The 5 best plug-in hybrid cars in 2026, according to Consumer Reports

If you want electric power in your car but aren't ready to fully commit to an EV, plug-in hybrids are a great alternative. But which ones are the best?

Consumer Reports created a list of the best plug-in hybrids currently on the market that it's been able to test. Continue reading to see which it chose.

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CR really likes the Toyota $TM RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid, which has an EPA range of 42 miles per gallon and starts at $44,815. CR said vehicle “transforms the driving experience of Toyota’s small RAV4 SUV, giving it abundant power and a comfortable ride to go along with its fuel-economy benefits.” If you want an EV, but aren’t ready to commit, it’s a great choice, though it does have long stopping distances.

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CR says the 2026 BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid is a great choice for a luxury mid-sized plug-in hybrid. It starts at $73,800 and gets 39 miles per gallon. “The X5 xDrive50e adds more luster to the things we’ve always loved about BMW’s midsized luxury SUV, such as its comfortable, quiet, and impeccably finished interior, ultra-smooth powertrain, surprisingly athletic handling, and steady and composed ride,” CR wrote.

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The 2026 Kia Sportage is a highly-rated and affordable option for a plug-in hybrid, starting at $40,490. It gets 34 miles per gallon and is “one of the better small SUV PHEVs,” according to CR. Like other plug-ins, the Sportage isn’t super efficient when the EV mode isn’t running.

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The 2026 Lexus RX Plug-in Hybrid “elevates the regular RX hybrid to new heights,” CR said. It starts at 65,230 and gets 37 miles per gallon. CR liked its comfortable ride, luxurious cabin, and roomy back seat, but did say it has a loud gas engine and its controls aren’t super well-designed.

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The 2026 Toyota $TM Prius Plug-in Hybrid is the only non-SUV to make the top five. It starts at $33,775 and gets 39 miles per gallon according to the EPA, but CR testing actually found the average was 43. CR called it practical and impressively efficient, but said it doesn’t have the most comfortable back seat and has some tricky blind sports for drivers.