Buy plug-in hybrids: Cars with electricity, fuel and no range anxiety
Not ready for an electric car yet? Then a plug-in hybrid could be a good gateway drug to e-mobility. The part-time electric vehicles will continue to be worthwhile in 2024 from a tax and financial point of view. EFAHRER.com presents ten current models.
175,700 plug-in hybrid cars were registered in Germany in 2023 - significantly fewer than in previous years, when part-time electric cars were booming. The reason for the boom was probably also the financial support for plug-in hybrids. For a long time, there were subsidies for buying or leasing, but these have now expired. This is bad news for consumers, because PHEVs are usually more expensive to purchase than comparable combustion engines despite these advantages.
But many advantages remain that make the plug-in hybrid even more interesting: Since the beginning of 2019, only half of the tax is due for privately used company cars: 0.5 percent of the new car value must be taxed as a non-cash benefit. In addition, discounts or even free parking beckon in many cities, and nationwide the vehicle tax amounts to almost zero euros. PHEVs have long since ceased to be just fat executive sedans and SUVs, there are also hybrid cars in the compact class that have to be plugged in.
Such a hybrid is particularly worthwhile for people who can take full advantage of its advantages, i.e. use the purely electric range every day and connect the car to the plug at night. If your daily commutes are so short that you can drive to work or shopping purely electrically and have a charging facility at home, such a vehicle may be worthwhile for you. A PHEV is not suitable for sales representatives. The best plug-in hybrids below.
The best plug-in hybrids 2023
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Vehicle |
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Mazda CX-60 |
Cupra Formentor VZ 1.4 e-Hybrid |
Peugeot 408 |
Mercedes-Benz GLC 400e |
MINI Countryman Cooper S E All4 |
Skoda Octavia 4 Combi Plug-in-Hybrid |
Mercedes-Benz C300e |
Ford Kuga 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid |
Volvo V90 T8 |
Mitsubishi Eclipse Plug-in Hybrid |
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From 47,390 euros |
From 45,380 euros |
From 53,550 euros |
From 71,471 euros |
From 43,400 euros |
From 38,230 euros |
From 56,168 euros |
From 43,750 euros |
From 80,350 euros |
From 40,590 euros |
| To the best deals! | To the best deals! | To the best deals! | To the best deals! | ||||||
1. Mazda CX-60
63 kmrange (el.) | Plug-In Hybrid | Car Details
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
With 327 hp, the CX-60 is the most powerful Mazda of all time. It is designed to be correspondingly sporty – too sporty for some tastes. Although the plug-in hybrid is a pleasure to drive, it is clearly inferior to the competition in terms of motorway consumption and electric range. Its 40 kilometers are enough for commuting, but the plug-in hybrids from Toyota and Mercedes can do much longer electrically. The CX-60 swallows 9.5 liters of Super on the highway - the WLTP value is only 1.5 liters.
Also read: Mazda CX-60 review: Price-performance SUV with 327 hp & 1.5 liters fuel consumption
Nevertheless, the CX-60 offers a well-rounded package. If you are looking for a family vehicle with plenty of space, comfort and a high level of driving pleasure, but are not yet ready for a real electric car, you can hardly avoid the Mazda CX-60. The high-quality workmanship and durable design of naturally aspirated gasoline engine with electric assistance give the CX-60 the potential to be an endurance runner. The comparatively low price makes the Mazda PHEV interesting for financing and purchase.
2. Cupra Formentor VZ 1.4 e-Hybrid
50 kmrange (el.) | Plug-In Hybrid | Car Details
1,4
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
The Cupra brand is the sporty offshoot of the Spanish Volkswagen subsidiary Seat. The Spaniards are competing with a big mission: They want to build affordable electric sports cars in the future.
A step towards an electric sports car is Seat's plug-in hybrid SUV Cupra Formentor. With 245 hp from an electric motor and a gasoline engine, it is not only sporty, but also economical: It can refuel both at the socket and at the pump.
Read also: CUPRA Leon Sportstourer 1.4 e-HYBRID DSG in review
According to the WLTP standard, the Cupra Formentor consumes no more than 1.9 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. In practice, however, this value should be achievable on a statistical average in the best case. In the EFAHRER.com practical test, cars with technically very similar hybrid drives achieved motorway consumption of eight litres at a constant speed of 130 km/h.
The Cupra Formentor achieves a purely electric range of 50 kilometres with a battery capacity of 12.8 kWh. At the wallbox, the car needs around four and a half hours to be fully charged again.
