Electrified vehicles are a hot topic in New Zealand, thanks to rising fuel prices, increasing climate change awareness and a Government Clean Car Standard that still requires importers to bring in lots of hybrid and electric vehicles.
DRIVEN Car Guide is here to help, with a complete guide to every electrified vehicle on sale in NZ. Below, we deliver the need to know information on every Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) currently available, arranged from lowest to highest price.
A PHEV is a car or SUV that combines plug-in electric power with an internal combustion engine. The battery is smaller than you'd find in a pure-electric car, typically designed for the daily commute after an overnight recharge: range could be anywhere from 30-100km.
When the battery is depleted, the vehicle operates as hybrid, meaning you can simply refuel with petrol or diesel until you have the chance to plug in again.
Note we haven't quoted overall fuel consumption figures for PHEVs, mostly because the official figures are hard to make sense of: they are calculated on a set cycle but take into account a full battery charge over 100km, so they tend to be extremely low: typically less than 2l/100km, which is not achievable in hybrid mode over longer distances.
The fuel economy of a PHEV really depends on how often you charge it.
So the fuel economy of a PHEV really depends how you use it and how often you charge; but check our individual reviews via the links for more information on the characteristics of each model.
JEEP RENEGADE 4xe
Jeep's Renegade compact-SUV is the most European American car you can imagine: it's actually built in Italy, under the Stellantis umbrella (which includes Jeep and the likes of Fiat).
It's been absent from NZ since 2017, but Renegade is back exclusively in PHEV form, with a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine driving the front wheels and an electric motor at the back. So it's rear-drive in full-electric mode, but retains AWD in hybrid operation.
Price $42,990 Powertrain 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four with 11kWh battery, AWD Power 132kW (petrol) and 44kW (electric)/270Nm (combined) EV range 49km (AER)
MG HS PHEV
There's an all-new MG HS in town, but the range doesn't include hybrid models... at least not yet. They're definitely coming.
So the previous-generation HS PHEV continues for the time being, in Excite and Essence versions.
Price $42,990-$45,990 Powertrain 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four with 17kWh battery, FWD Power 189kW/370Nm (combined) EV range 63km
MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS PHEV
Mitsubishi cleverly transferred the powertrain of the best-selling Outlander PHEV into the smaller Eclipse Cross. Result: one of NZ's least-expensive and best-selling plug-in hybrids.
Now that there's a new Outlander, the Eclipse Cross is one step behind in PHEV technology. But it's also a lot more affordable, more suitably sized for urban buyers and still offers proven plug-in credentials, including Mitsubishi's excellent twin-motor Super All Wheel Control (S-AWD) system.
Price $44,990-$51,990 Powertrain 2.4-litre petrol four with 14kWh battery, AWD Power 94kW/199Nm, EV range 55km
JAECOO J7 SHS
Jaecoo is a sub-brand of Chinese giant Chery, which is making much of its new Super Hybrid System (SHS) long-range PHEV technology. It'll be introduced in a variety of models, including Chery-brand product.
But the J7, looking a lot like a baby Land Rover and launched last year in petrol form, is first to the Kiwi market.
Price $49,990 Powertrain 1.5-litre petrol four with 18.3kWh battery, FWD Power 105kW/215Nm (petrol) and 150kW/310Nm (electric) EV range 90km (NEDC)
LEAPMOTOR C10 ULTRA HYBRID
Chinese startup Leapmotor has been launched globally in partnership with Stellantis (Jeep, Peugeot and many other brands). The C10 came first in pure-electric form but now it's available as an Ultra Hybrid: essentially electric drive, with a small petrol engine acting as a generator when needed.
The key performance statistics are virtually the same as the BEV, because the electric motor is shared and kerb weight is similar.
Price $49,990 Powertrain 1.5-litre petrol four (generator only) with 28.4kWh battery, RWD Power 160kW/320Nm EV range 145km (WLTP)
BYD SEALION 6
BYD's Sealion 6 (also known as Song Plus or Seal U in other markets) combines petrol power with the maker's Blade battery technology to provide very generous EV range: up to 92km, with DC fast-charge compatibility.
The FWD version uses a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre Atkinson Cycle engine, but the dual-motor AWD is quite different with a turbocharged Miller Cycle unit (same capacity, though).
Price $56,990-$64,990 Powertrain 1.5-litre petrol four (naturally aspirated or turbo) with 18.3kWh battery, FWD or AWD Power 160kW/300Nm or 238kW/550Nm (combined) EV range 81-92km
GWM HAVAL H6 GT
Hang on to your hats: GWM has always offered a "sporty" version of its coupe-style SUV, the H6 GT, but the addition of PHEV technology has introduced a bold combination of high performance and extreme efficiency.
