20 Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles On The Market In 2018 (USA)

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Every year that goes by, the quality of the all-electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV) on the US market improves, seemingly by leaps and bounds. Well, that’s the way that things have seemed for the last few years anyway.

With that in mind, I’m going to provide an overview here of the most compelling plug-in hybrid electric vehicles now available for purchase in the USA. While most of the offerings out there now will be discussed, some of the less compelling offerings (such as the current plug-in hybrid offerings of Mercedes-Benz) will just be glanced over. Enjoy.

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles Available For Purchase In The USA

Toyota Prius Prime

Image by Zach Shahan | CleanTechnica

We’ll start this list off with the Toyota Prius Prime — a plug-in hybrid offering 25 miles of all-electric range; a US EPA combined energy/fuel efficiency rating of 133 miles-per-gallon-equivalent (MPGe); and a 54 miles-per-gallon (MPG) US EPA fuel-efficiency rating when relying only on the gas/petrol system.

The total combined range is estimated by the EPA to be 640 miles — which means that the model has few competitors out in the car segment that can compete on pure range.

The starting price for the model is currently somewhere around $27,100. Notably, the model’s battery pack isn’t large enough to allow for full use ($7,500) of the US federal tax credit for plug-in electric vehicles — but it is large enough to allow for around $4,000 or so in savings.

Read our review of the Toyota Prius Prime.

Chevy Volt

Image by Steve Hanley | CleanTechnica

The Chevy Volt PHEV was for a while the plug-in hybrid of the US market, representing a substantial portion of total US electric vehicle sales for quite a number of years. While the field has diversified significantly over the last 1–2 years, the Chevy Volt remains a solid choice for those wanting a car that they can use in all-electric mode for daily needs but also use easily for long road trips — thanks to the generous 53-mile all-electric range and the efficient gas/petrol engine.

The Chevy Volt PHEV currently features a 106 MPGe combined US EPA energy/fuel efficiency rating; and a 42-mile US EPA fuel-efficiency rating for operation when the battery pack is fully depleted.

Pricing for the Chevy Volt PHEV begins at $38,445 (that’s with fees and without tax rebates). The Chevy Volt’s battery is so large that it’s the only PHEV that can qualify for the entire $7,500 federal EV tax credit.

Read our review of the Chevy Volt.

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is only just now becoming widely available, but the model has a lot going for it. It is essentially the only plug-in electric minivan out there, and it has some impressive specs.

The model’s 16 kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery pack allows the model to achieve a 33-mile all-electric range (53 km) and a total range (battery + gas tank) of 570 miles — which is pretty good for such a fuel/energy efficient minivan.

Speaking of which, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has been granted a US EPA combined energy/fuel efficiency rating of 84 MPGe — better than some PHEV compacts. The gas/petrol-only fuel economy rating granted by the EPA was 32 MPG — again, rather good for a minivan.

So, what’s the downside? Starting prices begin at $39,995. So if you want one new, then you’ll need to be financially comfortable, to say the least.

Read our review of the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.

2018 MINI Cooper SE Countryman All4

Next up we have the 2018 Mini Cooper SE Countryman All4, a brand new offering that some people may not yet be aware of. The PHEV MINI Countryman offers a 65 MPGe combined US EPA fuel/energy efficiency rating, and a gas/petrol-only fuel-efficiency rating of 27 MPG.

The all-electric range for the compact car is only 12 miles, it should be noted — perhaps not enough to meet the commuting needs of many people. And with a combined energy/fuel efficiency of “just” 65 MPGe, perhaps it would be best just to go with a Toyota Prius or something for half the price — as pricing for the 2018 MINI Cooper SE Countryman All4 begins at $36,800.

But, then, I guess that people who buy MINIs have never done so for the fuel economy, so I won’t be too surprised to see these sell decently.

2017 Hyundai Sonata PHEV

The specs for the 2018 model year of the Hyundai Sonata PHEV have yet to be released, so we’ll just glance here at the 2017 model year. What’s on offer is a 99 MPGe US EPA combined fuel/energy efficiency rating; a 39 MPG gas/petrol-only fuel economy rating; and a US EPA certified all-electric range of 27 miles per full-charge.

