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Car of the Year Awards 2021: Best plug-in hybrid for long distances

The best plug-in hybrid cars offer a long all-electric range, reducing fuel consumption, emissions and tax bills. Yet they must still drive well and not compromise on practicality...

What do you want from a car on a long journey? Chances are you’ll hanker for a smooth, quiet ride in a vehicle that doesn’t cost a fortune for every mile you cover. Well, the Ford Kuga 2.5 PHEV Vignale ticks all those boxes.

For starters, in our tests, the Kuga proved able to cover 31 miles before its battery was exhausted. That’s almost 50% further than its Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Volvo XC40 T5 rivals managed. And when petrol power took over, the Kuga returned 52mpg, trouncing the XC40’s 34.5mpg and the Outlander’s 32.4mpg. That’s great news in terms of cost per mile, while the Kuga performs well on CO2 emissions and benefit-in-kind tax ratings, too.

Ford Kuga PHEV dashboard

Being a large SUV, the Kuga’s driving position provides a lofty view of the road ahead, and the soft suspension gives it the edge over most plug-in hybrid competitors for comfort, both at speed on the motorway and when trundling around town.

Finally, you get leather upholstery and a panoramic roof, creating a restful ambience on those long-haul trips.

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Read about more Car of the Year 2021 winners >>