Best plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUVs in the UK
High-quality PHEV SUVs from rated and reviewed dealers
10 best plug-in hybrid SUVs: big cars with bigger efficiency
With SUVs usually being pretty big and heavy, they tend to need a powerful engine with plenty of low-end shove. Diesel used to be the go-to for that, but ever-stringent taxation and increasing fuel costs have more or less cast oil burners into a taboo.
However, that has paved the way for plug-in hybrid SUVs to rise in popularity, offering the best of both worlds: electric power for short commuting journeys, and combustion power to alleviate range anxiety for longer drives.
Used as intended, a plug-in hybrid SUV can be a very cost-efficient method of car ownership, particularly as a company car. You’ll only feel the major benefit if you regularly charge at home, though, as public charging can be expensive, while carrying the extra battery weight without any level of juice will penalise your combustion engine’s fuel economy.
SUV PHEVs come in many forms, from smaller options like the Toyota C-HR to the large full-size Range Rover, and everything in between. Our expert road testing team has been behind the wheel of every model on sale, and these are our picks:
2026
Car of the Year Award
1. Chery Tiggo 8
Chery Tiggo 8 review
Best for: unbeatable value
On the face of things, the Chery Tiggo 8 is merely the definition of a car. It looks pleasant, it moves under its own power, has four wheels and can seat people. Then you dive into the details – a seven-seat plug-in hybrid that undercuts pretty much anything comparable by a whopping £10,000.
For a brand that didn’t exist in the UK until 2025, the Tiggo 8 has been a real statement of intent and took the Carwow 2026 Car of the Year Award as a result of the sheer value for money it offers.
Its low cost doesn’t lead to some econobox absolutely devoid of anything that would make it desirable, either. The interior is well-appointed with materials and a design that push it into a bracket well above its asking price.
Even the touchscreen is pretty remarkable. It’s a mammoth 15.6-inch unit that’s responsive and slick to use, with sensibly laid-out menus. Granted, the Tiggo 8 is a little over-reliant on it, and it would be nice to see separate climate controls for ease of use.
When it comes to practicality, nothing this close to a Dacia Jogger in price can match the Tiggo 8. It has tonnes of head and leg room in the middle row, plus enough space for adults to get into the very back for short journeys. The plug-in hybrid system is impressive, too. Its smooth, responsive and you hardly clock the transition between electric and combustion power on the go.
Something does have to give at this price, though, and it’s the driving experience in this case. It’s okay at low speeds, but head out onto the motorway and the Tiggo 8 unravels a bit. Wind and road noise are annoyingly high, while the wallowy suspension makes it quite taxing to drive along country lanes. Does that matter in a family SUV though? No, probably not.
On the face of things, the Chery Tiggo 8 is merely the definition of a car. It looks pleasant, it moves under its own power, has four wheels and can seat people. Then you dive into the details – a seven-seat plug-in hybrid that undercuts pretty much anything comparable by a whopping £10,000.
For a brand that didn’t exist in the UK until 2025, the Tiggo 8 has been a real statement of intent and took the Carwow 2026 Car of the Year Award as a result of the sheer value for money it offers.
Its low cost doesn’t lead to some econobox absolutely devoid of anything that would make it desirable, either. The interior is well-appointed with materials and a design that push it into a bracket well above its asking price.
Even the touchscreen is pretty remarkable. It’s a mammoth 15.6-inch unit that’s responsive and slick to use, with sensibly laid-out menus. Granted, the Tiggo 8 is a little over-reliant on it, and it would be nice to see separate climate controls for ease of use.
When it comes to practicality, nothing this close to a Dacia Jogger in price can match the Tiggo 8. It has tonnes of head and leg room in the middle row, plus enough space for adults to get into the very back for short journeys. The plug-in hybrid system is impressive, too. Its smooth, responsive and you hardly clock the transition between electric and combustion power on the go.
Something does have to give at this price, though, and it’s the driving experience in this case. It’s okay at low speeds, but head out onto the motorway and the Tiggo 8 unravels a bit. Wind and road noise are annoyingly high, while the wallowy suspension makes it quite taxing to drive along country lanes. Does that matter in a family SUV though? No, probably not.