3. Peugeot 408
55 kmrange (el.) | Plug-In Hybrid | Car Details
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
The plug-in hybrid's 12.4 kWh lithium-ion battery is said to enable a purely electric range of 62 kilometres and, if desired, the front-wheel drive car can reach speeds of up to 135 km/h electrically. The on-board charger has a power of 3.7 kW, and the customer can opt for a 7.4 kW charger (both single-phase) at an additional cost. The total charging times of the battery vary between just under two and over seven hours, depending on the amperage.
Read also: Peugeot 408 PHEV review: Beautiful station wagon with a small flaw
One of the biggest surprises of the 1.8-ton Peugeot 408 Hybrid 225 is its road holding. The interplay of stability and comfort is excellent, despite stately 20-inch wheels with 245/40 tires, there are hardly any bumps into the interior or excessive rolling movements in fast corners. The small steering wheel makes driving pleasant and so the steering feels very direct and precise.
4. Mercedes-Benz GLC 400e
120 kmrange (el.) | Plug-In Hybrid | Car Details
- Advantages
Since the facelift, the GLC has only been equipped with hybrid engines, three of which are plug-in hybrids. Up to 130 kilometres of purely electric range (WLTP) are possible, and the GLC 400 e also offers a system output of 280 kW / 381 hp and a combined torque of 750 Nm. In addition, there are numerous technical amenities that make driving in the 4,716 mm long, 1,890 mm wide and 1,648 mm high SUV comfortable and safer.
Read also:More luxury, more off-road: Mercedes GLC 400e 4Matic in test
The ride comfort is excellent – especially with the optional air suspension. Bumps, potholes – no problem. The Mercedes engineers have also worked on noise insulation. Especially in electric mode, a bit of wind, rolling noises - that's it. In terms of space, the GLC does not deny its genes from the C-Class. Not exactly lush for an SUV, but especially large enough at the front not to get in each other's way. It gets a little tighter in the back, especially when the front seats are pushed far back.
5. MINI Countryman Cooper S E ALL4
42 kmrange (el.) | Plug-In Hybrid | Car Details
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
Anyone who thinks of Mini as a small car has not been right for a long time. The Mini Countryman is a compact SUV with plenty of space for passengers. However, the trunk is much smaller than in comparable station wagons. As a plug-in hybrid, the Countryman shares the drive technology with the BMW 225xe Active Tourer, but is cheaper with a base price of 36,500 euros. The two hybrids therefore also share some of their strengths and weaknesses.
Read also: The Mini plug-in hybrid review: How good is Mini's first PHEV?
As with the 225xe, there is a three-cylinder petrol engine on the front axle and the electric motor on the rear axle. The result is a hybrid all-wheel drive, or "All4" as Mini calls it. Particularly pleasant in hybrid driving is the barely noticeable transition between electric and combustion engine operation. Together, the electric motor and three-cylinder gasoline provide 224 hp.
This allows sporty driving performance up to about 130 km/h. Then the support of the electric motor ends. If you drive faster, the heavy Countryman with the three-cylinder engine feels comparatively thinly engined. In the city and on the country road, however, the Mini can be moved quickly. The Mini accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in under seven seconds and consumes just over two litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.
6. Skoda Octavia 4 Combi Plug-in Hybrid 1.4 TSI
61 kmrange (el.) | Plug-In Hybrid | Car Details
1,2
- Advantages
With a battery capacity of 13 kWh, the Octavia achieves a purely electric range of around 70 kilometres according to WLTP, but 50 kilometres is realistic in our experience. The Octavia is a very successful station wagon and is especially suitable for people who like it solid. The range for a hybrid is completely average, in mixed operation the Octavia consumes between 3.2 (city) and 3.9 liters (country) in the EFAHRER test.
Read also:Skoda Octavia Combi iV review: The end of philistinism is here
7. Mercedes C 300e
116 kmrange (el.) | Plug-In Hybrid | Car Details
1,2
- Vorteile
- Nachteile
Der C 300e ist der beste Plug-In-Hybrid der getesteten Oberklasse-Plug-In-Hybride im EFAHRER.com-Test, denn er stellt mit 96 Kilometern rein elektrische Reichweite einen neuen Rekord in unserem Ranking auf.
Ist der Akku leer, verbraucht er bei Tempo 130 auf der Autobahn 7,1 Liter - auch hier liegt er unter allen anderen PHEVs in dieser Übersicht. Außergewöhnlich ist auch seine Ladeleistung, denn der Schwabe lädt am Wechselstrom mit 11 kW und bietet sogar einen CCS-Anschluss an. Dabei hält er die 22 kW bis 90 Prozent. Abseits davon gefällt die 313 PS starke Limousine mit sehr viel Komfort und hervorragenden Assistenztsystemen. Abstriche müssen Sie beim Platzangebot machen: Der Kofferraum fasst lediglich 313 Liter - damit bildet der C300e das Schlusslicht in dieser Disziplin. Immerhin: den C300e gibt's auch als deutlich geräumiges T-Modell.
