If you can’t commit to a fully electric car, these hybrid cars with the best range should be perfect for you.
There’s a wide range of choice, from established brands and modern disruptors – and in terms of body style too. Hatchbacks, estates, saloons and SUVs all make this list of PHEVs with longest range. Which takes your fancy?
Volkswagen Golf eHybrid – 88 miles
We won’t mention these cars’ official MPG figures too much in this article – the range figure is much more important – but the Volkswagen Golf eHybrid in Match trim promises exactly 1,000mpg. While it’s unlikely you’ll ever hit such a stratospheric number, the Golf returns sky-high fuel economy in normal driving, thanks to its astonishing 88 miles of electric range. That means the majority of everyday journeys can be done without waking the petrol engine – although, when it does jump into life, the transition between the engine and motor is near-seamless.
Shop used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale or read our Volkswagen Golf review
Skoda Superb iV – 83 miles
The aircraft-carrier-sized Skoda Superb iV uses the same engine and motor combo as the Golf – you’re going to be seeing that powertrain a lot on this list – but Skoda’s official figure is only a few miles short of the Golf’s. And, if you can sacrifice those extra miles, the Superb scores mega points for its huge boot, fancy interior and private-jet legroom.
All its benefits mean the smart-looking Superb is perfect for both business and private users – the Superb is a solid-gold family car if you can resist the temptation for SUV ride height.
Shop used Skoda Superb cars for sale or read our Skoda Superb review
Volkswagen Passat eHybrid – 81 miles
The new Volkswagen Passat is a Superb in a branded suit. Which means you get the same choice of engines, and the same vast boot space, but with the option of an illuminated VW badge. Fancy. The latest Passat is estate-only – that’s fine by us – and it’s impressively refined at a motorway cruise. With the Passat’s over 80-mile range, and fast-charging, you can sit on the motorway all day long and stay relaxed.
Shop used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale or read our Volkswagen Passat review
BYD Seal U DM-i – 78 miles
Unless you’re really tapped into the world of cars, you probably won’t have heard of the BYD Seal U DM-i – and, even if you have, you probably can’t remember its full name. The Seal U is BYD’s only plug-in hybrid model, but you could do most of your journeys driving on EV power with the petrol engine reserved for backup duties. It’s a big car with big legroom, and has more tech than you’re used to – in an interior that’s much more to UK buyers’ conservative tastes than the electric BYD Atto 3 SUV.
Read our guide to the best Chinese cars to buy now
Mercedes GLC 300de – 78 miles
The Mercedes GLC offers not one, but two distinct plug-in hybrid options. Both options – one petrol, one diesel – can manage up to 78 miles on electric power alone. Mercedes is unique in building a diesel PHEV, which gives long-range fuel economy and plenty of EV range for town driving. It’s a wonder other brands don’t follow suit, given how thirsty some petrol PHEVs can be with a flat battery. The GLC’s pair of PHEVs offer 60kW fast charging, too, giving a 10-80% top up in 20 minutes.
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Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid – 77 miles
Another car that uses the same 19.7kWh battery and 1.5-litre petrol engine as the Golf above, the Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid combines the talents of one of our favourite family SUVs with a plug-in powertrain that’ll cut your running costs. There are two power outputs – 204hp in lesser trim levels and the option of a 272hp version further up the range. We’d stick with the former as it’s still quick enough.
Shop used Volkswagen Tiguan cars for sale or read our Volkswagen Tiguan review
MG HS – 75 miles
MG has got really good at showing up other carmakers while undercutting them on price. Take the new HS for example – it boasts class-leading rear-seat space, a seven-year warranty, modern styling and an unfussy infotainment system for less than some brands charge for a tiny hatchback. Choosing the PHEV means you also enjoy lower running costs, and the big electric range means it doesn’t matter a jot that the 1.5-litre petrol is a bit thirsty on its own. Refinement takes a step up when you’re on e-power, too.
Shop used MG HS cars for sale or read our MG HS review
Skoda Kodiaq iV – 75 miles
While we’re a little disappointed that the cavernous Skoda Kodiaq only has five seats if you choose a PHEV, it means you get an absolutely whopping 745-litre boot and an official 75-mile EV range estimate. And, like the other VW Group cars on this list, it’ll fast-charge at 40kW for a 20-minute top-up when you’re on the go. Which gives you plenty of time to play with the vast touchscreen and the clever multifunctional ‘smart dials’.
Shop used Skoda Kodiaq cars for sale or read our Skoda Kodiaq review
Range Rover Sport P460e – 74 miles
Plug-in hybrid power might seem incongruous in a luxury SUV – it’s purely so company car drivers can pay less tax – but actually the combination of power sources works with the Range Rover Sport’s multifaceted talents. Its 74-mile range means you can enjoy whisper-quiet progress when you need to concentrate or relax, and a total output of 460hp from the 3.0-litre petrol engine and e-motor means you can hit 0-62mph in a sports car-beating 5.5 seconds when the mood takes you.
Alternatively, you could upgrade to a 550hp version or the full-fat Range Rover – both still retain a 74-mile range estimate.
Mercedes C300e – 71 miles
Mercedes can see that the saloon market is still important – not everyone wants a SUV – and the latest C-Class is the best yet. As with other cars on this list, its super-low official CO2 emissions figure will save company car users a fortune in tax – but we’re more interested in its ability to do 70 miles of zero-local-emission driving. Step up to the E-Class saloon or the CLE coupe and you barely lose any of that electric range.
Shop used Mercedes C-Class cars for sale or read our Mercedes C-Class review
Other hybrid cars with the longest range:
Mercedes GLE 400e – 68 miles
Audi A5 e-hybrid – 67 miles
BMW X5 xDrive50e – 67 miles
Renault Rafale E-Tech PHEV – 65 miles
BMW 3 Series 330e – 62 miles
BMW 2 Series 225e – 56 miles
Jaecoo 7 SVS – 56 miles
