The UK government has now done what amounts to a 180-degree U-turn on its stance on plug-in hybrid cars. Despite having had a benefit-in-kind company car tax system that has incentivised their adoption since 2021, it currently plans to treat PHEVs and regular HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles) no differently from other combustion-engined vehicles in the longer term; they face a gradual phasing out as 'ZEV Mandate' legislation bites running up to and beyond 2030, followed by a total ban in 2035.
With the adoption of even more BIK-tax-efficient electric cars remaining problematic for a great many of us, however, a hybrid family SUV could well be the most sensible option on the menu for the medium term. And the good news is, for most people most of the time, the PHEV continues to makes a lot of sense. For commuting and most running around, they now offer very usable electric range, while any trips further afield can be made without having to rely on an EV charging network that’s still in its infancy.
And while these petrol-electric models are still expensive to buy, they continue to attract preferential Benefit-in-Kind taxation rates for company car drivers, which usually makes them a far more wallet-friendly alternative to a traditional company car. In fact, it's in the context of the corporate car park that these bi-fuel models make the most sense.
Funnily enough, plug-in powertrains also make a lot of sense when they’re installed in SUVs, where the bulk of the battery and extra electric motors can usually be accommodated without any loss in space and practicality. And because these higher-rising, convenience-first cars continue to be hugely popular with buyers, there’s a wide choice of contenders, from relatively affordable compact crossovers to higher-priced and higher-performance luxury machines.
These are our top 10 hybrid SUVs of 2024.
1. Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e
Pros: exceptional electric-only range, impressive digital cabin technology, lots of luxury cabin feel.
Cons: it rides and handles on country roads like the heavy SUV it is, and it's not cheap.
If it's the potential for lots of electric-only running that attracts you to the idea of a plug-in hybrid SUV - whether that be for what it saves you at the petrol pump or on your annual P11D form - there is currently one contender that stands out clearly from the field: the Mercedes GLC 300e.
Mercedes fitted a whacking great 31.2kWh drive battery to this car as part of its second-generation version: which would have been unusually large for a full-size luxury SUV, let along a mid-sized one. It makes the GLC 300e good for a claimed 83 miles of 'EAER' tax-qualifying electric range - and one of few cars in this list that'll get you a five-per-cent BIK qualification even if you lavish plenty of options on it.
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Oh dear, PHEVs - where to start? Two main issues for me
1. should always, always, have had their emissions based on a combination of battery full and battery empty. Stop manufacturers taking the p!ss by managing to package a big battery with a turbo V8 and this be considered an eco car. Whereas a smaller, lighter car can't fit a big enough battery to be able to achieve the required EV only range. Utter nonsense
2. neighbour has a Mercedes C350e, 7 years old and 35k mileage and worth £13.5k trade in if working. A failure of the high voltage battery has left her with no choice but to pay a £9k (!) replacement cost otherwise the car won't move and has no value. So we're going to start writing off cars when they're worth £9k are we?
For someone who typically owns cars 7-12yrs old I'll be avoiding PHEVs for as long as possible. The paltry fuel savings are completely offset by battery replacement costs or insurance to cover you against it happening
these are all PHEVs, is that the only type of Hybrid?
They can easily cheat their emissions tests in the real world. These are heavy cars often not being charged by the user.
Why not include a FHEV or 2 to mix it up?