How we tested mild hybrid vs plug-in hybrid?
To test whether a mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid car offers better value for money, we took two examples of the Volkswagen Golf – a car offered with both types of hybrid setup – for a road trip.
The cheaper of the two was the Golf 1.5 eTSI mild hybrid, which prices starting at about £32,000 and is officially capable of averaging 52.5mpg. The plug-in hybrid Golf 1.5 TSI eHybrid is more expensive, with list prices from around £36,000, but can officially cover up to 88 miles on electricity alone which helps it to officially achieve 993mpg.
Two cars were filled and charged to the brim before setting off on a 200-mile trip that started and finished in London. Once the trip was over, the cars were refilled to find out how much petrol, and in the case of the PHEV electricity, was used. For fairness, the plug-in hybrid was set to ‘Hybrid’ mode – which uses both the engine and electric setup – throughout the road trip.
You can find out which car was cheaper, both during the journey and in the long run, by watching the video below.
Which is right for me?Buy a mild hybrid car if…
– You’re on a more limited budget
– You don’t want to worry about charging your car’s battery or can’t install a home charger
– You want a hybrid that offers the same driving experience as a petrol or diesel car
Buy a plug-in hybrid car if…
– Your typical daily commute covers less than 50 miles
– You want an EV-like driving experience without the fear of range anxiety
– You’re a company car buyer
What Car? Says…
What Car? content editor, Jack Mortimer, says: “Knowing whether to buy a mild hybrid or a plug-in hybrid will largely depend on the sort of driving you do and how much you plan to spend on your next car. Mild hybrids are cheaper and drive like a conventional petrol or diesel car but are only slightly more efficient, whereas plug-in hybrids can drastically cut your fuel bills but need to be plugged in regularly and generally cost more to buy.
“Consider how many miles you typically cover and the sort of driving you do most. If most of your journeys take place around town or in the city, a plug-in hybrid would be the most efficient option. If you do lots of motorway miles, a mild hybrid is generally better suited.”
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