Best plug-in hybrid cars 2025 – best and worst PHEVs named
Plug-in hybrid cars can reduce fuel consumption to an absolute minimum, but which models are the best all-rounders and which ones should you avoid?...
Think of running a plug-in hybrid car as having the best of both worlds. You see, not only do you get to take advantage of the low running costs of electric power, but you've got the reassurance of a traditional combustion engine for when your battery has run out of juice. So, if you're interested in going green but don't yet think you're ready for a full electric car, a plug-in hybrid represents the next best thing.
And, like electric cars, plug-in hybrids make a lot of sense for company car drivers, since their low C02 emissions make for competitive Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rates.
The good news is that, these days, plug-in hybrids come in more shapes and sizes – and to suit more budgets – than ever before. And while that means there's lot of choice in the market, it also makes the job of choosing which are the best plug-in hybrid cars harder than ever.
Fortunately, our expert team of road testers are more than up to the challenge. They've driven every plug-in hybrid car on the market over thousands of miles, assesing them both on public roads, and back-to-back against key rivals at our private test track. And as well as seeing what each plug-in hybrid is like to drive, we've also assessed them in all of the other areas which matter to buyers, from reliability to running costs, and from performance to practicality.
The result of that testing is the list you see here, where we've named the 10 best plug-in hybrid cars you can buy. You can read more about each car, search for the best new car deals or leasing offers, or even searched for a used example. We've also named the plug-in hybrid which we think you should avoid, and answered some of the most common questions about plug-in hybrid cars at the bottom of this page.
Please note that the prices you see here will in some cases reflect the non-hybrid version of the car – we've noted the prices for hybrid versions as of the time of writing alongside each model where that's the case.
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Strengths
- Cheap yet very well equipped
- Plush interior for the price
- PHEV has impressive electric range
Weaknesses
- MG's poor reliability record
- Non-PHEV's performance is disappointing
- Compromised visibility at junctions
Think all plug-in hybrids are expensive? Prepare to think again, because in our preferred entry-level SE trim, the MG HS is one of the cheapest cars of its kind.
Don’t think that just because you’re paying a bargain price means it’ll feel cheap inside, either. In fact, the GS is easily a match for the more expensive Citroën C5 Aircross in terms of plushness. It’s well equipped, too, with a suite of driver assistance systems and a responsive 12.3in infotainment screen among its standard features.
Then there’s its 75-mile official electric range, which isn’t far off the longest in the plug-in hybrid category – despite the fact that the HS costs far less than most rivals.
The HS is also very practical, with more space for passengers than the Mazda MX-30 R-EV and a generous boot.
At the time of writing, the MG HS 1.5T Plug-in Hybrid SE costs £29,245.
"The HS may be cheap to buy by PHEV standards, but I don’t think it feels that way inside" – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth MG HS review
Strengths
- Spacious interior and boot
- PHEVs are cheap to run as company cars
- A quiet and comfortable cruiser
Weaknesses
- Could be sharper to drive
- Not enough physical controls
- VW's reliability record is nothing special
The latest Passat is available only in estate form, meaning that it goes up against impressive rivals including the BMW 3 Series Touring, Citroën C5 X and Mercedes C-Class Estate. Fortunately, as a plug-in hybrid, it’s better than any of them.
Although there are two versions to choose from, we’d stick with the cheaper 201bhp option, which has a long official electric range of 80 miles in this trim.
Despite carrying around a hefty battery, you’ll get more into the Passat’s boot than you would in most estate rivals, while the interior mixes soft-touch surfaces with high-quality plastics in a way that puts the C-Class to shame.
Go for mid-range Elegance trim, as we suggest you do, and you'll have all the luxuries you could want, including massaging front seats with heating, and a wider range of ambient colour choices for the interior.
At the time of writing, the Volkswagen Passat 1.5 TSI eHybrid 204 Elegance costs £47,670.
