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Top 10 best plug-in hybrids 2024

If fully-electric driving doesn’t suit your needs, perhaps these plug-in hybrids will

Best plug-in hybrid cars

Combining the swift and silent around-town driving experience of an EV with the range and dependability of a combustion engine, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) make a lot of sense for many car buyers. While the future of driving is set to be fully electric, not all drivers are ready to take the leap just yet, perhaps put off by the lack of charging infrastructure and relatively high purchase price of electric cars.

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Plug-in hybrids offer an excellent compromise. They use a traditional combustion engine mated to a battery and one or more electric motors, resulting in greater efficiency and improved refinement. Most PHEVs can switch to fully-electric driving for short drives too, ideal for those who frequently drive in urban environments or zero-emission zones. With both systems working together, plug-in hybrids tend to be quite powerful, so many claim acceleration times that are close to those set by hot hatchbacks and sports cars.

The best hybrid carsTop 10 best hybrid cars 2024

Don’t expect to be travelling very far on pure-electric power, though. The electric range will suffice for short trips around town, but most PHEVs will manage around 40 to 50 miles before the combustion engine has to step in.

Manufacturers often quote astronomical MPG figures for their PHEVs, sometimes into the 200s, but be warned that achieving these numbers in the real world is uncommon and depends on the types of journeys you do and how often you recharge the battery. On longer journeys where you’ve depleted the electric range, you’ll be relying on the engine to get you to your destination, and the car’s fuel efficiency will drop noticeably. That being said, PHEVs will return better fuel economy than their non-hybrid and mild-hybrid (MHEV) counterparts when charged regularly.

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Because of the way emissions tests are undertaken, PHEVs offer very low quoted CO2 figures, and this makes them ideal for UK company-car drivers looking to slash their Benefit-in-Kind tax bills. But more and more private buyers are opting for plug-in hybrids too, often as a way to test the waters of electric-car ownership.

Below, we list the best plug-in hybrids. You might also want to check out our guides to the most economical family cars, the best company cars and the best electric cars.

Mercedes C-Class hybrid review

Best Plug-in Hybrid: Mercedes C-Class
Carbuyer rating

4.3 out of 5

Read full review

The Mercedes C 300 e won the Best Plug-in Hybrid award at our 2024 Carbuyer Best Car Awards and it isn’t hard to see why. The interior is not only comfortable but fitted with the latest MBUX infotainment software, making it feel like you’ve stepped into a smaller version of the Mercedes S-Class saloon. 

The quoted electric-only range of 62 miles is not only impressive on paper, but when we tested it we managed to get nearly exactly the same figure before the petrol engine chimed in. Charging can take as little as 30 minutes if you can find a fast 55kW charger, which will be useful for drivers stopping for a coffee break on longer journeys, while a total output of 328bhp means the plug-in variant is actually one of the fastest C-Class models you can buy.

Lexus NX SUV review

Best Large Plug-in Hybrid: Lexus NX
Carbuyer rating

4.3 out of 5

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Plug-in hybrid powertrains work well in SUVs as they can boost efficiency without the need to sacrifice engine power. There’s no better example of this than our Best Large Plug-In Hybrid, the Lexus NX. Like most Lexus models, the NX gets a striking exterior design and a well-appointed interior. The NX has ditched the clunky touchpad Lexus infotainment systems of old in favour of a stunning 14-inch touchscreen, with sleek-looking digitised climate control dials.

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The NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid is rather expensive to buy, but it should no doubt be a hit with company car drivers. With an electric range of up to 40 miles, the NX not only should be able to cover most commutes on electric power alone, but it falls into the low 8% BiK tax bracket, too. With the petrol engine working in tandem with two electric motors, the plug-in NX offers a smooth and refined driving experience and will even act as a regular self-charging hybrid once the battery is depleted.

Kia Niro SUV review

carbuyer best car awards 2023 hero
Carbuyer rating

4.3 out of 5

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The Kia Niro won our Car of the Year prize at the 2023 Carbuyer Best Car Awards thanks to its combination of low running costs and outstanding technology. With a head-turning exterior design, buyers can pick between a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or fully electric version of the Niro, making it an impressive all-rounder.

