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…
Cupra Formentor eHybrid
The Cupra Formentor is a hot hatchback and a family SUV in one, and it excels at both of those roles. It’s one of the best cars that the VW Group makes right now. Alongside a choice of increasingly powerful petrol engines, there are a brace of plug-in options that give you punchy performance and around 35 miles of squeaky clean EV driving. For buyers who drive around town and on flowing roads further afield, the Formentor eHybrid offers the best powertrain for each scenario.
Shop our exciting range of used Cupra Formentor cars for sale or read our Cupra Formentor review
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 spacious interior – including one of the biggest boots on this list – and one of the longest ranges of any PHEV. A full battery gives up to 75 miles of EV driving. Did we mention that a used MG HS PHEV costs about as much as a Ford Focus? 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
Volkswagen Golf eHybrid
With a full battery, the 2024-on Golf eHybrid returns up to 88 miles of EV driving. Need we say more? Well, not only is the Golf the longest-range PHEV you can buy right now, but its powertrain is one of the best resolved. You could easily use the battery power for nearly all of the time, and when the petrol engine kicks in you’ll barely notice it. It’s comfortable and quiet at speed, and all the normal Golf hallmarks are present and correct – useful boot, plenty of rear-seat space and more tech than a space shuttle. Newer cars get a much-improved infotainment system, too. Meanwhile, the Golf GTE offers all this and hot hatch performance.
Shop used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale or read our Volkswagen Golf review
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
The new BMW X1 offers something for everyone. Along with petrol and diesel options, there are a couple of plug-in hybrids plus the fully electric iX1. In every model, 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 64-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. Want something more rakish? Check out the related Peugeot 408.
Shop used Peugeot 308 cars for sale or read our Peugeot 308 review
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius has really nailed its character arc. For years it was the pin-up of hybrid motoring, loved and loathed in equal measure for its eco credentials. Worthy, but not exciting. Now, though, the new one is cool? And interesting? What a glow up! It doesn’t boast the biggest battery on this list, but its sleek aero styling enables an electric range of around 50 miles. And, even with a flat battery, you might still hit the heady heights of 80mpg. It even drives nicely.
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.
