Have you gone electric yet? While more drivers have taken the plunge by giving up their gas- or diesel-guzzling cars, trucks, and SUVs for electric vehicles, others remain hesitant.
Yes, the EV charging infrastructure is better than it was a couple of years ago. But some drivers still worry about running out of power and getting stranded on the shoulder of the roadway or highway during rush hour traffic or late at night in an unfamiliar area.
Motorists Have Reason to Be Wary
Recent events in Chicago underscore why some drivers get cold feet when thinking about EVs. The Windy City made headlines when a perfect storm of below-zero temperatures, drastically reduced EV ranges, and charging station mayhem left many EV owners stranded.
Some of these unfortunate souls probably longed for cars with internal combustion engines.
If you’re not ready for a fully electric vehicle, another option is a plug-in hybrid that combines a battery like an EV and a small engine like a gas car. So, if the battery runs low on juice, the vehicle will automatically tap into the gas engine to slay your range anxiety woes.
Keep reading to see some of the top hybrid vehicles to consider if range anxiety still has you wary about fully electric EVs.
2024 Toyota Prius Prime
When the Toyota Prius first hit the North American market in 2000, it attracted much fanfare. Decades later, the Prius brand is still around. But these newer plug-in hybrid models are much easier on the eyes than their predecessors.
Starting at $32,975 for the SE trim, the 2024 Toyota Prius Prime has a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine with an EPA-estimated all-electric range of 44 miles.
Considering the average American commutes 41 miles to and from work, you can see how far a plug-in hybrid’s electric-only range can take you.
2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
If you have deep enough pockets for a six-figure plug-in hybrid, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is worth considering. It fits the bill as a luxury sedan. The S580e plug-in hybrid model offers 58 miles of electric-only range on the highway. That kind of range in a hybrid is next-level.
2024 Volvo XC60 Recharge
Starting at $57,900, the 2024 Volvo XC60 Recharge is, according to Volvo, like your smartphone — but bigger. It’s a mid-size SUV with Google built-in. The vehicle has 455 HP, does 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, and has an all-electric range of up to 35 miles.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
When considering the efficiency of the 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, remember that it’s a large SUV designed for off-road adventures. It starts at $59,865. While the V6 Grand Cherokee does 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway in the rear-wheel-drive setup, the plug-in hybrid model offers 23 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime
If you’re looking at the 2024 Toyota Prius Prime, you might want to look at the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime, too. With an AWD powertrain, the plug-in hybrid has 302 HP, goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, and has an all-electric driving range of 42 miles. Pricing starts at $43,690.
2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e
The 2024 BMW X5 xDrive45e starts at $72,500 and combines style and power. It has a 3-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder with an integrated electric motor. The HP and torque are, respectively, 483 and 516 lb-ft.
The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, has an all-electric range of 39 miles, and has a total range of 440 miles.
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
With 420 miles of total range and seven drive modes, the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a worthy option to add to your consideration list. Are you worried about charging times? It takes 25 minutes to charge the battery to 80% — as long as you’re using a DC fast charger.
It starts at $40,345 and offers an all-electric range of 38 miles on a full charge. You can also get seven-passenger seating if you want.
2024 Ford Escape PHEV
The 2024 Ford Escape PHEV includes connected navigation with one year of connectivity, a 13.2-inch LCD capacitive touchscreen, a power liftgate, and more. The fact that you can’t get a plug-in version of the escape with AWD is a letdown if you need AWD where you live, but it does offer an electric-only range of around 37 miles.
2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid
Starting at $38,475, the 2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid SUV comes with an AWD drivetrain and offers an all-electric range of up to 33 miles and up to 80 mpg when combining all-electric and gas modes. New for this model year is steering wheel haptic feedback for blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist.
2024 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
If you want a 2024 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid, pricing starts at $39,590. It has a turbocharged engine offering 261 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque. You can also get an all-electric range of 34 miles. It also has a blind spot view monitor, 360-degree surround view monitor, and more.
2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 260 HP. The 0-60 mph time is a sluggish 7.8 seconds. Unfortunately, it’s only available in a front-wheel-drive version.. Its electric-only driving range is up to 33 miles.
2024 Honda Prologue
A mid-size SUV, the 2024 Honda Prologue starts at around $45,000. You can get a total range of as much as 300 miles and choose from a front-wheel-drive or AWD model. The AWD model is mated to an engine with 288 HP and 333 lb-ft of torque.
Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid
The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor, AWD, and a 6-speed automatic transmission. While you can get three-rows of seating, that doesn’t mean anyone forced to sit back there will be comfortable doing so. Pricing starts at just over $38,000. The vehicle’s all-electric range is 36 miles.
2023 MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid
The 2023 MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid is a crossover SUV starting at $42,700. It has 221 HP, AWD, and a 2.5-hour charging time. While the all-electric range is just 17 miles, the combined all-electric and engine range is 300 miles.
2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Starting at $30,800, the 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid comes with a 2-liter GDI 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Included is a long list of standard features like blind spot collision warning, heated front seats, rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist. You can get north of 680 miles of total range.
A Plug-In Hybrid’s Can Put Range Anxiety to Rest
If you want to drive an EV but don’t want to worry about range anxiety, a plug-in hybrid makes sense. You’ll benefit from the best aspects of an EV and an internal combustion engine vehicle.
Weigh your options and get the best model for you. Range anxiety will be a thing of the past.
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