Car and Driver
Plug-in-hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) are the bridge between traditional gasoline vehicles and fully battery-powered electrics. In many cases, the PHEV model serves as the performance trim. See, for example, the 302-hp Toyota RAV4 Prime, the 5.0-seconds-to-60-mph Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, or the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid, which is the third-quickest SUV we’ve ever tested.
If relying on battery power alone for your commute sends your anxiety into the stratosphere, maybe a powertrain with batteries and gasoline will cool your jets. With a PHEV, the gas engine allows you to keep driving even when battery power runs out, and unlike a traditional hybrid, its larger battery can be plugged in for a recharge. Most PHEV models have better fuel economy and acceleration performance than their gas-only counterparts. But their larger batteries often require the use of smaller gas tanks, so they sometimes suffer from a shorter overall range.
Here’s a list of all the plug-in hybrids available in the United States, with information on performance numbers, pricing, and battery-only range.
EVERY HYBRID SUV | EVERY EV | EPA OVERACHIEVERS
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A 362-hp plug-in-hybrid sedan isn’t a bad way to start things off. The Audi A7 TSFI e uses a turbocharged inline-four with an electric motor to provide all-wheel-drive power with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The TSFI e produces 27 horsepower more than the normal V-6-powered A7. As you’d expect, the TSFI e has better fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 68 MPGe combined and 29 mpg once the battery runs out. The EPA also projects that the A7 can travel 24 miles on only electricity. The A7 is in our top-three best mid-size luxury cars to buy today.
- Base price: $75,945
- EPA fuel economy: 68 MPGe
- EV-only range: 24 miles
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The Audi Q5 TFSI e builds on an already-great compact luxury crossover. The Q5 TSFI e gets an EPA-estimated 61 MPGe combined, an earth-friendly improvement over the gas-only Q5, which achieves a combined 25 mpg. The plug-in-hybrid powertrain delivers quicker acceleration and comes standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The plug-in Q5 can drive an EPA-estimated 23 miles in EV-only mode. With help from its electric motor, the Q5 PHEV can go up to 390 miles between fill-ups. The gas-only Q5 gets an estimated 462 miles of driving between gas-station visits thanks to a larger 18.5-gallon tank.
- Base price: $55,695
- EPA fuel economy: 61 MPGe
- EV-only range: 23 miles
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The only Bentley offered today with fewer than eight growling cylinders, the Bentley Bentayga Hybrid uses a turbocharged V-6 and an electric motor for a combined output of 443 horsepower. We got to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds in the Bentayga V-8, one of the quickest SUVs we’ve ever tested, but the plug-in-hybrid version is not that Bentley. Its starting price is $17,000 cheaper, and that’s before considering the $7500 federal electric-vehicle tax credit. The EPA gave it a 46 MPGe combined rating, with a maximum of 18 miles of electric-only range. The V-8 Bentayga gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined, while the 626-hp W-12-powered Bentayga Speed gets 14 mpg. The plug-in Bentayga can go the farthest of the three on a single tank of gas, with an EPA-estimated 390 miles of range. The Bentayga Hybrid is sitting out the 2022 model year, but there might be some 2021s still available.
- Base price: $166,425
- EPA fuel economy: 46 MPGe
- EV-only range: 18 miles
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The BMW 330e was recently updated, making it a more compelling sedan. Power comes from a 228-hp hybrid powertrain made up of a 181-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and a 111-hp electric motor. An XtraBoost function gives this electrified 3-series an extra 40 horsepower for up to 10 seconds when in Sport mode. This can also be activated by flattening the pedal while in other drive modes. The top speed in EV-only mode has been increased to 87 mph, 12 mph more than the 2020 model. The EPA estimates that the rear-drive 330e can travel as much as 23 miles on battery power only. As is common with most hybrids, the batteries take up some cargo space, costing the 330e four cubic feet of luggage space versus the gas-powered models.
- Base price: $43,945 (RWD), $45,945 (AWD)
- EPA fuel economy: 75 MPGe (RWD), 67 MPGe (AWD)
- EV-only range: 23 miles (RWD), 20 miles (AWD)
When the 5-series was refreshed last year, no variant reaped the benefits more than the plug-in-hybrid BMW 530e. A larger battery and a retuned engine boosted output to 288 horsepower, and like the 330e, XtraBoost delivers an additional 40 ponies when summoned. The 530e we tested got to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, shaving 0.8 second from the 2018 530e xDrive we tested previously. The 530e has 40 more horsepower than the standard 530i, but its cruising range is shorter by an estimated 164 miles. The standard 530i’s big 18.0-gallon tank allows it to travel a huge 504 miles between fill-ups.
