Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) present an intriguing solution to buyers. Rather than being forced to decide between an EV or a gas-powered vehicle, PHEVs enable buyers to have both. With a PHEV, the vehicle runs exclusively on electric power until the battery is depleted at which point it operates as a gasoline-powered hybrid. This article will focus on mainstream PHEVS with the longest electric-only range. Electric-only range is defined as miles that the PHEV can travel on electric charge alone before turning over to the hybrid powertrain.
Note: The prices shown are MSRPs that do not include possible state and federal credits.
The Toyota Prius Prime PHEV not only has the longest electric-only range on this list but is also the most affordable. Synonymous with efficiency and hybrid powertrains, it’s no surprise that the Prius’s PHEV provides up to 44 miles of electric-only range. In addition to dramatic new styling, the recently redesigned Prius Prime adds nearly 100 more horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 6.6 seconds, all while increasing electric range by 75% over its predecessor. The added weight of the more generously equipped XSE and XSE Premium trim levels modestly reduces the electric-only range to 39 miles.
While the hatchback practicality of the Prius suits many needs, the RAV4 adds all-wheel drive along with more power and space for a negligible drop in electric-only range. The RAV4 Prime launched with the current RAV4 generation and features a substantial power bump (302 hp vs 219 hp) over the non-plugin hybrid variant. The RAV4 Prime sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, is rated at 38 mpg combined, and can also travel on 42 miles of electric-only range.
The Mitsubishi Outlander was the first PHEV SUV when it arrived over a decade ago and is now in its second generation. Sharing a platform with the Nissan Rogue, the Outlander separates itself from its sibling by offering a PHEV powertrain option. Launched in 2023, the latest iteration introduced a third-row seat and improved electric range by 12 miles. Powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors, the Outlander produces a combined output of 248 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque. Featuring Mitsubishi’s S-AWC all-wheel drive system as standard, the Outlander achieves an electric-only range of 38 miles.
The recently refreshed Escape PHEV features a combined 210 hp from its 2.5-liter engine and electric motor. Unlike its Outlander and RAV4 competitors, the Escape does not have all-wheel drive and comes in only a front-wheel drive variant. On the positive side, Ford claims a 240-volt Level 2 home charger can recharge the Escape in 3.5 hours. The Escape delivers a competitive 37 miles of electric-only range.
Similar to the RAV4, the Kia Sportage offers traditional gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants. Power is delivered to the Sportage PHEV by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that is coupled with a 66.9-kW electric motor making a combined 261 hp. While it provides a shorter range than the RAV4 at 34 miles, the Sportage is more spacious and can fully charge in 2 hours when using Level 2 charging thanks to its 7.2-kWh high-efficiency onboard charger.
The Tucson PHEV shares many components with the Kia Sportage PHEV including a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, a 66.9-kW electric motor, the 7.2-kWh high-efficiency onboard charger, and 261 combined horsepower and 258 combined lb.-ft. of torque. The main difference is that the Tucson is rated at 33 miles of all-electric range – a 1-mile drop from the Sportage.
The Kia Niro is unique in that it comes in hybrid, PHEV, and electric variants. With a starting price of $34,390, the Niro is one of the most affordable plug-in hybrids on the market. A 1.6-liter engine and electric motor combine to output 180 hp and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. Offering 33 miles of electric-only range, the Niro PHEV can charge to full using a 240V charger in 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The largest SUV here is the Kia Sorento which is powered by the same 1.6-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine as the Tucson and Sportage and delivers the same combined horsepower and torque output. Offering standard captain’s chairs and a third row of seats, the Sorento gets 34 mpg when operating as a gasoline-powered hybrid and achieves an all-electric range of 32 miles.
The most capacious vehicle here is the 7-passenger Chrysler Pacifica which is the only minivan available with a plug-in hybrid option. A 3.6-liter V6 along with 2 electric motors powered the front-wheel drive Pacifica. The powertrain combines to produce 260 hp which enables this van to accelerate to 60 mph in under 8 seconds. Recharging the 16 kWh lithium-ion battery takes just over 2 hours on a Level 2 power source and the Pacifica has an all-electric range of 32 miles.
New technology can typically take years to trickle down to mainstream models. Fortunately, there are a number of plug-in hybrid options at non-luxury prices. From practical 5-passenger hatchbacks to well-rounded crossovers to 7-passenger minivans, there are plenty of PHEV options for buyers looking to explore electrification.
Matt Yantakosol is a lifelong automotive enthusiast and former consultant focused on the consumer aspect of the industry. He has traveled to New York, Detroit, Chicago, L.A., Paris, Geneva, Frankfurt, and Tokyo Auto Shows to track and observe the newest industry innovations. In addition to JDPower.com, Matt's writing has appeared on Pcarmarket.com.
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