There are people out there who want to take their first step towards electrification but are not ready for the full deal just yet. For consumers like this, automakers have created plug-in hybrid models – which, in theory, should offer the perfect blend between a gasoline engine and a decent amount of full-electric range. The problem is, however, that not all the models out there succeed in this recipe, and not all of them deliver what they promise to deliver. So, if you are in the market for a plug-in hybrid SUV, these are the first five you should consider, and the five you should try to avoid – and not only because of the range they deliver.
1 Buy: Toyota RAV4 Prime - The Must-Have PHEV Of 2023
The Toyota RAV4 Prime is definitely the must-have plug-in hybrid crossover for 2023. The gas-powered RAV4 is currently in its third generation, but the Prime was added to the lineup in 2021 and sits at the top of the lineup. This plug-in hybrid crossover is powered by a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-four engine combined with two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor generators - a system that delivers a total of 302 horsepower. The two electric motors get their power from an 18.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that offers an all-electric range of 42 miles - one of the best ratings in its class. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime also gets an EPA-estimated 94 combined MPGe and you can travel up to 600 miles before worrying about refueling. But the RAV4 Prime is not only a very efficient model, as it is also fast, needing just 5.7 seconds to run from 0 to 60 mph, and it can also be used for off-roading. There are two trims customers can choose from for the 2023 model year: SE priced at $42,340 and XSE priced at $46,210.
2 Buy: Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid - For The Exceptional Driving Experience
Another cool plug-in hybrid SUV you should consider is the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid. It may not be as efficient as the RAV4 Prime, but it is still very efficient and provides an exceptional driving experience. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid combines a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with one electric motor for a combined 261 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The electric motor is fed by a 13.8 kWh battery pack that provides a range of 32 miles, and once the battery is down to 15%, the gas-powered engine takes over. According to Hyundai, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a combined fuel efficiency figure of 35 MPG and can cover up to 400 miles before needing to refuel. The SUV is not only very fuel efficient, but according to Edmunds it is also easy to drive, features a well-tuned suspension, and it is "quick to respond to inputs and it's easy to track straight on the highway." The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is offered in two trims: SEL - $37,500 - and Limited - $44,760.
3 Buy: Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid - Perfect For Families And Cargo
Built on the same Hyundai-Kia N3 platform as the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, the Sorento PHEV is another plug-in hybrid SUV you should look into, if you are in the market for such a model. It is powered by the same hybrid powertrain that combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a six-speed automatic transmission for a total of 261 horsepower and 258-pound feet of torque. Just like the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid it had an all-electric range of 32 miles, but you can cover up to 460 miles driving the Sportage. The Sorento PHEV also has an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of 79 MPGe. Next to a great exterior look, the Sorento PHEV also offers a great experience behind the wheel. It comes equipped with advanced driving technologies such as highway driving assist, electronic stability control, and a traction control system. A ground clearance of 6.85 inches makes it very easy to take off-roading, and a cargo space of up to 75.5 cubic feet make it the perfect carrier. Prices for the 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid start at $49,990.
4 Buy: Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid - All-New And Fairly Affordable
Unveiled right in time for the 2023 model year, the new Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid has received a complete makeover inside and out and an updated powertrain with increased electric range. It is one of the smallest plug-in hybrid SUVs you can get, but you will still be surprised by its practicality - it can store up to 54.6 cubic feet of luggage with the seats down. The 2023 Niro PHEV pairs a 1.6-liter engine with a 62-kW electric motor for a combined 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The electric motor gets its juice from an 11.1-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery that can be recharged in under three hours. It offers an all-electric range of 33 miles and a combined 108 MPGe - an improvement of 25 percent over the model it replaces. During a recent test drive, the Niro PHEV's handling proved to be impressive. The steering was "fairly accurate", and the SUV in general maintained "its composure on a twisty road and felt stable on the highway." The 2023 Niro PHEV is offered in two trims: EX - priced at $33,840 - and SX Touring - $39,590.
5 Buy: Lexus NX 450h+ - A Fancier, Luxurious RAV4 Prime
If you want to enjoy the same benefits you will get from the RAV4 Prime, but in a fancier package, then the Lexus NX 450h+ is the SUV for you. Placed at the top of the NX lineup, the 450h+ is the fastest NX, needing only 6 seconds to run from 0 to 60 mph, but also the priciest: it starts at $58,655. The 2023 NX 450h+ combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a high-voltage battery and two electric motors for a combined 302 horsepower. A fully charged battery gives you an electric range of 37 miles and helps for a combined 84 MPGe. During normal hybrid operation, the NX 450h+ can achieve an EPA-estimated 36 MPG. The NX 450h+ features a spacious cabin with plenty of room for passengers and cargo room, and lots of luxury features. During the recent test drives, the NX 450h+ "feels spry, nimble, and enjoyable to drive" in urban and suburban environments, while "on highways, it provides a good ride quality and is quiet inside."
