Hybrid vs. Plug-in Hybrid: What’s the Difference & Which One Is Right For You?

Plug-in hybrids are becoming more and more popular, but how are they different from regular hybrids? Edmunds’ Nick Yekikian tells you all about the differences between hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains in this video.

00:00 Intro
00:39 What's The Difference?
01:49 Cost Benefits
03:07 Tax Incentives
03:38 Our Favorite Hybrids
04:31 Our Favorite PHEVs
05:24 Edmunds' Take

[edmundscars]

We get that EVs aren’t for everyone, but there are plenty of good options for electrified cars without having to go full on into the world of an EV. Which would you choose?

[chriswernke]

Recently purchased a new 2024 Ford Maverick hybrid and I really enjoy the seamless use of both electric and gas. Outstanding MPG with no drawbacks.

[rxonmymind]

Shout out to Toyota Venza hybrid. 38-42 mpg is what I'm getting. Get one now as they are being discontinued after 2024. Taking it's place is the Crown Signia.
The ride is plush, fit and finish is very nice and it has just enough pep 0-60 in the 7's.
Love mine.

[jsanders]

Haven’t watched the video, but I have owned a Lexus CtH (Hybrid) and now own a RAV4 Prime (PHEV). So the actual truth from someone who has LOTS of real world experience is that PHEV is friggin awesome and it comes with a free hybrid included!

We live 13 miles one way from where we do errands, shop, etc. we can literally go months without touching a gas pump (if we never went out of town).

We are retired, so no “work” per se. This 302 horsepower, awd, 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds, 48 mpg average over 3 years including LONG rod trips with a high of 84mpg is incredible! I can’t think of anything that anyone makes that I could replace it with.

Don’t get me started on lack of maintenance requirements! Look that up for yourself!

A Toyota PHEV is the way to the future.

[Molishious]

I drive a PHEV which covers 100 % of my driving most days. It’s more efficient than its ICE or hybrid equivalents and has more horsepower and torque than they do. On long trips it’s an efficient hybrid vehicle that I don’t have to charge. I don’t have to compromise on range and slow refueling like an EV does and I don’t have to compromise on efficiency like the ICE vehicle. Consumer reports has it ranked higher for reliability than any EV. There is maintenance and I do burn gas. That’s the decision I made to not have to compromise on range and efficient refueling. Three years in I have had no problems and I still enjoy driving it every day. It has held its resale value than any EV. My next car will be a full EV, but I have no complaints. A lot of the anti phev comments that I’ve read in comments sections like this are based on what people think will happen rather than any actual data.

[flashsushi]

Besides Toyota PHEVs, which other makes make reliable ones?

A few months, there was a study suggesting HEVs (Toyota sells the most) are more reliable than PHEVs, which are more reliable than BEVs.

I guess there's more reliance on and complexity to PHEVs and BEVs' software and BMS.

[A]

Hybrid any day. EVs are just not reliable due to the support that is available, nor infrastructure available and unpredictable range depending upon use. Especially in Australia where we don’t have a good supply of electric.

[ourpatrondotnet]

Ignored in this video is the fact that battery packs do not last forever, and to replace one ain’t cheap. It can completely wipe out any savings versus a gas powered vehicle. I drive a hybrid, and I am very mindful of this.

[beautyofgrace]

Just bought a 2018 Chevy Volt Premiere, get 51 ev miles, it’s great on gas as well, but it’s been a month and I haven’t gone to the gas station yet, so I have the best of both worlds. It’s not complicated, you just decide if you want to use the battery or gas, it’s one of the best cars that I ever had😊

[xGRASHOPAx]

Test drove the 24 Prius Prime today. It is a Beautiful car feels good and is quiet. Only problem is, I'm 6'3 and the windshield is super short. My line of vision is almost at the headliner. I wanted to like this car but it would drive me nuts having to slouch while driving.

[stephenwinter]

geetings from southern Ontario Canada and i agree with you phev and a ev both need level 2 charge and most apartments dont have this feature but hybrids are easier to get a hold of depending upon the manufacturer my sister lives in Vancouver and she is enjoying her mitsubishi outlander phev and gets 60 kms on a charge

[markshard]

suv hybrid yesterday was 52mpg. since refueling is 42mpg. pluggable version can't get close to that.

[davenone]

If I had it to do over I would have bought my Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid in the PHEV version. It was about $5, 000 more and I would perhaps never made up that difference in gas but I would be getting so much better mileage and far less gas station stops!

[jimmyyang-tw]

that`s the answer in US.
In china we got much advancd plug in hybrids cars.
the new byd dm5.0 hybrid cars uses lower gas than the toyota hev pries &corolla.and it offers much stronger performance.

if you have a charger at home, buy the bigger battier one. often has a 100-200KM ev range which can easily solve you city trip

[johnnaylor]

I am always gobsmacked at the cost of petrol in America. A cheap price in northern England today is £2.49 / litre
There are 3.785 litres in 1 US gallon = £9.42 / US Gallon or $12.49 / US Gallon

At $3.60 per US gallon I would not bother with any Hybryd at all, more like a classic Ford Falcon with a 5.0 litre V8 & a 4 Barrell Holly !

[chriswf]

Dude, the only difference really is phevs (should) have bigger batteries.

If you don't live in an apartment, this is GREAT opportunity to daily drive your car for very cheap, maybe even free if you have solar. And never have to visit a gas station.
However the combustion engine is there, so no range anxiety.

Regular hybrids use braking and the gas engine to spin a shaft going through the electrical motor(s) to recharge it. You're still 100% required to buy gas.

[JamaicanMeCrazy]

I think a regular hybrid seems to be the set spot

[markshard]

suv hybrid at 42mpg. one trip was 68mpg and another was 52mpg. Hoping to get up to 45mpg avg. The PHEV version is $5, 000. 33 miles/charge and 35mpg. Possibly next car will be phev but we've had two hybrids and both are performing quite well.

[scottmccullo]

The 2025 Lexus UX300h AWD should be mentioned take a ride in one

[g]

Hybrid is always better than pure EVs. You don’t have battery levels anxiety, don’t have to look for dedicated charge stations. Don’t need to wait for charging time if you are on the go. If you mostly working from home even better, mean you mostly used electric, and if you travel far or night you don’t worry to charge especially late night and alone at the charge station. No EV infrastructure yet in your area? No problem. I can go for gas station. ..etc