But what about plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)? Are these becoming less relevant? Well no, actually. SMMT figures show nearly that sales of PHEVs in Britain are up nearly 28% in 2025 over the same period last year.
Considered a key stepping stone into the world of electric motoring, plug-in hybrids offer the best of both worlds in theory. You can run them for local journeys in smooth, silent and clean electric mode, but the petrol engine is there to kick in when you need a fuss-free long journey.
While the UK’s high cost of public charging impacts electric car drivers looking to rack up long distances, PHEV drivers can use whichever power source is cheaper and more convenient. What’s more, PHEVs still offer big company car tax (Benefit-in-Kind) savings over petrol and diesel cars, while the latest models have more electric range than ever.
Our list of the best plug-in hybrid cars on sale is compiled of models that are popular with RAC Drive readers. There’s something for all needs and budgets, from affordable options to large luxury models. Check out the best PHEVs the new car market offers right now.
Best plug-in hybrid cars 2025: the shortlist
Volkswagen Golf eHybrid
Price: from £36,280 Electric range: 88 miles
The Golf eHybrid is the perfect example of how far plug-in hybrids have come in the last few years. When first launched in 2021 the eHybrid had a decent range on a charge of 44 miles, but with a facelift in 2024 that doubled to 88 miles thanks to a much larger 19.7kWh battery.
It’s particularly impressive to see such a range on a modest-sized hatchback – squeezing a big battery into the car is much easier in an SUV. It also results in outstanding fuel efficiency (992mpg on the official WLTP test) and a very attractive Benefit in Kind rate. What’s more, this is all wrapped up in the comfortable, well-equipped and easy to drive Golf that we all know.
MG HS Plug-in Hybrid
Price: from £31,995 Electric range: 75 miles
MG has a habit of embarrassing some European brands when it comes to value, and the HS Plug-in Hybrid is no different. Undercutting similarly sized PHEV SUVs such as the Kia Sportage and Volkswagen Tiguan by several thousand pounds, you’d think MG’s largest model is lacking in multiple areas.
But it isn’t. The 299hp powertrain offers strong performance, the 23kWh battery gives a better electric range than most rivals, and it’s decent to drive. What’s more, the interior is well equipped, roomy and surprisingly plush. You even get a seven-year warranty. What’s the catch? We haven’t found one yet.
Skoda Superb Estate iV
Price: from £41,575 Electric range: 84 miles
Skoda has built up a solid reputation for blending value, practicality and quality, and we reckon the latest Skoda Superb Estate combines those attributes in the best way yet. And it’s at its best in plug-in hybrid form, managing an impressive 84 miles of range – just a few miles short of the much smaller Golf eHybrid.
While the Superb PHEV is only available in estate form, that’s no bad thing because you get an enormous boot alongside vast rear passenger space. It’s good to drive, too, with a comfortable ride, while the interior is well appointed, and its low Benefit-in-Kind tax makes it a company car favourite.
BMW 3 Series 330e
Price: from £41,310 Electric range: 62 miles
The BMW 330e is a staple of the typical office car park, having been a favourite company car for nearly a decade. This latest version improves the formula a great deal, with a new 19.5kWh battery adding 56% more range than the old version. That also reduces the car’s Benefit-in-Kind tax for company car drivers.
Outside of raw numbers, though, what makes the 330e so good is its combination of a class-leading cabin and excellent driving experience. Sharp handling and a composed ride blends with strong performance to make this a top-notch all-rounder.
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Mercedes-Benz E300e
Price: from £65,415 Electric range: 72 miles
There’s plenty of hybrid executive cars on sale right now, but we reckon the Mercedes-Benz E300e is the best of the lot. Sure, it isn’t cheap to buy outright, but the much improved range from a big 25.4kWh battery pack leads the class – and crucially makes it a more affordable company car than the BMW 530e.
What’s more, the latest E-Class nails the fundamentals of a true luxury car. It’s got a pillowy smooth ride, effortless performance, superb refinement and an opulent, high-tech and spacious interior. You can also get the E300e in estate form to add strong practicality to that list of talents, too.
