The longest-range plug-in hybrids

If you need a car to help minimise your fuel costs, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) can make a lot of sense. That’s because they essentially offer the best of both worlds; combining a combustion engine with an electric motor and a battery to give you the option of running on electric power for short journeys, and the engine on longer ones.

So, if you regularly cover a 30-mile round trip to work or to drop your kids off at school, for example, a PHEV could be the ideal choice for you. A PHEV can also be a good option if you're a company car driver, because their often low official CO2 emissions result in low benefit-in-kind (BIK) ratings.

So, which plug-in hybrids have the longest electric-only ranges? Here, we name the top 10 cars, and reveal how much you can save on each with our Target Price deal and free New Car Deals service. In each case, we've used the official WLTP electric-only ranges of each model, although we have also revealed real-world range figures where appropriate.

If you like the idea of a PHEV and you want to reap the financial rewards, we have a top tip for you: you must charge it regularly. Otherwise, they can be quite inefficient, because the engine works harder to pull the weight of the motor and battery.

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Version E300e Urban Edition | Electric-only range 67 miles | List price £64,610 | Target Price £64,610

It may be an expensive option, but the Mercedes E-Class E300e is a brilliant PHEV executive car. That's helped by the fact that it's well appointed and spacious inside, which makes it a great option for carrying passengers.

The hybrid system is also very impressive. It has a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor that generates a combined output of 328bhp (making it the quickest non-AMG E-Class available), while the 25.4kWh (usable) battery delivers an official range of 67 miles. While this is big battery pays dividends when it comes to range, the downside is that it eats into boot space, with only 370 litres of capacity as opposed to 540 litres with the mild hybrid models.

The version quoted here is the entry-level Urban Edition, which is very well equipped; it comes with ambient interior lighting, heated front seats, wireless-phone charging and blind-spot monitoring as standard. It also has a marginally longer electric-only range than AMG Line versions because of its smaller, more aerodynamic alloy wheels.

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

Version C300e Urban Edition | Electric-only range 68 miles | List price £49,860 | Target Price £46,860

The Mercedes C-Class C300e has the longest official electric-only range of any PHEV executive car, with a figure that's significantly longer than that of its closest rival, the BMW 3 Series 33oe (37 miles).

However, it's not just the electric range that appeals, because the C-Class is one of the more comfortable executive cars. That's helped by the fact the C300e gets air suspension at the rear as standard, which helps to cope with the extra weight of the battery and does a good job of keeping the car level over bumpy roads. The non-PHEV versions without the air suspension are also very comfortable.

Even though the interior quality isn't as good as you'll find in the 3 Series, the design is slick and the infotainment system is relatively easy to use. It's just a shame there are minimal physical controls for operating certain functions, such as the climate controls.

Strengths

• Plug-in hybrid has an impressive ride
• Fuel economy and emissions compare well with rivals
• C300e has a very low company car tax rate

Weaknesses

• Disappointing interior quality
• Not as much fun to drive as a BMW 3 Series
• Some road noise

Version 3.0 P460e SE | Electric-only range 73 miles | List price £115,805 | Target Price £115,805

The Range Rover takes luxury to the next level, with its commanding driving position, effortless performance and super-soft ride making it the ultimate long-distance cruiser.

Like the Range Rover Sport, the P460e PHEV is a great option if you want to do big miles on electric-only power, with it only travelling one less mile officially between charges than its sibling. Despite that, it can still travel much farther than the Bentley Bentayga PHEV (28 miles).

Where the Range Rover wins back some points because while the Sport is only available with five seats, the larger model can be specified with seven seats. So, if you want a seven-seater PHEV that does big miles on electricity, then the Range Rover is a great option. You will have to exchange a big sum of cash for it, though.

Strengths

• Fabulous driving position
• Fantastic off-road ability
• Useful seven-seat versatility

Weaknesses

• Very expensive
• Reliability is a concern
• More physical controls for the infotainment would be preferable

Version 3.0 P460e SE | Electric-only range 73.3 miles | List price £90,200 | Target Price £90,200

The silence offered by electric motor in the Range Rover Sport P460e makes it one of the most refined PHEVs out there. Not only that, but the enormous official electric-only range of 73.3 miles means you can maximise the serenity more than you can in the BMW X5 xDrive50e, which can manage 62 miles.

Having said that, a range of around 50 miles is more likely in the real world, although that's still longer than what you get officially in the Lexus RX 450h+ (43 miles). When the 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine does eventually kick in, it's incredibly quiet and smooth, and you'll hardly even notice it.

Of course, being a Range Rover Sport, the interior is as beautiful to look at as it is to touch, while the seats are comfortable and supportive. You also feel slightly more hunkered down in the Sport compared with its bigger Range Rover brother, thanks to the raised centre console.

Strengths

• Offers lots of Range Rover qualities for a lower price
• Incredible ability off-road
• Fantastic 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

Version GLC 300e 4Matic AMG Line | Electric-only range 75 miles | List price £63,360 | Target Price £59,860

All versions of the latest GLC offer a comfortable ride and an interior that's filled with tech, but the GLC 300e also gives you a competitive electric-only range of 75 miles, which is almost double that of its closest competitor, the Lexus NX 450h+. It's a great choice if you want a PHEV family SUV with a premium badge.

Having tested those two cars back-to-back in the real-world, we found the GLC managed a healthy 57 miles before running out of charge in our real world test. The NX, by comparison, managed 30 miles in the same conditions (versus 43 miles officially).

Performance is respectable in the GLC 300e, with 0-62mph taking 6.4sec. However, the petrol engine is rather grumbly when it fires up, and you do feel the extra weight of the battery in the corners compared with non-PHEV versions.