2. BMW X5
BMW X5 review
Battery range up to 45 miles
Best for: stylish PHEV motoring
The BMW X5 is not a young vehicle. In fact, in its current form, it’s been around since 2018, which almost makes it middle-aged in car terms. What was that about life beginning when you’re 40, though? Well, the X5 certainly seems to be ageing beautifully. It looks stylish, and it still has one of the highest-quality car cabins around. And, specifically for the purposes of this list, it’s still a really good PHEV.
The current X5 xDrive50e plug-in hybrid uses a combination of a 3.0-litre turbo straight-six petrol engine and a 194hp electric motor, which is powered by a big 25.7kWh battery (that’s about the same size as the battery found in the original Nissan Leaf). That combo gives the X5 PHEV some impressive performance. It can run for up to 70 miles on one charge, at least according to the official figure, and somewhere between 50 and 60 miles should be doable for non-hypermiling mere mortals. That’s enough to cover most people’s daily commutes and school runs.
Once the petrol engine kicks in, you get 483hp and all the torque you could need, so the X5 PHEV is pretty fleet-footed for such a big thing, hitting 62mph from rest in just 4.8 seconds. That’s faster than some M-cars… Officially, it gets 353mpg, but obviously that’s a ridiculous lab-based number. On a long drive with a flat battery, you should average more like 26mpg, which is hardly that great, but just maybe a price worth paying for how well the X5 drives.
Which is to say, it’s really good to drive. If an ultra-sporty Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid is at one end of this spectrum, and a softly-softly Range Rover at the other, the BMW is smack-bang in the middle, offering an impressive combination of comfort and cornering capability. The only drawbacks are that it’s pretty expensive, and it has a smaller boot than a regular diesel X5 (down to just 500 litres).
The BMW X5 is not a young vehicle. In fact, in its current form, it’s been around since 2018, which almost makes it middle-aged in car terms. What was that about life beginning when you’re 40, though? Well, the X5 certainly seems to be ageing beautifully. It looks stylish, and it still has one of the highest-quality car cabins around. And, specifically for the purposes of this list, it’s still a really good PHEV.
The current X5 xDrive50e plug-in hybrid uses a combination of a 3.0-litre turbo straight-six petrol engine and a 194hp electric motor, which is powered by a big 25.7kWh battery (that’s about the same size as the battery found in the original Nissan Leaf). That combo gives the X5 PHEV some impressive performance. It can run for up to 70 miles on one charge, at least according to the official figure, and somewhere between 50 and 60 miles should be doable for non-hypermiling mere mortals. That’s enough to cover most people’s daily commutes and school runs.
Once the petrol engine kicks in, you get 483hp and all the torque you could need, so the X5 PHEV is pretty fleet-footed for such a big thing, hitting 62mph from rest in just 4.8 seconds. That’s faster than some M-cars… Officially, it gets 353mpg, but obviously that’s a ridiculous lab-based number. On a long drive with a flat battery, you should average more like 26mpg, which is hardly that great, but just maybe a price worth paying for how well the X5 drives.
Which is to say, it’s really good to drive. If an ultra-sporty Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid is at one end of this spectrum, and a softly-softly Range Rover at the other, the BMW is smack-bang in the middle, offering an impressive combination of comfort and cornering capability. The only drawbacks are that it’s pretty expensive, and it has a smaller boot than a regular diesel X5 (down to just 500 litres).
3. Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Santa Fe review
Best for: sheer interior space
The Hyundai Santa Fe looks like someone designed it for the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, and decided it’d be pretty amusing to put it into production. It’s a bit weird, but seriously cool, and no doubt it has road presence.
It doesn’t just trade on looking good, though. For a start, its plug-in hybrid powertrain means that it can offer at least a little bit of electric-only motoring (albeit, at 38 miles, maybe not as much as we’d like), and it manages to mix PHEV power with seats for seven, which is something that not all others in this class can do (we’re looking at you, Skoda Kodiaq).
The Santa Fe’s big, upright, boxy body is almost anti-fashion in how square it looks, but the benefit is masses of cabin space, with proper lounging room in the first two rows. The third row isn’t quite so roomy, with space best reserved for kids, but at least you have the option of squeezing two extra people in when necessary.
