WHY A PLUG-IN HYBRID MAY BE THE RIGHT CAR FOR YOU

PHEVs run on electric power for shorter drives but can switch to gas for longer trips, so you don't need to stop and recharge

The Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV has an EV range of 42 miles and a gas range of 500 miles.

By Keith Barry

If you are considering plugging into the electric vehicle revolution but worry about the potential hassles and uncertainties of charging on the road, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV, for short) could be the right car for you.

PHEVs bridge the gap between a regular hybrid and an EV. Unlike a regular hybrid, which recharges its battery using only its gas engine and brakes, a PHEV can also be plugged in to add electric-only range, usually between 20 and 40 miles. It can charge overnight from a standard household outlet, so you don’t need to purchase and install a special charger.

Once the electric range is depleted, the gas engine provides power for longer trips. If you, like a majority of Americans, tend to drive less than 40 miles a day, you could end up visiting the gas pump just a few times a year. (For more background, read The Words You Need to Know Before You Buy a Hybrid, EV, or PHEV.)

“Figuring out if a PHEV is right for you might take more research up front than with a conventional gas car or hybrid, but for some drivers it could save them money over a gas, hybrid, or electric vehicle,” says Jake Fisher, senior director of CR’s Auto Test Center. He says that in general, PHEVs can offer the best of both electric and conventional cars for people who do most of their driving around town. But he points out that a conventional hybrid is usually a better choice for those who mainly take longer trips or don’t have somewhere to plug in because they’ll probably never make up the higher purchase price of a PHEV in fuel savings.

There are currently more than 30 PHEV models for sale in the U.S., ranging from small hatchbacks to luxurious SUVs. Most are based on existing gas-only vehicles or hybrids. Last year, sales of PHEVs grew by 60 percent—a larger increase than for EVs or conventional hybrids, according to CR’s analysis of vehicle sales numbers.

PHEVs are also becoming an increasingly important part of automakers’ strategies to meet emissions rules that cap carbon pollution from cars. “Consumers will have a wide variety of choices, from battery electric, to plug-in hybrid to regular hybrid, and even gasoline vehicles,” EPA administrator Michael Regan told Consumer Reports. “You’ll see a combination of these vehicles being sold for the foreseeable future.”

Over the past year, CR bought and tested some of the most popular PHEVs on the market. Here, we explain how they work and tell you how to determine if a PHEV will save you money. We also highlight the PHEVs that Consumer Reports recommends so you can choose the one that’s best for you.

Good News About PHEVs

Concern about charging logistics, such as where and when to charge, is a primary reason people are reluctant to purchase an electric vehicle. For many car buyers, a PHEV provides most of the benefits of driving an EV without worries about how and where to charge, Fisher says.

In general, a PHEV costs less to purchase than an EV and is less pricey to fuel than gas or hybrid vehicles. Just how much you’ll save on gas depends on how often you charge your PHEV. “In most cases, the more you plug in a PHEV, the more gas and money you’ll save,” Fisher says.

While fully charging a pure EV at a conventional 120-volt outlet can take several days, charging a PHEV from a standard household outlet takes much less time. (The models we tested took an average of 14 hours to charge at a 120V outlet, but a Level 2 [240V] charger can top up the battery in just a few hours.) Most PHEVs don’t work with public DC fast chargers.

And though many lack the pin-you-to-your-seat acceleration of a pure EV, most PHEVs we tested are more satisfying to drive than the gas-only versions of the same vehicles. “Our testing clearly indicates that a PHEV version of any model is quicker and quieter than a gas-only version,” says Gabe Shenhar, associate director of CR’s Auto Test Center. Keep in mind that even with a full charge, PHEVs often engage the gas engine when it’s cold outside, when extra power is needed for acceleration on steep hills, or just to keep gas from getting stale in the tank, says Alex Knizek, manager of auto testing and insights at CR.

Guide to Powertrains

What's Right for You?

If you don’t have a garage or somewhere to plug in, or if you mostly drive long distances, a PHEV isn’t the right choice for you. For example, when the Hyundai Tucson PHEV is driven with an empty battery, it gets 4 fewer mpg in our tests than the hybrid version. If you never plug it in, a Tucson PHEV could cost $150 more each year on gas than if you’d bought the conventional hybrid version. As with pure EVs, highway driving and temperatures below 40° F can reduce a PHEV’s electric driving range.

Reliability can vary significantly among PHEV models, so check the CR reliability rating of any model before you buy. Many of the least dependable PHEVs are from brands that struggle with reliability in general. By contrast, auto manufacturers that usually make reliable vehicles also tend to make trustworthy PHEVs, says Steven Elek, program leader for automotive data analytics at CR. “The most reliable automakers have proved it’s possible to build a reliable PHEV, like Toyota’s Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime,” he says.

Generous federal tax credits for leasing a PHEV can add up to serious savings. For example, a well-equipped Hyundai Tucson SEL PHEV currently costs $34 per month less to lease than a base-model Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Blue, even though the rest of the lease terms are similar. If you’re trying to decide between an EV and a PHEV, fuel savings and tax credits could make leasing an EV the better choice from a financial standpoint. But you’ll still have to charge on the road.

Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the April 2024 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2024, Consumer Reports, Inc.

2022-08-26T20:37:40Z dg43tfdfdgfd