The Most Fuel-Efficient Three-Row Plug-in Hybrid That You Can Buy In 2025

The electric automotive industry produces some of the most efficient vehicles thanks to the electrified platforms (EVs, PHEVs, and HEVs). It’s pretty common for people to struggle to find the best platform for themselves since they’re all unique in their own way. Some people act like it would be impossible to adapt to a platform such as an EV or PHEV, but really, you’re just plugging in a charger; after all, most people do this task but smaller when charging their phone. Nonetheless, if you’re shooting for optimal efficiency but don’t want to get into an EV and want something better than a hybrid, the best middle ground is plug-in hybrids.

The sales of plug-in hybrids have slowly increased over the years, and it’s surprising that they are not as successful as their counterparts. This field offers a diverse collection of PHEVs, one of which includes a super underrated three-row SUV. If you’re keen on having a vehicle with an abundance of space on an SUV and the capability of seating seven people, your only option is opting for a three-row SUV. The great news here is that the plug-in hybrid industry offers a good amount, and while they all come close to one another in various areas, one tops the rest regarding fuel efficiency.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA. We have only considered the EPA rating for this, even though two other SUVs come with better manufacturer-claimed figures.

The Mitsubishi Outlander Is The Most Efficient Three-Row Plug-In Hybrid In 2025

EPA Rates It At 64 MPGe

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid is currently the best-rated three-row SUV PHEV in terms of fuel economy in 2025. It’s important to note that this can change over the years since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) doesn’t have ratings on every car available on the market. There are some missing models since it’s still early in the new year, but the Outlander PHEV is currently considered the most efficient plug-in hybrid out of all 2025 three-row hybrid SUVs.

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Fuel Economy

Diving into its fuel economy, the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV offers a combined fuel economy of 26 MPG. This fuel economy is only when operating just gas and rises when using gas and electricity with its combined fuel economy of 64 MPGe. The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV utilizes a 22.0-kWh battery, giving it a 38-mile all-electric driving range. For its overall driving range, it is capable of driving 420 miles in one trip.

The Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain That Delivers 248 Horsepower

The 2025 Outlander Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine, delivering 248 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. Something that’s extremely rare that’s seen on the Outlander PHEV, at least in the States, is its single-speed transmission. Okay, this isn’t that rare, with most EVs using this type of transmission, but when it comes to gas-powered cars, you don’t see this mechanical system too much. This means the 2025 Outlander Plug-In has a single-gear ratio. It’s exclusively offered in all-wheel drive and isn’t going to be the best plug-in hybrid SUV for towing, with its max towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Performance Specifications

It Starts At $40,445

Mitsubishi offers four trims on the Outlander PHEV, with the base model starting at $40,445. This trim will be the platform that showcases all the standard features, which will be the first building block for the higher trims. The SE is the second trim, listed at $43,095, which receives some additional features centered around convenience and technology.

Up next is the third trim, the SEL, which starts at $46,395, receiving even more tech upgrades with examples including a head-up display, rear door pull-up sunshades, and reverse auto tilt mirrors. The last trim is the SEL Black Edition, which, as you can tell by the name, changes the appearance of the aesthetic with darker accents. Both the interior and exterior see changes with the black semi-aniline premium leather seating, black roof rails, black chrome window trims and more. The highest trim on the Outlander PHEV raises the price to $48,895.

How It Stacks Up Against Other Three-Row Plug-In Hybrids

Like most things in the world, the plug-in hybrid industry is quite competitive. It may not be as much as the hybrid industry, but various models go toe to toe with one another, which is the case with the Outlander Plug-In Hybrid. Some of the more prominent names in this field include Toyota, with their Prius PHEV and RAV4 PHEV; Volvo, which offers some of the most luxurious plug-in hybrids; and many other brands making a name for themselves. Other brands that didn’t get an early start, such as Mazda, are giving in to the electric world, designing and engineering PHEVs, which is adding to the diversity within this field.

Best 3-Row Plug-In Hybrid SUVs And Its Fuel Economies

2025 Mazda CX-90 4WD PHEV

The CX-90 PHEV is Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid SUV, arriving at dealerships at the end of 2023. It does pretty well with its fuel economy for a relatively new plug-in SUV, offering 56 MPGe. In terms of its range, the CX-90 PHEV delivers an electric range of 26 miles and a full 490 miles on both gas and electricity. The CX-90 Plug-In is powered by a 3.3-liter turbocharged plug-in hybrid engine, making 280 to 340 horsepower and 332 to 369 pound-feet of torque. It’s one of the more affordable PHEVs on the market, starting at $37,845 and going up to $56,450.

2025 Volvo XC90 T8 AWD

Volvo has been in the game for a while, not only for gas-powered cars but also for plug-in hybrids, with the V60 PHEV being their first plug-in hybrid, which came out in 2012. Fast-forward to today, and they now offer gems like the XC90 T8, which packs quite a punch. With luxury, you tend to get some added performance, which is true for this premium plug-in hybrid. Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged plug-in hybrid engine, this system puts down 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. Not only is it powerful, but it offers some impressive efficiency, offering a combined fuel economy of 58 MPGe. It’s capable of driving 33 miles on just electricity and has a total driving range of 530 miles. It’s on the expensive side, being offered at $74,295 to $81,495.

Two Other Contenders Claim They Offer More Fuel Economy

But, They Aren’t EPA Rated

As stated earlier, the Outlander PHEV might get dethroned at any moment, with the EPA missing some other models that claim they offer better fuel economies. The Lexus TX platform is offered in a non-electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid setup. It’s a luxury three-row SUV, and Lexus estimates that the TX 550h+ offers 76 MPGe. This is quite a jump compared to the models above, and if Lexus’ estimate is anywhere close to what they claim it is, then Lexus struck gold with their three-row plug-in hybrid SUV.

The second car brand that claims their three-row plug-in hybrid SUV provides more efficiency to the Outlander PHEV is Kia with its Sorento Plug-In Hybrid platform. The Korean brand claims that it offers an estimated 74 MPGe, which might be downplaying it or be right on the money. This is because it largely carries over from the previous year, meaning it should resemble a similar fuel economy to the last year. The EPA rated the 2024 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid with a combined fuel economy of 79 MPGe, which is quite an impressive rating. With these ratings, especially with the Sorento PHEV and its past fuel economies, it’s likely the Outlander PHEV will be dethroned in a matter of time.

As Of Now, The Outlander PHEV Is Rated The Most Efficient Three-Row SUV PHEV

At the end of the day, this is based on the EPA ratings, and the three-row plug-in SUV that pulls in the best fuel economy is the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Of course, a model that can provide you with an electric and gas fuel economy in the 70s with three rows ultimately hits it out of the ballpark. This doesn’t mean that the Outlander PHEV’s 64 MPGe is something to scoff at. This isn’t to downplay Mitsubishi, but this car brand isn’t among the top popular brands Stateside, and sitting above some mainstream platforms and models, it’s quite an accomplishment.