- Base price: $56,545
- EPA fuel economy: 64 MPGe (RWD), 62 MPGe (AWD)
- EV-only range: 21 miles
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During our testing of the 2020 BMW 745e, we managed 18 miles of EV driving, one more than the EPA estimates. More impressively, the 745e can hit 87 mph in EV-only mode. Once the battery is depleted, the 389-hp turbocharged inline-six gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined. Although its EV range is limited compared with other options, few other plug-ins can hold a candle to the luxurious cabin and comfortable, soft ride you’d expect from a luxury sedan with a $96,545 base price.
- Base price: $96,545
- EPA fuel economy: 56 MPGe
- EV-only range: 17 miles
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The BMW X5 xDrive45e has a combined power output of 389 horsepower from its turbocharged inline-six and electric motor. During our testing, the xDrive45e drove 25 miles on battery power only. It also delivered 46 MPGe on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test. Although it somewhat missed its EPA-estimated marks, the PHEV X5 is significantly more efficient than the normal X5 xDrive 40i and has 54 extra horsepower.
- Base price: $64,695
- EPA fuel economy: 50 MPGe
- EV-only range: 31 miles
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If you can live without the gas-powered Chrysler Pacifica’s available Stow ‘n Go second-row seats, which can flip and fold into cubbies in the floor to create a vast, flat load space, the hybrid might be worth a look. As a bonus, the hybrid’s second-row seats are more padded and comfortable. Of course, the macro benefit of opting for the Pacifica hybrid is its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which can be recharged in about two hours (on a 240-volt hookup) to provide an EPA-estimated 32 miles of electrified driving before the powertrain reverts to conventional hybrid operation combining two electric motors and the 3.6-liter V-6.
- Base price: $49,095
- EPA fuel economy: 82 MPGe
- EV-only range: 32 miles
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It’s unlikely you’ll ever see this 986-hp Ferrari SF90 Stradale parked next to a Hyundai Ioniq at a public charger, but it’s possible. The electrified coupe, also sold as the Stradale Spider convertible, gets an EPA-estimated 51 MPGe, with just nine miles of battery-only range. To burn the fuel, Ferrari turns to a 769-hp twin-turbo V-8 from the F8 Tributo, but with revised cylinder heads, new turbos, and a bit more displacement. The SF90 Stradale uses two 133-hp front electric motors and a 201-hp rear electric motor. The SF90 Stradale we tested shot to 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds, making it not only the quickest on this list but the quickest car we’ve ever tested.
- Base price: $507,000 (est)
- EPA fuel economy: 51 MPGe
- EV-only range: 9 miles
MORE SF90 INFO
The Escape is Ford’s second-bestselling SUV. (The three-row Explorer is first.) Two turbocharged engines are available on regular Escapes, as well as a 200-hp Escape Hybrid model with optional all-wheel drive. The Escape PHEV uses a 165-hp inline-four engine and an electric motor for a combined output of 221 horsepower. The PHEV is front-wheel drive only and, unlike the gas-powered Escape, uses a continuously variable automatic transmission instead of an eight-speed. The Escape gets a whopping EPA-estimated 105 MPGe combined, with 37 miles of range in EV-only mode. Those are some impressive numbers, and the EPA says the Escape PHEV has a 520-mile cruising range.
- Base price: $34,785
- EPA fuel economy: 105 MPGe
- EV-only range: 37 miles
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Compared to the gas-electric Hyundai Ioniq hybrid, the plug-in model nets a more powerful electric motor (60 horsepower versus 43 horsepower) and a larger battery pack (8.9 kWh to the hybrid’s 1.6-kWh unit). This affords it a claimed 29 miles of electric-only driving range. The standard six-speed automatic transmission helps the powertrain avoid the slurred response endemic to most hybrid vehicles that use continuously variable transmissions. As we put it in our test of a 2018 Ioniq PHEV: “The plug-in hybrid drives like a nonhybrid car when the engine is running.”
- Base price: $27,845
- EPA fuel economy: 119 MPGe
- EV-only range: 29 miles
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A plug-in hybrid version of the new Hyundai Santa Fe was added shortly after the model was heavily revised in 2021. The Santa Fe Hybrid uses a 178-hp turbocharged inline-four and a 90-hp electric motor to produce a combined 261 horsepower. That’s 35 horsepower more than the regular hybrid and 76 horsepower more than the standard Santa Fe. All-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission are standard. The EPA estimates this electric-assisted Santa Fe can return 76 MPGe combined and deliver 31 miles of EV-only mode.
