8. Toyota Prius Prime
Despite having less range than any other plug-in hybrid on this list, the Toyota Prius Prime ($27,600) is the best seller. It's well-priced, super safe, and highly reliable. The Prime features room for five passengers, an impressive cargo hold, and plenty of standard features, including a full suite of active safety systems. It offers 25 miles of range.
7. Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
SUVs and crossovers are all the rage in the U.S. these days. It's expected that a crossover like the Niro PHEV ($28,500) will offer less range than PHEV variants of cars like the Hyundai Ioniq, Kia Optima, and Hyundai Sonata.
In reality, the Niro PHEV doesn't really offer much less range (26 miles), and while it's much more versatile, it costs significantly less than the Optima and Sonata plug-ins. Not to mention it's peppy, reasonably nimble, and loaded with standard niceties.
6. Kia Optima PHEV
The Kia Optima PHEV ($36,090) features a handsome interior with seats that are expansive and comfortable. Its trunk is large enough for most people's needs and it comes with an intuitive infotainment interface and many standard safety aids.
It's important to note that the Optima PHEV is essentially the same car as the Hyundai Sonata PHEV. Both are well-equipped five-seat midsize sedans from the South Korean automakers with a mere 28 miles of all-electric range. So, be sure to check out incentives and choose accordingly if you plan to buy or lease the plug-in Optima or Sonata.
5. Hyundai Sonata PHEV
The Hyundai Sonata PHEV ($33,400) is a fantastic car in many ways. It has a luxury-like cabin with spacious accommodations for five adult passengers and a sizable trunk. While this midsize family sedan is more expensive than the compact Ioniq PHEV, it's not as pricey as its corporate cousin — the Kia Optima PHEV. This is precisely why we rank it ahead of the Optima despite it having the same EPA range.
The Sonata PHEV comes with 28 miles of range. You can compare all EVs and PHEVs by visiting our Compare EVs page.
4. Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid
The Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid ($25,350), with its 29 miles of all-electric range is really about the lowest-range PHEV we endorse at InsideEVs. However, having a slideshow with a measly four cars felt unworthy and incomplete. Thus, we were compelled to include a handful of others since two come in at 28 miles, and one super-popular PHEV offers 25.
Not only does the Ioniq PHEV feature a decent range, it's cheap, has lots of cargo capacity, and comes packed with sought-after tech and safety features as standard. However, it's still a compact hatchback, so while it does offer room for adults in both rows, it may or may not suit your needs.
3. Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Some say the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is just too expensive — even when you do the math to figure out how much "gas money" you'll be saving — and that may be very true. Financing a $40,245 minivan will set you back some $700 a month even with a zero-interest loan, which many people won't qualify for. That doesn't make it a bad choice, it's just not cheap.
You can plan on a payment of $800 or more to own this beast. Sure, you may get the $7,500 rebate down the road, and that could help offset costs considerably. But, as folks are shopping, they see the gas-powered Pacifica for $13,000 less, in addition to ridiculously low lease incentives like $199 per month. This makes the PHEV a hard sell, despite its strengths.
It's important to note that with the best incentives you can lease a Pacifica PHEV for around $450 a month with some $4,500 down. You'll pay about $20,000 over three years only to return the $40,000 car to a dealership. If you can buy it, it's definitely a better choice financially.
According to the EPA, if you opt for the "hybrid" you'll save about $800 per year on fuel costs. So, if you plan to finance and own your Pacifica Hybrid for 16 years, you may break even. If you lease it, your severely underwater no matter how you look at it, but hey, many argue the Pacifica Hybrid is well worth it.
With all of that said, if you can afford it, the Pacifica Hybrid really is a terrific vehicle. It's very well-equipped and it's the only three-row plug-in on the market today, aside from the Tesla Model X, which costs more than double.
2. Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid
The Honda Clarity PHEV ($33,400) is the first plug-in hybrid since the Chevrolet Volt to offer an impressive number of all-electric miles. People call it polarizing, however, and it's only available in limited quantities in select markets. Still, Honda has a reputation for excellence, and 47 miles is pretty sweet!
It offers a premium cabin, roomy seating for five people, and a long list of standard convenience and safety technologies.
1. Chevrolet Volt
The Chevrolet Volt ($33,520) has long been the leader when it comes to all-electric miles for a PHEV, at a whopping 53 (and it has never been beaten). It's peppy, stylish, and filled with tech features. Moreover, while its cargo hold is small, it offers decent versatility due to its hatchback configuration. However, if you need lots of passenger space, it may not be the car for you.
If you do want one, act fast since there are only hundreds left for purchase nationwide. Keep in mind, you may be able to get a really good deal on a used Volt. Search for 2016 and newer models (Gen 2) for the longest range.
Newest slideshows
10 / 10
