THE COUNTDOWN Battery-assisted SUVs for every taste and budget
10 BEST PLUG-IN HYBRID SUVs
If the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson don’t tempt you, these 10 PHEVs could well turn you on to electrification Alex
Ingram Chief reviewer Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk
ON the previous pages we’ve seen two of the most compelling plug-in hybrid SUVs on sale today face off against one another. But in the last couple of years, there has been an explosion of choice – and not just in terms of direct competition to the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. Here we’re rounding up 10 of the best plug-in hybrid SUVs – at the more modest and the more luxurious ends of the spectrum. The aim is always the same, however; use electric energy to reap the zero-emission benefits of a full EV on short journeys, while retaining the flexibility of being able to refuel a combustion engine whenever you need to. Although we quote official economy figures, it’s best to take them with a pinch of salt; you might match them, but many drivers will see lower figures. Still, with regular charging, PHEVs should beat equivalent diesel models and create far fewer emissions, particularly in urban areas. Plus, as we’ll show on Page 46, company car drivers can see an even bigger benefit.
44 20 July 2022
10 Ford Kuga
Prices: £37,755-£40,155 Powertrain: 2.5-litre petrol/e-motor, 14.4kWh battery, 222bhp EV Range: 28-39 miles Economy: 251.8-282.5mpg CO2: 23-25g/km 0-62mph: 9.2 seconds Trims: ST-Line Edition, ST-Line X Edition, Vignale THROUGHOUT its range, the Ford Kuga majors on strong equipment levels backed up by great value for money, and the plug-in hybrid variant is no different. With prices for the ST-Line Edition starting from £37,755, it undercuts the least expensive Tucson in our test by just under two grand. Standard kit includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, electrically adjustable front seats and a punchy B&O audio system. On top of that, the Kuga handles sharply, yet its supple suspension deals with bumps admirably, while the cabin offers plenty of space for passengers and luggage. The engine is a little noisy when it kicks in, and the CVT causes some slightly unpleasant revving if you decide to make the most of the performance – something that is slightly lacking relative to key PHEV rivals. Still, the Kuga has official fuel consumption of up to 282.5mpg. What you get will depend on how regularly you keep the battery topped up – a process that takes a little over three hours via a home wallbox, or six with a three-pin plug.
OUR CHOICE Kuga PHEV ST-Line Edition
“The Kuga handles sharply, yet its supple suspension deals with bumps admirably” www.autoexpress.co.uk
