Hybrid vs. Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles

If a vehicle is described as a hybrid, it relies on the combined power of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. With that said, not all hybrids are the same. In fact, “hybrid” most commonly refers to one specific type of hybrid—the kind that doesn’t need to be plugged in. If you want to make the right choice for your Ridgewood and Jersey City drives, you’ll need to compare hybrid vs. plug-in hybrid vehicles and understand what sets them apart!

Hybrids vs. Plug-In Hybrids: The Basics

A traditional hybrid—otherwise known as a Hybrid Electric Vehicle or HEV—relies on the combined power of an engine and an electric motor at all times. Here, the vehicle’s alternator uses gasoline to recharge the battery. You’ll fill up at the gas station, just like you’re used to—but you’ll get better gas mileage than if you’d chosen a non-hybrid model.

A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) may be driven in EV mode, “parallel” mode, or—if the battery has run out of power—with gasoline alone. You’ll need to charge up at home or in public in order to keep your battery at capacity, and you’ll also need to fill your tank with gas. However, only a plug-in hybrid gives you the ability to drive without using any gasoline at all, just like a genuine battery electric vehicle (or BEV).

Hybrids vs. Plug-In Hybrids: Pros & Cons

Reasons to Choose a Hybrid

1. Hybrid vehicles get better gas mileage than vehicles with traditional internal combustion engines. As a result, they’re better for the environment.
2. Hybrid vehicles are generally less expensive than plug-in hybrid alternatives.
3. If you’re used to driving with gas, choosing a hybrid lets you travel more efficiently without changing anything about your lifestyle.

Reasons to Choose a Plug-In Hybrid

1. If you have a shorter commute in Paramus or Fort Lee, you might be able to knock out your daily drives without using any gasoline at all. Just remember to plug in overnight!
2. Plug-in hybrids might be more expensive than traditional hybrids, but PHEVs are usually less expensive than genuine electric cars.
3. If you think you’d like to own an EV in the future, buying a plug-in hybrid will feel like a stepping stone toward your goal.

How to Choose the Best Plug-In Hybrid

Comparing plug-in hybrid battery capacities will only get you so far. Ultimately, the difference between the best plug-in hybrids and their lackluster alternatives all comes down to one factor: electric driving range. And, if you compare plug-in hybrid ranges for some of the most popular models on the market, you’ll see that Land Rover PHEV technology is very hard to beat:

• Range Rover PHEV: 48-mile EV range
• Range Rover Sport PHEV: 48-mile EV range
• Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV: 42-mile EV range
• Ford Escape PHEV: 37-mile EV range
• Lexus NX450H+ PHEV: 37-mile EV range
• Hyundai Tucson PHEV: 33-mile EV range
• Kia Sorento PHEV: 32-mile EV range
• Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe PHEV: 26-mile EV range

There you have it! Land Rover Plug-In Hybrid vehicles are not just more capable and more luxurious than their competitors—they also have the capacity to be more efficient! If you’re looking for the best plug-in hybrid vehicles available today, you’ve come to the right place.

Find Your New PHEV at Land Rover Paramus

Although Land Rover does not offer any traditional hybrids at this time, the Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport are both available with plug-in hybrid powertrains—and both models will also be offered as 100%-electric vehicles in the not-so-distant future! Ready for your next steps? Learn more about your favorite Land Rover SUVs or start exploring our new vehicle inventory today.