Best plug-in hybrids to buy 2024
The plug-in hybrid market has grown exponentially. Here are our electrified favourites
Not everyone is ready to take the plunge and buy a fully electric car, which makes plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) a great ‘stepping stone’ option. These cars combine an internal combustion engine with electric power to offer some of the benefits of each in a single package. Our expert road testers have thoroughly tested every PHEV on sale in the UK, and we’ve rounded up the best plug-in hybrid cars to buy right here.
Best plug-in hybrid cars
- BMW 530e
- Mercedes C 300 e
- BMW 330e
- Hyundai Tucson PHEV
- Kia Sportage PHEV
- Toyota RAV4
- Suzuki Across
- Range Rover Sport P460e
- Lexus NX 450h+
- DS 4 E-Tense 225
1. BMW 530e
- Prices from £62,500
- Maximum pure-electric range: 63 miles
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The BMW 5 Series has long been a staple of the company car and executive car worlds, and the good news is that its loyal buyers can now reap the benefits of plug-in hybrid power. The BMW 530e may be partly electric, but it’s still just as enjoyable to drive as a 5 Series should be. It’s equally impressive inside, too, where you’ll find a class-leading interior that’s very well put together, ergonomically designed and filled with top-quality tech.
Unfortunately, the 530e’s plug-in powertrain does come at a fairly sizeable additional outlay compared with the combustion models, but its reduced running costs will help to mitigate this initial financial sting. Alternatively, if you’re thinking of making the jump to fully-electric motoring, there’s always the option of the BMW i5. If you’re sticking with PHEV for now, though, the 530e is a top choice that was officially crowned as our Premium Hybrid Car of the Year at the 2024 Auto Express New Car Awards.
2. Mercedes C 300 e
- Prices from £50,000
- Maximum pure-electric range: 67 miles
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Much like the BMW 530e, the Mercedes C 300 e is another plug-in hybrid version of a traditional German executive saloon. This variant of the Mercedes C-Class offers a zero-compromise alternative for company car drivers who aren’t ready to go fully electric. It’s capable of driving up to 67 miles on battery power, so you’ll have to cover quite some distance before waking the 2.0-litre petrol engine.
Its styling has been influenced by Mercedes’ flagship S-Class, as has the interior that feels almost as plush as the limousine’s. That car’s incredibly slick and intuitive MBUX infotainment system is fitted, too, displayed on a fantastic 11.9-inch touchscreen that’s standard on every model.
3. BMW 330e
- Prices from £47,000
- Maximum pure-electric range: 62 miles
- Best driving experience
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It may not be the most futuristic or innovative model, but the BMW 3 Series is a brilliant all-rounder, with the plug-in hybrid 330e serving as the top choice in the range for company car drivers. The 330e is just as enjoyable and engaging to drive as any other 3 Series, with its 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor working in harmony to deliver plenty of pace.
If you’re eyeing up the 330e as a potential family car, the good news is that the cabin and boot aren’t really intruded on by the PHEV powertrain’s components. Four tall adults will be able to sit comfortably in the BMW’s plush seats, and with 375 litres of boot space on offer, you'll be able to load up the weekly shop without any complaints.
4. Hyundai Tucson PHEV
- Prices from £39,000
- Maximum pure-electric range: 38 miles
- Best for families
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It’s no secret that we’re big fans of the Hyundai Tucson, as this distinctive family car has bagged our Mid-size SUV of the Year award for four years in a row. Not only does it look like a far more expensive car on the outside, but the Tucson’s on-board kit and build quality are right up there with the best, too.
There are a number of powertrain options available, but opting for the plug-in hybrid model will bag you 38 miles of purely-electric range and CO2 emissions as low as 29g/km. It’s even reasonably quick with 249bhp on tap.
5. Kia Sportage PHEV
- Prices from £40,500
- Maximum pure-electric range: 43 miles
- Longest standard warranty
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Much like the Hyundai Tucson, we’re also very fond of its sister car, the Kia Sportage, as this is another mid-size SUV that delivers style and substance in equal measure. The bold, almost extra-terrestrial looks are complemented by a clean, modern interior design with two crisp 12.3-inch displays as the centrepiece. Kia’s infotainment system is excellent, as are the build quality and space inside.
Comfort and refinement are key strengths, but the Sportage PHEV builds on this with a 43-mile electric-only range. Starting at more than £40k makes this powertrain the most expensive variant in the Sportage range, so it might not be the ideal choice for private buyers. But company car drivers will benefit from the 25g/km CO2 figure.