- Base price: $40,745
- EPA fuel economy: 76 MPGe
- EV-only range: 31 miles
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The daring design of the new Hyundai Tucson helps it stick out from the almost 20 other vehicles in the compact SUV segment. Behind that fancy parametric grille is a 261-hp hybrid powertrain with all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. Its EPA-estimated combined 80 MPGe is a huge improvement over the base all-wheel-drive Tucson’s 26-mpg rating. In fact, despite the PHEV’s smaller fuel tank, it can go nearly 50 miles farther than the gas-only model before refueling.
- Base price: $35,975
- EPA fuel economy: 80 MPGe
- EV-only range: 33 miles
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With every PHEV on this list, there’s a substantial price hike from its nonhybrid equivalent. In the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe’s case, that difference is between $8250 and $9980. A turbocharged inline-four and two electric motors deliver a combined output of 375 horsepower. That’s 23 more horsepower than the available 5.7-liter V-8 with far better fuel economy. The V-8 model gets a dismal EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined, while the 4xe achieves 56 MPGe or 23 mpg without battery power, which is still an improvement over the all-wheel-drive V-6 Grand Cherokee.
- Base price: $59,495
- EPA fuel economy: 56 MPGe
- EV-only range: 26 miles
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The Jeep Wrangler 4xe produces 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque from its hybrid powertrain. It’s not some pavement dweller, either, with solid Dana 44 axles, a two-speed transfer case, and more than 10 inches of ground clearance. If you’re worried about what dunking your Jeep would do to the electric components, Jeep claims that the 4xe’s high-voltage parts are sealed and waterproof. Getting out and measuring the puddle with a stick probably wouldn’t hurt, though.
- Base price: $54,125
- EPA fuel economy: 49 MPGe
- EV-only range: 22 miles
MORE WRANGLER SPECS
Karma’s lineup might seem a little confusing. It’s actually pretty simple. The GS-6, Revero GT, and upcoming GSe-6 are one car but with three goals. The 536-hp GS-6 is the eco-mode Karma, with an EPA-estimated 70 MPGe and an impressive 61 miles of range running solely on battery. The Revero GT spices things up with a claimed 1100 horsepower, and the GSe-6 will be the fully electric version when it arrives. The plug-in-hybrid system uses the small three-cylinder gas engine from the BMW i8, with dual rear-mounted electric motors. The GS-6 we drove felt quick, although we have yet to subject it to our testing regimen.
- Base price: $81,700 (GSe-6), $146,600 (Revero GT Luxury)
- EPA fuel economy: 70 MPGe
- EV-only range: 61 miles
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Compared to the regular Kia Niro, the PHEV is endowed with greater battery capacity and a more powerful electric motor aiding its four-cylinder engine. Kias and Hyundais share powertrains, meaning this Niro PHEV has the same 60-hp electric motor and battery as the Ioniq PHEV. Blame the Niro’s taller, pseudo-crossover shape for its shorter 26-mile electric-only driving range compared with the Ioniq’s 29-mile EPA estimate. We’d also like to point out the regular Kia Niro hybrid is the cheapest hybrid SUV sold today and achieves the highest EPA-estimated combined rating at 49 mpg. The plug-in hybrid more than doubles that rating.
- Base price: $30,805
- EPA fuel economy: 105 MPGe
- EV-only range: 26 miles
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If you’re a fan of the Car and Driver 10Best-winning Kia Telluride, but your heart is set on a PHEV, the Sorento is worth checking out. While the Telluride is only available with a 291-hp V-6 that in all-wheel-drive form returns 21 mpg, the Sorento gives you more options. A 261-hp hybrid powertrain delivers an EPA-estimated 79 MPGe. And even though the all-wheel-drive Telluride uses a larger 19-gallon fuel tank, the Sorento PHEV can travel 65 miles farther on a single tank of gas.
- Base price: $49,305
- EPA fuel economy: 79 MPGe
- EV-only range: 32 miles
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Completely redesigned for 2022, the Lexus NX sits between the subcompact UX and midsize RX. The NX450H+ is the most expensive trim and the quickest NX. Its 302-hp hybrid powertrain is borrowed from the Toyota RAV4 Prime, but it doesn’t quite match the RAV4’s efficiency. While the RAV4 Prime gets an EPA-estimated 94 MPGe, the NX450H+ gets 84 MPGe. The Lexus can’t travel as far on electricity only, and despite a slightly bigger fuel tank, gets 550 miles per tank while the RAV4 Prime can go for 600 miles. Point is, the RAV4 Prime does more for less, but the Lexus is more luxurious.