Mehr zum Thema: 313 PS, 100 km ganz ohne Benzin: Mercedes macht die C-Klasse zum Power-Hybriden
8. Ford Kuga 2.5 Plug-in Hybrid
56 kmrange (el.) | Plug-In Hybrid | Car Details
2,4
- Advantages
The Ford Kuga 2.5 plug-in hybrid drives in the absolute trend category of mid-size crossovers and combines a large naturally aspirated gasoline engine with an electric drive and continuously variable CVT transmission. Despite 225 hp, the Kuga is not a racing machine, but rather drives calmly, confidently and, above all, economically: In the EFAHER test, it drives around 50 kilometres. On the EFAHRER motorway circuit, the Kuga shines. The compact SUV needs only eight liters per 100 kilometers.
More on the topic: Ford Kuga 2.5 plug-in hybrid review: Sporty, promising hybrid SUV
There is plenty of space in the interior for four passengers and their luggage. The assistance systems are very good for the vehicle class. The infotainment system and the integration of smartphones also work great. When charging, the Kuga goes limp. It draws only 3.5 kW of electricity and takes around 3.5 hours to fully charge at the wallbox. At the socket, full charging takes seven hours.
9. Volvo V90 T8
87 kmrange (el.) | Plug-In Hybrid | Car Details
1,3
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
With a range of 75 kilometres, the Volvo V90 T8 takes second place in our luxury class ranking. But if it then has to be plugged in again, it can take some time: You have to wait over five hours if you charge the giant at public charging stations. This can become a problem with parking time restrictions of four hours. If the battery is empty, the Volvo needs 8.1 liters at 130 km/h in fuel mode.Speaking of mode: Even if you set the "Pure Mode" to drive purely electrically, the Volvo always falls back on the combustion engine, for example when driving uphill. There is also criticism for the built-in Android Automotive, which - similar to the Polestar 2 - only offers rudimentary functions.
The Swede is ideal for those who like it sporty, after all, with 455 hp combined, it pushes enormously powerfully. In winter, you will appreciate its all-wheel drive. The space available both in the front and in the rear deserves a straight A. With 551 liters of trunk volume, it is the undisputed leader here in our ranking. However, all this comes at a price: At over 72,000 euros even in the basic version, the station wagon is not a bargain.
10. Mitsubishi Eclipse Plug-in-Hybrid
61 kmReichweite (el.) | Plug-In Hybrid | Autodetails
- Vorteile
- Nachteile
Lange gab es den Mitsubishi Eclipse nur als Verbrenner. Im März 2021 haben die Japaner das beliebte SUV zwar nicht als Vollstromer, aber zumindest als Plug-In-Hybrid herausgebracht. Mit kombinierten 188 PS verbindet er Fahrspaß mit Sparsamkeit: Der Vierzylinder ist auf Effizienz getrimmt und verbraucht 1,8 Liter Super auf 100 Kilometer - vorausgesetzt, Sie laden ihn konsequent auf. Die rein elektrische Reichweite beträgt wie bei PHEVs üblich lediglich 50 Kilometer.
Mehr zum Thema:Test zum Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plugin-Hybrid
Die Geschwindigkeit ist im lautlosen Elektro-Fahrmodus auf 135 km/h begrenzt, mit angeschaltetem Verbrenner-Motor sind maximal 162 km/h möglich. Der 13,8 kWh große Akku braucht an einer normalen Wallbox vier Stunden, bis er aufgeladen ist. An der Schnellladesäule dauert es nur knapp 25 Minuten, bis der Akku zu 80 Prozent aufgeladen ist – ein echter Bonus, schließlich sind Schnelllademöglichkeiten bei PHEVs äußerst selten. Aber Vorsicht: Zum Schnellladen benötigen Sie eine Säule mit CHAdeMO-Zapfen, die es nicht so oft gibt.
Eine sportliche Fahrdynamik dürfen Sie beim Eclipse nicht erwarten: Mit einem maximalen Drehmoment von 195 Nm bei 2.500 U/min sollte genug Zeit für das Überholmanöver eingerechnet werden. Auch könnten Lenkung und Bremsen bissiger sein.
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How we test
EFAHRER.com tests electric cars, hydrogen cars and plug-in hybrids itself. The test procedures are based on what drivers are really interested in: How far does an electric car go? How long does it take to charge? How well does the car drive? What features does it have? Is the industry really keeping its advertising promises? Further information on the EFAHRER test procedure can be found here.