The dual-motor H6 GT PHEV can rocket to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds, yet a massive battery gives a claimed 180km electric range (albeit on the more relaxed NEDC cycle, Kiwi-specific WLTP figures still to come).
Price $58,990 Powertrain 1.5-litre petrol four with 35.4kWh battery, AWD Power 321kW/762Nm (combined) EV range 180km (NEDC)
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV
The Outlander is arguably the model that has introduced more NZers to plug-in motoring over the past decade than any other - not least because it packages EV technology in a practical family SUV package.
The first complete model change brings a huge increase in electric-only range - a claimed 84km, putting the Mitsubishi right near the top of the PHEV market for EV capability. Another major change is the provision of seven seats in all but the base LS.
Price $62,990-$75,990 Powertrain 2.4-litre petrol four with 20kWh battery, AWD Power 98kW/195Nm (petrol), 85kW/255kW (front electric), 100kW/195Nm (rear electric) EV range 84km
FORD ESCAPE PHEV
Ford NZ has rationalised its facelifted Escape PHEV range to one model, the ST-Line X. The powertrain remains the same, a 2.5-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine, supplemented by a 14kWh battery pack that gives 56km electric-only range. However, it can now tow 2.1 tonnes (up from 1.2t).
The PHEV is the most eco-friendly Escape for NZ: there is also a range of full hybrid ("FHEV" in Ford-speak) models. Note that the PHEV remains FWD, while AWD is available with the FHEV model.
Price $66,490 Powertrain 2.5-litre petrol four with 14kWh battery, FWD Power (combined) 178kW EV range 56km
BYD SHARK 6
The Shark 6 needs no introduction: it's been one of the most talked-about new models of 2025, bringing BYD's "Super Hybrid" technology with 100km EV range into the traditional ute format that Kiwis love so much.
It's eco-conscious, fast and off-road capable, the only real drawbacks being a limited (but still useful) 2.5t tow rating and 790kg payload, both due to the Shark's considerable 2.7t kerb weight.
Price $69,990 Powertrain 1.5-litre petrol four with 29.5kWh battery, AWD Power 321kW/650Nm, EV range 100km (NEDC)
AUDI A3 TFSI e
The A3 e-tron was the very first PHEV Audi brought to NZ, a decade ago. Things have changed a lot since then.
But the latest A3 sticks to a very similar formula, with a small-capacity petrol engine and modest battery providing the right balance of thrift and performance for city driving.
Price $77,490 Powertrain 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four, FWD Power 150kW (combined) EV range 62km
MAZDA CX-60
The Mazda CX-60 started a whole new model line for Mazda, part of a "Large Platform" group of SUVs that also now includes the larger CX-80 and CX-90
The CX-60's other claim to fame is that it's Mazda's first-ever PHEV, the 2.5-litre petrol engine matched to a large battery that provides a claimed 63km EV range. It's fast, too: 0-100km/h in 5.8sec.
The entry Touring is still on sale, but due to be phased out so Mazda can focus on its core Homura and Takami trims.
Price $78,990-$90,990 Powertrain 2.5-litre petrol four with 18kWh battery, AWD Power 241kW/500Nm (combined) EV range 63km
BMW 225e ACTIVE TOURER
The SUV-cum-MPV 2-Series Active Tourer has been quietly representing PHEV power for BMW since way, way back in 2016. The latest model simply carries on the tradition, albeit in a much busier EV market and with the brand's latest technology.
As always, the 2-Series' clever powertrain has the petrol engine driving the front wheels and the electric motor at the back, meaning it can operate in front-drive, rear-drive or AWD depending on which components are active. The powertrain is shared with the Mini Countryman Hybrid.
Price $79,500 Powertrain 1.5-litre three-cylinder with 14kWh battery, AWD Power 180kW/477Nm (combined) EV range 87km 0-100km/h 6.7 seconds
KIA SORENTO PHEV
Kia has done a lot to advance the PHEV cause by offering a plug-in hybrid version of a vehicle type that Kiwis absolutely love: a seven-seat SUV, the Sorento. It even retains the AWD system of its petrol and diesel siblings.
The facelift version adopts the Earth and Water badging of Kia's other electrified models.
Price $82,990-$94,990 Powertrain 1.6-litre petrol four with 14kWh battery, AWD Power 195kW/350Nm (combined) EV range 55km
CUPRA TERRAMAR V E-HYBRID
Terramar is Cupra's new mid-sized SUV - effectively replacing the Ateca, although it's here in a much broader model range, including a PHEV.