- Base price: $56,725
- EPA fuel economy: 84 MPGe
- EV-only range: 37 miles
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How can the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring be 648 pounds heavier than the nonhybrid Aviator but still manage a zero-to-60-mph time of five seconds? A 494-hp plug-in-hybrid powertrain, that’s how. That’s pretty quick for a three-row SUV, but for a plug-in hybrid, the fuel economy comes up short. During our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, the PHEV scored 25 mpg, just 3 mpg better than the gas-only Aviator. Although it’s possible to get 21 miles of EV-only range, the extra $17,975 for the PHEV Grand Touring makes more sense if you’re seeking higher performance rather than fuel efficiency.
- Base price: $69,875
- EPA fuel economy: 56 MPGe
- EV-only range: 21 miles
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The 266-hp Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring is the second plug-in hybrid in Lincoln’s lineup, and it offers an EPA-estimated 28 miles of EV-only driving. The plug-in gains two drive modes: Preserve and Pure EV. Preserve operates in typical hybrid mode by using both gas engine and electric motor and can charge the Corsair’s battery up to 75 percent while driving. Pure EV prioritizes battery-only mode but will allow the gas engine to help out when needed. Although the potential fuel savings is alluring, the $51,485 starting price is $14,285 higher than the base Corsair.
- Base price: $51,485
- EPA fuel economy: 78 MPGe
- EV-only range: 28 miles
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The Mini Cooper S E Countryman All4 not only has one of the longest names in Mini’s fleet, but it is also the heaviest among modern not-so-mini Minis. In its plug-in-hybrid setup—represented by the E in its name—a 134-hp turbocharged three-cylinder gas engine powers the front wheels, and an 87-hp electric motor spins the rears. The combined output is 221 horsepower. The smaller, fully electric Cooper Electric has a claimed 110 miles of range on a full charge and starts at $11,600 less than the PHEV. That said, the PHEV gets an EPA-estimated 300 miles of range with help from its gas engine.
- Base price: $42,350
- EPA fuel economy: 73 MPGe
- EV-only range: 17 miles
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Although a completely redesigned 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV based on the new Nissan Rogue is currently on sale, you can still purchase the last-generation Outlander now sold as a PHEV only. The last of the third-generation Outlanders has a larger battery and a more powerful gas engine. Combined output is up to 221 horsepower, and the Outlander PHEV gained an extra two miles of EV-only range. Mitsubishi’s S-AWC all-wheel-drive system is standard on all models.
- Base price: $37,490
- Fuel economy: 74 MPGe
- EV-only range: 24 miles
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The Cayenne E-Hybrid strives to be a stellar performer. Its combination of a 335-hp turbocharged V-6 and a 134-hp electric motor gives it 455 ponies (39 more than its predecessor). And that’s the slower one. The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid uses a 541-hp twin-turbo V-8 with the same electric motor for a 670-hp output. It’s also capable of up to 83 mph in battery-only mode, but that won’t last long, as EV-only mode is good for only 15 miles. In our testing, the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid blazed to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. It’s one of the quickest SUVs we’ve ever tested. The Cayenne Coupe and Cayenne Turbo S Coupe versions also feature a plug-in-hybrid powertrain that matches the output and fuel economy of their more conventionally styled counterparts.
- Base price: $84,650 (Cayenne), $166,650 (Cayenne Turbo S)
- EPA fuel economy: 46 MPGe (Cayenne), 42 MPGe (Cayenne Turbo S)
- EV-only range: 17 miles (Cayenne), 15 miles (Cayenne Turbo S)
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As with the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid SUVs, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s sportiness is unquestionable. With a combined 462 horsepower from its turbocharged V-6 and electric motors, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid accelerates briskly, and its low center of gravity and wonderfully tactile steering make it a joy to drive. A full battery can provide 19 miles of driving in E-Power mode.
- Base price: $106,350
- EPA fuel economy: 52 MPGe
- EV-only range: 19 miles
MORE PANAMERA SPECS
The Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, be it the regular four-door Panamera or the edgier-looking Panamera Sport Turismo wagon, is a plug-in hybrid, but this is no Toyota Prius wannabe. Porsche teams a 136-hp electric motor with a 550-hp twin-turbo V-8 in a bid for maximum quickness; the E-Hybrid’s 17 miles of electric-only operation capability is secondary. The gas and electric power sources combine for an insane 680 horsepower, which in our testing was enough to send the 2018 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid to 60 mph in an eyeball-flattening 2.9 seconds.
- Base price: $191,150
- EPA fuel economy: 48 MPGe
- EV-only range: 17 miles
MORE PANAMERA TURBO SPECS
The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid has an impressive EPA-estimated 90 MPGe combined rating. During our testing, we achieved a zero-to-60-mph time that was 0.9 second quicker than that of the nonhybrid Crosstrek. At a 240-volt outlet, the Crosstrek’s battery can reach a full charge in as little as two hours. Because of the space taken up by the battery, however, cargo volume with the rear seats folded is less than impressive. The Crosstrek has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick+ designation.
