Australia’s 10 Best Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Commitment issues? A Plug-in Hybrid might be the way to ease into the EV world that we are all seeing manufactures move towards. A Plug-in Hybrid EV is essentially an electric vehicle that allows you control to charge electric motor by plugging in, other hybrids rely on regenerative braking to charge it.

One major perk of a plug-in hybrid is it irradicates the range anxiety they come with EVs, as the petrol engine will kick in when needed, generally when the vehicle exceeds a certain speed. You will not have to choose between an electric vehicle, and your weekends down south.

Now that you are ready to start looking at which PHEV suits you and your family, let us break down what sets the segment apart.

1. MG HS Plus EV

Offered in two spec levels at $48,690 for the Excite package and $51,690 for the Essence drive-away, the MG HS Plus EV includes a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four giving out, 119kW/250Nm with a 90kW/230Nm motor in between the six-speed auto transmission for a combined 189kW and 370Nm.

MG is the affordable choice, that doesn’t miss any essential creature comfort, and the infotainment is extremely user friendly.

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2. Mazda CX-60

Mazda's first plug-in hybrid, the CX-60 medium SUV, is their most powerful vehicle yet. It combines a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine complimented with a 129kW electric motor and a 17.8kWh lithium-ion battery, producing 241kW and 500Nm in total.

The 2023 Mazda CX-60 PHEV is available in three options – Evolve, GT and Azami – priced from $72,300 and can add up to $87,252 for the range topping Azami, all before on-road costs. A little higher on the budget scale, however Mazda design is timelessly sleek, and given there are a few PHEVs in the range, you can have your choice on how much or little you spend here.

Check Out The Best Hybrid SUVs In Australia

3. Peugeot 3008 PHEV

The 3008 has a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine working with the electric motors at each axle for an overall power output of 222kW and 520Nm, resulting in a 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds. 13.2kWh battery, which provides great all-electric driving range.

The 3008 PHEV is $84,790 before on road costs, which is higher price wise, but stepping into the Peugeot it screams elegance.

4. Kia Sorento PHEV

Given the Sorento is one of the biggest in the PHEV market, if you are looking for your family, this should be high on the list. the seven-seat Kia Sorento GT-Line PHEV is driven by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine linked to an electric motor between the internal combustion engine and gearbox – giving out a combined 195kW and 304Nm.

A 14kWh lithium-ion battery allows the Sorento to give an electric-only driving range of up to 68km. The Sorento PHEV is $81,080 before on road. This car oozes family appeal, but also holds up to the standard of well-crafted interior and infotainment, the rest of the Kia clan has set.

Read More About The Kia Sorento PHEV Range

5. Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge

The larger Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge shares its plug-in hybrid powertrain with the XC60, including its 335kW and 709Nm outputs and 18.8kWh battery.

Volvo has claimed the XC90 T8 Recharge will do 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds, with a 68-kilometre WLTP-rated electric-only driving range – up from 48 km from the XC90 T8. The price for this vehicle is $121,990, which having some of the most advance safety features in the market, it’s something to seriously consider, even given the price tag.

6. BMW X3 xDrive30e

The BMW X3 xDrive30e is a plug-in hybrid alternative to the all-electric iX3, this car allows 41 kilometres using its 12kWh battery alone. Complementing the electric motor, a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder will kick in, and drive with 215kW of power and 420Nm of torque.

The X3 does the zero to 100km/h whip in 6.1 seconds. You can secure one of these for $110,400, given the BMW luxury and badge and all new PHEV technology this price seems fair,

7. Lexus NX PHEV

The Lexus NX450h+ plug-in hybrid's powertrain is designed with the same 2.5-litre petrol engine of the NX 350h, but is has two electric motors, one at each axle, to produce 227kW power output making it the most powerful NX in the Lexus line up.

Equipped with 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery, providing an all-electric driving range of up to 87 kilometres. The Lexus NX PHEV is $90,923, but with the all-new infotainment system and high-tech heads up display, will really show that this Lexus is not just a polished Toyota RAV4, it is sheer luxury.

8. Ford Escape PHEV

Ford's first electrified model in Australia, the Escape ST-Line PHEV, uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, electric motor and a 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery to feed out 167kW of power and 210 Nm of torque, resulting in the Ford being one of the most fuel-efficient. cleanest (and most cost effective at $53,440) PHEVs on the market.

The Escape is a great entry level PHEV into the market, if refined styling and creature comfort isn’t the most important thing on your wish list, this is certainly one to consider.

See Our Comparison Of The Ford Escape And Mitsubishi Outlander

9. Cupra Leon VZe

The plug-in hybrid Cupra Leon VZe holds a 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder producing 110kW and 250Nm in partnership with an 85kW/300Nm electric motor, producing a combined 180kW and 400Nm.

The Cupra will get you an electric-only driving range of 59 kilometres. With a recent price adjustment, the Cupra sits at $60,490 before on road costs. Given it’s a new car in Australia, it is well worth checking out.

The exterior alone is striking with the use of Satin paint works and gold features around. The interior holds a bit of an homage to a race car, with sporty features in the steering wheel. With all that being said, the Leon is still very suited to being a family car, one that will certainly turn heads.

10. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Replacing the popular older version – but at a higher price point, can we see the price increases value? Like the last model, the Outlander PHEV is powered by a 2.4-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, providing power of 98kW (up 4kW from its predecessor).

It is powered by a pair of electric motors on the front and rear axles – now producing 85kW and 100kW, respectively – for a total system output of 185kW and 450Nm. Mitsubishi has equipped the latest Outlander PHEV with a 20kWh battery set up. Along with a bigger 56-litre fuel tank, the Outlander PHEV will go for up to 84km in its fully-electric mode on a single charge – 54 per cent more than the previous model.

The Outlander PHEV fleet is prices from $53,590 to $68,490 before on road costs, which gives you a choice when working within a budget. While Mitsubishi will run a little more agriculturally than other vehicles on the market, the PHEV is still one to check out.

As you can see, there are many more choices in the PHEV segment, and more continue to come through. The Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle is one to check out and dip your feet in. This is the EV change the world is seeing.

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