Find me a family PHEV for short electric trips and long hauls, for £20k.

Volkswagen Golf GTE £18,995

You can go 20% further on an electric charge with this Golf GTE than the car below. That’s right, 31 miles – earth-shattering! But a two- to three-hour charge from a 3.7kw charger would help cut fuel consumption, then the efficient 1.4-litre petrol engine we like in the normal Golf will take over, and should give you 45mpg all day long. Plus, being a hatchback, it’s considerably more practical than a booted Beemer. For £18,995 for this 2016 example, there’s no better family PHEV. MAX ADAMS

BMW 330e £18,495

Let’s face it, most plug-in hybrids have all the pizzazz of a tray of soil, and the only one that really stands out in our rush to petrolelectric nirvana is the magnificent 330e – a handsome, softriding, rear-wheel-drive, mega-handling four-door executive saloon of such competence, it can survive on electric power alone before its delightful 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine chips in. You get luxury, quality and great driving dynamics, as well as, in this example, a one-owner, 9000-mile car for less than £20k. If this is the future, bring it on. MARK PEARSON