You’re thinking about a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and why wouldn’t you be? All the benefits of electric running, with the peace of mind that comes with a petrol engine to keep you going on longer runs or when charging opportunities are in short supply. The best of both worlds, right? 

But before you start shopping, it’s worth doing your homework on the pros and cons of PHEV technology. Our guide, right here, answers questions like ‘if they’ve got a petrol engine, why bother charging them’, so it’s a good place to start before you consider which PHEV is right for you. 

Most manufacturers offer plug-in hybrids, of course, but BMW was one of the first car makers to offer electric powertrains, and it’s now mastered the art of long-range electric running in conjunction with peppy, efficient petrol engines. Not only that, but there’s a model for everyone, whether you want a family hatchback, a compact executive saloon or a luxury SUV. 

Here's our rundown of BMW’s buffet of plug-in hybrid goodness:

2 Series Active Tourer

Price from: £40,070

Electric range: 51 - 57 miles

The 2 Series Active Tourer is a compact yet roomy family hatchback that’s offered with front-wheel drive, or you can get four-wheel drive in the xDrive models. It’s absolutely spot-on for families who want a safe, confident car with the space for chunky car seats or leggy teens, yet don’t want a big SUV. It’s efficient, too, with emissions as low as 19g/km from the 1.5-litre, turbocharged petrol engine.

3 Series 

Price from: £46,985

Electric range: 52 - 62 miles

The BMW 3 Series is still the best compact executive saloon you can buy, which is saying something, and the plug-in hybrid version is a superb all-rounder whether you’re using it as a family car, high mileage commuter (or all of that and more). At the moment the BMW 330e PHEV is only offered with rear-wheel drive, but watch this space for an xDrive model. The electric range will cover most commutes without bothering the 2.0-litre, turbocharged petrol engine, and it’ll charge in under three hours from a 7kW home wallbox, or under nine hours from a normal domestic socket. You won’t find a more fun, more polished plug-in hybrid compact saloon.

3 Series Touring

Price from: £48,785

Electric range: 58 – 60 miles

The 'all things to every person' brilliance of the BMW 3 Series with the additional usefulness of a big, 410-litre estate boot. It's just as good to drive as the saloon, yet you can also get the dog in the back, as well as all the stuff you need for the kids. As with the saloon, there's the option of rear- or four-wheel drive models, all of which are efficient yet rapid, so there really is a 3 Series to suit every lifestyle. 

5 Series  

Price from: £59,455

Electric range: 53 – 64 miles

The all-new BMW 5 Series was launched recently, and has the edgy looks and top-notch tech that you’d expect of a high-end prestige saloon. Sure, not everyone will love the way it looks, but we rather like the clean, precise lines, and we love the way the 5 Series drives. It’s responsive yet comfortable, and eats up the miles effortlessly – especially in the super-refined electric mode. 

5 Series Touring

Price from: £61,705

Electric range: 50 – 60 miles

All of the classy goodness of the BMW 5 Series saloon, but with a huge boot! A 570-litre loadspace, fold-flat rear seats, lavish rear passenger roominess, and yet still fun to drive. It’s efficient, too, and you get a long enough range to cover most journeys. Plus – as with the 5 Series PHEV saloon – the 5 Series Touring is rapid even in the ‘base’ 530e, and you can get it with four-wheel drive and sports car pace if those are your priorities.

X1

Price from: £42,930

Electric range: 48 - 53 miles

The BMW X1 is the compact family SUV offering, but it looks, feels and delivers big-car space and tech. Don’t go confusing this with a basic car; there’s everything from adaptive LED headlights to semi-autonomous driving and parking systems, as well as a practical cabin and boot. It’s one of the classiest cabins in this competitive class, too. Factor in around 2.5 hours for charging at a wallbox, or eight hours at a normal domestic socket so that you can make full use of the electric running. CO2 emissions are as low as 16g/km, too, so company car tax and running costs will be low. 

X3

Price from: £57,245

Electric range: 53 – 55 miles

The BMW X3 is the default luxury SUV for many buyers, and we can see why. It’s fast and fun to drive, yet also comfy, confident and relaxed. Naturally, it’s also spacious and an absolute delight to spend time in, complete with curved touchscreen, panoramic nav readout and customisable driver’s display. It’s still a very usable electric range, despite this being a fairly big car, so you’ll see some 40- to 50 miles in real world use. And don’t forget that all of BMW’s plug-in hybrids can do over 80mph in electric mode, so you can cover motorway miles without waking the petrol engine.

X5 

Price from: £84,790

Electric range: 61 – 63 miles

The BMW X5 hardly needs introduction; it’s one of those cars that’s redefined a whole genre, and over the decades has remained the go-to model for buyers who want a full-sized, sports-SUV. It comes with a smooth, seriously powerful six-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine to complement the electric motor, giving it serious pace as well as all-weather, four-wheel drive surefootedness. It’s luxury, practicality, efficiency and performance, all in the ultimate big, family SUV.    

​7 Series

Price from: £105,510

Electric range: 46 – 49 miles

The latest generation of the BMW 7 Series is a world-class limousine. From cinematic screens in the back seats, to semi-autonomous drive and augmented-reality nav, it’s got world-firsts to spare. It’s also a sumptuous delight to drive or to sit in, and if you don’t want the pure-electric i7 then the plug-in hybrid 750e xDrive promises all eery progress in electric mode, without the need to charge on-the-go. You can even get the M760i for outrageous pace, as well as a useful electric range.

​XM

Price from: £110,730

Electric range: 48 – 51 miles

Is the X5 just not big enough and striking enough for your tastes? Well, the XM is here to offer a solution, and to take on the likes of full-size, prestige SUVs like the Range Rover and Bentley Bentayga. It’s still got a really useful electric range, while the 3.0-litre, six-cylinder petrol engine offers impressive performance and peace of mind. If you want your SUV with maximum swagger as well as efficiency, check out the BMW XM.