Plug-in hybrid cars have become more popular recently, as automakers have had to come up with a quick way to meet tightening emissions restrictions, all while having to deal with the ever-changing demand for pure electric cars.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, known as PHEVs for short, are similar to normal hybrids, but their electric motors are usually more powerful, the high-voltage batteries are bigger and they have a charging port, so you can charge them at home just like an EV.
PHEVs also include gas engines to recharge their batteries, making them relatively complicated vehicles. Some say they’re the best of both worlds, while others say the exact opposite. Whatever your weird uncle might think, a plug-in hybrid car is a great way to get a taste of that all-electric driving feel, while having a gas-powered backup in case you run out of electric power or just don’t feel like stopping along the way to recharge.
The basic PHEV layout: a gas engine up front, an electric motor on the rear axle and a high-voltage battery somewhere in between.
A plug-in hybrid vehicle is capable of delivering outstanding fuel economy, and it can likely drive the daily commute on electricity to keep costs down. However, to get the full benefits of a PHEV is to charge it regularly–otherwise, the car will work as a regular hybrid but will be less efficient than one because it’s heavier. That bigger battery and more powerful motor take a toll if they’re just being carried around as dead weight.
Keeping all of this in mind, these are the best plug-in hybrid cars available today in the United States. Starting from just under $35,000 and going all the way to $280,000, there are plenty of PHEVs to choose from if you’re not looking for an SUV. If a plug-in hybrid SUV is what you’re after, though, stay tuned because we have something cooking for you.
This article was updated on August 12, 2025.
How We Test
The editors at InsideEVs have decades of collective experience in the automotive media industry. We’re always looking for ways to bring you, our readers, the most up-to-date information about emerging technologies and cool cars.
This includes driving new cars and assessing them to find out which models should land on your shopping list. Every car has a potential buyer, however quirky or expensive, and it’s our job to explain why a company should get your hard-earned money in exchange for one of its vehicles.
While our main focus has long been pure electric vehicles, first catering to early adopters, the market has changed significantly since InsideEVs debuted in 2012. So here we are now, over a decade later, giving you a selection of what we think are the best plug-in hybrid cars of 2025.
The Best Overall Plug-in Hybrid Car: Toyota Prius PHEV
Photo by: Toyota
Base Price: $34,970
Total Range: 550-600 miles
Electric Range: 40-45 miles
Drive Type: Front-Wheel Drive
Toyota knows how to do hybrids, there’s no doubt about that. The Prius has always been the go-to option for this type of car. Just like the Tesla Model 3 is the iPhone of EVs, the Toyota Prius PHEV is the default choice for anyone who’s looking for an affordable gas-powered car that can also be charged at home overnight.
Previously known as the Prius Prime, the plug-in version of the ubiquitous hybrid sedan comes with a vastly larger high-voltage battery compared to its traditional hybrid sibling (10.9 kilowatt-hours versus just 0.5 kWh) and a 3.5-kilowatt onboard charger.
Power-wise, the Prius PHEV gets a total of 220 horsepower, courtesy of a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a pair of electric motors, all of which work together to send power to the front wheels. It’s pretty quick.
Compared to previous generations, which were a bit of an acquired taste visually, the latest-gen Prius actually looks good from all angles. It’s the same story inside, where the quirky blue gear selector and center-mounted instrument cluster have disappeared, making room for a clean-looking, modern cabin that’s well put together.
The Best Plug-In Hybrid If You Need A Lot Of Space: Chrysler Pacifica
Base Price: $53,050
Total Range: 520 miles
Electric Range: 32 miles
Drive Type: Front-Wheel Drive
The Pacifica is “America’s First and Only Plug-in Hybrid Minivan,” as Chrysler boasts on its website, and it’s true. Despite having quite old bones, the electrified minivan is still going strong in 2025, probably because not everybody will instantly look for an SUV when they need more space.
From the built-in vacuum cleaner to the sliding doors with wide openings, the Pacifica hybrid is built for the realities of family life. It’s a straightforward, practical option for those who want a car-like driving experience and don’t need a lot of ground clearance or all-wheel drive.
