Top 5 PHEVs under $50K — with 35+ miles of electric range

Plugging in and staying within budget can feel at odds, but a growing list of sedans and SUVs now offer more than 35 miles of pure electric range with an upfront cost under $50,000. By looking at both range and miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) — which combines electric range with fuel efficiency — we found the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that really deliver for long road trips.

2025 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid

For 2025, the Toyota Prius Prime gets a new name (now the Prius Plug-in Hybrid) but retains its chart-topping PHEV specs. It outperforms the competition (even other Toyota plug-ins) with 44 miles of pure electric range. This boosts its MPGe to a whopping 127 (or 52 mpg combined in hybrid mode). That makes the traditional Toyota Prius mild hybrid pale in comparison. However, the Plug-in Hybrid comes with a premium price: around $35,000 for the base SE, while the standard Prius starts at under $28,000.

Related: Top 5 hybrids under $40K that get 40+ MPG — and only one is a Prius

2025 Kia Niro PHEV

The Kia Niro lineup keeps improving, and the plug-in version is no exception, offering 33 miles of pure electric range and 108 MPGe. Similar to the Prius PHEV, it starts at $35,865 for the EX trim, which is a slight price increase from 2024. The Niro is available as a mild hybrid, PHEV, and all-electric vehicle, with the PHEV EX being the best deal across the lineup. The top plug-in trim, SX Touring, starts at $42,165.

2025 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid

Ford makes the PHEV list with its compact SUV, the Escape. Positioned as a regular hybrid with a plug-in option, it offers 37 miles of pure electric range, supported by a 2.5-liter engine that delivers 210 horsepower. It’s one of the larger PHEVs available and remains well under $50,000 with a starting price of $38,400. Its fuel efficiency helps it rank higher on this list, with 101 MPGe.

Related: No, you probably can't lease a 2024 Nissan Ariya for $99

2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

Another Toyota plug-in enters the top five, this time in the form of the RAV4. As America’s best-selling SUV, the RAV4 now joins the Prius in receiving a new name for 2025 (it’s now the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid). In plug-in mode, it offers 42 miles of electric range, and in hybrid mode, it achieves 38 mpg combined. Its 94 MPGe further boosts its appeal, especially for a larger compact SUV compared to the smaller Prius Plug-in Hybrid sedan. Both trims are all-wheel drive, with the base SE starting at $43,865.

2025 Kia Sportage PHEV

Kia makes the list again with the Sportage PHEV, edging out the similar Hyundai Tucson PHEV. The Sportage, a crossover, offers 34 miles of all-electric range — not the best, but still decent. It gives the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine an 84 MPGe fuel efficiency rating. The PHEV version starts at $41,065, compared to just under $30,000 for the traditional hybrid, making it a steep premium for those gas savings.

Final thoughts

Plugging in costs more, which is hard to ignore when comparing PHEV prices, especially within lineups like the Toyota RAV4 with its range of powertrains. However, the extra upfront cost brings incredible efficiency that should factor into drivers’ long-term calculations. T

he plug-in premium still offers a discount over most all-electric options (such as the more than $5,000 price difference in the Kia Niro lineup). PHEVs are enjoying a moment, with home charging and public charging stations more accessible than ever, while still providing the safety net of a traditional gas station fill-up.

Related: EVs face historical market share decline — and record sales