"In recent Volkswagen models, I've struggled to adjust the temperature at night because the touch-sensitive controls didn't light up. And while the controls in the latest Passat are still touch-sensitive, they do at least light up now, meaning I don't need to be shivering in the darkness.” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Read our in-depth Volkswagen Passat review
Strengths
- Classy interior
- Seven seats come as standard
- Cheaper to buy than some rivals
Weaknesses
- The Audi Q7 has a smoother ride
- A Land Rover Defender has roomier third-row seating
- Expired Euro NCAP safety rating
This classy seven-seater makes a lot of sense in T8 plug-in hybrid form. Not only can it officially take you up to 44 miles on electric power alone – which could be enough to cover the school run, your commute, or both without using a drop of petrol – but it's also fast, needing just 5.4 seconds to get to 62mph.
Once you're up to motorway speeds, the XC90 is a relatively relaxed cruiser. Wind noise is well suppressed, and even road noise is kept to a minimum. We'd recommend opting for a Plus or Ultra version of the XC90 in T8 form, because this bring air suspension which helps to iron out the worst lumps and bumps in the road. Even then, though the XC90 can struggle to remain calm on uneven patches of road. The Audi Q7 delivers a better ride overall.
Your passengers will find that they have plenty of room to stretch out on the second row of the XC90, but while the third row is perfectly fine for smaller adults or children, anyone taller will find themselves feeling pretty cramped when faced with anything other than a short trip.
At the time of writing, the Volvo XC90 T8 Plus costs from £77,760.
“If you find the XC90's touchscreen infotainment system a bit unfathomable, then you'll be pleased to know that the voice control does a good job of understanding what you want. I asked it to change the temperature, for example, and it did so quickly.” – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor
Read our in-depth Volvo XC90 review
Strengths
- Offers lots of Range Rover qualities for a lower price
- Incredible ability off-road
- Fantastic electric range on the PHEV model
Weaknesses
- Cheaper than a Range Rover, but still very expensive
- Rivals are sharper to drive
- Land Rover’s reliability record is a concern
This version of the Range Rover Sport is as on trend for the wealthy as shopping at Erewhon, combining luxury with efficiency. A large, 31.8kWh (usable capacity) battery brings an official electric range of up to 76 miles – farther than the rival BMW X5 xDrive50e can manage – and with the combined power of its 3.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor, this heavy SUV practically leaps away from standstill.
Air suspension offers a well-cushioned ride, while four-wheel steering helps to improve agility both on and off road. And as with every Range Rover Sport, you get to enjoy the view from a driving position that places you high above the road, while your passengers relax in sumptuous comfort.
At the time of writing, the Range Rover Sport P460e Dynamic SE costs £93,310.
"I adore the Range Rover Sport's interior. It has precisely the right blend of style, elegance and opulence you'd expect. My passengers were all uniformly impressed." — James Tute, Content Editor
Read our in-depth Range Rover Sport review
Strengths
- Good ride and handling balance
- Great infotainment system
- Smart interior
Weaknesses
- Poor rear-seat space
- Limited rear visibility
- Average resale values
While this plug-in hybrid version of the Mazda MX-30 shares some of the same shortcomings as its fully electric MX-30 (including cramped rear seats that are awkward to access), it does address one of our biggest concerns: range.
You see, this version uses a tiny engine to act as a generator for its battery, allowing you to go farther between charges as a result. And while the 53-mile official electric range isn’t as good as the best here, it’ll still be enough to cover the commutes of most buyers.
Inside, the MX-30 is impeccably built and covered in an eclectic variety of materials. For the people in the front, it’s an appealing place in which to travel.
At the time of writing, the Mazda MX-30 R-EV Prime-Line costs £32,505.
“Pressing the brake pedal on the MX-30 R-EV requires a bit more pressure than the one in the DS 4 E-Tense, but I don't think that's a bad thing, because its more precise response makes it easier to bring the Mazda to a halt smoothly.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth Mazda MX-30 R-EV review
Strengths
- Exceedingly comfortable ride with adaptive suspension
- Tidy handling
- Strong and frugal 1.5 TSI 150 engine
Weaknesses
- Automatic gearbox can be hesitant
- Interior quality could be better
- There are more spacious rivals
The Volkswagen Golf claims the honour of being the plug-in hybrid with the longest range. Indeed, its 88-mile official figure dwarfs those of some cars here and means you should be able to drive it most of the time on electric power alone, provided you plug it in regularly.
While the rival Seat Leon offers more driving fun, the Golf’s light steering makes it ideal for weaving in and out of traffic. Plus, it rides smoothly even on standard suspension, although you can add adaptive suspension that allows you to stiffen or soften the ride.
