Top 20 Hybrid Cars of 2022: Renault Beats Toyota in France

If the specialist in hybrid cars is Toyota, Renault dominates sales in the French market with its Arkana and Captur, ahead of the Yaris.

We talk a lot about electric cars in our columns. This type of vehicle is indeed gaining popularity, especially in France, where registrations jumped by 25% in 2022. But even better, hybrid cars are progressing even faster (+34%). They were less numerous, with 188,853 units (compared to 203,121 electric vehicles), not counting micro-hybrids (or 48 V hybrids). Combining these two technologies, the 332,000 registrations represent 21.8% of the automotive market.

Renault Arkana and Captur hybrids on form

Logically, one might think that Toyota benefits from this favorable context. However, since 2020, Renault has successfully established its hybrid cars and took the lead in this market in 2022. Even more surprisingly, the Renault Arkana E-Tech SUV becomes the number 1 hybrid, with 31,638 registrations. 

It outscores another SUV, the Renault Captur E-Tech hybrid, just under 30,000 units. Only the Japanese brand’s first model remains on the podium. The Toyota Yaris holds steady at over 28,000 units, but its crossover twin, the Yaris Cross Hybrid, competes with 23,576 deliveries.

Behind Renault and Toyota, Ford and Hyundai lurking

Yet, much more affordable than the Arkana and Captur, the Renault Clio E-Tech hybrid is only fifth with less than 19,000 units. Behind the Renault-Toyota duo, the Ford Puma is sixth just behind, followed by the Hyundai Tucson (also popular as a plug-in hybrid). Under 12,000 units, the Toyota Corolla and C-HR compact cars are neck and neck, while the Fiat 500, a micro-hybrid model, rounds out the Top 10.

Further down, roughly the same brands place their vehicles, with the support of Nissan Qashqai e-Power (series hybrid), Kia Sportage, and Suzuki Swift.

The Top 20 hybrid car sales in 2022 in France:

Also read: Top 20 Plug-in Hybrid Cars 2022: Peugeot is the king of charging