Overall, that’s not a bad deal for those looking for a bit more space than the plug-in hybrid version of the Hyundai Ioniq offers — the Ioniq will likely run cheaper though… The 2018 model year of the Hyundai Sonata PHEV features pricing beginning at $34,600 (without fees).

Read our review of the Hyundai Sonata PHEV.

2018 Hyundai Ioniq PHEV

The 2018 Hyundai Ioniq PHEV has been granted a US EPA combined fuel/energy-efficiency rating of 119 MPGe; a 52 mile gas/petrol-only fuel-efficiency rating; and a 29-mile real-world range.

The Hyundai Ioniq PHEV is also a pretty “normal” car to drive as far as hybrids (of any kind) go. It doesn’t drive like Prius models do (or, somewhat more accurately, used to).

Out of all of the offerings out there, the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq PHEV is probably one of the best choices as far as value for the money. … All of that said, it isn’t widely available in the US yet.

Read our review of the fully electric Hyundai Ioniq.

2018 Volvo XC90 AWD T8 PHEV

The 2018 Volvo XC90 AWD T8 PHEV possesses a 19-mile real-world all-electric range (as determined by the US EPA); a 62 MPGe combined energy/fuel efficiency US EPA rating; and a 27 MPG gas/petrol-only fuel-efficiency rating.

As implied by the name, the model features all-wheel drive, something that many of the names on this list don’t. With that in mind, the model may well capture more than a few eyeballs. The price tag, though, may well drive them off. Beginning at $64,950, the Volvo XC90 AWD T8 PHEV certainly isn’t cheap. It’s only $10,000 to $15,000 less than the starting price for the Tesla Model X — something to keep in mind.

Read our review of the Volvo XC90 T8.

2018 Cadillac CT6 PHEV

The 2018 Cadillac CT6 PHEV is a fairly large offering for a plug-in hybrid. Despite that, it has been granted a 62 MPGe fuel/energy efficiency rating by the US EPA. The real-world range rating for the CT6 PHEV is 31 miles per full charge — roughly enough to meet many people’s commuting needs. And gas/petrol-only fuel efficiency has been rated at 25 MPG by the EPA — fairly low, all things considered, but it is a large car.

Also notable here is that the CT6 PHEV only features a total range of around 430 miles — fairly low for a PHEV, but not particularly low for a large car, and it’s not clear how much that really matters to people. Something else worth drawing attention to is the option to make use of GM’s new “Super Cruise” semi-autonomous driving features — which allow for mostly autonomous single-lane travel when on divided highways.

Pricing for the 2018 Cadillac CT6 PHEV begins at $75,095.

2018 Kia Niro PHEV

The 2018 Kia Niro PHEV features some pretty impressive efficiency and performance specs — with the US EPA having granted the model a 105 MPGe combined energy/fuel efficiency rating and a gas/petrol-only fuel efficiency rating of 46 MPG.

The real-world all-electric range of the 2018 Kia Niro PHEV is 26 miles per full charge; and the total range is 560 miles per full charge + full tank. The model features 104 horsepower, 195 pound-feet of torque, and 91.4 cubic feet of cargo space.

Pricing for the model begins at just $27,900 (without fees).

2018 Kia Optima PHEV

The 2018 Kia Optima PHEV possesses a US EPA combined fuel/energy efficiency rating of 103 MPGe; a gas-only efficiency rating of 40 MPG; and a starting price of $35,210. Sound familiar? Yes, its drivetrain is quite similar to the Niro PHEV’s.

The US EPA-rated all-electric range for the model is 29 miles per full charge.

2018 Honda Clarity PHEV

The 2018 Honda Clarity PHEV is very arguably the best iteration of the Clarity platform for most people’s needs. It’s also arguably one of the best plug-in hybrids on the market. The 47-mile all-electric range, the 110 MPGe combined fuel/energy efficiency rating from the US EPA, and the 42 MPG gas/petrol-only fuel economy rating all make the model fairly attractive.

Pricing is roughly similar to options from other manufacturers that many will find superior, though — it begins at $33,400.

