Top 10 best plug-in hybrid SUVs 2024

For those in the market for large, luxurious SUVs, high running costs used to be an inevitable downside. However, that's no longer the case. Today, you can opt for plug-in hybrid SUVs that offer the same premium feel, and thanks to advancements in plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology, are significantly more efficient than their traditional combustion counterparts, depending on how you use them.

Plug-in hybrids strike a balance with a conventional combustion engine under the bonnet and electric motors powered by a battery pack. Many plug-in hybrid SUVs now boast a substantial electric range, allowing drivers to cover their daily commutes on electric power alone. When the battery depletes, you can rely on the petrol or diesel engine to get you home or to the nearest charging point, where you can recharge ready for your next journey. Although fuel economy takes a nosedive if the battery isn’t charged.

Best best plug-in hybrid SUVs on sale

Below, we run down the list of the best plug-in hybrid SUVs currently on sale in the UK. You can also find a full list of the best electric SUVs for those looking to make the switch to full EV.

1. Kia Sportage PHEV

• Prices from £40,575
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 43 miles

The latest Kia Sportage combines arresting exterior styling with a spacious and tech-filled interior. It's also the first Sportage to be available with a plug: this plug-in hybrid SUV will do 43 miles without touching a drop of fuel and promises fuel economy north of 250mpg if you make full use of that capability. It's pricey for a private buyer, but we reckon company car drivers will be laughing all the way to the bank thanks to the Sportage’s low 8% Benefit-in-Kind tax rating.

Read our full Kia Sportage review to find out more.

2. Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

• Prices from £39,275
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 43 miles

Previous generations of the Hyundai Tucson took a 'solid and sensible' approach to family motoring, but could hardly be called exciting. While we found the latest model still offered supple suspension and a cosseting driving experience, it also now benefits from a well-equipped and well thought-out interior, wrapped in one of the most striking-looking SUV designs yet. The plug-In hybrid SUV is the efficiency champion, promising over 200mpg fuel economy and 43 miles of electric range.

Read our full Hyundai Tucson review to find out more.

3. Lexus NX 450h+

• Prices from £49,995
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 55 miles

Plug-in hybrid or self-charging hybrid? If you’re undecided on which to go for, we think the Lexus NX 450h+ offers the best of both worlds. Lexus says its first plug-in hybrid SUV will offer up to 55 miles of electric range, however, once the battery is depleted, the car will then switch into full-hybrid mode, maintaining decent fuel economy – we managed to return around 55mpg during our tests. Topped-off by a smooth drive and luxurious interior, there’s very little not to like about the plug-in hybrid NX.

Read our full Lexus NX review to find out more.

4. Range Rover Sport PHEV

• Prices from £90,200
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 75 miles

The latest Range Rover Sport is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor, and we think the plug-in hybrid model is perhaps its best iteration. With a staggering 75 miles of electric range, some buyers will be able to drive the Sport day-to-day without using a single drop of fuel. Longer journeys will be a breeze, too, thanks to the Range Rover’s serene-feeling cabin. It can even be pretty engaging on a twisty road – despite weighing over two-and-a-half tonnes. 

Read our full Range Rover Sport review to find out more.

5. Hyundai Santa Fe

• Prices from £51,885
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 36 miles

The Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the most spacious plug-in hybrid SUVs on our list, offering customers use of seven-seats with loads of headroom no matter where you are sitting. The middle seats can move back and forth allowing more leg space for those in the third-row. The 36-mile quoted range isn’t by any means the largest we have seen, but Hyundai states that you can achieve nearly 174mpg fuel economy with a charged battery. 

Read our full Hyundai Santa Fe Plug In review to find out more.

6. Kia Niro PHEV

• Prices from £35,325
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 40 miles

The Kia Niro is offered in self-charging hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full EV form, but it's the PHEV we’re focusing on here. Just like its regular hybrid and fully-electric counterparts, the Niro PHEV gets a striking exterior to match its futuristic interior, the latter featuring a slick dual-screen infotainment setup from the electric Kia EV6. The Korean maker says the Niro PHEV has a maximum electric range of over 40 miles – this makes it cheap to run for company car buyers, despite the Kia’s high starting price.

Read our full Kia Niro PHEV review to find out more.

7. BMW X5 xDrive50e

• Prices from £82,055
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 62 miles

The BMW X5 is one of the best large plug-ins out there – and a recent facelift looks to have made the best even better. The headline figure is the Beemer’s official electric range of 62 miles, which should cover the daily journeys of a large proportion of buyers, but it's also massively quick, covering 0-62mph in just 4.8 seconds. While we haven’t yet driven the facelifted car, our time with the outgoing model revealed handling that was incredibly impressive for a car of its size. If you can live with the X5’s big purchase price, there are very few downsides.

Read our full BMW X5 review to find out more.

8. Ford Kuga PHEV

• Prices from £38,655
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 40.5 miles

While it only launched in 2020, the Ford Kuga sits in the shadow of cutting-edge PHEV SUVs like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. That said, we think it makes a good case for itself with its sharp looks, practical interior and with very impressive on-paper figures. It's good to drive, too, retaining much of what makes the standard car feel sharp on the road, with nicely-weighted steering and tight body control. Company-car users will welcome the low CO2 emissions, while families will be happy with the Kuga's large interior and good-sized boot which, on some models, can be expanded via a sliding rear bench seat.

Read our full Ford Kuga review to find out more.

9. Mercedes GLA 250 e

• Prices from £45,520
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 43 miles

The Mercedes '250 e' plug-in hybrid engine impressed us in the A-Class executive hatchback, so it's not surprising to find it works well in the A-Class-based GLA family SUV, too. It's one of the better-engineered plug-in hybrids we've tried, boasting a strong pure-electric range, punchy performance when the power sources are combined and smooth transition between the two. Mercedes' claim of over 200mpg is a decent chunk ahead of most rivals and 32g/km of CO2 also undercuts the competition.

Read our full Mercedes GLA 250 e review to find out more.

10. Volvo XC60 Recharge

• Prices from £54,375
• Maximum WLTP combined electric range: 51 miles

Volvo has a fantastic range of plug-in hybrid models and the XC60 Recharge stands out as our favourite SUV of the bunch. Its 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid powertrain offers a superb mix of power and efficiency; Volvo says the XC60 Recharge will be able to do up to 54 miles on electric power alone. As you’d expect from a Volvo, the XC60 wafts along the road, offering supreme levels of comfort – especially on the smaller wheels. We found the interior is also a lovely place to be, with a minimalist design and plenty of plush materials.

Read our full Volvo XC60 Recharge review to find out more.

Best plug-in hybrid SUVs you can buy

1. Kia Sportage PHEV
2. Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
3. Lexus NX
4. Range Rover Sport PHEV
5. Hyundai Santa Fe
6. Kia Niro PHEV
7. BMW X5
8. Ford Kuga PHEV
9. Mercedes GLA 250 e
10. Volvo XC60 Recharge