The Plug-in Hybrid With the Longest Range: Top 10 List

Not all Plug-in Hybrids are created equally. Some offer minimal all-electric driving range. Others though, have the ability to drive longer distances without the need of an internal combustion engine.

How much electric range a vehicle has depends on many factors. The size of the electric motor(s), the storage capacity of the battery pack, the weight of the vehicle, aerodynamics, etc. It’s not always a case pricing either, where a more expensive vehicle automatically means better range. Some of the more affordable plug-in hybrids offer exceptional range, while some of the pricier options out there do not.

To help navigate the world of plug-in hybrids, we have gathered the top ten vehicles that offer the most all-electric driving range on a single charge. They are listed below in ascending order.

The Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid is one of the few SUVs on this list that only comes with front-wheel drive. Although it could hamper poor-weather capabilities, it does a lot to improve fuel efficiency and all-electric driving range. With 210 total horsepower under the hood, the electrified Escape can travel upwards of 37 miles on a single charge and is officially rated at 105 MPGe. But with a smaller electric motor, careful use of the accelerator needs to be used to remain in the all electric drive mode. The Escape receives new bodywork this year, but retains the same plug-in hybrid hardware.

Tying the Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid by delivering 37 miles of all-electric range is Lexus‘ compact SUV, the NX 450h+. Unlike the Escape though, the NX utilizes a gasoline engine combined with a pair of electric motors, one front and one rear. This makes the Lexus all-wheel drive, or electronically enabled AWD since there is no driveshaft to the rear wheels. Total system power is rated at 304 hp and the NX 450h+ has an official fuel economy rating of 84 MPGe.

Completing our three-way tie for ninth is another Lexus plug-in hybrid, the larger RX 450h+. Like the smaller NX, the RX PHEV utilizes a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motors to make 304 total system horsepower. Despite being a larger, heavier, and using the same size battery pack, the RX is still rated to travel the same 37 miles on a single charge. When not trying to conserve electric range, the RX 450h+ is capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds.

As mentioned, Volvo is on an aggressive transformation into an all electric vehicle manufacturer and nearly half the entries on this list come from the Swedish brand. The large S90 sedan can be had in the T8 Recharge Extended Range trim which means it receives the twin-charged, dual electric motor drivetrain good for 455 combined horsepower. Being a more aerodynamic shape than the Volvo SUVs appearing earlier on this list, the S90 is capable of travelling 38 miles on a single charge and delivers 63 MPGe.

Approaching the halfway point of our plug-in hybrid with the longest range list includes a seven-passenger SUV. All-new, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is one of the more affordable entries on our list, yet it can still travel upwards of 38 miles on a single charge. It’s also capable of carrying seven passengers, but expect the weight of all those individuals to affect range. Still, with a total of 332 lb-ft. of torque, the Outlander should easily be able to handle a load full of passengers.

The Outlander’s system also has the capability of running as an EV, a series hybrid, or a parallel hybrid.

BMW's mid-size SUV is once again offered as a plug-in hybrid, but now with more power and greater all-electric driving range. The 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine and electric motors combine to make 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. It's good enough to rocket this PHEV from 0 to 60 mpg in 4.6 seconds. When not driving for maximum speed, the X5 can travel up to 40 miles on all electric power.

The Toyota RAV4 Prime is an impressive vehicle. Not only does it boast the most all-electric range of any mainstream SUV, but it’s also all-wheel drive, a compact, and fairly affordable. Like its corporate cousin, the Lexus NX 450h+, the RAV4 Prime uses a gasoline engine coupled to a pair of electric motors for a total system output of 302 hp. With 42 miles of range, perhaps the RAV4’s most impressive trait is that even under all electric power, the two motors combine to produce 232 hp which is more than enough to propel the SUV.

Toyota'a latest Prius is better in every possible way. At first glance, the most noticeable improvement is its sleek sheetmetal that makes this compact hybrid more desirable than any Prius before it. But it's what under the body that truly improves on the popular model. The Prime now has an electric motor and 2.0-liter engine that combine to make a total of 220 hp - a lot more than previous models. In the entry level SE trim, it can drive up to 44 miles on a single charge which is impressive.

At the top of our plug-in hybrid with the longest range list, we have a tie. First up is the new plug-in version of the Land Rover Range Rover, called the P440e PHEV. It uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine paired to a 105 kW electric motor. Combined they produce 434 hp and 457 lb-ft. of torque. Despite the Range Rover offering two wheelbases, the PHEV is only available on the shorter, standard length configuration.

The vehicle is able to travel up to 51 miles on a single charge. Of course, being a Range Rover, all passengers are treated to the upmost opulence and the SUV is quite capable off-road.