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
A big, heavy SUV needs a powerful engine with low-down shove – and with diesel power becoming less popular, that gap has been filled by the best plug-in hybrid SUVs. These vehicles aim to provide the best of both worlds: in the week, they can run on batteries and electric motors alone, often covering most people’s local mileage on a single charge.
For longer trips, such as weekend journeys, the petrol engine means they can cruise motorways without trouble. The downside is weight – on long runs, carrying heavy batteries can mean worse fuel economy than a diesel or regular self-charging hybrid.
Used as intended, and charged regularly, a PHEV SUV can save plenty of money, especially as a company car. Plug-in hybrid SUVs come in many sizes, from the Toyota C-HR up to the BMW X5 or Hyundai Santa Fe, and our expert road testing team has driven them all - so our insights below can help you make your shortlist shorter.
2026
Car of the Year Award
1. Chery Tiggo 8
Chery Tiggo 8 review
Best for: unbeatable value
The Chery Tiggo 8 is a car that you’d probably think is just okay - until you look at the price and realise it’s about £10,000 less than any other model with comparable power, range, space or equipment. At this point, the Tiggo 8 becomes an alternative to much smaller, less practical and less plush SUVs - and very few of these offer a PHEV powertrain.
In fact, it’s such stonking value that we’ve named it our 2026 Carwow Car of the Year - high praise indeed, especially considering it’s only Chery’s second car on sale in the UK.
The Tiggo’s interior is a true highlight - it doesn’t feel like it belongs to a car costing just over £33,000 (as a plug-in hybrid). The design is classy and minimalist, with high-quality materials and some styling touches that feel more than a bit inspired by certain premium German manufacturers.
Even the touchscreen - a huge 15.6-inch item - is responsive and clear, with well laid-out menus and the ability to easily create shortcuts to your most-used functions. It’s a shame there aren’t a few separate controls for things like the air-conditioning, though.
And in practicality terms, for the price it’s unmatched by everything this side of a Dacia Jogger. There’s loads of head and legroom in the first two rows, and even adults can just about squeeze into the third row. Drop those rearmost seats and you get a huge 700-litre boot, suitable for all but the most taxing family holidays.
The Chery’s plug-in hybrid system is great. It’s smooth and responsive, and you barely notice the switch over to the petrol engine either. A useful 56 miles of electric range means plenty of scope for electric motoring round town and beyond, and it translates to low company car tax bills, too.
The truth is that something’s gotta give to offer this much car for this little money, and in the case of the Tiggo 8 it’s the driving experience. It’s fine around town, but it’s noisy on the motorway and feels disconnected and a bit lumbering on a twisty road. Does this matter? Well, if you’re not a keen driver, probably not - so unless you like carving up apexes in your spare time, the Chery Tiggo 8 is one plug-in hybrid SUV we can really recommend.
The Chery Tiggo 8 is a car that you’d probably think is just okay - until you look at the price and realise it’s about £10,000 less than any other model with comparable power, range, space or equipment. At this point, the Tiggo 8 becomes an alternative to much smaller, less practical and less plush SUVs - and very few of these offer a PHEV powertrain.
In fact, it’s such stonking value that we’ve named it our 2026 Carwow Car of the Year - high praise indeed, especially considering it’s only Chery’s second car on sale in the UK.
The Tiggo’s interior is a true highlight - it doesn’t feel like it belongs to a car costing just over £33,000 (as a plug-in hybrid). The design is classy and minimalist, with high-quality materials and some styling touches that feel more than a bit inspired by certain premium German manufacturers.
Even the touchscreen - a huge 15.6-inch item - is responsive and clear, with well laid-out menus and the ability to easily create shortcuts to your most-used functions. It’s a shame there aren’t a few separate controls for things like the air-conditioning, though.
And in practicality terms, for the price it’s unmatched by everything this side of a Dacia Jogger. There’s loads of head and legroom in the first two rows, and even adults can just about squeeze into the third row. Drop those rearmost seats and you get a huge 700-litre boot, suitable for all but the most taxing family holidays.
The Chery’s plug-in hybrid system is great. It’s smooth and responsive, and you barely notice the switch over to the petrol engine either. A useful 56 miles of electric range means plenty of scope for electric motoring round town and beyond, and it translates to low company car tax bills, too.