2018 Karma Revero

The 2018 Karma Revero is a rich person’s car, to put it simply. The model’s base price of $110,000 puts it out of reach of the vast majority of car buyers out there.

That said, as far as the toys of the rich go, the model is fairly energy efficient — managing to achieve a 60 MPGe combined energy/fuel efficiency rating from the US EPA; a 37-mile all-electric range; and a 20-mile gas/petrol-only fuel economy rating.

Not bad for a car that can do 0–60 mph in just 5.4 seconds and possesses 403 horsepower and a top speed (electronically limited) of 125 mph.

Other things worth noting here: the model possesses a 21.4 kWh battery pack; it can be fast charged at DS stations; and a solar PV panel is integrated into the roof to “trickle charge” the battery pack.

BMW 330e iPerformance

The BMW 330e iPerformance is a PHEV with a US EPA-rated all-electric range of 14 miles; a 71 MPGe energy/fuel efficiency rating; and gas/petrol-only fuel efficiency of 30 MPGe.

The model also features 252 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Pricing for the 330e iPerformance starts at $45,600.

BMW 740e iPerformance

The BMW 740e iPerformance PHEV possesses an all-electric range of 14 miles per full charge (according to the US EPA); a combined fuel/energy efficiency rating of 64 MPGe; a gas/petrol-only rating of 27 MPG; and combined system output of 322 horsepower + 295 pound-feet of torque.

Pricing for BMW 740e iPerformance begins at $90,700.

BMW i8

Image by Zach Shahan | CleanTechnica

The BMW i8 is another rich person’s car, as the Karma Revero PHEV before. It has somewhat comparable specs — with a combined energy/fuel efficiency rating of 76 MPGe; an all-electric range of just 14 miles per full charge; and a gas/petrol fuel efficiency rating of 28 MPG.

Pricing for the BMW i8 begins at $143,400.

Read our review of the BMW i8.

BMW X5 xDrive40e

The BMW X5 xDrive40e is a plug-in hybrid in possession of a 56 MPGe combined energy/fuel efficiency rating from the US EPA; a real-world all-electric range of 14 miles per full charge; a 24 MPG gas/petrol-only fuel economy rating; and 309 horsepower + 332 pound-feet of torque.

Pricing for the model begins at $62,100.

2017 Ford C-Max Energi

The 2017 model year of the Ford C-Max Energi PHEV featured a 95 MPGe combined fuel/energy efficiency rating from the US EPA; a 20-mile real-world electric range; and a 39 MPG gas/petrol-only fuel economy rating.

Outfitted with the 7.6 kWh battery pack, pricing for the 2017 model year began at $27,120.

2018 Ford Fusion Energi

The 2018 Ford Fusion Energi PHEV features a 97 MPGe combined fuel/energy efficiency rating from the US EPA; a 42 MPG gas/petrol system rating; and an all-electric range of 21 miles per full charge.

Total system output for the model is 195 horsepower, and the model is outfitted with 7.6 kWh battery packs.

Pricing begins at $33,120.

2018 Mercedes-Benz C350e

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz C350e PHEV features a real-world all-electric range of just 9 miles per full charge; a 51 MPGe combined gas/energy fuel efficiency rating from the US EPA; and a gas/petrol fuel economy rating of 30 MPG. Pricing for the model begins at $47,900.

That really doesn’t sound like a serious offering, does it? It’s no wonder that Mercedes-Benz hasn’t sold all that many plug-in electric vehicles to date — and also that Tesla has been stealing customers from the company freely over recent years.

2017 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid

The 2017 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid features a 46 MPGe combined fuel/energy efficiency rating from the US EPA; a 22 MPG gas/petrol system efficiency rating; and a real-world all-electric range of just 14 miles.

Pricing for the 2017 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid begins at $78,700.


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James Ayre

James Ayre's background is predominantly in geopolitics and history, but he has an obsessive interest in pretty much everything. After an early life spent in the Imperial Free City of Dortmund, James followed the river Ruhr to Cofbuokheim, where he attended the University of Astnide. And where he also briefly considered entering the coal mining business. He currently writes for a living, on a broad variety of subjects, ranging from science, to politics, to military history, to renewable energy.

James Ayre has 4830 posts and counting. See all posts by James Ayre