If you like the idea of driving an electric car but you’re unable to commit to the EV lifestyle, a plug-in hybrid is a perfect middle ground. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) can run on electricity alone and has a gas engine that kicks in when the battery runs out of juice. This gives you some of the benefits of an EV without the range anxiety.
Here are the 10 best used PHEVs you can find under $20,000.
1. 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In
The Hyundai
HYMTF,
Ioniq is a practical plug-in hybrid hatchback that can travel up to 29 miles on just electricity. It’s still super efficient once the battery is depleted with a combined 52 mpg rating and a total range of 630 miles. The Ioniq benefits from an intuitive infotainment system and good safety ratings, further adding to its practicality.
2. 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In
The Toyota
TM,
Prius Plug-In was the predecessor to the Prius Prime. As its name implies, it’s a plug-in version of the popular Prius. It has an all-electric range of only 11 miles, but it’s a little more efficient than the regular Prius, even with a depleted battery. It also has a roomy interior, a smooth ride, and an excellent reliability record.
See: This is the hybrid car that will cost you the least over 5 years
3. 2016 Chevrolet Volt
A second-generation Chevy Volt is one of the best values in used plug-in hybrids. It’s a practical hatchback with an excellent all-electric range of up to 53 miles and a total range of 420 miles with a fully charged battery and a full tank of gas. It’s also pretty fun to drive thanks to its peppy acceleration, and the infotainment system is easy to use.
4. 2018 Kia Niro Plug-In
The plug-in hybrid variant of the Kia
000270,
Niro came out for the 2018 model year, and used examples are starting to get under the $20K mark. It has a good reliability record so far, and it achieves an all-electric range of up to 26 miles. Even when the electric battery dies, it’s still an efficient crossover, netting 46 combined mpg.
Read: 2 hybrids compared: The 2021 Kia Niro and the 2021 Hyundai Ioniq
5. 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid
The Accord Plug-in Hybrid may be hard to find, as it was a limited-production model. But it’s worth hunting down. It is sporty, like the regular Honda
HMC,
Accord, and adds a 570-mile range, 11 miles of all-electric power, and fuel economy of 115 MPGe or 46 mpg in hybrid mode.
6. 2016 Ford C-Max Energi
The Ford
F,
C-Max Energi is can be thought of as a plug-in hybrid version of its cousin, the Ford Focus hatchback. It has agile yet comfortable driving manners and a pretty roomy and upscale interior. It got an updated SYNC 3 infotainment system for 2016, and the C-Max Energi can go up to 19 miles on electricity alone.
7. 2016 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron
The Audi A3 e-tron only has an all-electric range of up to 17 miles, but it’s one of the more luxurious and fun-to-drive plug-in hybrid models on this list. It’s a practical compact hatchback with modern tech. Since it’s an Audi, it has one of the nicest interiors you’ll find in any compact car.
8. 2017 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid
Stylish and elegant, the Kia Optima is a sedan that is available in PHEV form. It comes with a wide range of standard features, as well as 610 miles of range. You can drive 29 miles on all-electric power, with fuel economy of 103 MPGe and 40 mpg.
More on MarketWatch: Solar energy could power 40% of U.S. electricity by 2035
9. 2014 Ford Fusion Energi
This variant takes the roomy and comfortable Ford Fusion midsize sedan and adds an efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain. It can go up to 19 miles on electricity alone and an impressive 550 miles with a full tank of gas. This is a practical choice as a roomy family sedan, and it has surprisingly sharp handling for a hybrid.
Also see: Go topless: the 10 cheapest convertibles
10. 2015 BMW i3 w/Range Extender
The BMW
BMW,
i3 subcompact hatchback has been around for a while now, but it still looks futuristic today. It’s available as an all-electric car or a plug-in hybrid. The PHEV variant has a good range of up to 72 miles on electricity alone before the gas-powered range extender kicks in, giving it a total range of up to 150 miles.
This story originally ran on KBB.com.
This post was originally published on Market Watch
