Given the popularity of SUVs, it’s not surprising that a huge number of manufacturers choose to launch electrified models in this market.
Whether that be a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid or a full EV, there are plenty to choose from, depending on your needs and budget. Here, we round up the best options.
BMW X5 xDrive45e
If you’re not quite ready to commit to a completely electric car, BMW’s X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid is the next best thing – not least because it can travel for up to 54 miles on electricity. That’s thanks to its large 24kWh battery – the same size as the one found in the original Nissan Leaf EV – and it means this large SUV has the longest range of any PHEV. It comes at a premium, but you also get treated to a large SUV that’s good to drive and very luxurious inside.
Enquire on a new BMW X5 xDrive45eFord Kuga Plug-in Hybrid – from £33,585
While the Kuga might be Ford’s first plug-in hybrid, if you get behind the wheel you certainly wouldn’t think it would be. With a smooth powertrain, decent performance and remarkably low running costs – thanks to the 36-mile electric range – this is an ideal family hybrid car, which is also not as expensive as you might think.
Enquire on a new Ford Kuga Plug-in HybridHonda CR-V Hybrid – from £30,500
If you can’t charge your car at home or aren’t quite ready for a car that you have to plug in, the regular hybrid powertrain found in the Honda CR-V is a great option. On this latest-generation CR-V, which arrived in 2018, the Hybrid version essentially replaces the diesel as an ideal urban car, which is impressively practical and well-equipped.
Enquire on a new Honda CR-V HybridTesla Model X – from £82,980
Tesla remains a leader when it comes to electric cars, and the American firm’s Model X was the first EV SUV you could buy in 2016. Despite minimal changes since then, it remains one of the best large electric cars you can buy. It might not look the part, but offers some seriously impressive technology, rapid performance and a very roomy cabin. A claimed 314-mile range is also the longest of any electric SUV available today.
Enquire on a new Tesla Model XJeep Renegade 4xe – from £32,600
Jeep’s first electrified model is a new plug-in hybrid version of its funky-looking Renegade crossover – now the firm’s most popular car in the UK. Its 30-mile electric range makes this the best Jeep ever to use around town, though the firm hasn’t forgotten about the need for it to be seriously capable off-road, as this 4xe model is actually better away from tarmac than the standard petrol and diesel models.
Enquire on a new Jeep Renegade 4xeMini Countryman Cooper S All4 – from £32,980
If you want a fun and compact electrified SUV, a great option is Mini’s sporty Countryman Plug-in Hybrid. With a 26-mile electric range, this Mini crossover can be very cheap to run, while sprightly performance makes it just as quick as the Cooper S derivative. It’s also recently been updated with a fresher look and new interior tech – including a digital dials system.
Enquire on a new Mini CountrymanMercedes GLC 300 de – from £48,690
Diesel plug-in hybrids are quite a rare thing these days, but Mercedes believes they’re an appealing option – offering them in multiple models across its range, including the brilliant GLC. Known as the GLC 300 de, this stylish and premium SUV can travel 27 miles on electricity, and could be exceptionally cheap to run. A large 13.5kW on-board charger also allows you to replenish the batteries in just a couple of hours.
Enquire on a new Mercedes GLCKia e-Niro – from £29,595
Kia has a brilliant reputation when it comes to electrified models, and it offers its Niro crossover as a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and an EV. The latter is the most appealing of the lot, not least due to its ability to travel for 282 miles on a single charge – more than all of its rivals. It’s also well-equipped, relatively affordable and practical, too, and is a very credible option.
Enquire on a new Kia e-NiroPorsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid – from £71,424
Porsche has a lot of experience when it comes to hybrid models – offering them for the best part of 10 years. While most firms prioritise efficiency when it comes to hybrids, Porsche’s ones are more about performance, and on the firm’s stunning Cayenne you can choose it with power figures of 456bhp or a monstrous 671bhp on the Turbo S E-Hybrid model. You also get a brilliant interior with the Cayenne, though admittedly you pay for it with the steep asking price.
Enquire on a new Porsche Cayenne CoupeVolvo XC90 T8 – from £64,645
Volvo now offers a plug-in hybrid of every model it sells as this manufacturer switches to become an electrified car maker. But if you want an SUV, the best option is the flagship XC90 T8. It is a striking, beautifully made and very comfortable 4x4, which can also seat seven adults in comfort – something no other plug-in hybrid SUV can do.
Enquire on a new Volvo XC90
