Best Plug-in Hybrid SUVs of 2022

Characteristics of PHEV SUVs

There are plenty of preconceived notions around hybrid vehicles, and not all of them are true. It is important to be able to separate fact from fiction so that you know what to expect when shopping for a plug-in SUV. Most of these cars will share similar qualities, whether for good or bad. These are the inherent characteristics that make the top plug-in hybrid SUV models so popular:

• Economy: The whole point of a hybrid is to keep fuel costs down. Well, that and to lessen our impact on the environment. The sad truth is that few people really consider the latter when making a purchase decision. Unlike a regular hybrid, a plug-in SUV hybrid can store a lot more electricity in its battery pack, and it can run solely on that power for a certain length of time. Since you don’t need to rely on the regenerative brakes to create this energy, you can keep the battery topped up between trips and really cash in on that all-electric range to get excellent fuel economy figures.
• Practicality: The main selling point of any SUV is its superior passenger and cargo capacity. Thanks to some savvy design magic, most hybrids no longer have to make any sacrifices in these areas to accommodate their large battery packs. However, they are still quite a bit heavier, so 7-seater hybrids are relatively rare. Towing capacity is also usually somewhat limited in hybrids due to their higher gross weight.
• Performance: Plug-ins differ from regular hybrids in that they add an electric motor to the powertrain. This often results in higher combined performance figures and many premium brands specifically use the motor to improve low-down acceleration. When performance is prioritized, though, it often results in less impressive fuel economy returns. Most hybrids come standard with AWD, as the motor will power the rear wheels while the engine powers the front.
• Safety: Hybrid variants of gas-powered cars are almost never entry-level models. As such, they come with more advanced features as standard. Sport utility vehicles are already quite safe, not just because of their size and bulk, but also because they come with loads of driver-assistance tech. The higher-tier hybrid trims get even more, and they are heavier, to boot. This results in an overall better safety rating. This makes PHEV SUVs highly reliable as family cars.
• Price: Considering the extra tech, both under the hood and in the cabin, the best PHEV SUVs are not usually cheap. However, savvy buyers should not be put off by this higher initial cost, as the savings down the line will usually make up for it. Another way to counteract this would be to buy used instead of new. Since these cars are usually higher spec, they retain their value well.

What to Consider Before Buying a Plug-in Hybrid SUV

No matter what type of car you set out to buy, you have to expect to take the good from the bad. There is no such thing as a perfect car, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find one that is perfect for you. Here are the chief strengths and weaknesses of the best plug-in hybrid SUV models.

Pros

• Hard-to-beat MPGe figures lead to huge fuel savings
• No emissions when running on electric power only
• Electric power can be used to improve performance and not just economy
• Maintain all the strengths of the SUV body style
• Higher-spec models retain their value well

Cons

• All-electric range is usually quite low
• Extra components significantly increase overall weight
• Charging times can be long depending on the size of the battery
• Higher initial cost can be off-putting to thrifty shoppers

FAQs