The plug-in hybrid market had a busy 2023, with automakers expanding their electrified lineups across compact SUVs, family vehicles and performance-focused models. For shoppers who were not ready to make the full switch to an EV, these vehicles offered another route: electric driving for shorter journeys, backed by a gasoline engine for longer trips.
That combination made plug-in hybrids particularly interesting in 2023. Some models focused heavily on efficiency, while others used electrification to add power and all-weather capability.
The result was a much broader selection than the PHEV market had offered only a few years earlier.
Here are 10 plug-in hybrids that stood out during the 2023 model year.
The 10 plug-in hybrids that stood out in 2023
Toyota RAV4 Prime
The Toyota RAV4 Prime was one of the strongest all-rounders in the segment. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain delivered 302 horsepower, and all-wheel drive was standard.
More importantly for buyers interested in reducing gasoline use, the RAV4 Prime could travel an EPA-estimated 42 miles on electric power alone.
That combination of useful electric range, SUV practicality and strong acceleration made it a particularly appealing alternative to both conventional hybrids and some entry-level electric SUVs.
The RAV4 Prime also offered 2,500 pounds of maximum towing capacity, giving it some additional versatility for owners who needed to pull a small trailer.
Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
Hyundai’s Tucson Plug-In Hybrid brought the company’s compact SUV into the PHEV conversation with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine working alongside an electric motor.
Total output was 261 horsepower, while all-wheel drive came standard.
The Tucson PHEV offered an EPA-estimated 33 miles of electric range. Once that electric range was used, the vehicle could continue operating as a conventional hybrid.
For buyers who wanted a family-friendly crossover without moving completely away from gasoline, that flexibility was one of its biggest advantages.
Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
The Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid joined the lineup for 2023 as part of the redesigned Sportage family.
Like the Tucson PHEV, it used a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and electric assistance, producing 261 horsepower. All-wheel drive was standard, making it a particularly interesting option for drivers who regularly deal with poor weather or rougher roads.
Its estimated electric range was 34 miles.
The Sportage also benefited from Kia’s newer interior and technology package, giving the PHEV a much more modern feel than some older electrified models.
Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid
The Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid took a slightly different approach from several competitors. It offered front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive, but its electric range remained competitive at an EPA-estimated 37 miles.
The Escape PHEV could also achieve an EPA-estimated 40 mpg combined when operating in hybrid mode.
For 2023, Ford refreshed the Escape with updated exterior styling and revised cabin technology. That gave the plug-in model a more current look while preserving its focus on efficiency.
Its main limitation for some buyers was the lack of all-wheel drive.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV received a major redesign for 2023, transforming it from an aging niche model into a much more competitive family SUV.
It used a 20-kWh battery and twin electric motors, with a gasoline engine supporting the system. Mitsubishi rated the powertrain at 248 horsepower.
The model could provide up to 38 miles of electric driving and offered three rows of seating.
That last point was significant. Most compact PHEV SUVs were designed around five passengers, whereas the Outlander gave larger families another option without requiring a move to a much more expensive vehicle.
Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
The redesigned Kia Niro arrived for 2023 with a sharper exterior and a more sophisticated interior, and the plug-in hybrid version received a useful improvement in electric range.
The 2023 Niro PHEV could travel an EPA-estimated 33 miles using electric power.
Its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor produced a combined 180 horsepower. Unlike some of the larger SUVs on this list, the Niro focused primarily on efficiency and everyday urban usability.
Its smaller footprint also made it easier to position as an alternative to a conventional compact crossover.
Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
The Kia Sorento PHEV targeted buyers who needed more room than a compact SUV could provide.
Its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and electric motor produced 261 horsepower, while all-wheel drive was standard. The vehicle offered an EPA-estimated 32 miles of electric range.
The Sorento’s three-row layout gave it a clear practical advantage for larger households.
It was also considerably more expensive than smaller PHEVs, illustrating one of the biggest trade-offs in the segment: adding more space, equipment and capability generally pushed the purchase price higher.
Jeep Wrangler 4xe
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe was arguably the most unusual plug-in hybrid in the group.
Instead of using electrification primarily to maximize fuel economy, Jeep used the technology to add power while maintaining the Wrangler’s off-road credentials.
The 4xe produced 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Its electric driving range was EPA-rated at 21 miles.
That number was modest compared with the RAV4 Prime or Escape PHEV, but range was not the Wrangler’s main selling point. Its appeal came from combining plug-in capability with genuine four-wheel-drive hardware and the Wrangler’s removable-roof, off-road-oriented design.
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
The Grand Cherokee 4xe applied the same basic philosophy to a more refined SUV.
It produced 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated electric range of 25 miles.
Compared with the Wrangler 4xe, the Grand Cherokee placed greater emphasis on comfort, interior quality and everyday road manners.
It also demonstrated how automakers were beginning to use plug-in hybrid systems for reasons beyond fuel economy. In this case, the electric motor helped provide additional performance while giving drivers the option of completing shorter journeys without running the gasoline engine.
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
While SUVs dominated the PHEV conversation, Chrysler continued to offer something very different: a plug-in hybrid minivan.
The Pacifica Hybrid used a 3.6-liter V6-based powertrain and could travel up to 32 miles on electric power, according to EPA estimates.
Its appeal was obvious for families. The Pacifica offered three rows of seating and the cargo flexibility associated with a minivan, while its plug-in system allowed many short trips to be completed using electricity.
For buyers who prioritized passenger and cargo space over SUV styling, it remained one of the most distinctive choices in the category.
Why plug-in hybrids mattered in 2023
The biggest story was not one particular model. It was the variety.
In 2023, buyers could choose a relatively compact and efficiency-focused PHEV such as the Niro, a mainstream family SUV such as the Tucson or Sportage, or something much more specialized such as the Wrangler 4xe.
The technology also highlighted an important difference between PHEVs and traditional hybrids.
A conventional hybrid charges its battery primarily through regenerative braking and the gasoline engine. A plug-in hybrid has a larger battery and can be connected to an external charger.
That means the owner’s charging habits can have a major effect on fuel consumption.
Someone who plugs in regularly and has a short daily commute may spend much of the week driving electrically. Someone who rarely charges may see considerably less benefit.
What buyers should consider today
Although these vehicles were sold as new models in 2023, buyers looking at them on the used market should approach them as they would any other electrified vehicle.
Battery condition matters. So does the availability of charging at home or work.
It is also worth remembering that EPA electric-range figures are standardized estimates, not guarantees. Cold temperatures, highway speeds, aggressive acceleration, heavy loads and extensive climate-control use can all reduce real-world electric range.
Original MSRP is another figure that needs context. Used-car values can be dramatically different from the prices these vehicles carried when new, depending on mileage, condition, equipment and local demand.
A pre-purchase inspection is particularly worthwhile on a used PHEV. Buyers should review service records, check recall status and confirm the remaining coverage of any applicable battery or hybrid-system warranty.
The 2023 plug-in hybrid lineup showed that electrification did not have to mean choosing between a gasoline vehicle and a fully electric car.
The RAV4 Prime focused on electric range and performance. The Niro emphasized efficiency and size. The Tucson, Sportage and Escape targeted mainstream SUV buyers, while the Outlander and Sorento added extra family practicality. Jeep took the technology in a performance and off-road direction, and the Pacifica remained an unusual option for large families.
For today’s used-car shopper, the right choice comes down to how the vehicle will actually be used. If regular charging is convenient and most daily trips are relatively short, a plug-in hybrid can make excellent use of its electric capability. If charging is rarely available, a conventional hybrid may make more sense.