9 Cheapest PHEVs for 2023
Save money with these relatively affordable, efficient plug-ins.
Photos from multiple manufacturers
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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.
