Top 10 best plug-in hybrid SUVs 2023
Not ready to go electric but want low running costs? These plug-in hybrid SUVs offer the best of both worlds
Previously, if you wanted a large and/or luxurious SUV, you had to put up with high running costs in almost every case. Yet advances in plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology over the last few years mean it’s now possible to drive an SUV that can also be very efficient, depending on how you use it.
Plug-in hybrids combine a petrol or diesel engine under the bonnet, assisted by an electric motor, which is fed energy from a battery pack. You fill up with fuel as normal, but also charge up at home or from a charging point. If the battery runs out, you can use the engine to get home and recharge, ready for the next trip.
Shorter journeys can be made without using the engine, saving you a lot of money in fuel over the long term. Yet since there’s still an engine on board, you won’t have range anxiety and will always be able to get where you’re going, even if you have a change of plan and suddenly need to do a long trip at short notice.
In this article, we look at the best plug-in hybrid SUVs on sale in the UK right now. Read on to find out more about our favourites, and click through to their reviews for full details. Don't forget to follow DrivingElectric on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for the very latest news and reviews on plug-in hybrids SUVs – as well as all other types of electrified car.
1. Kia Sportage PHEV
The latest Kia Sportage combines arresting exterior styling with a spacious and tech-filled interior. It's also the first Sportage to be available with a plug: this petrol-electric version will do 43 miles without touching a drop of fuel and promises fuel economy north of 250mpg if you make full use of that capability. It's pricey for a private buyer, but we reckon company-car drivers will be laughing all the way to the bank thanks to the Sportage’s low 8% Benefit-in-Kind tax rating.
Read our full Kia Sportage review to find out more.
2. Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
Previous generations of the Hyundai Tucson took a 'solid and sensible' approach to family motoring, but could hardly be called exciting. While we found the latest model still offered supple suspension and a cosseting driving experience, it also now benefits from a well-equipped and well thought-out interior, wrapped in one of the most striking-looking SUV designs yet. The Plug-In version is the efficiency champion, promising over 200mpg fuel economy and nearly 40 miles of electric range.
Read our full Hyundai Tucson review to find out more.
3. Lexus NX 450h+
Plug-in hybrid or self-charging hybrid? If you’re undecided on which to go for, we think the Lexus NX 450h+ offers the best of both worlds. Lexus says its first plug-in hybrid SUV will offer up to 40 miles of electric range, however, once the battery is depleted, the car will then switch into full-hybrid mode, maintaining decent fuel economy – we managed to return around 55mpg during our tests. Topped-off by a smooth drive and luxurious interior, there’s very little not to like about the plug-in NX.
TrustpilotRead our full Lexus NX review to find out more.
4. Range Rover Sport PHEV
The latest Range Rover Sport is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor, and we think the plug-in hybrid model is perhaps its best iteration. With a staggering 70 miles of electric range, some buyers will be able to drive the Sport day-to-day without using a single drop of fuel. Longer journeys will be a breeze, too, thanks to the Range Rover’s serene-feeling cabin. It can even be pretty engaging on a twisty road – despite weighing over two-and-a-half tonnes.
Read our full Range Rover Sport review to find out more.
5. Renault Captur E-Tech
The Renault Captur E-Tech is the cheapest plug-in hybrid SUV you can buy, but we think it manages to keep up with more expensive offerings in terms of interior technology and comfort. Switch into the all-electric mode and Renault says the Captur E-Tech will be able to travel up to 30 miles before the petrol engine kicks in. This, alongside a roomy boot and light steering makes the plug-in Captur an ideal choice for the school run and much more.
Read our full Renault Captur E-Tech review to find out more.
6. Kia Niro PHEV
The Kia Niro is offered in self-charging hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full EV form, but it's the PHEV we’re focusing on here. Just like its regular hybrid and fully-electric counterparts, the Niro PHEV gets a striking exterior to match its futuristic interior, the latter featuring a slick dual-screen infotainment setup from the electric Kia EV6. The Korean maker says the Niro PHEV has a maximum electric range of over 40 miles – this makes it cheap to run for company car buyers, despite the Kia’s high starting price.
Read our full Kia Niro PHEV review to find out more.
7. BMW X5 xDrive50e
The BMW X5 is one of the best large plug-ins out there – and a recent facelift looks to have made the best even better. The headline figure is the Beemer’s official electric range of 65 miles, which should cover the daily journeys of a large proportion of buyers, but it's also massively quick, covering 0-62mph in just 4.8 seconds. While we haven’t yet driven the facelifted car, our time with the outgoing model revealed handling that was incredibly impressive for a car of its size. If you can live with the X5’s big purchase price, there are very few downsides.
Read our full BMW X5 review to find out more.
8. Ford Kuga PHEV
While it only launched in 2020, the Ford Kuga sits in the shadow of cutting-edge PHEV SUVs like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. That said, we think it makes a good case for itself with its sharp looks, practical interior and with very impressive on-paper figures. It's good to drive, too, retaining much of what makes the standard car feel sharp on the road, with nicely-weighted steering and tight body control. Company-car users will welcome the low CO2 emissions, while families will be happy with the Kuga's large interior and good-sized boot which, on some models, can be expanded via a sliding rear bench seat.
Read our full Ford Kuga review to find out more.
9. Mercedes GLA 250 e
The Mercedes '250 e' plug-in hybrid engine impressed us in the A-Class executive hatchback, so it's not surprising to find it works well in the A-Class-based GLA family SUV, too. It's one of the better-engineered plug-in hybrids we've tried, boasting a strong pure-electric range, punchy performance when the power sources are combined and smooth transition between the two. Mercedes' claim of over 200mpg is a decent chunk ahead of most rivals and 32g/km of CO2 also undercuts the competition.
Read our full Mercedes GLA 250 e review to find out more.
10. Volvo XC60 Recharge
Volvo has a fantastic range of plug-in hybrid models and the XC60 Recharge stands out as our favourite SUV of the bunch. Its 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain offers a superb mix of power and efficiency; Volvo says the XC60 Recharge will be able to do up to 54 miles on electric power alone. As you’d expect from a Volvo, the XC60 wafts along the road, offering supreme levels of comfort – especially on the smaller wheels. We found the interior is also a lovely place to be, with a minimalist design and plenty of plush materials.
Read our full Volvo XC60 Recharge review to find out more.
Best plug-in hybrid SUVs you can buy
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