9 Cheapest PHEVs for 2023
Save money with these relatively affordable, efficient plug-ins.
Photos from multiple manufacturers
Like traditional hybrids, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or PHEVs, feature a gas engine plus an electric motor and a small battery to provide limited zero-emission transportation. Unlike traditional hybrids, PHEVs can restore their depleted batteries with juice from a charging station. Here are the nine most affordable options out there.
BMW
2023 BMW 330e
$46,000
The term "affordable" doesn't usually apply to BMW, but given the starting prices for other PHEVs, the 2023 BMW 330e just qualifies. This German sedan features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor, which together produce 288 horsepower. The rear-drive 3 Series plug-in hybrid can go 22 miles before needing to rely on the gas engine, while the all-wheel-drive (AWD) 330e (which costs $2,000 more) can go 20.
Toyota
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime
$44,000
Part of the exceedingly popular RAV4 lineup, the Prime uses an electric motor on each axle to provide standard AWD and, with help from the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a combined 302 horsepower. That's a substantial 83-hp leap from the RAV4 Hybrid's output. Moreover, the Prime offers up to 42 miles of electric range, the most of any model here.
Hyundai
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid
$44,000
For about the same price as the RAV4 Prime, shoppers can pick up a plug-in version of the Santa Fe, which features more cargo and passenger room than Toyota's compact crossover. However, its turbocharged 1.6-liter four kicks in after just 30 miles, and the gas-electric powertrain makes at most 261 horsepower.
Ford
2023 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid
$42,000
Freshened with a design update for 2023 that features a new front fascia, the 210-hp Escape PHEV can travel 37 miles on electricity and relies on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine when the battery runs out of juice. It's also front-drive only.
Mitsubishi
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
$41,000
Buyers of the Outlander PHEV, which offers an EPA-estimated 38 miles of electric range, should be able to tackle most trips on electricity alone. Unlike other vehicles on this list, the Mitsu can fast-charge at a DC station, restoring a depleted battery to 80% in just 38 minutes. The total output of the gas-electric powertrain is 248 horsepower, and AWD is standard.
Kia
2023 Kia Sportage PHEV
$40,000
Under the hood of the AWD-only Sportage PHEV is a turbo 1.6-liter four, which combines with an electric motor to produce 261 horsepower. The battery is good for 34 miles of electric range — a decent showing — and the new generation's styling helps the Sportage stand out.
Hyundai
2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
$39,000
The plug-in Tucson compact crossover blends performance, efficiency, and affordability into a stylish package. It can run solely on electricity for 33 miles, after which the turbo 1.6-liter four kicks in. Combined, the two power sources deliver 261 ponies.
Subaru
2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
$38,000
While the plug-in Crosstrek is among the most affordable options on this list, it's also fairly slow and has limited electric range, with a rating of just 17 miles. The electric-motor-enhanced powertrain makes 148 horses, which is less power than the gas-only Crosstrek offers.
Kia
2023 Kia Niro PHEV
$35,000
The Niro PHEV's electric range of 33 miles is on par with that of the plug-in Tucson and Sportage, but its powertrain makes significantly less output, with just 180 horses on tap. Additionally, every Niro is a front-driver.
All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Sami Haj-AssaadSami Haj-Assaad is an award-winning automotive journalist who has contributed to several automotive, electric vehicle, luxury lifestyle, and technology publications. His work isn't just limited to the written word, as he's also hosted YouTube videos and podcasts. Having grown up in the '90s, he has a strong sense of attachment to that era's style, though he also loves to geek out about the modern, futuristic tech and powertrains rolling out today.
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