10 Hybrids And PHEVs That Look Slow But Are Actually Performance Beasts

If you were to time travel twenty years ago and told car brands that it was possible to make a hybrid (HEV) or even a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), both efficient and performance-packed, they’d probably send you to the looney bin. For starters, the first commercially available PHEV was the Chevrolet Volt in 2010. Even so, hybrids in the early 2000s were aimed to provide better fuel economy, and adding some get-up was expected to hinder its overall efficiency.

Fast-forward to the 2020s, car brands seemed to have enough data and knowledge on hybrid and plug-in hybrid platforms to do the impossible and start producing these platforms with impressive performance. Of course, 2020 doesn’t mark the first year, with many models in the late 2000s and early 2010s showcasing they can slap a battery on a V8 engine, but it won’t be as efficient as you think. Today, there are so many models that do both, and many of them are underrated and don’t even look like they’d compete with a modern sports car. Times have changed, and you’re at a point where efficient, electrified gas-powered vehicles can run a Mustang GT down in a straight.

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 EPA. The estimated 0-60 MPH times were used from Car And Driver. The models listed are ranked from slowest to quickest.

10

Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid

0-60 MPH: 6.5 Seconds

The Outlander Plug-In was Mitsubishi’s first plug-in vehicle, but it may surprise you how long it’s been a part of the lineup. This Japanese plug-in hybrid SUV debuted back in 2013 and didn’t make its way to the States until 2018. One of its strongest strengths is its reliability, with the 2024 model receiving an 82 out of 100 from J.D. Power. This underrated plug-in SUV comes with an MSRP of $40,445 to $48,895. Not only does it perform well in terms of reliability, but it also offers some goodies underneath the hood.

Performance Specifications

The Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid houses a 2.4-liter Inline Four-Cylinder plug-in hybrid engine. This powerhouse produces 248 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. This may not seem like a lot of power, which it really isn’t, but it still delivers an impressive 0-60 mile-per-hour sprint of 6.5 seconds. It comes standard with an all-wheel-drive system and also capitalizes on efficiency. The Outlander plug-in offers a combined fuel economy (electric and gas) of 64 MPGe and an overall driving range of 420 miles.

9

Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE MAX

0-60 MPH: 6.0 Seconds

The Toyota 4Runner Hybrid is as iconic as it gets in the Japanese manufacturer’s lineup. It recently underwent a new redesign, both inside and out. This hybrid SUV has a track history with its off-road capabilities and top-notch build quality. It’s not the most affordable model, but it isn’t absurdly priced, with its MSRP being 51,990 to $66,900. The current 4Runner may be the best one to come, and it’s primarily due to its brand-new powerful but efficient powertrain.

Performance Specifications

The 4Runner Hybrid is one of the few models in Toyota’s lineup to house the i-FORCE Max hybrid engine. There are a couple of different variations, with the 4Runner being available with the 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder i-FORCE Mac hybrid powertrain. This setup produces 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. Depending on the trim, it either comes with a real or all-wheel drive system. It performs a flat six second 0-60 mile-per-hour sprint.

8

Lexus TX 550h+

0-60 MPH: 5.9 Seconds

The Lexus TX 550h+ is a plug-in hybrid that demonstrates luxury, class, and some added performance. The TX platform is one of the elevated models in the Lexus lineup, sitting behind the GX and LX. This luxury PHEV starts out at $78,560. While the Japanese car brand offers it in three powertrain setups, the plug-in hybrid comes with better performance and quicker sprint times.

Performance Specifications

Plug-in hybrids are known to typically offer more performance than traditional hybrids, and the TX 550h+ attests to this. This luxury SUV houses a 3.5-liter V6 plug-in hybrid engine, producing 404 horsepower. It comes equipped with an 18.1-kWh battery and runs at a 5.9-second 0-60 mile-per-hour time.

7

Toyota Crown Platinum

0-60 MPH: 5.7 Seconds

It’s apparent that hybrids and plug-in hybrids are thriving in Japan, with the Toyota Crown marking yet another model to pull in some thrill with its hybrid powertrain. The Crown is known for its more elevated interiors, almost reaching the level of luxury status. This is why it fetches a heftier price tag than other Toyotas with its $45,950 MSRP.

Performance Specifications

The Crown is another Toyota hybrid that boasts one of its newer hybrid powertrains. It’s powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged i-FORCE MAX inline four-cylinder hybrid engine with a standard all-wheel-drive system. This premium hybrid Sedan makes 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The Toyota Crown can go 0-60 MPH in just 5.7 seconds.