The Terramar e-Hybrid uses similar technology to the smaller Formentor e-Hybrid (with the same impressive 100km EV range), although it isn't quite as powerful. It isn't quite as expensive, either.
Price $87,900 Powertrain 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four with plug-in battery, FWD Power 150kW/350Nm (combined) EV range 100km
CUPRA FORMENTOR V E-HYBRID
The PHEV powertrain continues in the facelift Cupra Formentor, albeit to special order only (it's part of the regular range for the larger Terramar SUV, though).
The big change for the new model is substantially increased EV range, up from just 54km in the previous version to an impresssive 110km. However, the price has gone up accordingly.
Price $90,500 Powertrain 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four with plug-in battery, FWD Power 200kW/400Nm EV range 110km
BMW X1 25e
BMW's baby SUV comes in every flavour: combustion-only, pure-electric and now PHEV.
It's the cheapest BMW plug-in hybrid you can buy and packs a full-of-character 3-cylinder engine - the same one you'll find in various Mini models.
Price $90,600 Powertrain 1.5-litre turbo-petrol 3-cyclinder with 16.3kWh battery, AWD Power 180kW (combined) EV range 76-82km (WLTP)
BMW 330e
BMW has long offered hybrid versions of what many would still consider its quintessential model: the 3-Series.
The latest version combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine with a battery substantially upsized from earlier models, offering 90km-plus electric range.
Price $114,000 Powertrain 2.0-litre turbo-petrol 4-cylinder with 22.3kWh battery, RWD Power 215kW (combined) EV range 93-94km (WLTP)
LEXUS NX 450h+
For a long time Lexus has been all about hybrid vehicles. But now Toyota's luxury brand is starting to embrace plug-in powertrains: the compact UX300e BEV was first, and now have a PHEV version of the brand new medium-sized NX SUV.
Available in F Sport or more luxurious Limited specfications, the NX PHEV provides impressive power and a claimed 87km EV range.
Price $115,000-$116,600 Powertrain 2.5-litre petrol four with 18kWh battery, AWD Power 227kW (combined)/227Nm (combined) EV range 87km 0-100km/h 6.3 seconds
AUDI Q5 50 TFSIe
It looks pretty much like the Audi Q5 we've all known for so long, but this "e" model has some of the cleverest plug-in hybrid technology in the business.
The TFSI e can decide how best to use the available charge on a journey (based on the sat-nav) and even give the driver prompts on how to deal with the driving situation. The "Ultra" quattro system uses data from sensors all over the car and can even decouple the rear wheel axle to save fuel.
Price $117,990 Powertrain 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four with 14kWh battery, AWD Power 220kW/450Nm (combined) EV range 59km 0-100km/h 6.1 seconds
BMW X3 30e xDRIVE
BMW is strong on plug-in hybrid power for its SUVs. The X3 is smallest and least expensive (although hardly cheap at nearly $119k).
The petrol engine is paired with a 23kWh battery to give a good 86km range on a full charge. But the X3 30e xDrive also has a good turn of speed, with a combined 220kW (0-100km/h in 6.2sec).
Price $118,900 Powertrain 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four with 23kWh battery, AWD Power 220kW (combined) EV range 86km
MERCEDES-BENZ C 350 e
The pure-electric EQ models have had most of the glory so far, but Mercedes-Benz has offered a range of PHEV models for some time now. The all-new C 350 e - the first plug-in to be based on the latest-generation C-Class - has some specs to really shout about.
For a start, it's substantially quicker than any other mainstream C-Class, with 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds. But it also boasts one of the biggest EV ranges of any PHEV, with a claimed 100km on a full charge (DC charging is also available). It can even be driven in BEV-style "one pedal" mode.
Price $118,900 Powertrain 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four with 25kWh battery, RWD Power 230kW/550Nm (combined) EV range 100km
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SUMMIT RESERVE 4xe
Jeep's hero SUV, the Grand Cherokee, has finally arrived in NZ in 4xe PHEV form. The plug-in powertrain is only available in the five-seat model (not the seven-seat L that led the launch of the latest generation) and only in flagship Summit Reserve specification.
It's part of the same 4xe PHEV family as the Renegade and Compass, but the Grand has a different electric drive system: rather than having a separate electric motor driving the rear axle, it's integrated into the transmission, which means a more traditional driving experience and the ultimate in off-road ability, whether the car is in EV mode or not.
Price $119,990 Powertrain 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four with 17kWh battery, 8-speed automatic, AWD Power 280kW/637Nm (combined) EV range 52km
VOLVO XC60 T8
The XC60 has long offered PHEV power, but the latest model has evolved into a high-performance, high-tech SUV.
