Used plug-in hybrid SUVs for sale

A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV has a normal petrol or diesel engine and a battery-powered electric motor. The engine and motor can work separately or together to maximise fuel economy, much like a conventional hybrid. But a PHEV has a more powerful electric motor and bigger battery, so it can go farther on battery power alone, with no input from the engine. The battery can be recharged from an appropriate electricity outlet, hence ‘plug-in’ hybrid.

A PHEV can be plugged into an appropriate electricity outlet to recharge its batteries. A regular hybrid only uses on-board systems to recharge its batteries. A PHEV also has bigger batteries and a more powerful electric motor, so it can be driven farther on battery power alone, with zero emissions. Some have a range of 50 miles or more – enough for many people to commute to work and back.

All plug-in hybrid cars, including SUVs, have several on-board systems that recharge the batteries while driving. The main one is regenerative braking, which turns the electric motor into a generator. You can also charge the batteries by plugging the car into an appropriate outlet. Recharging from a domestic socket takes a long time, so it’s better to have a dedicated electric car charger installed at home. You can use any public charging point, as well.

Barely a month goes by without a new plug-in hybrid SUV being launched and there’s now a huge variety of them and a wide range of price points. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was the most popular for many years and is a good used buy. More recent models like the Kia Niro and Ford Kuga offer good-value family motoring. The seven-seater Volvo XC90 is an excellent choice for larger families while the Range Rover remains one of the best luxury cars of any sort.