6

Toyota Tundra i-FORCE Max

0-60 MPH: Est. 5.6 seconds

Trucks have been engineered and designed around all sorts of engine setups, and the Tundra Hybrid is possibly one of the more unique ones in today’s age. Toyota seems to offer off-road capability across most of its SUVs and trucks, along with some premium-focused trims. The Toyota Tundra is a hybrid truck that looks to be shaping the way of what trucks in the future will look like. It starts out at $58,335 and goes up to $71,615.

Performance Specifications

It’s pretty common throughout the last forty-plus years that trucks are notorious and highly appraised when they come with big boy engines and high power. The Toyota Tundra Hybrid may go a different route, opting without a V8 engine, but the 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 i-FORCE MAX hybrid engine isn’t anything to scoff about. This unit produces 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. More importantly, Toyota’s largest truck was able to perform a 5.6-second 0-60 mile-per-hour sprint.

5

Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max

0-60 MPH – Est. 5.6 Seconds

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offers a wide range of features, arguably the best being a spacious and comforting interior. This hybrid SUV is optimal for people with families or long-distance road trips. Depending on the grade of the Grand Highlander Hybrid, it ranges from $54,690 to $58,775, which pulls in incredible fuel efficiency, convenience, and innovative safety features.

Performance Specifications

While Toyota offers more hybrids than any other platform on its lineup, you may be thinking that every single model by now houses one of its newer i-FORCE Max hybrid powertrains. It isn’t the case, but the Grand Highlander Hybrid does utilize one with its 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine. This setup produces 362 pound-feet of torque and 400 pound-feet of torque. When it came to its 60-mile-per-hour run, the Grand Highlander Hybrid managed a 5.6-second time.

4

Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid

0-60 MPH: 5.5 Seconds

The Toyota RAV4 is America’s most popular SUV, being the most sold SUV in the States. While the non-electric gas-powered variant is the popular one, the hybrid and plug-in also have some success. The RAV4 Plug-In is a versatile SUV, bringing everything its counterparts have to offer, and more, with its added fuel efficiency. It’s the most expensive RAV4 setup, with an MSRP sitting at 43,865 to $47,735.

Performance Specifications

Toyota doesn’t make a plug-in hybrid i-FORCE Max engine, but it wouldn’t be surprising if one came in the future. Instead, the RAV4 Plug-In is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid, which produces 302 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque. The RAV4 PHEV utilizes an 18.1-kWh battery and a standard all-wheel-drive system. This plug-in hybrid SUV raises the 60 mph sprint to 5.5 seconds.

3

Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

0-60 MPH: Est. 5.3 Seconds

You’ve probably not heard much about the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, let alone its performance, but that’s the overall idea with these 10 electrified gas-powered vehicles, which are sleepers in terms of their performance. It wouldn’t be a 0-60 list without some American performance showing up. The Grand Cherokee comes with an extensive history, with its rugged design and robust ingenuity. The Jeep Cherokee PHEV is on the pricier side, ranging from $60,490 to $79,150.

Performance Specifications

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 270 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. It’s pretty amazing that some of these vehicles offer only 300 or less horsepower and still perform well in their sprints. The Grand Cherokee PHEV comes standard with four-wheel drive and a 17.3-kWh battery. The Cherokee family isn’t new to performance with the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk being a prime example. The Grand Cherokee PHEV accomplished a 5.3 second 0-60 mile mile-per-hour sprint for the smaller sibling that houses a more efficient power unit.

2

Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid

0-60 MPH: 4.5 Seconds

When it comes to underrated plug-in hybrids that perform as well, or even better, as some new sports cars, it goes to Volvo, with the XC60 PHEV being one of two prime examples of what a plug-in hybrid can do in terms of speed and quickness. Volvo is known for its different take on luxury, pulling in convenience and modest features revolving around sleekness and practicality. This compact luxury crossover SUV is offered at $59,345 to $69,145.

Performance Specifications

The Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid delivers impressive power with its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine. This power system produces 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. Standard with an all-wheel drive system, this power unit performed a 0-60 mile-per-hour sprint in just 4.5 seconds.

1

Volvo S60 Plug-In Hybrid

0-60 MPH: 4.3 Seconds

The S60 Plug-In Hybrid is the second example of Volvo’s success in the electric automotive industry. It shares many of the same features as its PHEV sibling, but both carry some unique characteristics of their own. You can expect high-quality craftsmanship, luxurious interiors, and innovative technologies.

Performance Specifications

The Volvo S60 Plug-In Hybrid shares the same powertrain as its larger sibling, with 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. This Volvo plug-in hybrid sedan comes standard with an 18.1-kWh battery and an all-wheel drive system. Due to it being a sedan, it goes a little quicker in its 0-60 time, finishing in 4.3 seconds.