Top 5 Best Plug-In Hybrid Cars for 2023 Will Have You Saving at the Pump
You’ve heard it many times already: the future is electric. Well, for potential owners who don’t want the limiting range of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or aren’t ready for a fully-electric commitment, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is a fair compromise. Better yet, TrueCar says these five plug-in hybrid cars are some of your best options for 2023, like the Toyota Prius Prime. Moreover, Volvo dominates the hybrid list, with three of the top five PHEVs.
Is a hybrid better than a gas car?
Hybrid cars, like PHEVs, are typically more efficient than gas-powered cars. Moreover, many can drive on electric-only propulsion for short distances. Here are TrueCar’s picks for the best PHEVs of 2023:
- Toyota Prius Prime
- Volvo S90 Recharge
- Volvo V60 Recharge
- Volvo S60 Recharge
- BMW 3 Series
According to TrueCar, the pre-facelift 2022 Toyota Prius Prime takes the top spot for PHEVs. However, Volvo snags three of the top five spots in the segment. Specifically, the S90, V60, and S60 Recharge earn the No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 places on the list, respectively. Finally, the venerable BMW 3 Series lineup packs electrified trims and earn the No. 5 spot.
Is a Prius Prime fully electric?
While the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime deserves efficiency accolades, it isn’t fully electric. Instead, the 2022 Prime uses a 121-horsepower hybrid 1.8L inline four-cylinder platform to get as much as 54 mpg combined.
However, the Prius Prime can cover around 25 miles on electric-only power. That means it can operate with no tailpipe emissions for short commutes and trips. Moreover, the Prime’s 133 MPGe puts it ahead of many of its competitors, like the Kia Niro.
How many mpg does a hybrid Volvo get?
Depending on the model, a Volvo hybrid car could get over 30 mpg combined. For instance, the Volvo S60 Recharge and V60 Recharge both get about 31 mpg and 74 MPGe combined.
As a result, the S90 Recharge, V60 Recharge, and S60 Recharge take the second, third, and fourth spots on TrueCar’s list, respectively. However, the S60 Recharge’s starting price of around $52,345 is quite a bit more expensive than the Prius Prime’s $29,865. Still, the V60 adds wagon practicality, and all three Volvo’s PHEVs can cruise as far as 38 to 41 miles on electric-only propulsion.
What is the gas mileage on a BMW 3 Series hybrid?
The 2023 BMW 3 Series includes hybrid car fuel economy in the 330e Plug-In Hybrid RWD. The 330e, with its 12.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, gets as much as 28 mpg combined and 75 MPGe.
While that combined mileage doesn’t seem like much compared to the Prius Prime, the BMW model boasts handsome 3 Series styling, dynamic driving character, and the ability to drive as far as 23 miles on electric-only power.
What is the downside of a hybrid car?
While these hybrid cars might seem great, they have some downsides. For instance, battery architecture is expensive to replace when it deteriorates, hybrid platforms are heavy, and PHEVs typically produce less power than larger-engine conventional alternatives.