The 1.6-litre petrol engine is paired with a 13.8kWh battery, which is what powers the electric motor, but there’s a significant downside to this — it only charges at a lowly 3.7kW, not much more than the power you get from a three-pin plug. The Skoda Kodiaq PHEV might not be able to carry seven people, but it can fast-charge at 50kW and runs for up to 75 miles on electric power. Long-range fuel economy should work out at around 35mpg.
Still, the Hyundai has its compensations. The cabin is just as upright and rugged-looking as the exterior, but it’s also really well-made, full of high-quality materials, and the big-screen dashboard layout is easy to find your way around (thanks to the fact that Hyundai hasn’t thrown out all the physical switches).
It’s also a nice car to drive, but only ‘nice’ — it’s not for anyone looking for an enthusiastic driving experience, in spite of having 253hp.
The Hyundai Santa Fe looks like someone designed it for the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, and decided it’d be pretty amusing to put it into production. It’s a bit weird, but seriously cool, and no doubt it has road presence.
It doesn’t just trade on looking good, though. For a start, its plug-in hybrid powertrain means that it can offer at least a little bit of electric-only motoring (albeit, at 38 miles, maybe not as much as we’d like), and it manages to mix PHEV power with seats for seven, which is something that not all others in this class can do (we’re looking at you, Skoda Kodiaq).
The Santa Fe’s big, upright, boxy body is almost anti-fashion in how square it looks, but the benefit is masses of cabin space, with proper lounging room in the first two rows. The third row isn’t quite so roomy, with space best reserved for kids, but at least you have the option of squeezing two extra people in when necessary.
The 1.6-litre petrol engine is paired with a 13.8kWh battery, which is what powers the electric motor, but there’s a significant downside to this — it only charges at a lowly 3.7kW, not much more than the power you get from a three-pin plug. The Skoda Kodiaq PHEV might not be able to carry seven people, but it can fast-charge at 50kW and runs for up to 75 miles on electric power. Long-range fuel economy should work out at around 35mpg.
Still, the Hyundai has its compensations. The cabin is just as upright and rugged-looking as the exterior, but it’s also really well-made, full of high-quality materials, and the big-screen dashboard layout is easy to find your way around (thanks to the fact that Hyundai hasn’t thrown out all the physical switches).
It’s also a nice car to drive, but only ‘nice’ — it’s not for anyone looking for an enthusiastic driving experience, in spite of having 253hp.
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4. Range Rover
Range Rover review
Best for: ultimate SUV luxury
Well, if you’re going to buy an SUV, it may as well be the pinnacle. The Range Rover may not be quite as posh as a Bentley Bentayga or a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, but it has the beating of both when it comes to understated style, and some serious off-road ability.
Of probably more importance to most Range Rover buyers, however, is that this plug-in hybrid model means they can duck around city-centre clean air zones in silence. The P460e plug-in hybrid mixes a 3.0-litre turbo straight-six petrol engine with a massive 31.8kWh battery that produces a combined 460hp (hence the badge), allowing the Range Rover to claim an electric-only range of up to 75 miles.
More like 60 miles seems realistic, but that’s not bad going, and the impressive thing about the Range Rover PHEV is that it doesn’t become wildly thirsty on a long run. Head out onto the motorway with a flat battery, and you should still see between 25 and 30mpg, which is about what you’d expect from the diesel version.
Of course, you can have more power… There’s a P550e model with, guess what, 550hp and a 0-62mph time of just 5.0 seconds, which feels pretty impressive when you’re driving what feels like a luxury penthouse on wheels.
The Range Rover has its reliability issues, and no shortage thereof, but it makes up for those by being quietly handsome, incredibly smooth to drive (bar a slight pattering sensation at low speeds), and astonishingly comfortable inside that roomy, minimalist cabin.
That’s without even mentioning that it’s a proper off-road champ, able to tackle some seriously tough terrain that would pull the wheels of a lesser car. That’s a capability that only a handful of owners will ever experience (the 3,000kg towing weight is probably more useful to more people) but it’s nice to know that it’s there, and that behind the luxury and the electric power, this is still a proper Range Rover.