Not only is the powertrain clever, with the petrol engine driving the front wheels and the electric motor the back, but the XC60 was also the first car in the world to have a fully integrated Google operating system.
Price $119,990 Powertrain 2.0-litre turbo and supercharged 2.0-petrol four with 19kWh battery, AWD Power 335kW/709Nm (combined) EV range 67km
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE P270e
This generation of "baby" Rangie embraced mild-hybrid technology at launch, but it's since gained full plug-in power by combining a small-capacity 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 15kWh battery pack, to give 55km electric range and brisk performance in hybrid mode: 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds.
The P300e is actually the most powerful Evoque you can buy, by some margin: up 43kW up on the P250 turbo-petrol. With that and the extreme fuel economy potential of PHEV technology in mind, the $5k premium doesn't look bad at all.
Price $121,900 Powertrain 1.5-litre petrol four with 15kWh battery, AWD Power 198kW/540Nm (combined) EV range 61km
LEXUS RX 450+ LIMITED
The Lexus RX has championed hybrid technology for decades - just as parent company Toyota's Prius brought petrol-electric tech to the masses, the RX did the same for the premium market in the 1990s.
But a plug-in hybrid is something new for RX in NZ. The base engine is the same as the HEVs we now already, but a generous battery adds over 80km electric range.
Price $137,400 Powertrain 2.5-litre petrol inline 4-cylinder with 51Ah battery, AWD Power 227kW (combined)/239Nm (engine) EV range 85km (WLTP)
RANGE ROVER VELAR P400e
The Range Rover Velar P400e has a four-cylinder petrol engine matched to a relatively large 17kWh battery; it's a very close relation to the Jaguar F-Pace P400e under the skin.
EV-only range is a competitive 53km, but the Velar's trump card is DC fast-charging capability with a maximum rate of 32kW, meaning you can "fill" the battery at a public station to 80% or beyond in half an hour.
Price $146,900 Powertrain 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four with 17kWh battery, AWD Power 297kW/640Nm EV range 53km
BMW 550e
Don't be fooled by the "550" badge: this BMW 5-Series is not a V8 but a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder boasting plug-in battery assistance and over 80km electric range.
The combined petrol-electric powertrain package does endow the 550e with V8-like performance, though: it has a mighty 360kW on tap.
Price $159,900 Powertrain 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline 6-cylinder with 22.1kWh battery, AWD Power 360kW (combined) EV range 86-91km (WLTP)
VOLVO XC90 T8
The XC90 was the pioneer for Volvo's "Twin Engine" PHEV technology and continues to evolve.
The XC90 Recharge puts plug-in hybrid power into a premium-feeling seven-seat family package. The petrol engine drives the front wheels, the electric motor the back, meaning it can operate as a FWD, RWD (when in EV mode) or AWD.
Price $161,990 Powertrain 2.0-litre turbocharged 2.0-petrol four with 19kWh battery, AWD Power 335kW/709Nm EV range 70km
BMW X5 xDRIVE50e
The X5 was one of the original premium SUVs and continues to serve up a huge array of specification options: everything from sensible diesels to high-performance M-cars.
The latest X5 PHEV has stepped up from a "45e" to the new 50e, with more power and a bigger battery that dramatically improves the range - to a claimed 110km. Think of the X5 xDrive50e as more of a "performance hybrid", with the battery pack matched to a grunty 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine and AWD.
Price $176,900 Powertrain 3.0-litre turbo-petrol six with 26kWh battery, RWD Power/torque (combined) 360kW/700Nm EV range 110km 0-100km/h 5.6 seconds
PORSCHE CAYENNE E-HYBRID
It doesn't look a whole lot different, but the latest Porsche Cayenne "facelift" is in fact a massive technological step up from the previous model, with major chassis changes and a new Taycan-inspired Porsche Driver Experience cabin, with a mix of digital and analogue controls.
The E-Hybrid PHEV has benefitted from a new V6 engine, more powerful electric motor and a much bigger battery, giving a maximum EV range of 90km. The plug-in powertrain is available in both SUV and coupe, with a higher-performance S available and the range topped in a big way by the V8-powered Turbo E-Hybrid.
Price $199,500-$337,900 Powertrain 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 or 4.0-litre turbo-petrol V8 with 26kWh battery, AWD Power 346kW/650Nm, 382kW/750Nm or 544kW/950Nm (combined) EV range 86km
MERCEDES-AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE
Goodbye V8, hello phenomenal hybrid power for the Mercedes-AMG C 63. The new hand-built 2.0-litre engine matches the previous eight-pot for power, but the addition of a plug-in hybrid system takes it above and beyond.
