Plug-in hybrid cars (PHEVs) have grown in popularity in recent years, as drivers seek to change to electric motoring. It’s easy to see why. Hybrids currently offer the best of both worlds, giving buyers the confidence of having an engine for longer ranges, whilst also providing an electric battery for shorter journeys like around town. PHEVs can help increase your fuel economy, lower your running costs, and decrease CO2 emissions. The best plug-in hybrid cars offer all this and have their own selling points too.

And today, there is a plug-in hybrid to suit the needs of nearly every driver. On the used and new car market, you can find a plug-in hybrid version of small hatchbacks, large SUVs, and even sports cars. In addition, plug-in hybrids make fantastic company cars as well. Hybrids low CO2 emissions equal a lower Benefit-in-Kind tax band, and subsequently cheaper company car tax bills. Unsurprisingly, many businesses are now pushing their employees towards PHEVs.

So if you’re looking to buy a hybrid car, join us as we round up our top 10 best plug-in hybrids on sale today. We’ll look at what you can expect to pay on the used and new market, each car’s electric only range, the vehicle’s CO2 emissions, and a whole lot more.

A quick note, many PHEVs can be eligible for the government’s £2,500 plug-in car grant. Find out more about the grant and whether your preferred model is eligible at gov.uk.

Top 10 best plug-in hybrids in 2021

Buckle up as without any further fanfare, here’s our top 10 best plug-in hybrid cars of 2021. We’ll go into more depth for each vehicle too, just a little further down.

  1. BMW 330e
  2. Toyota Prius
  3. Audi A3 40 TFSIe
  4. Hyundai Ioniq
  5. Kia Niro PHEV
  6. Range Rover P400e
  7. Volvo XC90 Recharge T8
  8. Volkswagen Passat GTE
  9. Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid
  10. BMW i8

1. BMW 330e

Part of the 3 Series line up, the BMW 330e is a plug-in hybrid model that looks, feels, and drives much like any other G20-generation 3 Series. It’s lots of fun to drive, with great handling and a suitably plush cabin, and as a PHEV it offers greater fuel economy and lower running costs.

EV Miles: 37 miles

Fuel economy: 138mpg

Co2: 39g/km

New price from: £39,000

Used prices from: £12,000

Best Features

  • Fun to drive
  • Premium quality
  • Plush interior

2. TOYOTA PRIUS

The Toyota Prius was the car that really got the ball rolling in terms of hybrid powertrains. First launched as a conventional hybrid, it has since been offered as a plug-in hybrid option. Offering an impressive all-electric range and a lengthy equipment list, the Prius is quiet, comfortable, and an excellent option for those seeking lower running costs and greater fuel efficiency.

EV Miles: 34 miles

Fuel economy: 235mpg

Co2: 28g/km

New price from: £24,800

Used prices from: £2,000

Best Features

  • Excellent fuel economy
  • Very reliable
  • Quiet and comfortable

3. AUDI A3 40 TFSIe

With a six-speed automatic gearbox, the Audi A3 TFSIe has a 1.4-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, which offers up to 41 miles on the battery alone – a good distance for local commutes to and from work. It is a refined car with a well-built interior, it handles well, and it has premium appeal too.

EV Miles: 41 miles

Fuel economy: 283mpg

Co2: 30g/km

New price from: £34,500

Used prices from: £18,500

Best Features

  • Refined
  • Well-built interior
  • Handles well

4. HYUNDAI IONIQ

Also available as a full electric and as a self-charging hybrid, the Hyundai Ioniq is easy to drive, with a quiet cabin and good levels of equipment. It has attractive, conventional styling and will appeal to anyone seeking a PHEV that looks like a typical combustion-powered car. It also has a 341-litre boot adding to its practicality.

EV Miles: 32 miles

Fuel economy: 257mpg

Co2: 26g/km

New price from: £29,800

Used prices from: £12,500

Best Features

  • Easy to drive
  • Good levels of equipment
  • Quiet cabin

5. KIA NIRO PHEV

The Kia Niro comes very well-equipped and it has the added benefit of Kia’s lengthy 7-year warranty, too. As a crossover, it has a popular body shape that gives a commanding view of the road. Plus, it has a spacious and practical interior, offering a smooth drive.

EV Miles: 36 miles

Fuel economy: 202mpg

Co2: 31g/km

New price from: £31,400

Used prices from: £22,000

Best Features

  • Spacious and practical
  • Well-equipped
  • 7-year warranty

6. RANGE ROVER P400e

The Range Rover P400e is Land Rover’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle and, like the Volvo XC90, it shows the excellent variety of plug-in hybrids on sale today. As many Range Rovers now spend most of their time in the city, the 31-mile electric-only range in the P400e makes a lot of sense, and is paired with Land Rover’s four-cylinder ‘Ingenium’ petrol engine. If you purely value your SUV for luxurious silent motoring, the P400e is the pick of the Range Rover line-up.

EV Miles: 31 miles

Fuel economy: 85mpg

Co2: 75g/km

New price from: £87,000

Used prices from: £50,000

Best Features

  • Luxurious cabin
  • Refined and comfortable
  • Punchy and quick

7. VOLVO XC90 RECHARGE T8

The largest vehicle in the Volvo range, the XC90 is a 7-seater with a lot of safety and semi-autonomous driving tech, making it one of the safest cars on the road. It’s currently the only 7-seat PHEV SUV on the market, offering excellent practicality and the chance to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions at the same time.

EV Miles: 40 miles

Fuel economy: 101mpg

Co2: 63g/km

New price from: £74,000

Used prices from: £40,000

Best Features

  • Spacious 7-seater
  • Quality interior
  • Excellent safety tech

8. VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GTE

The Volkswagen Passat GTE retains all the great characteristics of the standard Passat. It’s well-equipped, premium and practical, and as a PHEV it offers lower running costs and greater fuel economy. It’s also available as both a saloon and an estate.

EV Miles: 31 miles

Fuel economy: 235mpg

Co2: 27g/km

New price from: £36,100

Used prices from: £16,000

Best Features

  • Spacious cabin
  • Premium and practical
  • Well-equipped

9. Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid

Porsche is no longer selling any new diesel vehicles in the UK, and is therefore expanding its plug-in hybrid range. The monstrous 689bhp Panamera S E-Hybrid is one of the latest hybrids in the prestigious firm’s repertoire. While it’s no more efficient in the real-world than your average thirsty saloon, we admire that it exists for those that want to at least pretend that they’re saving the environment.

EV Miles: 31 miles

Fuel economy: 105mpg

Co2: 61g/km

New price from: £83,700

Used prices from: £27,000

Best Features

  • Fantastic to drive
  • Stunning interior
  • Fast, even on electric alone

10. BMW i8

The BMW i8 is definitely one of the most exciting plug-in cars out there, particularly with its futuristic looks. The i8 ultimately shows that plug-in hybrids don’t have to be bland or slow, and that supercars can be cheap to run.

EV Miles: 23 miles

Fuel economy: 128mpg

Co2: 51g/km

New price from: £124,700

Used prices from: £40,000

Best Features

  • Unique styling
  • High equipment levels
  • Fun to drive

And that completes our 10 best plug-in hybrid cars of 2021. As you can see, there’s an excellent choice of PHEVs now available on the used and new car market, from hatchbacks, to crossovers, to big SUVs, and even sports cars.

With the upcoming ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars coming into effect in the UK in 2030, you might also want to consider looking at EVs. You can check out what we think are the best all-electric vehicles, with our top 10 of The Best Electric Cars in the UK.

Search less. Live more. And find the right plug-in hybrid car for your needs today.