- Base price: $36,770
- EPA fuel economy: 90 MPGe
- EV-only range: 17 miles
MORE CROSSTREK SPECS
Toyota’s wildly styled Prius Prime is the PHEV we all knew Toyota could build. It replaces the underachieving Prius plug-in that was launched in 2012. The 121-hp hybrid powertrain shares much with the standard Prius—including its sluggish acceleration—but only the Prime, with its 8.8-kWh battery, allows the engine to be shut down completely for 25 miles of emissions-free driving.
- Base price: $29,245
- EPA fuel economy: 133 MPGe
- EV-only range: 25 miles
MORE PRIUS PRIME SPECS
The most popular crossover in the U.S. gets all hopped up on electricity. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime has a 302-hp hybrid powertrain, and although being the quickest-ever RAV4 might not sound all that impressive, in some acceleration tests it’s also quicker than the 255-hp Toyota Supra sports car. Like the rest of the Toyota hybrid lineup, the RAV4 Prime gets a 10-year, 150,000-mile battery warranty. Although its base price edges past the $40,000 mark, if you can qualify for the full $7500 federal electric-vehicle tax credit, the savings are big, pushing the starting price down to roughly that of a gas-only front-wheel-drive RAV4 XLE Premium.
- Base price: $41,015
- EPA fuel economy: 94 MPGe
- EV-only range: 42 miles
MORE RAV4 PRIME SPECS
Volvo’s 60- and 90-series cars share underlying structures and powertrains, meaning the S60 is available with the same powerful Recharge plug-in-hybrid option offered in the larger S90, as well as the XC60 and XC90 SUVs. In the S60, one can have the Recharge in standard form—two electric motors, good for 87 horsepower, and a turbo- and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, for a total of 400 horsepower—or so-called Polestar Engineered with an extra 15 horsepower courtesy of engine-tuning tweaks.
- Base price: $48,695
- EPA fuel economy: 69 MPGe
- EV-only range: 22 miles
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In its 90-series Recharge plug-in models, Volvo uses the not-entirely-correct Twin Engine name. We say that isn’t quite correct because, well, the S90 Recharge model does not have two engines. The plug-in does have both a gas-fed (and powerful) four-cylinder along with twin electric motors, plus a 10.4-kWh battery pack that affords the luxurious, handsome Volvo decent electric-only driving range. In the S90’s case, the EPA estimates the battery provides 21 miles of EV range.
- Base price: $64,195
- EPA fuel economy: 63 MPGe
- EV-only range: 21 miles
MORE S90 SPECS
Long-roof cars need love, too, and Polestar sweetened the Volvo V60, one of the best-looking wagons available today, with two hybrid-powertrain options. Not only can the Volvo V60 Recharge Polestar reach 22 miles in EV-only mode, but it’s also quicker than the Mercedes-Benz E450. There’s a lot going on under the hood, as the V60 Recharge Polestar’s 2.0-liter engine is turbocharged, supercharged, and assisted by two electric motors producing a combined 415 horsepower.
- Base price: $68,395
- EPA fuel economy: 69 MPGe
- EV-only range: 22 miles
MORE V60 SPECS
Polestar engineers worked their hybrid-powertrain magic on the Volvo XC60 and created a plug-in-hybrid luxury crossover with 415 horsepower. During our testing, the XC60 Recharge Polestar went to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. The EPA estimates its battery-only range at 19 miles, but we traveled only 13 miles in that mode. Öhlin adjustable coilovers are onboard, as well as grippy 265/35R-22 Pirelli P Zero tires. The high-power XC60 Recharge Polestar won’t save the world, but it excels with 99 more horsepower, quicker acceleration, and only 2 mpg less than the supercharged XC60 T5.
- Base price: $55,345
- EPA fuel economy: 57 MPGe
- EV-only range: 19 miles
MORE XC60 SPECS
Rounding out Volvo’s handful of hybrids is the XC90. Having said all there is to say about Volvo’s 400-hp Recharge plug-in hybrid powertrain, we will just add that it provides satisfying power and—conditions permitting—a reasonable 18 miles of electric-only driving range. In our testing, a 2016 XC90 T8 Twin Engine accelerated to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds—quick for a three-row luxury SUV weighing more than 5000 pounds.
- Base price: $65,895
- EPA fuel economy: 55 MPGe
- EV-only range: 18 miles
MORE XC90 SPECS
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