The longest-range plug-in hybrids

Version TFSI e | Electric-only range 88 miles | List price £39,150 | Target Price £39,150

The updated Audi A3 brings a line-up of new engines, including this plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version that pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a 19.7kWh (usable) battery. This means it now has a vast official electric-only range of 88 miles, which is the same as the Volkswagen Golf eHybrid. As such, these two cars have the joint longest-range of any new PHEV. 

For context, the A3 TFSI e and Golf eHybrid can travel significantly farther than a Toyota Prius (44 miles), as well as larger SUVs with bigger batteries, such as the Range Rover Sport (73.3 miles). While we are yet to drive the TFSI e version of the new A3, the regular version is good to drive, with tidy handling and a comfortable driving position. 

One area where the A3 steps ahead of the Golf is with its interior, because it's slightly more intuitive to use, thanks to its use of physical controls for the volume and climate controls. It also feels slightly more premium than the Golf, thanks to its soft-touch plastics, fabric dashboard inserts and perforated door panels. Mind you, it is slightly more expensive to buy.

Read our in-depth Audi A3 review

Version 1.5 TSI 204 eHybrid Style | Electric-only range 88 miles | List price £37,135 | Target Price £37,135

The updated Volkswagen Golf eHybrid shares its hybrid system with the new Audi A3, so as mentioned previously, it also has an enormous official electric-only range of 88 miles. We've already driven the Golf eHybrid and we can confirm it's very good; it's pleasant to drive and comfortable, particularly with the optional adaptive suspension fitted.

But what about fuel economy? Well, when we MPG tested the Golf against the new Toyota Prius with a depleted battery, we managed a real-world fuel economy figure of 48mpg (that's slightly less than the 53.8mpg the Prius achieved). However, the Golf is more efficient when running on battery power, so it costs less to run than the Prius when regularly topped up with electricity.

It's worth noting that if you want the PHEV version of the Golf, you have to step up to mid-range Style trim. It comes with a similar amount of kit as Match, but adds sports seats, three-zone climate control and upgraded LED headlights.

Read our in-depth Volkswagen Golf review

Version 1.5 TSI iV SE Technology | Electric-only range 83 miles | List price £41,465 | Target Price £40,465

Unlike the previous generation, the Skoda Superb is now only available as a PHEV in estate form. Mind you, that's not such a bad thing because it has a vast boot; even with the batteries located under the floor, there's 510 litres of space. That's the same as the Volkswagen Passat eHybrid and more than the Mercedes E-Class Estate E300e (460 litres).

Rear seat space is also impressive, because there's plenty of head and leg room for a couple of six-footers. Up front, the driving position is comfortable and the dashboard is easy to use thanks to its physical controls. Unfortunately, these controls do feel a bit cheap, as do some of the dashboard materials.

The hybrid system is similar to what you'll find in the Audi A3 TFSI e and VW Golf eHybrid; the Superb Estate iV comes with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor that develop 201bhp, as well as a 19.7kWh (usable) battery. When running in electric-only mode, the Superb can travel up to 83 miles officially – that's similar to the Passat, and much farther than a BMW 5 Series Touring (60 miles) and E-Class Estate (64 miles).

Read our in-depth Skoda Superb Estate review

Version 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life | Electric-only range 81 miles | List price £44,105 | Target Price £41,155

The ninth-generation Volkswagen Passat is the best one yet. It's comfortable, refined and enormously practical, plus the interior feels slightly better built than the closely-related Skoda Superb's.

The hybrid system in the Passat is very familiar, because it's the same as what you get in the Superb Estate. In this instance, the Passat can travel 81 miles on electric-only power officially, which is similar to the Superb, but more than a Citroën C5 X (39 miles) and Volvo V90 (52 miles).

The Passat PHEV's enormous electric-only range means it has potential for tiny fuel bills, particularly if you charge at home on a cheap overnight tariff. If you do need to use a public charger though, the Passat can accept up to 50kW DC, which makes topping on a longer journey much quicker than a BMW 330e Touring (which is limited to AC and a maximum charging rate of 3.7kW).

Read our in-depth Volkswagen Passat review

Version 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life | Electric-only range 77 miles | List price £42,525 | Target Price £42,525

Volkswagen has been busy overhauling a lot of its line-up in recent times. As such, a new third-generation Tiguan has been launched with refreshed styling, upgraded interior tech and new engines. This means it features the same PHEV system as other VW Group cars on this list, including the VW Golf, Skoda Superb and VW Passat, although it can manage less miles on electric-only power because of its larger size.

Despite that, it still has a much longer electric-only range than most of its family SUV rivals, including the Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, all of which can travel an identical 43 miles officially on electric power.