Well, if you’re going to buy an SUV, it may as well be the pinnacle. The Range Rover may not be quite as posh as a Bentley Bentayga or a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, but it has the beating of both when it comes to understated style, and some serious off-road ability.
Of probably more importance to most Range Rover buyers, however, is that this plug-in hybrid model means they can duck around city-centre clean air zones in silence. The P460e plug-in hybrid mixes a 3.0-litre turbo straight-six petrol engine with a massive 31.8kWh battery that produces a combined 460hp (hence the badge), allowing the Range Rover to claim an electric-only range of up to 75 miles.
More like 60 miles seems realistic, but that’s not bad going, and the impressive thing about the Range Rover PHEV is that it doesn’t become wildly thirsty on a long run. Head out onto the motorway with a flat battery, and you should still see between 25 and 30mpg, which is about what you’d expect from the diesel version.
Of course, you can have more power… There’s a P550e model with, guess what, 550hp and a 0-62mph time of just 5.0 seconds, which feels pretty impressive when you’re driving what feels like a luxury penthouse on wheels.
The Range Rover has its reliability issues, and no shortage thereof, but it makes up for those by being quietly handsome, incredibly smooth to drive (bar a slight pattering sensation at low speeds), and astonishingly comfortable inside that roomy, minimalist cabin.
That’s without even mentioning that it’s a proper off-road champ, able to tackle some seriously tough terrain that would pull the wheels of a lesser car. That’s a capability that only a handful of owners will ever experience (the 3,000kg towing weight is probably more useful to more people) but it’s nice to know that it’s there, and that behind the luxury and the electric power, this is still a proper Range Rover.
5. Citroen C5 Aircross
Citroen C5 Aircross review
Best for: comfort on a budget
You might expect something enormous and expensive to be the clear choice for the most comfortable SUV on sale, but Citroen has done a fantastic job of proving that you don’t need to break the bank to get a smooth ride with the C5 Aircross. It even won the Family Value gong in the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year Awards.
It’s the suspension of the C5 Aircross which really stands out, having been set up to absorb bumps and blows on broken roads in a way that few of its alternatives can. Not only that, but its big, comfy seats are the cherry on top when it comes to cosseting you and your passengers.
Rear space is generous, and you get a big boot, too. Interior quality leaves a little to be desired, but it’s not an ugly cabin by any means. The dash layout and funky steering wheel are actually quite chic, but the plastics are a little scratchy in places and the infotainment isn’t very slick.
Only available on the ‘Max’ trim level, the plug-in hybrid combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 13.2kWh battery for 225hp and a 0-62 time of 8.7 seconds. Citroen claims it’ll travel 36 miles on a single charge, which isn’t very far - but for a commute in the city, where the C5 excels, that could be plenty.
Even with its soft, comfy suspension, the C5 Aircross isn’t quite a fish-out-of-water on a twisty road. It’s not the most fun car to carve corners with, and there’s some body lean around bends, but for a comfy family SUV, it’s hard to go wrong with the Citroen SUV.
You might expect something enormous and expensive to be the clear choice for the most comfortable SUV on sale, but Citroen has done a fantastic job of proving that you don’t need to break the bank to get a smooth ride with the C5 Aircross. It even won the Family Value gong in the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year Awards.
It’s the suspension of the C5 Aircross which really stands out, having been set up to absorb bumps and blows on broken roads in a way that few of its alternatives can. Not only that, but its big, comfy seats are the cherry on top when it comes to cosseting you and your passengers.
Rear space is generous, and you get a big boot, too. Interior quality leaves a little to be desired, but it’s not an ugly cabin by any means. The dash layout and funky steering wheel are actually quite chic, but the plastics are a little scratchy in places and the infotainment isn’t very slick.
Only available on the ‘Max’ trim level, the plug-in hybrid combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 13.2kWh battery for 225hp and a 0-62 time of 8.7 seconds. Citroen claims it’ll travel 36 miles on a single charge, which isn’t very far - but for a commute in the city, where the C5 excels, that could be plenty.
