 emissions, the Tucson PHEV will keep your BiK tax so low it’s practically subterranean. The plug-in hybrid system combines a 1.6-litre engine with electric power to produce 252bhp – enough to make family transport feel swift.

Space is where the Tucson really earns its keep.

There’s loads of room for four adults, the rear seats recline for extra comfort, and the boot is genuinely cavernous.

The interior feels properly modern too, with twin 12.3-inch displays that look expensive but are intuitive to use. And Hyundai has resisted the temptation to hide everything in touchscreen menus – you still get proper buttons and dials for the important bits.

Build quality feels solid throughout, and with Hyundai’s generous warranty, you’re well covered if anything does go wrong.

Our pick: Hyundai Tucson 1.6T PHEV Premium

The bottom line

Whether you’re looking to slash your company car tax, dodge congestion charges, or just want to do your bit for the environment without going fully electric, these six cars prove you don’t have to compromise to keep your emissions low.

The standout performers are the PHEVs – the JAECOO 7, OMODA 9, and Hyundai Tucson all offer the flexibility of electric-only running for daily commutes, while keeping petrol power in reserve for longer trips.

If you’re not ready for plug-in complexity, the Toyota Yaris, Renault Captur, and Honda Jazz prove that regular hybrids can still deliver impressively low emissions while keeping things simple.