Best plug-in hybrid cars 2026 – 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?...
Plug-in hybrid cars offer drivers the best of both worlds, because they run on both traditional petrol or diesel, but also electricity. And because they have the ability to drive using electric power alone, they produce less CO2 emissions than conventional cars, under official figures – making them especially tempting for company car drivers.
Because of this, there are ever more plug-in hybrids (usually abbreviated to PHEV), with a wide range of prices.
And that makes finding the best plug-in hybrid cars a challenge – but one which our expert team of road testers relish. They’ve driven thousands of miles assessing every plug-in hybrid in all of the areas which matter to buyers, from their electric-only ranges to how practical they are. You can find more about how we test and rate cars in our feature.
Here we’ll take you through the best plug-in hybrid cars — and we’ll also show you the best deals and help you make sense of the best PCP finance deals and leasing options. Just follow the links to find out more.
Best plug-in hybrid cars to buy now – and how to get the best deal
| Make and model | List price from | Rating | PCP deals | Leasing deals |
| £18,966 | 5 | |||
| £30,771 | 5 | |||
| £34,990 | 5 | |||
| £66,150 | 4 | |||
| £22,999 | 4 |
The best plug-in hybrid cars for you
The MG HS is our go-to choice among plug-in hybrids. Its long electric-only range, tempting list price and spacious interior make it a compelling proposition for private buyers and company car drivers alike.
If you don’t fancy an SUV, then the Skoda Superb Estate is the plug-in hybrid to choose. It’s simply massive inside, both in terms of space for your luggage, and for your passengers. It’s also good to drive, with an 85-mile official electric range and plenty of punch from its 1.5-litre petrol engine.
The Volkswagen Passat is actually the Superb’s sister car, but adds an extra dollop of luxury inside, with materials which feel a cut above that car, and even give the pricier Mercedes C-Class Estate a run for its money.
Please note that the prices you see here will in some cases reflect the non-hybrid version of the car.
The 2026 What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now
Strengths
- Classy interior with loads of kit for the money
- Hybrid versions are good to drive
- Plug-in hybrid has a genuinely impressive electric range
Weaknesses
- MG's poor reliability record
- Non-hybrid 1.5 petrol is disappointing
- Some rivals has more luggage space
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.
"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
- Hugely spacious boot and interior
- Comfortable on adaptive (DCC) suspension
- Well equipped and priced – PHEV makes a cheap company car
Weaknesses
- Grabby brakes on the PHEV
- Interior quality not the best in places
- 3 Series Touring is more fun to drive
Over the years, the Skoda Superb Estate has cultivated a reputation as being one of the most practical cars around, and the latest version is no exception. Even if you go for the plug-in hybrid model, which trades some of its boot space for a battery pack, there's still 510 litres of storage space, which should be enough for your holiday suitcases. And if you do find yourself needing more, then every Superb's rear seats split and fold in a 60/40 configuration.
Speaking of that battery, it allows the Superb Estate to officially travel for up to 85 miles without using a drop of fuel, which means your weekday commute could be completed without ever hearing the 1.5-litre petrol engine fire up. Just watch out for the brakes, because they can feel a bit grabby due to their regenerative braking settings.
Elsewhere, drivers of all shapes and sizes will be able to get comfy behind the wheel of the Superb Estate, because there's lots of adjustment in the wheel and seat. Your passengers will be able to get comfy, too, with plenty of head and leg room for six-footers to stretch out.
The Superb's physical dials are a reminder that sometimes the old ways are best. I find them so much easier to operate on the move than it would be to mess around with the touchscreen." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth Skoda Superb Estate 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.
"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.
“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
- 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.
“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.
“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.
“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
- Fantastic plug-in hybrid version
- Great to drive
- The PHEV's good electric range
Weaknesses
- You can't have seven seats with the PHEV version
- Third-row seating costs extra in the non-PHEV versions
- There are more spacious and practical rivals
Plenty of SUVs, and plenty of premium SUVs, come with plug-in hybrid power these days, but very few can match the BMW X5's comprehensive suite of abilities.
The plug-in hybrid xDrive50e is our pick of the range, because it combines a punchy 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with a relatively large battery, allowing for an electric range of 62 miles – although you should expect to see closer to 50 miles in real-world conditions. When the electric motor and petrol engine are working together, they produce a combined 482bhp, which means truly rapid performance. Indeed, the X5 can hit 62mph in 4.6 seconds – quicker than the equivalent Range Rover Sport or Volvo XC90.
None of that would be worth much if the X5 was uncomfortable, but fortunately that isn't the case, because PHEV versions come with standard-fit air suspension which means you glide over most road imperfections. The X5 is a stable and reassuring SUV to drive, aided by plenty of grip, precise and well-weighted steering and tight body control.
Two adults will be comfortable in the back of the X5, but both the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 ultimately offer more room.
“The rotary controller for BMW's iDrive infotainment system still sets the standard for me in terms of usability, it just makes navigating the system a doddle, even when you're on the move.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth BMW X5 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.
"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
- 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
- More expensive than rivals
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.
“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
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
And the plug-in hybrid car to avoid...
A pitiful electric-only range and slow performance mean that there are better options for plug-in buyers. Plus, it's an expensive choice. 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
