Even if you're willing to jump into an EV from internal combustion from an emotional perspective, for many they simply do not suit, owing to range restrictions, their local charging networks and so on. Happily, many great plug-in hybrids are available in 2023 to bridge the gap. In our minds, a good PHEV in 2023 has to have enough range for short-distance weekday commuting. Some drivers travel just ten miles a day. Even that though would be enough to drain a number of PHEVs available in 2023. So with that in mind, we're going to list the best plug-in hybrids to buy in 2023, that aren't just good hybrids, but good cars in general.
The six best plug‑in hybrids to buy in 2023
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Kia Niro PHEV
The Kia Niro has been a popular choice for the last six years in both plug-in hybrid and all-electric form. It was a rare beast in that it brought electrification to buyers on a budget and so the task falls again to its successor. The upside: vastly modernised looks and interior. The downside: range figures not dissimilar to those of its predecessor, albeit in a far more crowded marketplace. Happily, those numbers were exceptional six years ago which means they're still impressive today, and we liked the cabin so much we reckon it’s still a great buy and suitable if you can do with 30 miles of real-world electric range. Kia means deals, good customer service and a sturdy warranty too.
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Mazda CX-60
It’s odd to say that the most powerful car Mazda has ever made is a plug-in hybrid SUV but that’s the reality. This handsome BMW X3-sized machine with its long bonnet is here to be a flagship for Mazda, delivering an excellent cabin appointment, equipment levels and driving experience in a package that appeals beyond simply being left-field. The claimed 39 miles of range translates to 30-35 in the real world and while that isn’t incredible but the power boost it delivers is lovely in this nicely set-up rear-drive machine. If you’re expecting a family and ruing the necessary sale of your sportscar, the way the Mazda handles, even as a family SUV, should be recompense enough.
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BMW X5 xDrive50e
Having gone on about the importance of electric range in the intro, two cars with 30 miles of real-world electric running isn’t exactly mind-blowing. Well, we present to you the new-for-2023 BMW X5 50e, a PHEV that claims to offer up to 67 miles of electric range on the WLTP cycle. Of course, the real-world number is probably between 40 and 55 miles depending on your use case. It’s still better than most rivals and, let’s be real, it’s a BMW X5, so independent of the hybridisation it'll be a fantastic car in its own right.
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Range Rover Sport
The new generation of Range Rovers appear to be Range titans, given these full size SUVs offer 70 miles of electric range. Yes, the P510e, with its six-cylinder petrol engine and 38.2kWh battery offer 510PS (375kW) and enough electric juice, so says Land Rover, for 75 per cent of your journeys. The EV mode is versatile too, given it has a mighty top speed on electric only of 87mph. We’ve yet to have a drive but for now we can tell you it looks great inside and out and is well-equipped. Reliability is a question mark but so many buyers are willing to bench the worries just to have that inimitable Range Rover style.
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Mercedes-Benz C300E
The range king of plug-in hybrids has been for the last few years, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class PHEV, which offers over 60 miles of claimed electric range. Obviously that drops a bit in real world use but it’ll still outstrip the BMW above. Still, the aforementioned ten-mile daily commute would be covered just fine. There’s also versatility to it, given it can be had as a saloon or an estate car. Independent of the electrics, it’s a C-Class, which means it’s also good-looking, comfortable, fast, well-equipped and well-made. What’s not to like?
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Peugeot 308 PHEV
Peugeot's latest 308 is a really good-looking car and comes with a nicely updated cabin, decent practicality and relatively competitive pricing. Also available in the long-serving family hatch are a range of powertrain options, including all-ICE, all-electric and yes, a plug-in hybrid. While it only offers a claimed 37 miles of range, the 308 gets on this list simply by being a nice car. It's a pleasant place to be with a good driving position and decent equipment levels. It's also nice to drive and available in both hatch and SW estate variants. As a compelling alternative to the slightly off-its-game Volkswagen Golf, the 308 nails it.
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