The truth is that something’s gotta give to offer this much car for this little money, and in the case of the Tiggo 8 it’s the driving experience. It’s fine around town, but it’s noisy on the motorway and feels disconnected and a bit lumbering on a twisty road. Does this matter? Well, if you’re not a keen driver, probably not - so unless you like carving up apexes in your spare time, the Chery Tiggo 8 is one plug-in hybrid SUV we can really recommend.
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 still look 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 first gen Nissan Leaf’s battery…). 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 do-able 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 for 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 still look 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 first gen Nissan Leaf’s battery…). 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 do-able 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 for 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 is the modern motoring equivalent of Rory Bremner, which is to say it’s a great impressionist. It’s limited to just the one impression — looking a lot like a Land Rover Defender — but boy, is it really good at that one thing.
Actually, the Santa Fe is good at lots other stuff too. 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 reserved really only for kids, but at least you have the option of squeezing two extra people in.
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 up to 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 is the modern motoring equivalent of Rory Bremner, which is to say it’s a great impressionist. It’s limited to just the one impression — looking a lot like a Land Rover Defender — but boy, is it really good at that one thing.
Actually, the Santa Fe is good at lots other stuff too. 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 reserved really only for kids, but at least you have the option of squeezing two extra people in.
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 up to 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.
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 is that this plug-in hybrid model means they can duck around city-centre clean air zones and drive right up to the door of their posh house, or posh business, or posh shop. 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) and allows 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.
And 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 use (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 is that this plug-in hybrid model means they can duck around city-centre clean air zones and drive right up to the door of their posh house, or posh business, or posh shop. 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) and allows 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.
And 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 use (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.
Sell your car for what it's really worth
The free, easy way to get 5,500+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car
Learn how to
sell your car
with Carwow
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 came highly commended in the ‘Comfortable Cruiser’ category in our 2025 awards.
It’s the ride quality of the C5 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, big, comfy seats are the cherry on top when it comes to cosseting you and your passengers.
Rear space is a little tight, though you get a big boot as a result, and the interior quality leaves a little to be desired. It’s not an ugly interior 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.
The downside to the C5 Aircross having soft, comfy suspension is that it feels a little out of place on a twisty road. It’s not a car to carve corners with, but for a comfy family SUV it’s hard to go wrong with the Citroen SUV. The new Citroen C5 Aircross is due to go on sale really soon, so now is a great time to nab a fantastic deal on this outgoing model.
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 came highly commended in the ‘Comfortable Cruiser’ category in our 2025 awards.
It’s the ride quality of the C5 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, big, comfy seats are the cherry on top when it comes to cosseting you and your passengers.
Rear space is a little tight, though you get a big boot as a result, and the interior quality leaves a little to be desired. It’s not an ugly interior 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.
The downside to the C5 Aircross having soft, comfy suspension is that it feels a little out of place on a twisty road. It’s not a car to carve corners with, but for a comfy family SUV it’s hard to go wrong with the Citroen SUV. The new Citroen C5 Aircross is due to go on sale really soon, so now is a great time to nab a fantastic deal on this outgoing model.
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 is 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 (60-ish in reality) and a PHEV setup that 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 and 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.
Plus, even without the extra seats, the Kodiaq is massive inside so the five people you can carry will have loads of room, and no little comfort. Plus, there’s a huge 745 litre boot (although that’s well behind the 845 litres offered by a petrol or diesel model). 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 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 is 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 (60-ish in reality) and a PHEV setup that 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 and 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.
Plus, even without the extra seats, the Kodiaq is massive inside so the five people you can carry will have loads of room, and no little comfort. Plus, there’s a huge 745 litre boot (although that’s well behind the 845 litres offered by a petrol or diesel model). 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 plastics now feel really cheap.
7. Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen Tiguan review
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 with 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.
The Tiguan’s not a barrel of fun to drive, and the cabin does feel a bit worryingly cheap in places, but it’s 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 with 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.
The Tiguan’s not a barrel of fun to drive, and the cabin does feel a bit worryingly cheap in places, but it’s 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. 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 this? 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 plug-in hybrids, 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 DERV 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 an exceptionally comfortable ride comfort.
The big Mercedes GLE PHEV is probably the most reliable car on this list. How do we know this? 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 plug-in hybrids, 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 DERV 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 an exceptionally comfortable ride comfort.
