10 Best Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) in Australia, 2023

They offer most, if not all the benefits of electric vehicles without the inherent worries of range anxiety, all the while slashing fuel bills in the process.

As a result, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are by far the best means of Australians transitioning into an electrified vehicle without the headache, so let’s take a look at ten of the best on sale here in Australia to help you out.

MG HS Plus EV

The MG HS Plus EV takes the HS’ midsize SUV platform and adds some clever electric assistance that helps to massively transform its power and fuel economy figures.

The HS Plus EV’s economy figures of 1.7L/100km combined with MG’s extremely generous approach to entertainment and safety equipment lists make it one of the leading PHEVs in the midsize SUV segment.

• Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, one electric motor 

• Power & Torque: 189kW/370Nm 

• Electric Range: 63km 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 1.7L/100km 

• Seats: Five 

• Boot Space: 451L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV

Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Cross was one of the pioneering plug-in hybrid SUVs, offering a reasonably practical compact SUV platform with immediate acceleration from its electric motors and impressive fuel economy figures.

The Eclipse Cross comes packing a large 13.8kWh battery pack that offers up to 55km of all electric driving range, with a pair of electric motors helping to reduce fuel economy figures to just 1.9L/100km on the NEDC test cycle, so long as the battery is charged.

• Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol, two electric motors 

• Power & Torque: N/A  

• Electric Range: 55km 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 1.9L/100km 

• Seats: Five 

• Boot Space: 359L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Ford Escape PHEV

While the Escape is often overshadowed by more popular rivals in the midsize SUV segment, it remains one of the most entertaining to drive, and in the case of the Escape PHEV, one of the most fuel-efficient of the bunch.

The Escape pairs a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor, with high-voltage juice supplied by a 14.4kWh battery pack that offers up to 56km of silent, emissions-free motoring per charge.

• Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol, one electric motor 

• Power & Torque: 167kW/torque unknown 

• Electric Range: 56km 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 1.5L/100km 

• Seats: Five 

• Boot Space: 556L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Volvo XC90 Recharge

While a number of cars on this list might be guilty of being a bit bland, Volvo’s range-topping XC90 Recharge comes packing some immense power figures that prove its largest, seven-seat SUV can be both practical and super entertaining, too.

The XC90 can sprint to 100km/h in just 5.3 seconds thanks to its turbo- and supercharged four-cylinder engine that is paired with an electric motor producing immense acceleration when needed, while retaining its silky-smooth ride quality on more mundane trips.

• Engine: 2.0-litre supercharged & turbocharged four-cylinder, one electric motor 

• Power & Torque: 340kW/709Nm 

• Electric Range: 77km 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 1.8L/100km 

• Seats: Seven 

• Boot Space: 709L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Kia Sorento PHEV

Kia has given its seven-seat Sorento SUV the plug-in hybrid treatment, which has helped dramatically in terms of its acceleration, fuel economy figures and making it a silent family cargo ship around town.

The Sorento PHEV picks up a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an electric motor with combined outputs of 195kW of power and 350Nm of torque, with a claimed 68km of electric driving range from the 14kWh battery pack.

• Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, one electric motor 

• Power & Torque: 189kW/370Nm 

• Electric Range: 63km 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 1.6L/100km 

• Seats: Seven  

• Boot Space: 604L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

BMW 330e PHEV

For those looking for a slice of premium European motoring, BMW has transplanted its clever plug-in hybrid tech into the iconic 3 Series, proving a match made in heaven.

The BMW 330e retains everything we’ve come to love about the 3 Series, with its dynamic handling and practical design, combined with perky electrical-assisted acceleration and fuel-efficient tech that offers up to 57km of electric driving per charge.

• Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, one electric motor 

• Power & Torque: 215kW/420Nm 

• Electric Range: 57km 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 2.1L/100km 

• Seats: Five 

• Boot Space: 375L  

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Mazda CX-60

Mazda’s first-ever attempt at a plug-in hybrid, the CX-60 has been quick to make an impression with Australian buyers, with the fuel-efficient SUV combining the company’s fabulous interior designs with some clever technology.

While mild-hybrid members of the CX-60 family pick up an inline-six, the CX-60 PHEV comes powered by a more fuel-efficient 2.5-litre four-cylinder paired with an electric motor and 17.8kWh battery that offers zippy acceleration and frugal economy figures.

• Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol, one electric motor 

• Power & Torque: 241kW500Nm

• Electric Range: 76km 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 2.1L/100km 

• Seats: Five 

• Boot Space: 477L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Peugeot 3008 PHEV

The Peugeot 3008 is a great option for buyers in the market for a compact SUV that oozes French style and charisma with a surprising amount of space inside.

Peugeot’s 3008 compact SUV comes powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an electric motor producing a combined 222kW/500Nm, giving it some seriously impressive acceleration off the line compared to the standard 3008 petrol and diesel.

• Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, two electric motors 

• Power & Torque: 222kW/520Nm  

• Electric Range: 59km 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 1.6L/100km 

• Seats: Five 

• Boot Space: 591L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Cupra Formentor VZe

Cupra’s Formentor is a car that truly puts the ‘sport’ in sports utility vehicle, with its fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid engine offering some impressive power figures and aggressive styling for added road presence.

The Formentor VZe comes powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor that produces a combined 180kW/400NM that help it sprint to 100km/h in a spritely 7 seconds, with electric driving ranges of 58km.

• Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, one electric motor 

• Power & Torque: 180kW/400Nm  

• Electric Range: 58km 

• Fuel Economy Figures: 1.9L/100km 

• Seats: Five 

• Boot Space: 345L 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi made the clever move to transplant its fuel-efficient powertrain tech in the larger, seven-seat Outlander SUV body, and the end result makes for one of the best value options in the world of seven-seat PHEVs currently available in Australia.

The Outlander PHEV produces a combined 185kW of power and 450Nm of torque, making it far livelier than the standard Outlander, and with the help of a large 20kWh battery pack, offers electric driving range figures totalling 84km on the NEDC cycle and vehicle-to-load tech to power electronic devices on the move.

• Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder, two electric motors 

• Power & Torque: 185kW/450Nm  

• Electric Range: 84km  

• Fuel Economy Figures: 1.5L/100km 

• Seats: Five-to-seven  

• Boot Space: 494L (five-seater) 163L (seven-seater) 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

What is a Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle?

Before we break down some of the best PHEV options here in Australia, let’s first get an idea of how they work, and how different they are from conventional petrol or diesel-powered cars, other types of hybrids and electric vehicles.

The wheels are powered by either a single or dual electric motor, with power supplied by an onboard battery that, like an electric vehicle, you’re able to plug into a power outlet and charge.

These battery packs are often quite small, though, so the onboard internal combustion engine works either as an electricity generator for the e-motors, or powers the wheels when the battery is depleted.

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If you’re looking to make the switch to a fuel-efficient hybrid or PHEV, be sure to reach out to one of our car buying specialists who can help find you a great price.