EV Alternatives: Best Plug-In Hybrids That Go The Distance On Battery Power

By all accounts, widespread adoption of full-electric vehicles is manifest destiny here in the U.S. and around the world for their zero tailpipe emissions and reduced exposure to the supply and demand machinations of imported petroleum. But for the meantime, despite higher EV sales they thus far represent just a sliver of the total U.S. new-car market.

Problem is, EVs are not ready for prime time as far as the typical consumer is concerned, and that’s despite their remarkable performance capabilities, easy and affordable home charging, and their more environmentally benign nature. For starters, most remain luxury models that are priced beyond the average household’s reach, with only a scant few remaining eligible for the one-time $7,500 federal tax credit granted to make EVs more affordable.

And while EV battery capacities are becoming more robust than ever, as many owners found out this past winter, frigid weather and subsequent use of the climate control system can stifle battery capacity by 40% or more. Plus there’s the sorry state of public charging to overcome, with working units often rendered frustratingly difficult to locate when needed the most.

But while they’re still costlier to purchase than comparable conventionally powered models, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) can prove to be more affordable and amenable go-betweens for those who want to save money at the pump and/or reduce their carbon footprints, but aren’t ready to commit to a full electric car. They’re essentially the vehicular equivalents of the old DVD/VCR players that effectively smoothed the transition between analog to digital formats.

Like standard hybrids, PHEVs use one or more electric motors to augment a gasoline engine to produce lively acceleration with increased fuel economy, but include larger battery packs that allow them to operate for an extended period solely on electric power. Once the battery is depleted to a certain point, the vehicle continues to operate as a regular hybrid under a combination of gas and electric power, with its effective range limited only by the amount of gas remaining in the tank.

The best of the bunch can run for 30 to 40 or more miles without using a drop of gasoline with a fully charged battery. Since the average motorist only spends around 35 miles per day behind the wheel, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, those owning the longest-range PHEVs will use little or no petroleum at all in their weekly travels.

A PHEV can be charged in a couple of hours using a “Level 2” 240-volt home or public charger or overnight using a standard 110-volt line. Unfortunately, as with full-electric cars, a PHEV’s battery range tends to be adversely affected by extreme temperatures.

As for operating-cost savings, the Environmental Protection Agency says a 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid will cost an average $1,200 annually to run for 15,000 on gas and electricity, which is $4,500 less over a five-year period than its most-efficient internal combustion equivalent at current average energy costs.

And while their numbers have been whittled down significantly with passage of the Inflation Reduction Act last year, a few PHEVs remain eligible for one-time federal tax credits of $3,700-$7,500, based on battery size, and other limitations, including country of origin, price, and a buyer’s family income. These are the models that still qualify:

• 2022-2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid: $7,500
• 2022 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid: $3,750
• 2022-2023 Jeep Wrangler PHEV 4xe: $3,750
• 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee PHEV 4xe: $3,750
• 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring: $7,500
• 2022 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring: $3,750

We combed through the spec sheets of current PHEVs to identify those that can go the money-saving distance, in terms of their battery-only ranges per charge and their expected energy consumption. A PHEV’s fuel economy ratings are expressed in two ways: a conventional mpg rating for when the vehicle is operating as a gas/electric hybrid, and an equivalent “MPG-e” measurement when running solely on electricity.

Keep in mind that EV range estimates are averages that are based on an instrumented laboratory analysis conducted under strictly controlled conditions. As with gas-powered cars, a motorist’s real-world range can be wildly different depending on a variety of circumstances, including vehicle speed, ambient temperature, uses of accessories, and the weight of passengers and cargo being carried. As they say, your mileage will vary.

The Best Plug-In Hybrids For The Money In 2023:

1. Toyota Prius Prime Hatchback

Base price: $32,350; 44 miles EV range; 127 MPGe electric/52 mpg hybrid

2. Toyota RAV4 Prime SUV

Base price: $43,675; 42 miles EV range; 94 MPGe/38 mpg

3. Volvo S60 Recharge Sedan

Base price: $52,345; 41 Miles EV range; 74 MPGe/30 mpg

4. Lexus NX 450h Plus AWD SUV

Base price: $57,705; 37 Miles EV range; 84 MPGe/36 mpg

5. Ford Escape Hybrid SUV (2022 Model)

Base price: $40,500 ($33,181 after $3,750 federal tax credit); 37 miles EV range; 105 MPGe/40 mpg

6. Volvo XC60 Recharge SUV

Base price: $58,495; 35 miles EV range; 63 MPGe/28 mpg

7. Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid SUV

Base price: $38,835; 33 Miles EV range; 80 MPGe/35 mpg

8. Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid SUV

Base price: $35,165; 33 Miles EV range; 108 MPGe/mpg NA

9. Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SUV

Base price: $51,315; 32 miles EV range; 52 MPGe/34 mpg

10. Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Minivan

Base price: $52,090; 32 Miles EV range; 82 MPGe/30 mpg

11. 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid AWD SUV

Base price: $43,745; 31 Miles EV range; 76 MPGe/33 mpg

12. BMW X5 xDrive45e SUV

Base price: $66,695; 31 miles EV range; 50 MPGe/20 mpg

Range and energy consumption information for all past and present PHEVs sold in the U.S. can be found on the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov website.