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

Version 1.5 TSI iV 204 SE | Electric-only range 76 miles | List price £41,935 | Target Price £40,935

The Skoda Kodiaq is a brilliant all-rounder. It offers lots of space, a comfortable ride and a competitive price, as well as a range of strong and efficient engines. In this instance, we're referring to the 201bhp PHEV version (which is the same system as other VW Group cars on this list, including the closely-related VW Tiguan).

While the PHEV can't be specified with seven seats because the battery is located under the boot floor, it's a great option if you want a spacious five-seater with a big boot. Indeed, it has a capacity of 745 litres – that's more than the PHEV versions of the VW Tiguan (652 litres) and Kia Sportage (540 litres).

Despite being the entry-level trim, the SE version quoted here is very well equipped. It comes with a long list of kit, including ambient interior lighting, keyless start, three-zone climate control, auto lights and wipers, power-folding door mirrors and heated front seats.

Strengths

• Comfortable ride and good to drive
• Spacious interior with a huge boot
• Good value if you stick to the cheaper trims

Weaknesses

• Interior looks swish but isn’t as sturdy as the best
• Engines are a little coarse when revved
• Frustrating automatic gearbox

Version 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life | Electric-only range 77 miles | List price £42,525 | Target Price £42,525

Volkswagen has been busy overhauling a lot of its line-up in recent times. As such, a new third-generation Tiguan has been launched with refreshed styling, upgraded interior tech and new engines. This means it features the same PHEV system as other VW Group cars on this list, including the VW Golf, Skoda Superb and VW Passat, although it can manage less miles on electric-only power because of its larger size.

Despite that, it still has a much longer electric-only range than most of its family SUV rivals, including the Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, all of which can travel an identical 43 miles officially on electric power.

Along with a long official range, the Tiguan has other strengths, including a spacious interior, a comfortable ride and a generous equipment list. Speaking of which, if you want the PHEV you have to step up to Life trim, which coincidentally is our favourite trim level. It comes with three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, ambient interior lighting, wireless phone-charging and sat-nav as standard.

Strengths

• Well-judged ride and handling balance
• Has a large boot and great seating flexibility
• Roomier than many rivals

Weaknesses

• Higher trims have to contend with upmarket rivals
• Option packs drive up the price
• Slightly coarse 1.5-litre petrol engine

Version 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life | Electric-only range 81 miles | List price £44,105 | Target Price £41,155

The ninth-generation Volkswagen Passat is the best one yet. It's comfortable, refined and enormously practical, plus the interior feels slightly better built than the closely-related Skoda Superb's.

The hybrid system in the Passat is very familiar, because it's the same as what you get in the VW Golf and Superb Estate. In this instance, the Passat can travel 81 miles on electric-only power officially, which is similar to the Superb, but more than a Citroën C5 X (39 miles) and Volvo V90 (52 miles).

The Passat PHEV's enormous electric-only range means it has potential for tiny fuel bills, particularly if you charge at home on a cheap overnight tariff. If you do need to use a public charger though, the Passat can accept up to 50kW DC, which makes topping on a longer journey much quicker than a BMW 330e Touring (which is limited to AC and amaximum charging rateof 3.7kW).

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

Version 1.5 TSI iV SE Technology | Electric-only range 83 miles | List price £41,465 | Target Price £40,465

Unlike the previous generation, the Skoda Superb is now only available as a PHEV in estate form. Mind you, that's not such a bad thing because it has a vast boot; even with the batteries located under the floor, there's 510 litres of space. That's the same as the Volkswagen Passat eHybrid and more than the Mercedes E-Class Estate E300e (460 litres).

Rear seat space is also impressive, because there's plenty of head and leg room for a couple of six-footers. Up front, the driving position is comfortable and the dashboard is easy to use thanks to its physical controls. Unfortunately, these controls do feel a bit cheap, as do some of the dashboard materials.

The hybrid system is similar to what you'll find in the VW Golf eHybrid; the Superb Estate iV comes with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor that develop 201bhp, as well as a 19.7kWh (usable) battery. When running in electric-only mode, the Superb can travel up to 83 miles officially – that's similar to the Passat, and much farther than a BMW 5 Series Touring (60 miles) and E-Class Estate (64 miles).

Strengths

• Hugely spacious boot and interior
• Minimal wind noise
• Well priced, and PHEV makes a cheap company car

Weaknesses

• PHEV isn’t as practical as other versions
• Interior quality disappoints in places
• Some estates are more fun to drive

Version 1.5 TSI 204 eHybrid Style | Electric-only range 88 miles | List price £37,135 | Target Price £37,135

The updated Volkswagen Golf brings a line-up of new engines, including this plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version that pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a 19.7kWh (usable) battery. This means it is now the longest-range PHEV you can buy, offering up to 88 miles. For context, that's farther than a Toyota Prius (44 miles), as well as larger SUVs with bigger batteries, such as the Range Rover Sport (73.3 miles).

So, what does this mean for fuel economy? Well, when we MPG tested the Golf with a depleted battery, we managed a real-world fuel economy figure of 48mpg (that's slightly higher than the 53.8mpg the Prius achieved). However, the Golf is more efficient when running on battery power, so it costs less to run than the Prius when regularly topped up with electricity.

Elsewhere, the Golf is pleasant to drive and comfortable, particularly with the optional adaptive suspension fitted. If you want the PHEV, you have to step up to mid-range Style trim. It comes with a similar amount of kit as Match, but adds sports seats, three-zone climate control and upgraded LED headlights.

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