Along with a long official range, the Tiguan has other strengths, including a spacious interior, a comfortable ride and a generous equipment list. Speaking of which, if you want the PHEV you have to step up to Life trim, which coincidentally is our favourite trim level. It comes with three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, ambient interior lighting, wireless phone-charging and sat-nav as standard.

Read our in-depth Volkswagen Tiguan review

Version 1.5 TSI iV 204 SE | Electric-only range 76 miles | List price £41,935 | Target Price £40,935

The Skoda Kodiaq is a brilliant all-rounder. It offers lots of space, a comfortable ride and a competitive price, as well as a range of strong and efficient engines. In this instance, we're referring to the 201bhp PHEV version (which is the same system as other VW Group cars on this list, including the closely-related VW Tiguan).

While the PHEV can't be specified with seven seats because the battery is located under the boot floor, it's a great option if you want a spacious five-seater with a big boot. Indeed, it has a capacity of 745 litres – that's more than the PHEV versions of the VW Tiguan (652 litres) and Kia Sportage (540 litres).

Despite being the entry-level trim, the SE version quoted here is very well equipped. It comes with a long list of kit, including ambient interior lighting, keyless start, three-zone climate control, auto lights and wipers, power-folding door mirrors and heated front seats.

Read our in-depth Skoda Kodiaq review

Version GLC 300e 4Matic AMG Line | Electric-only range 75 miles | List price £63,360 | Target Price £59,860

All versions of the latest GLC offer a comfortable ride and an interior that's filled with tech, but the GLC 300e also gives you a competitive electric-only range of 75 miles, which is almost double that of its closest competitor, the Lexus NX 450h+. It's a great choice if you want a PHEV family SUV with a premium badge.

Having tested those two cars back-to-back in the real-world, we found the GLC managed a healthy 57 miles before running out of charge in our real world test. The NX, by comparison, managed 30 miles in the same conditions (versus 43 miles officially).

Performance is respectable in the GLC 300e, with 0-62mph taking 6.4sec. However, the petrol engine is rather grumbly when it fires up, and you do feel the extra weight of the battery in the corners compared with non-PHEV versions.

Read our in-depth Mercedes GLC review

Version 3.0 P460e SE | Electric-only range 73.3 miles | List price £90,200 | Target Price £90,200

The silence offered by electric motor in the Range Rover Sport P460e makes it one of the most refined PHEVs out there. Not only that, but the enormous official electric-only range of 73.3 miles means you can maximise the serenity more than you can in the BMW X5 xDrive50e, which can manage 62 miles. 

Having said that, a range of around 50 miles is more likely in the real world, although that's still longer than what you get officially in the Lexus RX 450h+ (43 miles). When the 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine does eventually kick in, it's incredibly quiet and smooth, and you'll hardly even notice it.

Of course, being a Range Rover Sport, the interior is as beautiful to look at as it is to touch, while the seats are comfortable and supportive. You also feel slightly more hunkered down in the Sport compared with its bigger Range Rover brother, thanks to the raised centre console.

Read our in-depth Range Rover Sport review

Version 3.0 P460e SE | Electric-only range 73 miles | List price £115,805 | Target Price £115,805

The Range Rover takes luxury to the next level, with its commanding driving position, effortless performance and super-soft ride making it the ultimate long-distance cruiser.

Like the Range Rover Sport, the P460e PHEV is a great option if you want to do big miles on electric-only power, with it only travelling one less mile officially between charges than its sibling. Despite that, it can still travel much farther than the Bentley Bentayga PHEV (28 miles).

Where the Range Rover wins back some points because while the Sport is only available with five seats, the larger model can be specified with seven seats. So, if you want a seven-seater PHEV that does big miles on electricity, then the Range Rover is a great option. You will have to exchange a big sum of cash for it, though. 

Read our in-depth Range Rover review

Version C300e Urban Edition | Electric-only range 68 miles | List price £49,860 | Target Price £46,860

The Mercedes C-Class C300e has the longest official electric-only range of any PHEV executive car, with a figure that's significantly longer than that of its closest rival, the BMW 3 Series 33oe (37 miles).

However, it's not just the electric range that appeals, because the C-Class is one of the more comfortable executive cars. That's helped by the fact the C300e gets air suspension at the rear as standard, which helps to cope with the extra weight of the battery and does a good job of keeping the car level over bumpy roads. The non-PHEV versions without the air suspension are also very comfortable.

Even though the interior quality isn't as good as you'll find in the 3 Series, the design is slick and the infotainment system is relatively easy to use. It's just a shame there are minimal physical controls for operating certain functions, such as the climate controls.

Read our in-depth Mercedes C-Class review