The Best Plug-In Hybrids of 2025
by Josh Sadlier
Last Updated May 14, 2025
Increasingly popular for their "best of both worlds" skill sets, plug-in hybrids — or PHEVs — promise pure EV functionality for around-town errands, plus an ordinary gas-electric hybrid mode for long trips. It's a compelling proposition, and today's PHEVs are better than ever at checking both boxes. Be aware, though, that EV mode means giving up a lot of horsepower, so we strongly recommend trying that out on your test drive before making your decision. PHEVs aren't for everyone, but they can be quite appealing if you understand their limitations. Learn about how we rate vehicles.
Best Small Plug-In Hybrids
Price Range: $33,375–$34,490
Ranked Models: 2
- Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid ($33,375+)
- Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid ($34,490+)
We had to whip up this segment expressly for the Prius and the Niro PHEV, because hatchbacks and SUVs typically don't get to mingle. But these are really the only two genuinely small plug-in hybrids to consider, so it's only fair that they go head-to-head.
Best Compact Plug-In-Hybrid SUVs
Price Range: $34,490–$50,695
Ranked Models: 9
- Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid ($43,865+)
- Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid ($39,380+)
- Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid ($39,690+)
- Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid ($40,445+)
- Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid ($47,990+)
- Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid ($38,400+)
- Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid ($34,490+)
- Jeep Wrangler 4xe (Plug-In Hybrid) ($50,695+)
- Dodge Hornet R/T (Plug-In Hybrid) ($41,645+)
Pricier than their regular hybrid counterparts, these compact PHEVs typically provide enough all-electric range and SUV versatility to justify the extra spend, particularly if you do much of your driving within a few miles of your home.
Best Compact Luxury PHEV SUVs
Price Range: $45,995–$61,240
Ranked Models: 5
- Mercedes-Benz GLC Plug-In Hybrid ($59,900+)
- Lexus NX Plug-In Hybrid ($61,240+)
- Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid ($58,050+)
- Alfa Romeo Tonale Plug-In Hybrid ($45,995+)
- Lincoln Corsair Plug-In Hybrid ($54,365+)
The headlines have been thick with PHEVs lately, as more shoppers give them consideration for bridging the gap between pure gas cars and pure EVs. If you're in that boat, compact luxury plug-in-hybrid SUVs are a solid place to start. They tend to deliver familiar small-SUV goodness along with useful electric range, though as you can see, they don't come cheap.
Best Midsize Plug-In-Hybrid SUVs
Price Range: $49,945–$54,400
Ranked Models: 2
- Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid ($49,945+)
- Mazda CX-70 Plug-In Hybrid ($54,400+)
Looking for more room than a compact PHEV SUV can provide? The midsize segment could be your solution. Pairing pure electric motoring around town with hybrid power on longer trips seems especially sensible if you're getting that midsize boost in passenger and cargo space.
Best Midsize Luxury PHEV SUVs
Price Range: $60,490–$119,900
Ranked Models: 7
- BMW X5 Plug-In Hybrid ($73,100+)
- Mercedes-Benz GLE Plug-In Hybrid ($71,350+)
- Lexus RX Plug-In Hybrid ($71,260+)
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport Plug-In Hybrid ($118,700+)
- Land Rover Range Rover Plug-In Hybrid ($119,900+)
- Porsche Cayenne Plug-In Hybrid ($97,200+)
- Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe (Plug-In Hybrid) ($60,490+)
Powerful, fuel-efficient and able to get around town purely on electric power, midsize luxury PHEV SUVs promise the best of all worlds, and they arguably deliver. Note that these are two-row SUVs; surprisingly, there aren't many midsize three-row luxury PHEV SUVs, although we rank those here too.
Best Midsize Luxury PHEV Sedans
Price Range: $65,650–$88,000
Ranked Models: 3
- Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 ($88,000+)
- BMW 5 Series Plug-In Hybrid ($73,400+)
- Volvo S90 Plug-In Hybrid ($65,650+)
If you're shopping for a midsize luxury sedan, why wouldn't you want the added versatility of a plug-in hybrid, which gives you meaningful all-electric range for local driving? Everyone likes to save on gas, but it's not just the money; it's also the time you won't have to spend standing around while your tank fills up. These accomplished sedans really can give you the best of both worlds.
Best Midsize 3-Row Luxury PHEV SUVs
Price Range: $73,000–$77,210
Ranked Models: 2
- Lexus TX Plug-In Hybrid ($77,210+)
- Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid ($73,000+)
That's a mouthful, right? But this very specific segment will be of interest to many families, as it promises to eliminate the gas-sucking nature of sizable SUVs on short drives. Keep your plug-in hybrid charged up and you could avoid gas stations for weeks, if not months, unless you happen to be taking a long trip. That adds a lot of value given that most family haulers do most of their work close to home.
Best Full-Size Luxury PHEV Sedans
Price Range: $108,000–$128,200
Ranked Models: 3
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-In Hybrid ($128,200+)
- Porsche Panamera Plug-In Hybrid ($115,500+)
- BMW 7 Series Plug-In Hybrid ($108,000+)
Perhaps it's the ultimate luxury to have your choice of silent electric propulsion around town and authoritative hybrid acceleration on the highway. These sedans can go weeks or months between refueling stops if you're just running errands on battery power, or they can embark on limitless road trips thanks to their hybrid powertrains.
Next Steps
If you're seriously considering a PHEV for your next ride, the main question is simply whether you actually intend to use the all-electric range. If so, that typically means making a commitment to recharge the battery pack when you get home at night. Do that and you'll be rewarded with an EV around town that morphs into a perfect road-trip machine on long drives. But as we noted at the outset, PHEVs don't have anywhere near as much electric horsepower as pure EVs, so the acceleration in EV mode will be significantly less authoritative than in hybrid mode. Our recommendation is to go test-drive a few of your favorites and get a feel for how PHEVs operate in various real-world scenarios.
FAQ
The answers to these frequently asked questions are powered by MotorDonkey's ranking methodology and remain valid while published. Because we continuously update our ratings and vehicle data, our answers are subject to change as new information and impressions emerge.
What is the best small plug-in hybrid?
The best small plug-in hybrid is the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, which has a overall rating of 8.6 out of 10.
What is the best compact plug-in-hybrid SUV?
The best compact plug-in-hybrid SUV is the Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid, which has a overall rating of 8.3 out of 10.
What is the best compact luxury plug-in hybrid SUV?
The best compact luxury plug-in hybrid SUV is the Mercedes-Benz GLC Plug-In Hybrid, which has a overall rating of 8.3 out of 10.
What is the best midsize plug-in-hybrid SUV?
The best midsize plug-in-hybrid SUV is the Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid, which has a overall rating of 8.2 out of 10.
What is the best midsize luxury plug-in hybrid SUV?
The best midsize luxury plug-in hybrid SUV is the BMW X5 Plug-In Hybrid, which has a overall rating of 8.8 out of 10.
What is the best midsize luxury plug-in hybrid sedan?
The best midsize luxury plug-in hybrid sedan is the Mercedes-Benz AMG E53, which has a overall rating of 8.5 out of 10.
What is the best midsize 3-row luxury plug-in hybrid SUV?
The best midsize 3-row luxury plug-in hybrid SUV is the Lexus TX Plug-In Hybrid, which has a overall rating of 8.5 out of 10.
What is the best full-size luxury plug-in hybrid sedan?
The best full-size luxury plug-in hybrid sedan is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Plug-In Hybrid, which has a overall rating of 8.6 out of 10.
Trending in Rankings
Let's make it official!
Be a good donkey and we'll deliver delicious car news straight to your inbox, spam-free forever.