Of the three, it’s the latter that best suits the character of a car that’s as likely to be attacking the school run as it mooching along motorways. Not only is the Hyundai Santa Fe an Autocar award winner, it’s available with one of the widest array of powertrains, including pure ICE, hybrid and plug-in options. It's worth noting, too, that while the RAV4 can charge at a rate of 6.6kW, the Suzuki is limited to 3.3kW. Some might struggle to get their heads (and wallets) around their £45,000-plus prices, but a BIK rating of 8% should appeal to company car drivers. That it handles in a really assured, confident fashion and rides calmly are further strings to its bow. Even with the drive battery drained, it can still easily return an economy figure that reaches into the mid-40s. Provided you've got access to a home charger, it's entirely likely that you'd barely ever use the petrol motor.ĭo so, though, and you'll find that it's both impressively potent in terms of its straight-line punch, and surprisingly frugal, too. During our road test of the Suzuki Across, we were able to travel 48 miles on electricity before its hybrid powertrain sparked back into life - a seriously impressive feat. It's rare that you find a plug-in hybrid capable of matching its manufacturer's claim, but these cars do just that. Both the RAV4 PHEV and Suzuki Across PHEV are based around Toyota's 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain, they share the same TNGA platform, the same spacious interiors, and both promise an impressive electric-only range - courtesy of their shared 18.1kWh battery. While these two Japanese SUVs wear different badges on their noses, they are effectively one and the same thing. Yet the Volvo is at its best when taking its steady, its cool Scandinavian vibes, quiet cabin and supple ride creating a chilled out driving experience that’s guarantee to lower your heart rate and stress levels Yet with a whisker under 400bhp it's effective enough, slingshotting the XC90 from standstill to 62mph in a scant 5.4 seconds - there plenty of sports cars that are slower. It’s not as dynamic to drive as the BMW, while its 2.0-litre petrol (super and turbocharged no less) and electric motor combo (badged T8 Recharge) lacks the sophistication and breeding of a six-cylinder. Like its German rival above, the XC90 has benefitted from a recent battery upgrade, which allows it to travel just over 40 miles on electric power alone and so fall into the 8% BIK bracket. Volvo XC90 Recharge T8Īge has not dimmed the XC90’s appeal, and if anything the super-sized Swede is getting better as it nears its tenth birthday. Unlike many in this class, the Volvo PHEV is a genuinely usable seven-seater, while its interior is stylish and inviting.

Save money with new BMW X5 deals on What Car? 2. Inside, quality is good enough to shade pretty much anything else on this list, and practicality is strong despite the fact that the packaging of the PHEV drive battery robs the car of its third-row seats, and a little of its cargo capacity.įactor in hushed refinement and a cushioned ride, and the X5 is our hybrid hot tip. That muscular six-cylinder turbo petrol plays very nicely with the electric motor for smooth and strong acceleration, while the handling is surprisingly nimble for one so vast. That means it’s an enjoyable steer by the standards of most hybrid SUVs, or even non petrol-electric one’s for that matter. Speaking of which, thanks to a usefully sized 24kWh battery the X5 can travel on pure electricity for up to 54 miles, which is both nifty and allows the car to qualify for the UK government's 8% BIK tax bracket.Įlsewhere, increase in kerbweight aside (this BMW causes the scales to creak under strain of 2435kg), the 45e feels like any other X5. Given its head, this combination musters an impressive 389bhp, while the electric motor has enough urge to make the car feel brisk enough while mooching around. Perhaps the star attraction of the plug-in BMW X5 is its creamy smooth 3.0-litre straight-six, which works in tandem with an electric motor to give both a startling turn of speed and surprisingly running costs. We’ve run the rule over every hybrid-powered SUV currently on sale in the UK, and here's our ten favourites.

Exclusive: Government won't reinstate plug-in hybrid grants.

The car industry now: New opportunities for start up firms.

Mitsubishi's evolution: Working for the Japanese brand in the UK.

Talks for Ssangyong GB to take over Mitsubishi's UK arm fail.

Hybrid crossover 2015