We’re fans of electrical vehicles, but they’ve their shortcomings. They’re not available in as wide of a spread of body styles as gas-powered cars, they usually’re still limited by range and charging infrastructure. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) offer a terrific compromise, though, allowing for all-electric driving, but in addition having a gas engine for once you need more power or to travel long distances. Selecting a plug-in hybrid vehicle also allows more options; as an illustration, you may’t get an all-electric minivan within the U.S. … yet.
But with those extra PHEV offerings, it is perhaps difficult to know where to start out shopping. We’ve narrowed it down a bit, bringing you the most effective plug-in hybrids for 2024, as voted on by Autoblog staff, in various segments to aid you pick a terrific PHEV based in your budget and desires.
Best luxury plug-in hybrid large/midsize SUV: Volvo XC90 Recharge
Despite showing its age, the Volvo XC90 stays a superb three-row crossover by way of design, comfort and safety, and the XC90 Recharge plug-in hybrid only improves the formula with each power and efficiency. Interestingly, with the gas motor powering the front axle and the e-motor powering the rear, the XC90 Recharge operates as a rear-wheel-drive automobile when only using electric power, and front-wheel-drive when only using gas. The powertrain is sweet for 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque, with a 5-second 0-60 time. It will possibly travel 32 miles on electricity alone.
Runner-up: Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
Best mainstream plug-in hybrid large/midsize SUV: Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
Do you wish an American PHEV with style, refinement and off-road capability? The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe combines all that with a turbocharged 2.0-liter and electric motor good for 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, in addition to an electrical range of 26 miles. Meaning you may enjoy your favorite trails in near silence and make fewer trips to the gas pump on the way in which there.
Runner-up: Kia Sorento Plug In-Hybrid
Best luxury plug-in hybrid compact/subcompact SUV: Volvo XC60 Recharge
Volvo borrows the formula from the XC90 and places it in a smaller package to get the XC60 Recharge. It has the identical 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque, but it surely drops the 0-60 time to 4.5 seconds while offering 35 miles of electrical range. You may even pony up for the Polestar Engineered trim to get the Öhlins suspension, Brembo brakes, 21-inch forged wheels and unique styling.
Runner-up: Lexus NX 450h+
The Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid builds upon the standard hybrid with a much larger battery, good for 34 miles of electrical range. All-wheel drive is standard, and its traditional six-speed automatic transmission gives it a well-recognized feeling of shifting gears, even in electric mode. It’s big for its segment, which advantages each the cargo volume (a segment-leading 39.6 cubic feet) and rear passenger space. We’re also keen on the attractive and easy-to-use twin digital displays, in addition to the superb driver assistance technology.
The Toyota RAV4 is some of the practical small SUVs on the market, and the Prime plug-in hybrid powertrain is efficient, offering a superb 42 miles of electrical range, with great fuel economy when you’ve used up the battery. We also just like the long-term ownership prospects, because of Toyota’s fame for reliability and resale value — in addition to a loyal customer base.
Runner-up: Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid is a wonderful driver’s PHEV, with performance the main focus of this powertrain. With a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 and recent, more powerful electric motor, the 4 E-Hybrid is sweet for a complete system output of 463 horsepower and 479 pound-feet, and hits 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds, while the 4S E-Hybrid is sweet for 536 hp, 553 lb-ft and a 3.5-second sprint. The optional Lively Ride suspension takes things even further, giving this sedan supreme adaptability.
Runner-up: BMW 750e xDrive
Best mainstream plug-in hybrid sedan: Toyota Prius Prime
Yeah, the Prius Prime is perhaps the one entry on this segment, but it surely’s an excellent one, especially for the reason that recent update did wonders by way of aesthetics and drivability. It will possibly go between 39 and 44 miles depending on trim level on electricity alone, and accelerates well once you call upon the gas engine with a stomp of the appropriate pedal. It’s compact, and its racy roofline limits its cargo space to twenty.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up, but its size and shape help keep it efficient and straightforward to maneuver in crowded environments.
Just like the Toyota Prius Prime sedan, the Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid is a category of 1 within the PHEV minivan segment. That said, we adore it. It’s good for electric driving in most commuting and in-town situations, with 32 miles of electrical range. It’s a road trip warrior, with as much as 520 miles of range overall. It gets a formidable 82 mile-per-gallon equivalent when charged, and an also-impressive 30 mpg when the battery’s depleted. It’s a cushty living space for seven passengers, with plenty of family-friendly features and an optional rear-seat entertainment system. You may’t get all-wheel drive or the Stow ‘n’ Go second-row seats with the hybrid, but we expect its many advantages are a straightforward trade.
This Article First Appeared At www.autoblog.com
