Best Plug-In Hybrid Cars
Plug-in hybrid cars, or PHEVs, are the ideal middle ground between a standard petrol or diesel car and an electric vehicle.
PHEVs have an electric motor and batteries, just like an electric, but also has a standard internal combustion engine (ICE) to extend the range. The batteries will be charged through plugging in, hence the plug-in part of the name. If you need to go further, you have the ICE to help.
A plug-in hybrid car is ideal for reducing emissions while maintaining range and as a stepping stone to help the switch from petrol to electric.
Best plug-in hybrid cars on sale
With all that in mind, let’s take a look at the best plug-in hybrid cars you can buy right now.
Renault Captur E-Tech
The Renault Captur E-Tech is a great car that’s perfect for shorter electric-only journeys with the reassurance of petrol backup. It has a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a pair of electric motors to give it up to 32 miles of electric range.
It has an excellent design with that lovely curved bonnet, modern fascia and lights, some very smart alloy wheels and a wide range of colours.
The cabin is spacious and can seat 5 comfortably with enough room in the boot for shopping or luggage.
Hyundai Ioniq
The Hyundai Ioniq is a good looking hatchback with composed design and a spacious interior. It has a 1.6-litre petrol GDI engine with around 32 miles of electric only range.
The design isn’t quite as attractive as the Captur but it’s not bad at all. It’s long, low and has some nice rounded panels to keep it warm and welcoming.
The cabin has plenty of space for all the family and that hatch provides plenty of options for storage.
Peugeot 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered (PSE)
The Peugeot 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered is the most powerful production car the French manufacturer has ever made. It has a 200 horsepower petrol engine backed up by a pair of electric motors to give it up to 26 miles of electric range.
The 508 is a top tier family saloon or estate with an amazing new design. It’s sleek, attractive and delivers the wow factor and practicality.
The Peugeot 508 has switchable driving modes, some sports touches and all that power, proving that going green doesn’t mean not having fun.
Volkswagen Golf GTE
The Volkswagen Golf GTE looks and feels like a standard Golf, yet has a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine that delivers plenty of power alongside 40 miles of electric range.
The new Golf design is excellent. More modern and less ordinary than before with some nice touches that keep it bang up to date.
The Golf is fast, yet practical and provides many of the benefits of the GTI, with better fuel efficiency and some electric only miles.
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius may look a little dated next to the Renault or Peugeot, but as one of the first electrified cars, it has earned its place in this list. It has a 1.8-litre VVT engine and up to 25 miles of electric range.
The design of the Toyota Prius won’t be for everyone, but if you like it, there are plenty of reasons to buy one. It’s spacious, well equipped, very quiet and exceptionally comfortable.
It’s also cheap to run once paid for and can deliver impressive miles per gallon depending on how you drive it.
Citroën C5 X
The Citroën C5 X is our final PHEV offering and we have saved one of the best until last. It’s a crossover SUV with exceptional design and up to 34 miles of electric range.
The design is breathtaking, with smooth lines, modest proportions and an impressive interior. A sculpted bonnet and panel detailing everywhere makes this a great car to look at as much as drive.
It’s a brand new model, so will have the latest technology and deliver the smooth driving experience Citroën is so well known for.
Test drive the latest Renault, Peugeot and Citroën plug-in hybrids at Budgen in Telford or Shrewsbury.
