For many people out there, the Toyota RAV4 Prime is the must have plug-in hybrid SUV, and there is no better alternative for it. And, in general, it’s a hard statement to refute. It offers a decent amount of power - a combined 302 horsepower - it is relatively fast for a model in its class - it needs only 5.5 seconds to run from 0 to 60 mph - and offers 42 miles of all-electric range. These are numbers that are very difficult to beat, especially in the RAV4 Prime’s class, but this doesn't mean there are no other better alternatives on the market.
The RAV4 Prime has a starting price of $43,090, which makes it a lot more expensive than its gas-powered sibling, but also a lot more expensive than some other cool plug-in hybrid SUVs you can find on the market. There are also a lot more expensive alternatives out there, but those happen to offer a lot more than the RAV4 Prime. Here’s a list of what we think are the best options you have!
1 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid: One Of The Cheapest Compact Plug-in Crossovers
It may not benefit from the same off-road capabilities as the RAV4 Prime, but the Niro Plug-In Hybrid is currently one of the cheapest in its segment. And, with all the updates it just received for the new generation, it got a lot better than it used to be. Kia's new plugin hybrid pairs a 1.6-liter engine with a 62-kW electric motor for a combined 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. While in terms of power, this is a lot under the RAV4 Prime, the Niro PHEV delivers significantly more torque than the Toyota crossover. The Niro PHEV is equipped with an 11.1-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery that offers an all-electric range of 33 miles and a combined 108 MPGe. It can also be recharged in under three hours. Although it is very compact in size; the Niro PHEV offers up to 54.6 cubic feet of storage with the seats folded. Unfortunately, the compact EV is not rated for towing. There are two trims to choose from: EX, priced at $33,840, and SX Touring, which starts at $39,590.
2 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid: The Affordable Performer
A decent alternative for the RAV4 Prime comes from Ford. The Escape Plug-in Hybrid combines a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated, Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total of 221 horsepower. A 14.4-kWh battery pack ensures an all-electric range of 37 miles and as much as 105 MPGe. When using both the electric motor and the gas engine, the Escape PHEV travels up to 520 miles. With the seats down, the Escape PHEV has up to 60.8 cubic feet of cargo space. The only problem with the Escape Plug-in Hybrid is the lack of an all-wheel-drive system, which means you can't really take it off-roading and its towing capacity is limited to only 1,500 pounds. The Escape PHEV is also a little bit cheaper than the RAV4 Prime at $40,500.
3 Lexus NX 450h+: The More Luxurious Version Of The Toyota RAV4
The Lexus NX 450h+ is basically just a Toyota RAV4 Prime with a lot more luxury options. The two models are built on the same platform, which means they are mechanically the same. The NX 450h+ gets the same 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine combined with two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor generators for a total of 302 horsepower. However, the NX 450h+ has a range of only 37 miles and delivers a combined 84 MPGe. The RAV4 Prime has more interior room, and offers more cargo room, but with the NX 450h+ you will get the luxury features you would expect from a Lexus model. The multimedia display is larger, the materials are nicer, and the level of standard equipment is way over what the RAV4 Prime has to offer. You will also get a lot more safety features with the Lexus' plug-in hybrid SUV. Prices for the 2023 Lexus NX 450h+ start from $58,655.
4 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid: Very Nimble For A PHEV Crossover
Priced under the Toyota RAV4 Prime, the Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid is also a very decent alternative. Just like the Prime, it comes as standard with all-wheel drive, but its combination of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with one electric motor delivers only 261 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 Prime needs only 5.6 seconds to run from 0 to 60 mph, while the Tucson takes over 7.5 seconds. Its electric motor is fed by a 13.8 kWh battery pack that provides an all-electric range of 32 miles. Also, 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. For the 2023 model year, it comes in two trims: SEL - $37,500 - and Limited - $44,760.