Even with its soft, comfy suspension, the C5 Aircross isn’t quite a fish-out-of-water on a twisty road. It’s not the most fun car to carve corners with, and there’s some body lean around bends, but for a comfy family SUV, it’s hard to go wrong with the Citroen SUV.
2026
Adventurer's Choice Award
Highly Commended
6. Skoda Kodiaq
Skoda Kodiaq review
Best for: boot space
The latest Skoda Kodiaq puts you in a bit of a quandary. It’s a tall and chunky SUV, so you’ll be assuming that it comes with seven seats. Which it does as long as you go for the petrol or diesel powered models, but this PHEV version makes do with just five seats, because the big battery takes up so much space.
However, that does mean you get the promise of a 75-mile electric range and a PHEV setup which doesn’t mug you at the fuel pumps when you need to go on a longer journey. The 1.5-litre turbo engine, with its electric motor, gives decent performance. For a big, heavy car, the Kodiaq e-Hybrid feels fairly light on its toes, even if you’d never describe it as a sports car.
Even without the extra seats, the Kodiaq is massive inside, so the five people you can carry will have loads of room and plenty of comfort. Plus, there’s a huge 745-litre boot (although that’s well behind the 845 litres offered by a petrol or diesel). The Kodiaq’s interior quality has also taken a bit of a hit compared to the original version — it still looks nice, but some of the low-down plastics now feel really cheap.
The latest Skoda Kodiaq puts you in a bit of a quandary. It’s a tall and chunky SUV, so you’ll be assuming that it comes with seven seats. Which it does as long as you go for the petrol or diesel powered models, but this PHEV version makes do with just five seats, because the big battery takes up so much space.
However, that does mean you get the promise of a 75-mile electric range and a PHEV setup which doesn’t mug you at the fuel pumps when you need to go on a longer journey. The 1.5-litre turbo engine, with its electric motor, gives decent performance. For a big, heavy car, the Kodiaq e-Hybrid feels fairly light on its toes, even if you’d never describe it as a sports car.
Even without the extra seats, the Kodiaq is massive inside, so the five people you can carry will have loads of room and plenty of comfort. Plus, there’s a huge 745-litre boot (although that’s well behind the 845 litres offered by a petrol or diesel). The Kodiaq’s interior quality has also taken a bit of a hit compared to the original version — it still looks nice, but some of the low-down plastics now feel really cheap.
Best for: big-screen tech
The VW Tiguan’s cabin is dominated by the massive TV-style screen in the centre of the dash, which stretches to a full 15 inches if you tick the right options box. We’ve owned cars with smaller wheels than that. Thankfully, it’s a good screen — much better than what VW was offering with previous models — which is easy to use, and comes with handy shortcuts so you don’t notice the lack of physical buttons quite so much. Shame about the cheap-looking ‘Atmosphere’ colour changes.
The rest of the Tiguan e-Hybrid is pretty good too. It shares the same 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and 19kWh battery as the bigger Skoda Kodiaq, but because the Tiguan only ever has five seats, there’s no need to agonise about whether to sacrifice extra seats for the hybrid system (that’s the bigger VW Tayron’s problem).
There’s an impressive 75-mile electric range on a full charge (although that will most likely fall to more like 60 miles in real world driving), and the Tiguan e-Hybrid should break the 40mpg barrier on longer journeys with a flat battery.
It's not a barrel of fun to drive, and the cabin does feel cheap in places, but the Tiguan is a decent family SUV with plenty of space (although the PHEV suffers from small-boot syndrome, at 490 litres) and a smooth driving experience.
The VW Tiguan’s cabin is dominated by the massive TV-style screen in the centre of the dash, which stretches to a full 15 inches if you tick the right options box. We’ve owned cars with smaller wheels than that. Thankfully, it’s a good screen — much better than what VW was offering with previous models — which is easy to use, and comes with handy shortcuts so you don’t notice the lack of physical buttons quite so much. Shame about the cheap-looking ‘Atmosphere’ colour changes.