9. MG HS
MG HS review
Best for: space and value
The MG HS does one very important thing. Which is that when you sit into it for the first time, you suddenly realise that MG has stopped buying its interior fixtures from Temu. Seriously though, the HS represents a big step up for MG in terms of cabin quality and comfort, and while you will still find plenty of cheap bits and pieces, it looks and feels much smarter than previous MG models, especially if you go for the tan leather upholstery option.
If the HS looks a bit dull on the outside (it’s very generic mid-size SUV) then it makes up for that with an efficient plug-in hybrid system, which promises 75 miles of electric range thanks to a big 24.7kWh battery pack. That’s not an unrealistic figure, either — we managed close to 60 miles of EV range on test with the HS. That’s not just good, it’s really good for a car with pricing this sharp.
It’s a roomy car too, the big MG. The boot measures 507 litres, which isn’t bad (even if it’s not quite as generous as some others), and there’s plenty of space in the rear seats. It’s quick too, hitting 62mph in 6.8 seconds. It’s just not a lot of fun to drive, is all. The steering feels quite good, but the chassis is a bit wooden in how it responds, and this PHEV model feels quite stiff over bumps.
The MG HS does one very important thing. Which is that when you sit into it for the first time, you suddenly realise that MG has stopped buying its interior fixtures from Temu. Seriously though, the HS represents a big step up for MG in terms of cabin quality and comfort, and while you will still find plenty of cheap bits and pieces, it looks and feels much smarter than previous MG models, especially if you go for the tan leather upholstery option.
If the HS looks a bit dull on the outside (it’s very generic mid-size SUV) then it makes up for that with an efficient plug-in hybrid system, which promises 75 miles of electric range thanks to a big 24.7kWh battery pack. That’s not an unrealistic figure, either — we managed close to 60 miles of EV range on test with the HS. That’s not just good, it’s really good for a car with pricing this sharp.
It’s a roomy car too, the big MG. The boot measures 507 litres, which isn’t bad (even if it’s not quite as generous as some others), and there’s plenty of space in the rear seats. It’s quick too, hitting 62mph in 6.8 seconds. It’s just not a lot of fun to drive, is all. The steering feels quite good, but the chassis is a bit wooden in how it responds, and this PHEV model feels quite stiff over bumps.
10. Toyota C-HR
Toyota C-HR review
Best for: efficiency
The Toyota C-HR PHEV is the smallest plug-in hybrid SUV on this list, to the point where it’s almost closer to being a hatchback. Still, you’d have to say that it’s properly good to look at, especially if you go for a higher-spec model with the contrast-painted black rear end, while the needle-like nose looks almost Ferrari-like from some angles. We said some…
The C-HR uses the same 2.0-litre PHEV setup as the lower, sleeker Prius saloon, so you get a respectable 223hp to play with, and the C-HR feels pretty quick, with a 0-62mph time of 7.4 seconds. It’s even quite nice to drive, thanks to sharper steering than you might expect, and the long-range fuel economy is decent too — you should do better than 40mpg on a long motorway run, while the electric range is a solid 40 miles.
However, where the C-HR falls down is on the inside. It’s just too cramped up front, especially for the front seat passenger, and while adults will fit in the back, they won’t be too happy about it. With the PHEV’s battery taking up space, there’s also even less boot space than in the standard hybrid C-HR, with just 310 litres on offer.
The Toyota C-HR PHEV is the smallest plug-in hybrid SUV on this list, to the point where it’s almost closer to being a hatchback. Still, you’d have to say that it’s properly good to look at, especially if you go for a higher-spec model with the contrast-painted black rear end, while the needle-like nose looks almost Ferrari-like from some angles. We said some…
The C-HR uses the same 2.0-litre PHEV setup as the lower, sleeker Prius saloon, so you get a respectable 223hp to play with, and the C-HR feels pretty quick, with a 0-62mph time of 7.4 seconds. It’s even quite nice to drive, thanks to sharper steering than you might expect, and the long-range fuel economy is decent too — you should do better than 40mpg on a long motorway run, while the electric range is a solid 40 miles.
However, where the C-HR falls down is on the inside. It’s just too cramped up front, especially for the front seat passenger, and while adults will fit in the back, they won’t be too happy about it. With the PHEV’s battery taking up space, there’s also even less boot space than in the standard hybrid C-HR, with just 310 litres on offer.
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.
Advertisement