It's a very small battery, offering just 15km EV range. Because it's there to provide maximum power rather than make this AMG a green commuter (although it can do a bit of that). In fact, you don't need to worry about plugging it in too much: the turbo engine is very good at replenishing the battery when required.
Price $199,900 Powertrain 2.0-litre turbo-petrol 4-cylinder with 26kWh battery, AWD Power 500kW/1020Nm (combined) EV range 15km 0-100km/h 3.4sec
MERCEDES-AMG GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE
See above, but as an SUV! The ultimate GLC picks up the new AMG four-cylinder PHEV powertrain from the C 63 and it's almost as fast: down just 0.1sec on the 0-100km/h sprint.
As with the regular GLC, the 63 is also available in an SUV-coupe body shape: bit more style, bit less space... and a slightly higher price.
Price $199,900-$206,900 Powertrain 2.0-litre turbo-petrol 4-cylinder with 26kWh battery, AWD Power 500kW/1020Nm (combined) EV range 15km
RANGE ROVER SPORT P460e/P550e
The all-new (full-sized) Range Rover has embraced electric power like never before - keep reading for that one - so it's only natural that the smaller Range Rover Sport, based on the same platform and electronic architecture, should follow.
The Sport PHEV arrives in NZ with a choice of two hybrid powertrains, both with Land Rover's Ingenium six-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet. As with the larger Rangie, both have massive (for a PHEV) 32kWh battery: enough for 88km of "real-world" driving says Land Rover, or an official 113km. DC fast charging is standard.
Price $219,900-$250,900 Powertrain 3.0-litre turbo-petrol six with 32kWh battery, AWD Power 338kW/550Nm or 405kW/700Nm (combined) EV range 113km 0-100km/h 5.5-5.2 seconds
BMW 750e
BMW's latest 7-Series super-luxury sedan made headlines at launch for its pure-electric powertrain and that continues. But the German maker also now offers a PHEV alternative.
Underneath the imposing style, the mechanicals are familiar: it's essentially the same electrified 3.0-litre used in the 550e.
Price $238,400 Powertrain 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline 6-cylinder with 22.1kWh battery, AWD Power 360kW (combined) EV range 77-80km (WLTP)
BMW M5
M-cars might be considered the ultimate in purist BMW road and track performance, but even they are embracing new-gen plug-in power.
The M5 retains a powerful V8, but it's now enhanced by a electrified system that makes it the most powerful model ever to wear the iconic badge. And the current generation is available in either classic sedan or very cool Touring wagon versions.
Price $244,900-$248,900 Powertrain 4.4-litre turbo-petrol four with 22.1kWh battery, AWD Power 535kW/ EV range 66km (WLTP)
PORSCHE PANAMERA E-HYBRID
Porsche's luxury five-seater has long been a proponent of hybrid and plug-in technology. In the the current generation it includes both 4 and 4S models, in sedan or Sport Turismo (wagon) body styles.
It's not completely about economy. The E-Hybrid range is topped by the Turbo S, which rockets to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds and can hit 315km/h. Word to the wise, though: the current Panamera is now a step behind the just-refreshed Cayenne (the two share a platform), so if you're looking at the V6, it might pay to check out the Cayenne first.
Price $266,900-$463,000 Powertrain 2.9-litre turbo-petrol V6 or 4.0-litre turbo-petrol V8 with 14kWh battery, AWD Power 346kW/650Nm, 400kW/750Nm, 500kW/930Nm or 575kW/1000Nm (combined) EV range 53-56km
RANGE ROVER P550e
The all-new fifth-generation Range Rover is doing all kinds of new things, including bringing electric power into the powertrain mix for the first time.
The new plug-in powertrain pairs a six-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine with a monster 38.2kWh battery to give a claimed EV range of 100km, or 80km “real world” – enough to cover 75 per cent of all Range Rover journeys, based on the company’s owner-data from the previous model.
Price $291,900-$384,900 Powertrain 3.0-litre turbo-petrol six with 38kWh battery, AWD Power 405kW/550Nm (combined) EV range 100km
BMW XM
Believe it or not, the huge XM SUV is only the second bespoke BMW M car (the first was the M1 in 1978) in the brand's history. It's impossible to ignore, with undeniably over-the-top styling and a rorty V8 twin-turbo V8 engine.
The EV range is small (although it is enough for city driving or to assist with commuting); the PHEV powertrain is more about providing as much M-power as possible.
Price $340,900 Powertrain 4.4-litre turbo-petrol V8 with 26kWh battery, AWD Power/torque 550kW/1000Nm EV range 25km