The eHybrid loses a chunk of boot space to the battery, mind, as well as the height-adjustable floor of other Golfs.
At the time of writing, the Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI eHybrid Style costs £37,445.
“I think the Golf plug-in hybrid's Style trim offers all the kit you could need, such as three-zone climate control and sports seats. Plus, to my eyes, the extra styling details it brings are well worth the money.” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor
Read our in-depth Volkswagen Golf review
Strengths
- Well equipped
- Plug-in hybrid has impressive electric range
- Spacious interior
Weaknesses
- Slightly firmer ride than rivals
- Stylish interior doesn't feel the most sturdy
- Petrol engines need working hard
The GLC 300e is a big SUV with a big electric range; at 76 miles officially in this trim, it’s farther than the Lexus NX 450h+ and Volvo XC60 T6 can go. The 300e is punchy, too, with the instant pulling power of its electric motor helping to make progress effortless.
While it offers plenty of grip and composure, the 300e doesn’t handle with the same agility as non-plug-in GLCs, and its ride isn’t as polished as that of the Audi Q5. However, the 300e is still a quiet and comfortable cruiser.
The striking interior has plenty of space for adult occupants, but you can’t fit as much into the boot as you can in most plug-in rivals.
At the time of writing, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e AMG Line Premium costs £69,615.
“With standard air suspension at the rear, the GLC does a fine job of soaking up bumps, plus it remains hushed even at motorway speeds” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor
Read our in-depth Mercedes GLC review
Strengths
- Comfortable ride and good to drive
- Spacious interior with a huge boot
- Good value if you stick to the cheaper trims
Weaknesses
- PHEVs not available in seven seat configuration
- Engines are a little coarse when revved
- Frustrating automatic gearbox
Not only can the Kodiaq iV help to slash your running costs, but it can save you money in the first place, because it undercuts most rivals on price.
With an official electric range of up to 76 miles, it’ll be able to cover most daily commutes without calling on its 1.5-litre petrol engine, but when the latter does join in, it’s smooth and punchy.
Although the Kodiaq’s ride is firmer than the Citroën C5 Aircross’s, it offers better body control as a result. The Volkswagen Tiguan still feels sharper to drive, though.
Bear in mind that, unlike other Kodiaqs, the iV can’t be had with seven seats or a height-adjustable boot floor.
At the time of writing, the Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 TSI iV SE costs £42,135.
“I love the driving position in the Kodiaq, because it places you high up in the car, allowing you to see what's happening around you. The seats are pleasantly supportive, too.” – George Hill, Used Cars Writer
Read our in-depth Skoda Kodiaq review
Strengths
- Spacious and sumptuous interior
- Impressive infotainment system
- PHEV's class-leading electric range
Weaknesses
- No air suspension or rear-wheel steering in UK
- E200 is not particularly sprightly
- Boot space in PHEV is compromised
The E300e plug-in hybrid is our recommended choice, and gets a combined 328bhp from its 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor. In fact, it's currently the most potent E-Class you can buy, accelerating from 0-62mph in a hot hatch-rivalling 6.5 seconds.
As a luxury car counting the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series among its key rivals, you'd expect the E-Class to be comfortable inside, and to be surrounded by premium materials. That's largely the case, although the E-Class' infotainment system is neither as slick nor as intuitive to operate as the 5 Series' iDrive setup. And while the interior is visually appealing, the materials aren't as plush as those used on the A6.
This sixth-generation E-Class is larger in every respect than its predecessor, and that means there's lots of head and leg room throughout. And while plug-in hybrid models lose some boot space compared with regular versions, there's still likely to be enough for your family's holiday luggage.
At the time of writing, the Mercedes E-Class E300e AMG Line Premium costs £73,115.
“I like the E-Class' rear seats – the space is generous, and the seatbacks fold down in a handy 40/20/40 split, so you can load longer items with ease while still keeping space for a passenger or two.” – John Howell, Deputy Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth Mercedes E-Class review
Strengths
- Brilliant fun to drive
- Class-leading infotainment system
- Great range of engines
Weaknesses
- Ventilation controls less user-friendly than before
- You’ll want to add options – and they’re pricey
As a plug-in hybrid, the BMW 330e is seriously impressive, with a decent electric-only range of 62 miles, a punchy 0-62mph sprint time of 5.9sec and the promise of low running costs if you can keep its 19.5kWh battery topped up.
