Fancy a taste of the electric car life but aren’t ready to make the jump? Maybe a plug-in hybrid will work for you – here are some of the best!
If full electric cars still give you the range-anxiety wobbles but saving fuel tops your wish-list, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) could be just the ticket. PHEVs are mostly like normal cars, but they have batteries that you can plug in and charge, much like an electric car – the difference being the batteries are much smaller, so you’ll typically do 20 or so pure electric miles on a charge, but when that runs out you’ve got an internal combustion engine as back up. Run the two systems together in petrol-electric hybrid mode and you even get a performance bonus.
Just know that plug-ins work best if you’re doing lots of shorter trips with occasional longer runs – their fuel tanks are smaller to make room for all the hybrid tech, plus the engines still have to carry the batteries around when they’ve run out, which hurts mpg. Keep the batteries topped, though, and there’s no reason why you can’t beat even the 100mpg+ official figures.
With all that in mind, let’s jump straight in to Motorpoint’s top 10 used PHEVs…
Hyundai Tucson PHEV
Pair the space-age styling of the Hyundai Tucson with a clever electrified powertrain and you’ve got a car that feels like it was blasted in from the year 2093. The latest Tucson is one of the best midsize SUVs you can buy, and it’s best in plug-in hybrid guise – even if it’s the most expensive. A smooth transition between petrol and electric, a decent real-world range and the potential for slashed fuel costs all make the Tucson PHEV a car you’ll buy with both the head and the heart.
Shop used Hyundai Tucson cars for sale or read our Hyundai Tucson review
Skoda Octavia iV
The battery pack in the Octavia iV takes up a fair bit of boot space, which would be annoying if the Octavia wasn’t so big to begin with. As it is, the iV still offers more boot space than its petrol-powered rivals. The Octavia also boasts huge rear-seat space, a crisply designed and thoughtful interior, and a plug-in hybrid engine for the first time. So welcome to our list, Octavia.
In fact, there are two plug-in hybrid options in the Octavia – the standard car has a 204hp output, while there’s also a plug-in vRS if you want sporty driving and racy looks with the duality of a hybrid engine.
Shop used Skoda Octavia cars for sale or read our Skoda Octavia review
BMW X1 xDrive25e
There’s a new BMW X1 on the block but the previous-generation X1 is still a fantastic choice. You get sporty handling, lots of leather and even more tech, wrapped up in a body with surprising amounts of interior space, but isn’t so big that it’s daunting to park. Add in a plug-in hybrid powertrain that offers quick acceleration and a 30-mile electric range, and you’ve got a family car that does it all.
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Peugeot 308 Hybrid
You can get normal petrol and diesel engines with the new Peugeot 308, but we think its futuristic styling deserves to be matched with electrification. Especially because the 308’s Hybrid option is a peach. Acceleration is responsive and easy, the brake regeneration makes it feel like you’re in an electric car, and it’s comfortable to the point where you barely notice motorway expansion joints. And, thanks to the super crisp sat nav screen and configurable shortcut buttons, the 308’s tech makes long journeys a total breeze.
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MG HS PHEV
Plug-in hybrids are usually expensive compared to petrol or diesel cars – and they typically come with practicality compromises. Not so in the MG HS. This is a family-size SUV with a 32-mile electric range and a spacious interior – including one of the biggest boots on this list – which happens to be roughly the same price as a petrol version on the used market. Did we mention that a used MG HS costs about as much as a Ford Fiesta? That’s a no brainer. You get the luxury of quiet, smooth electric power and an automatic gearbox, plus the capable petrol engine as a backup. A reversing camera, cruise control, alloy wheels and digital dials all make the standard equipment list. It’s like staying in a Hilton hotel on a Holiday Inn budget.
Shop used MG HS cars for sale or read our MG HS review
Ford Kuga Plug-in Hybrid
The Ford Kuga is fun for all the family. There’s plenty of space for long-legged kids to stretch out in the back seats, enough audio options to keep everyone happy, and even fun handling for the driver. And, if the driver is also impressed by high fuel economy and a display showing how the car’s power is being used, then the Kuga PHEV ticks those specific boxes too. Up to 200mpg is possible – provided you drive pretty much everywhere using the 35 miles or so of battery power – and the automatic gearbox makes for stress-free school runs. Because the Kuga PHEV only comes in selected high-spec trim levels, you’re guaranteed gadgets and gizmos too.
Shop used Ford Kuga cars for sale or read our Ford Kuga review
BMW 3 Series 330e
The BMW 320d was the king diesel repmobile of the noughties, but it didn’t look so clever when diesel started to fall from grace. Luckily BMW had a Plan B to the D in the 330e, which is now one of the best-selling 3 Series models. Up to 201.8mpg with the organic carrot of 36 miles in pure electric mode is a big part of the why, but BMW’s trademark driving fun is still present and correct, these days you can get xDrive all-wheel drive and an estate body too, plus there’s BMW’s exceptional Live Cockpit Professional infotainment. Yes please.
Shop used BMW 3 Series cars for sale or read our BMW 3 Series review
Renault Captur E-Tech PHEV
The Renault Captur is fine with a petrol engine, but it’s great with a hybrid one. The E-Tech PHEV has a beautifully smooth transition between petrol and electric, and the ‘leccy punch makes it feel more alive than non-hybrid versions. It’s quiet, too. As with the standard Captur, the E-Tech has a plush, tightly screwed together dashboard with a fantastic infotainment system, and a spacious cabin with space for your mates.
Shop used Renault Captur cars for sale or read our Renault Captur review
Volvo XC60 Recharge T8
We’re not totally sure why Volvo decided to stuff its sensible XC60 SUV with nearly 400hp, but the speed freaks in us are glad it did. There’s something gloriously silly about how the XC60 Recharge T8 can outsprint a sports car away from the lights, before it settles down to be the comfortable cruiser you expect. And it’s really comfortable. And practical. And quiet, especially with its 30-mile electric range.
Shop used Volvo XC60 cars for sale or read our Volvo XC60 review
Cupra Leon e-Hybrid
Hybrid hot hatches are like eating Dairy Milk with Hula Hoops – shouldn’t work, but it does. You get the sharp looks – and, in the Cupra’s case, copper touches – but with the ability to creep out your housing estate on silent EV power. And then the petrol engine chimes in and you’ve got both power sources giving it their all. In this case, the Cupra Leon gives you 245hp, and a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds. Zippy.
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Peruse our plug-in hybrids
Browse our exciting selection of used plug-in hybrid cars for sale, all with low mileage and warranty cover included.
