One type of vehicle that gets a lot overlooked these days is plug-in hybrids or PHEVs for short.
However, they make a lot of sense because they come with all the convenience of owning a conventional petrol, diesel or hybrid car with the lower CO2 emissions and electric driving range of an EV.
As car makers move towards full electrification, you might think that this technology may be fading out, but in fact, this year alone we’ve seen certain plug-in hybrid models become better than ever with electric ranges surpassing nearly 90 miles.
We’ve compiled a list of the best plug-in hybrids on sale today and the ones that offer the best all-around packages.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The latest Hyundai Santa Fe may look like a Lego brick, but underneath that sci-fi styling lies a brilliant car.
The Santa Fe drives extremely well for a car of this size, while also packing loads of interior space and comes with a very efficient plug-in hybrid drivetrain. It features a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a 13.8kWh battery pack that Hyundai claims can travel up to 34 miles on electric power. In terms of performance, this drivetrain produces a total of 158bhp and 265Nm of torque, while 0-60mph takes 9.1 seconds.
Skoda Kodiaq iV
The Skoda Kodiaq has just morphed into its second generation and has become an excellent all-round car that is solidly built, packed full of features, efficient and available with a choice of five or seven seats.
The plug-in hybrid variant that is badged iV comes equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine alongside a 20kWh battery pack that Skoda claims can bring up to 76 miles on electric power. The Kodiaq is also bigger than the outgoing model and there is a great array of different storage solutions scattered all over the cabin to make this the ideal family car.
Volkswagen Golf
A smaller proposition on this list is Volkswagen’s Golf which is a car for those who want a small family hatchback that can do everything very well.
This year, the Golf received a mid-life facelift and with it, its plug-in hybrid powertrain was also improved. Now, its 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 19.7kWh battery pack can do a claimed 81 miles on electric power – which for a car of this size and is class-leading.
In addition, the Golf is good to drive, practical, well-built and with an updated interior with physical buttons making a return to the steering wheel, this really is a car that needs to be taken seriously.
Skoda Superb Estate iV
Another Skoda on this list is the Superb Estate iV, which like the Kodiaq is a car packed full of clever features and practical storage solutions while offering a boot space capacity of 510 litres.
Plus, the Superb Estate is relaxing, effortless and packed full of on-board tech to make it the perfect mile-muncher. Under the bonnet, you’ll find the same 1.5-litre turbocharged unit in the Kodiaq PHEV and it also has the same 20kWh battery capacity allowing for a claimed electric driving range of the same 76 miles as its SUV counterpart.
BMW 530e
One of the best executive saloons around, the BMW 5 Series, not only is great to drive and comes packed with the latest technology, but its plug-in hybrid offering is very efficient and offers a decent electric range.
The PHEV version comes with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 22.1kWh battery pack that BMW claim can achieve up to 64 miles on electric power, making it one of the best mid-sized saloons when it comes to plug-in hybrid power.
Mercedes C300e
In the compact executive class, one of the best PHEV alternatives is the Mercedes C300e, which rivals BMW’s 3 Series 330e plug-in hybrid.
The C-Class is good-looking and is a very comfortable car that includes the three-pointed star’s heritage and desirability. Its engine is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that features a 25kWh battery pack that Mercedes claims can achieve up to 64 miles on electric power – making what already is a comfortable and quiet saloon even more luxurious and efficient.