The rest of the Tiguan e-Hybrid is pretty good too. It shares the same 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and 19kWh battery as the bigger Skoda Kodiaq, but because the Tiguan only ever has five seats, there’s no need to agonise about whether to sacrifice extra seats for the hybrid system (that’s the bigger VW Tayron’s problem).
There’s an impressive 75-mile electric range on a full charge (although that will most likely fall to more like 60 miles in real world driving), and the Tiguan e-Hybrid should break the 40mpg barrier on longer journeys with a flat battery.
It's not a barrel of fun to drive, and the cabin does feel cheap in places, but the Tiguan is a decent family SUV with plenty of space (although the PHEV suffers from small-boot syndrome, at 490 litres) and a smooth driving experience.
8. Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen Tiguan review
Best for: Adventurers
Rumour has it that the chassis of the current Volvo XC90 was found buried deep alongside the remains of a Pterodactyl by archaeologists. Unfounded rumours, admittedly, but the XC90 has been on sale long enough for us to believe it.
While its existing generation has been on the market since 2014, continual updates have kept it among the best in class, and a 2025 refresh proved once again the model still has plenty of life left in it.
Much of its appeal is in its optional plug-in hybrid engine, offering impressive power levels and decent electric-only range, quoted as 44 miles but likely around 30 in the real world. Considering this is a gigantic, seven-seat SUV packed with premium features, we think that’s pretty respectable and plenty for most commutes.
Key to its most recent refresh is a responsive Google-based infotainment software, which proves car manufacturers are best leaving the technology stuff to companies that specialise in such stuff, while the overall driving experience is pleasant if not truly standout. Certainly good enough to win the Adventurer’s Choice trophy at the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year Awards.
Rumour has it that the chassis of the current Volvo XC90 was found buried deep alongside the remains of a Pterodactyl by archaeologists. Unfounded rumours, admittedly, but the XC90 has been on sale long enough for us to believe it.
While its existing generation has been on the market since 2014, continual updates have kept it among the best in class, and a 2025 refresh proved once again the model still has plenty of life left in it.
Much of its appeal is in its optional plug-in hybrid engine, offering impressive power levels and decent electric-only range, quoted as 44 miles but likely around 30 in the real world. Considering this is a gigantic, seven-seat SUV packed with premium features, we think that’s pretty respectable and plenty for most commutes.
Key to its most recent refresh is a responsive Google-based infotainment software, which proves car manufacturers are best leaving the technology stuff to companies that specialise in such stuff, while the overall driving experience is pleasant if not truly standout. Certainly good enough to win the Adventurer’s Choice trophy at the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year Awards.
9. Mercedes GLE
Mercedes-Benz GLE review
Battery range up to 57 miles
Best for: reliability
The big Mercedes GLE PHEV is probably the most reliable car on this list. How do we know? Because the big Merc topped the most recent Driver Power Top 50 Cars To Own list, with a stunning performance that saw it come top in almost every category, not least the one that covers reliability and build quality. A big, luxury SUV that doesn’t give you any breakdown woes? That’s a massive win for Mercedes.
When it comes to plug-in hybrid power, you actually get to choose between petrol and diesel options, both of which boast more than 70 miles of electric-only range. The diesel is the better of the two, though, because the petrol engine is on the noisy side, so you may as well go for an oil-burner and enjoy the superior long-range fuel economy.
Either way, you get a massive, comfortable, well-made cabin and a boot that holds up to 630 litres of luggage, considerably more than you get in a BMW X5 xDrive50 PHEV. While there are big screens in the cabin (of course there are), Mercedes has made these easier to live with by keeping plenty of physical buttons too. The downside is that the GLE isn’t much fun to drive when the road becomes twisty, but it makes up for that with exceptionally comfortable suspension.
The big Mercedes GLE PHEV is probably the most reliable car on this list. How do we know? Because the big Merc topped the most recent Driver Power Top 50 Cars To Own list, with a stunning performance that saw it come top in almost every category, not least the one that covers reliability and build quality. A big, luxury SUV that doesn’t give you any breakdown woes? That’s a massive win for Mercedes.
