The Plug-in Hybrid SUV That Offers The Lowest Cost Per Mile

 Plug-in hybrid cars and crossovers are steadily increasing in popularity in the U.S. market. 2024 saw a dramatic shift in interest from fully electric vehicles to gasoline-electric hybrid products. PHEVs sit directly as a halfway point between these two drivetrain configurations, as they combine the best of both worlds. With a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, you get to enjoy the benefits of a fully electric drivetrain over short distances and eliminate the worry of range anxiety thanks to the added benefit of an efficient ICE. Despite a surge in interest from both consumers and manufacturers, PHEVs remain a niche proposition. They are typically substantially more expensive than their standard HEV counterparts because of the more technical electrical system and larger battery pack. This results in a very steep entry point, which is a turn-off for a lot of potential first-time buyers.

Naturally, the most important reason why you would consider PHEV ownership is to cut down on your monthly spending, particularly when it comes to fuel costs. Plug-in hybrid vehicles do benefit from a comprehensive electrical system with moderately sized battery packs, but you still have to put fuel in them, especially if you plan on covering more than about 30 miles in a day. While operating via the ICE, the system still gets support from the electric motor, alleviating the load from the engine and resultantly lowering your fuel costs. Most PHEVs benefit from great daily fuel-saving benefits, but there's one South Korean compact crossover with a very attractive starting price and a longstanding reputation for efficiency and reliability, making it an ideal option if it is your first time considering a PHEV, especially if you're looking for the lowest cost-per-mile figure out there.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Kia's websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, Consumer Reports, and the NHTSA.

The Kia Niro PHEV Costs The Least Per Mile

The real reason why you're going to consider the Niro PHEV is for its amazing fuel and energy efficiency returns. Technically speaking, this is more of a crossover than an SUV, but its consumption figures are so much more appealing, that we would recommend opting for this model over a larger SUV if you are looking for the lowest cost-per-mile result. According to the EPA, you can expect the entire system to return a 48 MPG result on the combined cycle, together with a 510-mile range thanks to the 11.1 kWh battery pack and 9.8-gallon gasoline tank.

Using electrical power only, you can expect to cover 34 miles on a single charge and benefit from a 31 kWh per 100 miles average energy consumption estimate. The EPA also indicates that you can expect to save up to $4,250 in fuel costs over five years and spend around $800 on gasoline and electricity every year. It costs $1.16 to drive 25 miles using electricity and $1.62 to drive the ICE without any electrical assistance. These figures are much lower than any other SUV or crossover that you will come across in the new vehicle market. A full tank of gas will cost around $30.