The Best Luxury Plug-In Hybrids
BMW 5 Series 550e xDrive
Photo by: BMW
Base Price: $75,975
Total Range: 420 miles
Electric Range: 34 miles
Drive Type: All-Wheel Drive
The latest-generation plug-in hybrid 5 Series comes with all the bells and whistles. For starters, it’s the first car on this list to feature all-wheel drive, courtesy of an electric motor mounted inside the eight-speed automatic transmission.
While not necessarily the best setup for efficiency, it’s the safest bet if you want a reliable AWD system in all road conditions.
There’s also a 3.0-liter gas engine under the hood, making for a very healthy total output of 483 horsepower and a blistering 4.1-second sprint from zero to 60 miles per hour. That engine is BMW’s legendary B58 straight six, too, so it should be reasonably reliable. Meanwhile, the 18.7 kWh (usable) battery enables an electric-only range of 34 miles, which is pretty good for a car that weighs 4,750 pounds.
Inside, there’s plenty of space for five adults, and it all feels a little futuristic thanks to the two upright screens on the dash and the twin-spoke steering wheel. And yes, it drives like a BMW, which means it’ll put a smile on your face on the twistier sections.
BMW 7 Series 750e xDrive
Photo by: BMW
Base Price: $109,175
Total Range: 470 miles
Electric Range: 34 miles
Drive Type: All-Wheel Drive
Looks aside, the current-generation BMW 7 Series is one of the best luxury cars on the market. So, if you’re not exactly aching for the equally controversial all-electric i7, the plug-in hybrid 7 Series 750e might be your best bet if you’re looking to cruise around town in total silence.
Sporting the same powertrain as its smaller brother, the 5 Series 550e, the German flagship kicks things up a notch with a sumptuous interior featuring one-touch reclining rear seats and a huge panoramic TV. It drives good, it’s supremely comfortable, and it can go 34 miles on a full battery.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class S580e 4Matic
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
Base Price: $129,350
Total Range: 470 miles
Electric Range: 48 miles
Drive Type: All-Wheel Drive
The luxurious Mercedes S-Class S580e 4Matic is surprisingly the plug-in hybrid car with the longest electric range available in the United States. Thanks to a roughly 28 kWh high-voltage battery, the German sedan can go up to 48 miles on a full charge.
But that’s not all, because the plug-in S-Class also supports DC fast charging at 60 kW, which means a 10% to 80% top-up can take just 20 minutes. On AC power, though, expect to spend over two hours to get a full battery, as the maximum input through the J1772 connector is 9.6 kW.
It goes without saying that the S-Class, even in PHEV guise, is one of the best luxury cars out there, with superb handling and a welcoming (and extremely calming) cabin. In the S580e, a 3.0-liter gas engine works together with an electric motor to deliver a maximum output of 503 hp.
Volvo S90 T8 Recharge
Photo by: Volvo
Base Price: $66,845
Total Range: 500 miles
Electric Range: 38 miles
Drive Type: All-Wheel Drive
Volvo’s only non-SUV plug-in hybrid in the United States is the S90 sedan. Despite their age, the Swedish automaker’s SPA-based models have been refreshed multiple times over the years, with the S90’s latest substantial makeover dating back to 2022.
The update gave Volvo PHEVs a bigger battery, a more powerful electric motor, a different rear differential and an Android Automotive OS-based infotainment system. Compared to other automakers, Volvo’s PHEV system is a little different–it uses an electric motor on the rear axle, while the front wheels are powered by the 2.0-liter gas engine under the hood, via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
This means the S90 T8 Recharge can feel front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive depending on the situation.
The entire system makes a total of 455 horsepower, which is plenty, but don’t expect the S90 to be a corner carver. Instead, it will happily take you anywhere in silence and comfort, effortlessly accelerating when it needs to. Just note that you may need to special order this one, as Volvo dealers don’t tend to stock a ton of S90s these days.
Bentley Flying Spur
Photo by: Bentley
Base Price: $276,450
Total Range: 440 miles
Electric Range: 30 miles
Drive Type: All-Wheel Drive
Seeing how Rolls-Royce isn’t making any PHEVs, the Bentley Flying Spur is currently the ultimate luxury plug-in hybrid. With an eye-watering price tag, the British sedan oozes elegance out of every pore, thanks to an exquisite interior and an extremely potent powertrain.
A twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine is paired with an electric motor, making for a breathtaking 771 hp, enough to catapult the four-door luxury car from zero to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds.
This being the pinnacle of luxury automobiles, Bentley offers a practically endless array of personalization options, both for the exterior and interior. Obviously, this costs extra, but that’s the price to pay if you want to stand out from the rest of the oil barons.
The Best Performance Plug-In Hybrids
BMW M5
Base Price: $125,175
Total Range: 270 miles
Electric Range: 27 miles
Drive Type: All-Wheel Drive with selectable Rear-Wheel Drive
Some people love it, others hate it, but there’s no denying that BMW was quite brave when it decided to stuff a plug-in hybrid powertrain in the new M5. Using a 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8 engine under the hood and an electric motor, the M5 accelerates from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat, which is extremely impressive for something that weighs as much as a house.
This is, after all, an M car, which means it’s supposed to be fun to drive. And the new M5 is no different from its predecessors in this respect. However, some reviewers have pointed out that its suspension setup is a little on the busy side and the steering feels quite numb for a performance sedan. Given its 5,390-pound curb weight, that’s not surprising.
Nevertheless, its trick powertrain can seamlessly transition from all-wheel drive to rear-wheel-drive, and there’s a multitude of settings that can be changed to make the car feel like your own. There’s no DC fast charging, but the onboard AC charger is good for 11 kW on the 2026 model.
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E
Base Price: $197,050
Total Range: 360 miles
Electric Range: 11 miles
Drive Type: All-Wheel Drive
The only coupe on this list is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E, a two-seater performance car that wasn’t designed for efficiency but pure thrill. Despite that, it can go 11 miles on electricity alone thanks to a rather minuscule 6.1 kWh battery pack that’s more suited to complement the 4.0-liter gas engine under the hood.
In total, the AMG GT 63 S E puts out no fewer than 805 hp and can go from a standstill to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds, thanks in part to its all-wheel drive system. Charging is capped at just 3.7 kW, so it should take roughly two hours for a full charge.
Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid
Base Price: $126,450
Total Range: N/A
Electric Range: N/A
Drive Type: All-Wheel Drive
The Porsche Panamera has always been a great performance sedan that’s equally at home on long road trips. It’s a four-seater that feels like a tightly sprung two-seater–and it has a big boot.
It’s impressively quick wherever you choose to drive it, and the smooth powertrain can do a delicate balancing act of either roaring to life and pumping some adrenaline into your veins or cruising in total silence.
Few cars can match the Panamera on performance, so if you’re after a great family corner carver that can also run on electricity for short trips, this is a great option.
Conclusion
Plug-in hybrids used to be few and far between, but now there are loads of models to choose from as automakers are trying to lower their fleet emissions while battling the rough reality of the EV market.
PHEVs can be a great solution for someone who has access to cheap charging at home and very rarely drives more than 30 miles every day. A plug-in hybrid is also usually cheaper than an all-electric vehicle, but bear in mind that it’s more complicated than an EV.
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FAQ
All PHEVs can benefit from the $7,500 federal tax credit until September 30 if they’re leased. When purchasing with cash, the Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid is the only PHEV that qualifies for the tax credit, as long as the transaction has been completed by September 30.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class S580e 4Matic has the longest electric range of all plug-in hybrid cars (excluding SUVs) available in the United States right now–48 miles.
The Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid has the best gas mileage, with 127 MPGe combined (that’s with a full battery) and 52 MPG combined (with a depleted battery).
A PHEV is a very complicated vehicle that has to make two separate powertrains work in harmony, so staying on top of things might be harder than with an EV or a pure combustion car. Moreover, due to their limited battery capacity, PHEVs can only deliver 30 to 40 miles of electric range.
As ever, each car has a purpose, and that’s true for plug-in hybrids, too. If you’re not ready to give up on gas just yet, be it because of charging anxiety or some other reason, a PHEV is a great way to get a taste of electric driving. If a PHEV is charged regularly, it’s worth it.