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Best plug-in hybrid cars 2022

If you’re not ready to make the switch to an electric vehicle yet, but still want to start doing your bit as the government’s 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars approaches, plug-in hybrids are a good option.

Also known as PHEVs, they combine reasonably powerful lithium-ion batteries with a petrol engine, switching from one power source to the other automatically.

If you’re not able to recharge the batteries, the engine is there to take over. However, many people, say car manufacturers, will find the driving range of the batteries more than enough for an average day’s motoring.

Charge every day at home and a plug-in hybrid’s petrol engine may rarely start up – only taking over when you conduct longer trips, such as the annual holiday drive to the coast.

As battery technology improves all the time, car manufacturers continue to hone their PHEV models. Here are 10 of the best plug-in hybrids on sale right now.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The Mercedes-Benz C 300 e is a genuinely state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid that’s well clear of its key rivals in terms of range and efficiency. Thanks to a very generously-sized 25.4kWh battery, it is able to drive for an astonishing 62 miles between charges. If you find a rapid charger, it can be topped back up in just 30 minutes. If you don’t, a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine takes over. The result, according to the official fuel economy test, is economy of 404mpg and meagre 14g/km CO2 emissions. Company car drivers are going to adore it, before they even consider the car’s other plus points. These include a high-tech interior, good road manners and fantastic refinement.

Volkswagen Golf GTE

Love your Golf GTI hot hatch but wish it were a bit greener and more economical? Then take a look at this plug-in hybrid alternative: the Golf GTE. It has all the same styling cues as the GTI – big alloy wheels, a bodykit, distinctive LED headlights, plaid seat trim, a sporty steering wheel – but instead of a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, it pairs a more efficient 1.4-litre turbo with an electric motor and 13kWh battery. With a total of 245hp, power and acceleration are still in the hot hatch league, but it can travel for up to 40 miles in pure EV mode. On the official combined cycle, CO2 emissions of 28g/km will help keep company car tax bills low. Just be aware the Golf’s boot shrinks by around 100 litres due to the extra space taken up by the batteries.

Ford Kuga

The Ford Kuga is a stylish five-seat SUV from one of the UK’s most popular car brands. These days, it easily outsells traditional large cars such as the Mondeo, helped by a comprehensive range that includes a flagship plug-in hybrid. With a total of 240hp, the 2.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor combo are not short on power, and a generously-sized battery gives an EV driving range of up to 39 miles. This means CO2 emissions as low as 23g/km. The FordPass Connect smartphone app allows you to monitor its state remotely and, once you’re inside the car, the comprehensive Ford Sync infotainment system packs in plenty of useful features.

MINI Countryman

The MINI Countryman SUV is the largest model you can buy from the famous British brand. It has a very impressive set of stats: output of 220hp means 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds, while All4 four-wheel-drive traction means this is repeatable in all weathers. Sensibly-sized batteries offer a 26-mile pure electric range and CO2 emissions of 40g/km. Because they’re compact, it also means the MINI Countryman still has a 405-litre boot, which grows to almost 1,300 litres with the rear seats folded. Factor in a spacious interior and you have a car that should work well for growing families who are keen to start the transition to electric driving.

Cupra Formentor

The Cupra Formentor immediately appeals, thanks to its sporty crossover-coupe styling. It’s a modern, dynamic-looking car, but also one that retains five-door practicality, so it’s entirely suitable for family life. You can get a high-performance petrol version, and also a plug-in hybrid with just a little less power (245hp) and appreciably better fuel economy. Better still, if you’re able to plug in, you’ll be able to travel for up to 34 miles on a full battery, so you won’t use much fuel. The Formentor feels good to sit in, with high sides and sporty seats giving a racy feel. We also like how Cupra has set up the chassis to be sporty and dynamic without ruining the long-distance ride comfort.

Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage aims to make up for lost time. The previous version only came in mild hybrid guise; this new one adds both hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. The plug-in hybrid is the range-topper, with 261hp from a combination of an electric motor and 1.6-litre turbo engine. All-wheel drive is standard, for good all-weather traction. The 13.8kWh battery gives a pure EV range of 43 miles, and helps cap CO2 emissions at 25g/km in the official test. The latest Sportage is a really bold-looking SUV, with a distinctive front end dominated by radical LED running lights. It feels modern inside, and passenger space is barely compromised by the addition of plug-in power.