More than that, though, the 330e impresses as an executive car, with a higher-quality interior than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Tesla Model 3 and the best infotainment system in the class. Plus, it’s good to drive.
The 3 Series is more accommodating for rear passengers than the C-Class and has more space in its boot for their luggage – even with some capacity given over to its battery.
At the time of writing, the BMW 330e M Sport costs £48,435.
"The extra weight of the 330e means it's not quite as agile as other models in the 3 Series range, but on a twisty set of roads, I found it far more fun than the equivalent C-Class or Volvo V60." — Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Read our in-depth BMW 3 Series review
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And the plug-in hybrid car to avoid...
Although spacious, this upmarket family SUV doesn’t ride or handle as well as rivals and is short on refinement. What’s more, it’s relatively pricey, and its 36-mile official electric range lags behind what the best models here can achieve. Read our review
How to choose the best plug-in hybrid
Buying a plug-in hybrid car is an excellent way to slash your motoring costs – especially if you can charge it up at home. That’s because, unlike a regular hybrid car, a plug-in hybrid comes with a battery that’s large enough to let you travel for significant distances between charges. In fact, that distance will in most cases be enough to cover your weekday commute without using a drop of fuel.
There’s plenty to consider before deciding if a plug-in hybrid car is right for you, though, and whether you might be better off with a regular hybrid which you don’t have to plug in, or a fully electric car. So, to help you decide, here we’ll go through some of the considerations you might wish to make if you’re in the market for a plug-in hybrid.
Can you plug in your car at home?
Keeping the battery of your plug-in hybrid car topped up is the best way to enjoy the lowest running costs – indeed, if you drive around with the battery empty all of the time, it’s akin to driving with dead weight in your car.
Of course, the easiest and most cost-effective way to charge your plug-in hybrid car’s battery is by charging up at home, where you can take advantage of cheap EV tariffs. Indeed, some of the latest home chargers will let you schedule your charge to utilise the lowest possible rates.
If you can’t charge at home, or have access to a charging point at work, then it’s worth assessing whether a plug-in hybrid can fit into your lifestyle. Relying solely on the public charging network could be more expensive – and time-consuming – than you might think.
It’s also worth looking out for any offers from car makers when you’re shopping, since many have partnered with charging point suppliers to offer a home charger for a reduced fee when you buy a plug-in hybrid or electric car.
What sort of electric range do you need?
Think of a plug-in hybrid car as a halfway house between a regular hybrid and a fully electric car. It can travel further on electric power alone than a regular hybrid, for example, with most modern plug-in hybrids being able to cover more than 30 miles between charges in real-world conditions. Some are able to cover far more than that, bear in mind. On the other hand, no plug-in hybrid car will be able to match an electric car in terms of range.
Still, what you’re getting with a plug-in hybrid car could be considered the best of both worlds. You get the zero-emission range which could make for very favourable tax rates if you’re a company car driver, as well as excellent fuel economy, but you also get the convenience of a traditional combustion engine for longer trips.
Do you need a seven seat plug-in hybrid?
It used to be the case that there weren’t many seven-seat plug-in hybrids to choose from, but these days some of our favourite seven-seat cars are also available as plug-in hybrids. These include the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Land Rover Defender – models which don’t compromise how much space is on offer to third-row passengers, either, so nobody should feel short-changed if they’re relegated to the third row.
Seven-seat plug-in hybrids can make a lot of sense for bigger families, especially if they rarely travel further than the local area. That’s because they can maximise the amount of time spent driving on purely electric power, which in turn maximises your fuel economy.
On the other hand, if you regularly travel with seven people over long distances, you’re unlikely to see the kind of stellar fuel economy that you might hear about from other plug-in hybrid drivers, due to both the weight being carried in the car and the miles it’s covering.
Do you need a big boot?
If you regularly load your car to the gunwhales with luggage, then it’s worth thinking about how much space you might lose if you opt for a plug-in hybrid. That’s because, in many plug-in hybrid cars, the battery sits underneath the boot floor which raises the height of the boot, leaving you less storage space.