When it comes to plug-in hybrid power, you actually get to choose between petrol and diesel options, both of which boast more than 70 miles of electric-only range. The diesel is the better of the two, though, because the petrol engine is on the noisy side, so you may as well go for an oil-burner and enjoy the superior long-range fuel economy.
Either way, you get a massive, comfortable, well-made cabin and a boot that holds up to 630 litres of luggage, considerably more than you get in a BMW X5 xDrive50 PHEV. While there are big screens in the cabin (of course there are), Mercedes has made these easier to live with by keeping plenty of physical buttons too. The downside is that the GLE isn’t much fun to drive when the road becomes twisty, but it makes up for that with exceptionally comfortable suspension.
10. BYD Seal U
BYD Seal U review
Best for: being (almost) premium
Can a BYD be a premium car? Well, the BYD Seal U plug-in hybrid SUV gets close in some areas. Sit into the roomy cabin and run your hand over some of the surfaces, and you might actually be tempted to think so. Everything’s really well-made and feels nice, and there’s lots of tech that backs up the premium aspirations. Even the basic model gets a big glass roof, and a cracking stereo.
There’s also tonnes of space in the rear seats, so anyone sitting back there is going to have an almost limo-like experience (just don’t mention the rather disappointingly small boot).
As the Seal U has an electric range of up to 77 miles, if you take it on a long motorway run it still manages to be reasonably economical, with around 45 mpg a do-able average on a lengthy journey.
It all starts to fall over a bit when you find a corner and the Seal U… almost falls over. Okay, not quite literally, but the suspension is too soft for any fun, or even precision, and the vague steering is a big let-down. A PHEV SUV shouldn’t necessarily handle like a sports car, but when the new Toyota RAV4 is a much sharper drive, you can see the Seal U’s problem.
Not quite premium, then, but the Seal U is very affordable, generously equipped, comfortable, and well made inside.
Can a BYD be a premium car? Well, the BYD Seal U plug-in hybrid SUV gets close in some areas. Sit into the roomy cabin and run your hand over some of the surfaces, and you might actually be tempted to think so. Everything’s really well-made and feels nice, and there’s lots of tech that backs up the premium aspirations. Even the basic model gets a big glass roof, and a cracking stereo.
There’s also tonnes of space in the rear seats, so anyone sitting back there is going to have an almost limo-like experience (just don’t mention the rather disappointingly small boot).
As the Seal U has an electric range of up to 77 miles, if you take it on a long motorway run it still manages to be reasonably economical, with around 45 mpg a do-able average on a lengthy journey.
It all starts to fall over a bit when you find a corner and the Seal U… almost falls over. Okay, not quite literally, but the suspension is too soft for any fun, or even precision, and the vague steering is a big let-down. A PHEV SUV shouldn’t necessarily handle like a sports car, but when the new Toyota RAV4 is a much sharper drive, you can see the Seal U’s problem.
Not quite premium, then, but the Seal U is very affordable, generously equipped, comfortable, and well made inside.
Factors to consider when buying a plug-in hybrid SUV
BIK appeal
If you’re looking at one of these vehicles as a company car, then you’re in luck. Plug-in hybrid SUVs are the most cost-efficient type of company cars - apart from fully electric models - but they’re not all created equal. If you want the lowest possible rates of benefit-in-kind tax, you need a car that can do more than 70 miles on a charge - rates go up steeply for the next category up, which is 40-69 miles, and again for the 30-39 mile band. Combined with a low list price, this makes something like the MG HS a stunningly cheap company car option.
Space race
Do you need seven seats? How about a huge boot? A plug-in hybrid SUV might not be to your taste, then. In some models, such as the Skoda Kodiaq, the highly useful third row of seats is lost to battery storage. In others such as the Toyota C-HR, you lose over 20% of your boot capacity. Don’t worry, though - there are still PHEVs with seven seats and with big boots too, just choose carefully.
Charging
You should only consider a plug-in hybrid SUV if you’re planning to, well, plug it in. If you don’t, you’ll end up with a regular hybrid car that has to lug around quite a few kilos of unused battery pack - making it much less efficient, especially on long drives. So unless you can regularly top up at home or at work, consider a self-charging hybrid or even a plain petrol or diesel SUV instead - it’ll save you money.
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