Best PHEV SUVs of 2023

Dot
Dot
Dot

Learn More

Battery range up to 32 mile Audi’s handsome Q5 gets a reasonably efficient TFSIe plug-in hybrid system, which can stretch to 37 miles of electric range and returns a claimed 188mpg on the combined cycle. That will fall to more like 40mpg on a long run with a flat battery, but if you’re plugging in lots you’ll do better, and either way you have that classy interior to enjoy.

Audi Q5 PHEV

Learn More

Battery range up to 26 mile Want a hybrid SUV that’s genuinely sporty to drive? Well, the X3 PHEV is basically a BMW 330e Touring with a loft conversion, so you’ll definitely be left with a smile on your face when the roads get twisty. It only gets 30 miles on a full battery though, which means you’ll struggle to hit that claimed 134mpg number. It can also feel a little too firm when you’re driving around town.

BMW X3 PHEV

Learn More

We really like the Kia Sportage’s mix of practicality and interesting styling, plus the cabin looks really cool with its twin digital screens and usable touch-sensitive controls. The plug-in hybrid version scores an official 252mpg and can get up to 43 miles of electric driving on a full charge. It could be more fun to drive, we suppose, but it’s still a good car. 

Kia Sportage

Learn More

Battery range up to 28 mile The long-serving XC90 is one of the very safest cars you can drive, and the recently-improved plug-in hybrid system keeps it competitive. It’ll be hard to match that 217mpg figure with a car this big and heavy, but the 41-mile electric range on a full charge is good, and the cabin remains a thing of Scandi-cool beauty - despite the fact that this is one of the oldest cars on this list.

Volvo XC90 PHEV

Learn More

The Sorento ticks an awful lot of boxes - it’s big and roomy, and manages to combine seven seats with the plug-in hybrid system. The 35 miles of range on electric power is only OK, but it’s good enough for something this big, and while the 176mpg combined cycle figure is a tough one to match, it’ll do 45mpg all day long on a longer journey. The cabin is gorgeous and well-made, and the exterior is rather handsome. It can feel a bit lumpy and wallowy on poor surfaces, though.

Kia Sorento PHEV

Learn More

While the Kia Sorento is big and sensible, then the Volkswagen Tiguan is smaller and more stylish. It uses the familiar VW Group 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine and electric motor combo, and can manage a claimed electric-only range of 30 miles. That’s not brilliant, perhaps, but regular charging and not too many long journeys will see you get close to the 148mpg claimed figure.

Volkswagen Tiguan PHEV

Learn More

Battery range up to 57 mile The GLE has that rarest of rare combinations — a diesel engine mixed in with a plug-in hybrid system. And it’s a plug-in hybrid system with a big battery, so on a full charge you can get as much as 62 miles out of it, and while the 353mpg figure might be hard to match, the diesel engine is frugal on a long run. You have to put up with a slightly smaller boot than standard, but the cabin is classy-looking and has great quality.

Mercedes GLE PHEV

Learn More

The RAV4 PHEV manages to squeeze as much as 44 miles out of a full charge of its battery, and possibly a bit more if you’re driving fairly gently around town. Take it on longer runs and its fuel economy doesn’t fall over, either — 282mpg might be a stretch, but you should get at least 50mpg, which is impressive. It can be a bit uncomfy over lumps and bumps, though.

Toyota RAV4 PHEV

Learn More

The Hyundai is an impressive thing, with striking styling and a pleasant cabin. The electric range of 38 miles is pretty good, too. It’s not the most exciting car to drive though, and it can feel a bit firm and uncomfy on particularly lumpy roads.

Hyundai Tucson PHEV

Learn More

The ever-popular Discovery Sport gets a neat little hybrid system that’s based around a dinky 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. There’s a decent range of 37 miles on a full charge of the battery, and while the 188mpg figure might be a stretch, the Disco Sport is one of those PHEVs that doesn’t get too thirsty on a long haul. The only problem is that you can’t have it as a seven-seater because of the battery’s size.

Land Rover Discovery Sport PHEV