The plug-in hybrid Niro scores well on our list thanks to a great driving range, along with surprisingly few compromises in any other area – bar the boot space which measures only 348 litres in capacity. Its official 40 miles of battery range should be enough for most commutes, and when the battery is out of charge the Niro becomes a regular hybrid, maximising the efficiency of the petrol engine until its next top-up.

BMW X1 SUV review

BMW X1 SUV
Carbuyer rating

4.2 out of 5

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Buyers are spoilt for choice with the latest BMW X1, with petrol, diesel, electric (badged iX1) models, and the plug-in hybrids we’re interested in here – the xDrive25e and 30e. Both use a three-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor, producing 242bhp in the xDrive25e and 322bhp in the xDrive30e. The xDrive25e is available on the entry-level Sport models with a claimed 53-mile official range, while xLine xDrive30e models can go for up to 51 miles between charges.

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There’s a lot to like about the latest X1 – it’s a small SUV with a very premium feel to it. The interior is superb, with a minimalist design that feels sturdy and well-built, complete with the latest BMW iDrive software that sports slick graphics and intuitive controls. While the all-electric iX1 will be cheaper to run still, the plug-in hybrid X1s are your next best choice if you’re buying one as a company car, given that they emit as low as 16g/km of CO2, placing them in a low BiK (Benefit-in-Kind) tax bracket.

Mercedes E-Class review

Mercedes E-Class UK drive dynamic
Carbuyer rating

4.4 out of 5

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While the C-Class earns the top spot on this list, we couldn’t skip over the bigger and more luxurious Mercedes E-Class. Building upon the strengths of its predecessors, the latest model remains one of the best executive saloon cars on sale. It’s more comfortable and  more efficient than ever before, and the PHEV variant gets an impressive electric range of up to 71 miles.

The diesel PHEV of the previous generation E-Class is no longer offered, but we suspect most buyers won’t mind – the petrol PHEV now returns higher fuel economy figures than this model. Mercedes quotes a prodigious official figure of 470.4mpg, but, as with most PHEVs, don’t expect to achieve this with real world driving.

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From behind the wheel, the E-Class drives with composure and refinement no matter the speed, although the C-Class has a sportier edge. Its smaller sibling provides a similar PHEV experience for less money, but the E-Class will cater to those looking for an added touch of luxury.

Renault Captur SUV review

2021 Renault Captur
Carbuyer rating

4.3 out of 5

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The Renault Captur SUV is an impressive family car and the E-Tech plug-in hybrid will be a tempting choice for both private and company car buyers. Essentially a jacked-up version of one of our favourite superminis, the Renault Clio, the Captur is available with all of that car’s best features such as a Tesla-style portrait touchscreen, a comfortable ride and punchy powertrains. Of course, being an SUV, the Captur also benefits from a higher driving position, while its handy sliding rear bench can increase the boot size from 265 to 375 litres.

Plug-in hybrid models of the Captur are powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine; this is mated to a 9.8kW battery pack which together produce 158bhp. Acceleration from 0-62mph should take around 10 seconds, however, the instant torque from the electric motor means the Captur should feel nippy around town. It can also manage around 30 miles of pure-electric driving, so this should keep running costs low on shorter commutes. Renault offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid Capturs, both with ‘E-Tech’ badges, so it’s a little confusing - but the plug-in hybrid’s bigger battery is reflected in its steeper price.

Volvo XC60 Recharge - all in for the plug-in?

Volvo XC60 Recharge hybrid
Carbuyer rating

3.8 out of 5

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The Volvo XC60 is the Swedish brand’s mid-size SUV, offering up to 47 miles of electric range and a whopping 449bhp with the top-spec T8 plug-in hybrid engine. We’d actually recommend the lower-powered T6 version, as that lofty power figure is overkill, and the price difference isn’t worth it. 

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Although both models are quick, that’s not to suggest it feels like a sports car to drive – the XC60 PHEV is a great choice if you want to prioritise comfort and refinement. It has a very clean and well-built design on the inside, which makes use of great quality materials – the brand is becoming one of the class-leaders in this respect as an alternative to its more mainstream premium German rivals.