Range Rover Sport P460e
Price: from £85,575 Electric range: 76 miles
A Range Rover Sport that’s cheap to run? Well, if it’s a company car and you can charge it at home or at work, that’s exactly what the P460e is. Thanks to a vast 31.8kWh usable battery (bigger than the battery in the Mazda MX-30 EV) it manages up to 382mpg on official tests – and if you keep the battery topped up it might well do that.
Beyond the electric aspect, the P460e delivers all the expected Range Rover traits including potent performance, a great ride and handling balance, a truly luxurious cabin and plenty of space. Oh, and some serious off-road ability if you feel the need to explore off the beaten track. It might not be cheap to buy, but the Range Rover Sport PHEV is extremely compelling.
Toyota Prius
Price: from £37,895 Electric range: 53 miles
The globally popular Toyota Prius has always been easy to drive and remarkably frugal– but this new model introduces a dose of style not seen before from the hybrid icon. Behind that svelte exterior is a new plug-in hybrid powertrain – the only one offered to UK buyers.
Its 13.6kWh battery is far smaller than even the Mazda in this list, but the fact it manages 53 miles on a charge shows that the Prius still majors on real-world efficiency. That aerodynamic shape means it’ll also sip fuel even with a depleted battery on a run, while the latest Prius is also surprisingly quick and good to drive. Mediocre practicality is the only letdown.
Renault Rafale E-Tech 4x4 Plug-in hybrid:
Price: from £45,695 Electric range: 65 miles
Renault isn’t a name you’d normally associate with PHEVs: indeed, it only sells one. But the Rafale E-Tech Plug-in hybrid is the brand’s flagship model, using a sprinkling of Alpine engineering in a desirable coupe-SUV shape. A tiny three-cylinder petrol engine combined with a 22kWh battery and a trio of electric motors delivers a stout 300hp, too.
Strong performance, combined with clever agility-boosting four-wheel steering and camera-based adaptive damping, means the Rafale blends comfort and sportiness pretty well. It’s also got loads of space, an easy-to-use interior loaded with technology and a pricetag undercutting premium-brand rivals.
Lexus NX450+
Price: from £50,245 Electric range: 45 miles
Just like parent company Toyota, Lexus is a brand that knows a thing or two about hybrids. The NX450+ might not be the newest or longest-range PHEV here, but it’s a compelling choice thanks to its strong performance, comfortable ride and Lexus’ longstanding reputation for excellent reliability and customer service.
The interior is also beautifully made, loaded with equipment and practical, too, while it also undercuts key premium rivals on list price. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that its shorter electric range means it won’t save you as much in company car tax as some plug-in SUVs.
Mazda MX-30 R-EV
Price: from £31,605 Electric range: 53 miles
Mazda has a reputation for doing things a bit differently, and the MX-30 R-EV is one of its most unusual offerings in decades. Adapting the spirit of the old BMW i3, the R-EV is effectively a range extender electric car – one where the petrol engine only serves as a generator to charge the battery.
What makes it unusual is that it’s a rotary engine – just 0.8 litres in size, but adding 320 miles of range on top of the 53 miles added from plugging it in. That small engine and battery combination makes the MX-30 light, aiding efficiency, handling and comfort. It’s good fun to drive and has a classy interior design, but the unusual rear door layout and small boot hinder practicality.
Best plug-in hybrid car FAQs
What is the best plug-in hybrid car on the market?
Some of the best plug-in hybrid cars on sale include the Volkswagen Golf eHybrid, BMW 330e, MG HS and Skoda Superb iV, while we also rate the Range Rover Sport P460e if you have a higher budget.
What’s the longest-range plug-in hybrid car on sale?
The Volkswagen Golf eHybrid is the longest-range plug-in hybrid you can buy right now, offering up to 88 miles of range on a single charge.
Should a buy a hybrid or plug-in hybrid car?
We’d recommend only buying a plug-in hybrid if you’re able to charge it up cheaply at home and your journeys make the most of the electric range. Otherwise, a standard hybrid is likely to be cheaper to buy and run for you.
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