The impact this can have depends on the size of the car you’re buying, but can be as much as 110 litres of difference – and that could mean you’ll have to leave one of your carry-on suitcases behind.
It’s worth not only comparing the size of the boot in the plug-in hybrid you’re thinking of buying with its regular combustion-engined sibling – if it has one – but also with other plug-in hybrids, so you can decide if the sacrifice to battery space is one that you’re willing to make.
Where can you store your charging cables?
Most plug-in hybrid cars will come with a dedicated place to store those all-important charging cables. After all, if you lose those, you’re severely limited in where you can plug in if you need to.
Some plug-in hybrids will come with a bag to store your cables in, but you’ll still be placing them in the boot alongside the rest of your luggage. And while those cables might look like they neatly stack in said bag, the same might not be true after six months of use when they’ve been dragged along the ground in the rain.
Other plug-in hybrids go one step further with a dedicated storage compartment for your cables. This might be either underneath the boot floor, or in a side compartment as part of the boot itself. This gives you somewhere to store your cables without having to worry about storing them away neatly.
Of course, if you know you’ll only be charging up at home, you might decide to leave your charging cables there and not worry about taking them with you. Just be warned, though, that if you’re caught short, you might be limited as to the public charging stations you can use, since you’ll need to find one with a cable you can plug into your car.
Should I buy a plug-in hybrid?
Buy one if:
- You want the convenience of a combustion engine for longer trips
- You want to lower your running costs
- You can easily charge at home or at work
Don’t buy one if:
- You have no easy access to charging
- You regularly cover long distances
- You regularly travel with a full boot
How we choose the best plug-in hybrid cars
We’ve thoroughly tested every plug-in hybrid (PHEV) on the market right now. The result is a definitive guide to each car, and this list, through continual reassessment, is the definitive guide to the best PHEVs on sale.
Through data generated from the 20,000-plus respondents to our annual reader survey, we’re able to accurately determine the areas of most importance to buyers of plug-in hybrids. As such, we place particular emphasis on the following areas:
Our annual Reliability Survey allows us to quell concerns over the complexity of plug-in hybrids. Thousands of owners tell us about their cars and whether they’ve been trouble-free or troublesome, including specifics about the issues – costs, wait times on fixes, dealer service and more. This all goes to giving you peace of mind when buying your next car.
With a combustion engine and electric motors, there’s more to consider when assessing the smoothness of plug-in hybrids. Both should provide a smooth, effortless power delivery with a seamless transition between the two. We also examine external noise factors, including wind and road, and assess how well a PHEV deals with Britain’s scarred Tarmac.
As long as you keep the battery and fuel tank topped up, the best plug-in hybrids can be very cheap to run. On the other hand, PHEVs are often pricier to buy than petrol/diesel counterparts. We’ve done the maths and weighed up whether a PHEV is worth the premium in every model’s case.
While we place emphasis on these areas, every PHEV goes through the same rigorous testing regime as every other model. You can read more about how we test cars in our full feature.
FAQs
The plug-in hybrid car with the longest range is also one of the smallest – the Volkswagen Golf. In 1.5 TSI eHybrid form, it's capable of up to 88 miles of electric range according to official figures. Not far behind that is the Mercedes GLC 300e, which is officially capable of up to 80 miles of electric running, and plug-in hybrid versions of the Range Rover Sport, which can manage up to 71 miles before needing to recharge.
PHEV stands for 'Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle'. A PHEV is different from a regular hybrid (HEV), because it can travel for longer distances on electric power. The battery can also be topped up with a charger, whereas in a regular hybrid the battery is much smaller and charged solely by the engine.
Officially, plug-in hybrids have better mileage, but you need to plug them in regularly to get most out of them. If not, the fuel economy isn’t as good, because the engine is having to pull around the heavy battery without as much assistance from the electric motor.
It depends on your lifestyle. For instance, if you don’t have a driveway (for charging at home) and do mostly urban driving, a ‘self-charging’ hybrid might suit you better. A plug-in hybrid, meanwhile, can be ideal for a short commute or school run, so you can use electric power for those journeys, and the engine on longer ones. Both hybrids and plug-in hybrids are ideal for urban driving, with the latter being most efficient when plugged in regularly.
Also consider