Skoda Octavia iV

The regular Skoda Octavia is an extremely sensible car, with acres of passenger space and a gigantic boot. The Octavia iV plug-in hybrid versions aim to build on that with everyday pure electric capability, but without an EV’s associated ‘range anxiety’. With a total of 204hp, the Skoda can travel for 44 miles in electric mode, and produces 30g/km on the official WLTP test cycle. Skoda has also launched a sportier Octavia iV VRS, with 245hp and all the performance car enhancements of the regular vRS. It has appreciable extra oomph, yet still delivers a healthy electric range. If the electric Enyaq iV is still a step too far, the plug-in Octavia iV is a good alternative.

Land Rover Defender

How do you create a new Land Rover Defender capable of averaging 85mpg in the official fuel economy test? Make it a plug-in hybrid, that’s how. It means the mighty Defender boasts CO2 emissions of just 74g/km, while a generously-sized 19.2kWh battery allows it to travel for 27 miles in-between charges in pure electric mode. The P400e’s 2.0-litre turbo engine and electric motor even combine to take this giant 4x4 from 0-62mph in just 5.6 seconds. It’s a tantalising mix of contrasts, and shows that plug-in hybrid tech can help make even the most unlikely of machines better for the environment. It’s a shame this version costs so much more than the already-pricey diesel Defender, though.

BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 Series is a company car favourite, particularly in plug-in hybrid 330e guise. A fast-charging 12kWh battery serves up to 41 miles of pure EV motoring before it needs to be charged, while the electric motor and 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine combine to give up to 292hp in ‘XtraBoost’ mode – good for 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds. The 330e can use rapid chargers, so keeping the battery charged up shouldn’t be too painful, and it also has an infotainment system with clever built-in eDrive Zone detection. Drive into a zero emissions zone and the engine will automatically shut off – and if you set it in the sat-nav before you depart, it will ensure there’s enough charge to conduct your entire journey through the zone as an EV.

Audi Q3

Audi offers numerous TFSI e plug-in hybrids, and the Q3 TFSI e-tron is one of its most popular. The latest Q3 already appeals, thanks to a more muscular look than before, while the interior is sculptural and digital-centric. Interior space is much better than the previous Q3, as is boot space, and those who can get away with a little less room can choose a more stylish GT-style version called the Q3 Sportback. The petrol-electric drivetrain produces 245hp for easygoing performance, and the Q3 45 TFSI e can do 30 miles between charges. That’s enough for the school run, with the petrol engine there for when after-school clubs take you further afield.

Is it worth buying a plug-in hybrid?

If you’re unsure whether a pure electric car is for you, buying a plug-in hybrid is a great way to find out. You’ll still be able to enjoy a good amount of EV motoring – particularly if you can regularly plug the car in – with a petrol engine there for when you drive longer trips or can’t recharge. Many plug-in hybrid owners actually find they rarely use the petrol engine, so switch to a full EV for their next car. Plug-in hybrids therefore make ideal risk-free stepping stones.

Which hybrid has the longest electric range?

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class currently leads the way for electric range, with an amazing 62 miles of potential EV driving on a full battery charge. Most brands stick to around 30-40 miles; the more range you have, the bigger the batteries have to be, and the more the car will cost. It’s a fine balancing act that is dependent on lots of different factors, including the sort of use the car will get in the real world. A city-based car might not need the EV range of one more likely to be driven on motorways, for example.

Can you get a plug-in hybrid supermini?

Plug-in hybrid tech does take up space, and this means it’s not something that has found its way into the small supermini sector yet. Here, ‘self-charging’ hybrid technology tends to be favoured, as the batteries can be a lot smaller and easier to squeeze in. Plug-in hybrids also cost more than regular hybrids, and it’s harder to absorb this premium on a smaller, cheaper car than a more expensive one (where the tech forms a lower percentage of the overall cost).

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