5 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid: Korean Styling And Reliability
And, if the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid is listed as an alternative to the RAV4 Prime, so is the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid. The two cars are built on the same Hyundai-Kia N3 platform and share the same hybrid powertrain. This means that the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid combines the same 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic transmission for a total of 261 horsepower and 258-pound feet of torque. The all-electric range is identical at 32 miles, but the Sportage has a combined range of 460 miles. The Sorento PHEV is about 300 pounds heavier than the RAV4 Pime and about eight inches longer and two inches wider, which means it offers more interior room. Its total cargo space goes up to 75.5 cubic feet. It may not be as capable off-roading as the RAV4, but its 6.85 inches makes it very easy to take on less-traveled roads. It can also tow up to 2,000 pounds. Prices for the 2023 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid start at $49,990.
6 Audi Q5 Plug-in Hybrid: When You Just Have To Have That German Engineering
If you want a plug-in hybrid SUV that is mostly focused on performance figures and not on efficiency, then the Audi Q5 55 plug-in hybrid is the best choice for you. It combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 141-horsepower electric motor for a total of 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque - significantly more than what the RAV4 Prime has to offer. Its 11.3-kWh battery pack provides an all-electric range of 19 miles, and while this does not sound very efficient, the Q5 55 plug-in hybrid was built with speed in mind. It can run from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds - which is not only 1 second faster than the Prime, but also 0.3 seconds faster than the most powerful Q5 in the lineup, the SQ5. With the rear seats down, the Q5 PHEV has a cargo capacity of 54 cubic feet. The SUV can also tow up to 2,000 pounds, and has a starting price of $55,400.
7 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid: A PHEV With Loads Of Cargo Capacity
If you want a lot more space than what the RAV4 Prime has to offer your best option is the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid. Its hybrid powertrain combines a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with one electric motor for a total output of 260 horsepower. It offers 30 miles of all-electric range and 33 mpg combined. It also has 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Its towing capacity goes up to 2,000 pounds. The Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid has a ground clearance of 8.2 inches, and with the optional all-wheel drive system, it becomes a very decent off-roader. The 2023 Santa Fe PHEV comes in two trims: SEL Convenience priced at $42,110 and Limited priced at $47,370.
8 Dodge Hornet: The Patriotic PHEV From The U.S.A.
If you are willing to wait a few months, you can opt for the 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T - the brand's first electrified vehicle. The plug-in hybrid version of the new SUV will combine a 1.3-liter turbocharged inline-four with two electric motors for a total of 288 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. There will also be a new PowerShot mode that will add about 25 horsepower for around 15 seconds. A 12.0 kWh battery pack will offer an all-electric range of 30 miles and should be recharged in about two and a half hours. The 2024 Hornet R/T will offer several driving modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and E-Save, and it should need about 6.1 seconds to run from 0 to 60 mph. The gas-powered Hornet will have a starting price of about $30,000, but the plug-in hybrid is expected to go up to as much as $40,000.
9 Volvo XC60 Recharge: The PHEV For Those Who Need The Safest Crossover Possible
When it comes to plug-in hybrid SUVs, the Volvo XC60 Recharge is probably the best option you have. It combines power, with speed, efficiency, and a great level of safety - a combination that makes it the perfect alternative to the RAV4 Prime. With a starting price of $57,200, the XC60 Recharge is a lot more expensive, but you will get so much more. Its hybrid system combines a new 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder turbo engine with one electric motor for a total of 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. These numbers make it not only more powerful than the RAV4 Prime, but also the most powerful Volvo crossover ever. An 18.8 kWh battery pack offers an all-electric range of 35 miles and a combined 63 MPGe. It is also a lot faster than the RAV4 Prime - as it needs only 4.5 seconds to run from 0 to 60 mph. In terms of towing, the XC60 Recharge is once again superior at 3,500 pounds, and it is almost on par when it comes to cargo space with up to 63.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.
10 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring: One Of The Most Luxurious PHEVs Under $60,000
Another cool alternative on a more luxury side is the Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring. About $10,000 more expensive than the RAV4 Prime, the Corsair brings you a more luxurious cabin and a lot more tech features. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor for a combined 266 horsepower. It has a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, and the 14.4-kWh lithium-ion battery offers an all-electric range of 28 miles. With a total weight above 4,500 pounds, the Corsair Grand Touring needs 7.0 seconds to run from 0 to 60 mph. It can tow up to 3,000 pounds and has a cargo area of up to 56.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The 2023 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring is priced from $53,885.