While the XC60 PHEV is quite costly to buy, it comes fitted with plenty of equipment for the money. All cars come with 19-inch alloys, four-zone climate control, four heated seats and LED headlights. PHEV cars also get adaptive cruise control, a powered hands-free opening boot, heated windscreen and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. Volvo is famed for prioritising safety and the XC60 is no different – it gets lane-keep assistance, traffic-sign recognition, a speed limiter and a fatigue detection system.

Range Rover Evoque review - style and substance?

Range Rover Evoque
Carbuyer rating

3.9 out of 5

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The Range Rover Evoque may be the smallest model of the iconic luxury off-roader family, but it still offers almost all of the benefits of its larger brethren. The Evoque’s cabin oozes style and is on par in terms of quality with premium German rivals. While it misses out on Jaguar-Land Rover’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment, the Evoque does get a futuristic-looking dual-screen infotainment setup, along with part-digital dials.

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Producing 305bhp, the plug-in hybrid P300e is actually the most powerful version of the Evoque you can buy, with a 0-62mph of 6.4 seconds. As you’d expect from a Land Rover, this offers four-wheel-drive grip and the option of the brand’s Terrain Response system will only increase the Evoque’s off-road capabilities further. When on the tarmac, the Evoque can manage up to 38 miles on electric power alone, while ultra-fast 50kW charging means the battery can be topped-up from 0-80% in just 30 minutes.

Hyundai Tucson review - a great family car

Carbuyer best family car Hyundai Tucson
Carbuyer rating

4.5 out of 5

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The current generation of the Hyundai Tucson is a previous winner of our Car of the Year Award, and the plug-in hybrid version is definitely worth your consideration. It uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine combined with a powerful electric motor for a total output of 261bhp – more than enough for an SUV of its size. What’s more, the Tucson even feels fairly good to drive with nimble handling and good body control despite the weight of its hybrid setup.

We like the Tucson’s interior, which stands out with its sweeping, vertical dashboard which cocoons the driver and passenger, and feels rather Germanic in terms of quality and design – sturdy and well-built. The plug-in version is available in N-Line trim or above, so it gets a generous amount of equipment as standard, including a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment screen with sat nav, wireless device charging, lane keep assist tech, front and rear parking sensors and a rear view camera among a long list of other features.

DS 4 hatchback review

DS 4 hatchback UK front 3/4 tracking
Carbuyer rating

4 out of 5

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Citroen’s premium DS spin-off brand is still not quite a household name in the UK, but the plug-in hybrid version of the DS 4, badged E-Tense, represents the pinnacle of what this hatchback can offer. Although it’s based on the same platform as the Citroen C5 X, Vauxhall Astra and Peugeot 308, the DS 4 is a more left-field choice if you’re after something a little more unique and with a premium feel. The plug-in gets an official range of 34 miles to a charge, and a combined power output of 222bhp.

The interior is minimalistic, but high quality materials make it a worthy rival to that of a Mercedes or Audi. All cars get LED headlights, keyless start, a seven-inch digital gauge cluster and a bright and responsive 10-inch touchscreen that comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. The luxury intensifies on higher spec models, with features like ‘watchstrap’ leather upholstery, a premium Focal sound system, heated and ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control and even semi-autonomous driving tech.

Top 10 best plug-in hybrids 2024

  1. Mercedes C-Class
  2. Lexus NX
  3. Kia Niro
  4. BMW X1
  5. Mercedes E-Class
  6. Renault Captur
  7. Volvo XC60
  8. Range Rover Evoque
  9. Hyundai Tucson
  10. DS 4

Want to go as far as possible on electric power alone? Check out our list of the Top 10 longest-range electric cars

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Charlie writes and edits news, review and advice articles for Carbuyer, as well as publishing content to its social media platforms. He has also been a regular contributor to its sister titles Auto Express, DrivingElectric and evo. As well as being consumed by everything automotive, Charlie is a speaker of five languages and once lived in Chile, Siberia and the Czech Republic, returning to the UK to write about his life-long passion: cars.

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