6 Avoid: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - Pray That You Don't Run Out On Battery Juice
The Mitsubishi Outlander is based on the Nissan Rogue - with which it shares very little in common. The SUV has been completely redesigned for the 2022 model year, but even with the update it still sits under other compact crossovers. The 2023 Outlander PHEV's powertrain combines a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder gas engine and two electric motors for a total of 241 horsepower. The electric motors receive their juice from a 20.0-kWh battery pack - the largest in a plug-in hybrid. You would expect that since it benefits from the largest battery, it will also offer the best range, but this is not the case, as the Outlander PHEV has an all-electric range of only 38 miles on a full charge. The SUV has seven seats, but the third row can't really be used, and, according to MotorTrend "when the battery runs out, the gas engine is mighty thirsty." The 2023 Outlander PHEV is priced from $39,845.
7 Avoid: Bentley Bentayga PHEV - Kill The Fun For A Few Miles Of Guilt-Free Driving
Bentley is one of the few luxury makers that has a plug-in hybrid SUV in its lineup, but this doesn't mean it is worth buying it. The Bentayga PHEV's powertrain combines a 3.0-liter TFSI V-6 petrol engine with a 100-kW electric motor-generator for a total of 443 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. A new 18.0-kWh battery pack offers a range of up to 27 miles - a significant increase over the previous 18 miles - but still not enough for a luxury SUV like the Bentayga. The SUV is fast: it needs 5.2 seconds to run from 0 to 60 mph and can hit a top speed of 158 mph, but it is significantly under the performance offered by the V-8 model. The latter only needs 4.4 seconds to do the 0 to 60 mph sprint and can hit a top speed of 180 mph. The Bentayga V-8 and the Hybrid have the same $200,025 starting price, so it makes you wonder if it's worth sacrificing the performance figures for those 27 miles of all-electric range.
8 Avoid: Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid - Big On Safety Low On Cargo Room
The Crosstrek Hybrid represents Subaru's first attempt at electrification, but despite the updates it received in 2021, the SUV still needs a lot of improvements. The Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter direct-injection boxer engine combined with two electric motors for a total of 148 horsepower. An 8.8-kWh battery pack provides an all-electric range of 17 miles - which is one of the lowest in the segment. Also, the Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid has lost a lot in terms of cargo space when compared to the gas-power model. The latter offers 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up and 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded, but for the Crosstrek Hybrid these numbers go down to 15.9 and 43.1 cubic feet, respectively. Just like the gas-powered model, the hybrid has good safety ratings, but its $36,845 starting price makes it a lot more expensive than the gas-powered Crosstrek priced from $23,645. As MotorTrend points: "its limited electric range, underwhelming performance, high price, and comparatively cramped cabin hold it back."
9 Avoid: Audi Q5 Plug-in Hybrid - The Hybrid That’s Primarily About Performance
Audi added the Q5 55 plug-in hybrid to its lineup starting with the 2020 model year. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an 11.3-kWh battery pack and a 141-horsepower electric motor. This system delivers a total of 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque and an all-electric range of 19 miles - which is half the Lexus NX 450h+ offers. The plug-in hybrid Q5 has an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of only 26 mpg, while the gas-powered model is rated at 25 mpg - so no improvements here. In fact, Audi focused its attention to the SUV's performance instead of its efficiency. CarAndDriver says that during a test track, the plug-in hybrid Q5 did the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 4.5 seconds - 0.3 seconds faster than the SQ5 and 1.5 seconds faster than the gas-powered Q5. The plug-in hybrid Q5 is priced from $55,400.
10 Avoid: Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid - Low Towing Capacity, No AWD
The Escape Plug-in hybrid combines a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total of 200 horsepower. The model is equipped with a 14.4 kWh battery pack that offers an all-electric range of 37 miles - one of the best you will find in this class. The SUV is rated at 105 MPGe and can travel up to 520 miles on a full charge and a tank of gas. It can run from 0 to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, which is not bad, but is way under the RAV4 Prime's 5.5-second sprint. One of the biggest issues with the Escape Plug-In Hybrid is the lack of the all-wheel-drive system - the reason why the SUV can only tow up to 1,500 pounds. Not sure about you, but that's something we do not appreciate on a car priced from $40,500. Nor is the cheap-feeling interior.