6. Toyota RAV4
- Prices from £44,000
- Maximum pure-electric range: 46 miles
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Toyota was a pioneer for mainstream hybrid power, and while full-hybrids are what the brand tends to be associated with, it also knows a thing or two about PHEV technology. The Toyota RAV4 Plug-in has a claimed fuel economy figure of up to 282.4mpg, and while it’s unlikely that you’ll see this in the real world, we still managed well over 60mpg when living with the RAV4 as part of our long-term test fleet. It’ll also cover up to 46 miles in pure-electric mode.
Inside, the design is rather conservative, but all the essential tech is present and straightforward to use. Toyota has a solid reputation for build quality, too, and the RAV4 was ranked as the fourth best car to own out of 50 models in our latest Driver Power survey. It was also crowned as the most reliable SUV.
7. Suzuki Across
- Prices from £49,500
- Maximum pure-electric range: 46 miles
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If you enjoy getting more for your money and are in the market for a plug-in hybrid, the Suzuki Across is almost a no-brainer. It’s basically a rebadged Toyota RAV4 PHEV, and while it’s more expensive to buy as a cash purchase, there are some very tempting leasing deals to be found. It may wear a different badge, but the Suzuki is just as quick, well built, easy to live with and spacious as the Toyota.
Just one trim level means standard kit is generous, while the powertrain sees a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine linked to a CVT automatic gearbox, with an 18.1kWh battery pack feeding an electric motor on each axle.
8. Range Rover Sport P460e
- Prices from £90,000
- Maximum pure-electric range: 74 miles
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It’d be tempting to put the plug-in hybrid version of the fully-sized Range Rover on this list, but its Range Rover Sport sibling is very nearly as luxurious while also being cheaper and slightly sharper to drive.
The plug-in Range Rover Sport pairs a 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine with a whopping 38.2kWh battery pack. This gives an impressive theoretical electric range of up to 74 miles according to lab results, although we’d expect more like 50 miles in real-world conditions. The P460e is also good for 454bhp and 660Nm of torque, making for a 0-60mph time of 5.3 seconds, so it certainly lives up to the Sport name.
9. Lexus NX 450h+
- Prices from £50,000
- Maximum pure-electric range: 40 miles
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The Lexus NX is mechanically related to the Toyota RAV4, but its smart, head-turning looks and luxurious, well appointed cabin help justify the price premium. Completing the highly accomplished package is a ride that balances comfort and handling, along with what is simply the best infotainment system Lexus has made to date.
The plug-in hybrid NX 450h+ is our pick; it offers hot hatchback-rivalling performance, a pure-electric range of up to 40 miles and, when its 18.1kWh battery is depleted, the car can run as a full-hybrid so fuel economy doesn’t drop like a stone, as with other PHEVs.
10. DS 4 E-Tense 225
- Prices from £42,700
- Maximum pure-electric range: 38 miles
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One of our biggest twin test shocks happened when a DS 4 E-Tense 225 beat the Audi A3 TFSI e. While strong discounts for the DS counted in its favour, a big factor in its victory was its better-resolved plug-in hybrid powertrain. The total system power is 222bhp, which gives strong performance – the DS 4 E-Tense 225 will go from 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds, on to a top speed of 145mph.
The DS 4 is also comfortable, stylish, has an interesting cabin design, and offers a nice alternative to its more conventional rivals. It’s taken a while but Citroen’s offshoot is finally starting to find its groove.
Should you buy a plug-in hybrid?
With many manufacturers having now joined the PHEV arms race, there’s a huge array of models to choose from – from small, cheaper options to large family hatchbacks and even luxury SUVs and estate cars, so there’s probably a plug-in hybrid out there to suit your lifestyle.
Fitted with larger battery packs, plug-in hybrids can run on pure electric power for longer than conventional hybrid cars – with some models offering over 70 miles of range, although many will cover over 30 miles using the battery alone. This makes them ideal for drivers who cover lower mileages or spend the majority of their time in cities and urban environments.
Plug-in hybrids are proving popular for a number of reasons. As technology improves and more manufacturers are offering plug-in hybrids as part of car line-ups, the price you pay for a plug-in vehicle is gradually coming down. Then there are the tax implications, with many plug-ins offering lower first year VED road tax rates than their combustion counterparts. Benefit-in-Kind tax rates for company car users are also lower, thanks to low emissions, but full EVs are where the big savings are to be made.
A close second to the low running costs is the fact that this hybrid kit doesn't require you to compromise on the way you use your car. The key is to remember to plug the car into a charging point wherever possible to maximise the amount of electric running you do, but if you can’t charge, the car just reverts to its internal-combustion engine. If you think of your car like a smartphone, and get into the habit of plugging it in overnight to charge, then you'll soon see the lower costs that electric driving can bring. However, failing to keep the battery charged will probably see economy drop to potentially worse levels than an equivalent non-hybrid model.
If you’re thinking of making the switch, read our list of the best electric cars to buy…
