Top Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) Available in Vietnam Today

PHEVs eliminate the complete reliance on charging infrastructure like EVs, yet they offer a full electric driving experience for short trips, providing users with a smooth, fuel-efficient, and significantly emission-reduced driving sensation.

In Vietnam, where the charging network is still expanding and consumer readiness for fully electric vehicles remains hesitant, PHEVs present a logical “transitional solution.”

Although not as prevalent as gasoline or pure electric vehicles, the PHEV segment in Vietnam is beginning to gain momentum with a range of products spanning from mid-range to high-end. Below are some officially distributed PHEV models, each offering unique advantages in technology, design, and performance.

BYD Seal 5

On October 17th, BYD Vietnam officially introduced the brand-new Seal 5 sedan. The vehicle is priced at 696 million VND.

Positioned in the C-segment sedan category, the Seal 5 boasts a neutral design, balancing modernity with practicality. The front end features a prominent matrix grille, sleek LED headlights, and sporty vertical air vents. The rear showcases a seamless LED light bar and a sleek design thanks to hidden exhausts.

The interior of this C-segment sedan features synthetic leather upholstery, a 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 6-way power-adjustable passenger seat, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats.

The vehicle is equipped with modern conveniences such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated controls, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.8-inch central touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, an 8-speaker sound system, digital key, NFC card unlocking, over-the-air software updates, wireless phone charging, and a 360-degree camera.

Powering the BYD Seal 5 is a PHEV powertrain combining a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor on the front axle, delivering a total output of 217 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque. The 18.3 kWh battery provides an all-electric range of approximately 120 km and a combined range of up to 1,200 km.

According to BYD, the Seal 5 PHEV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. Fuel consumption is rated at approximately 3.8 liters/100 km.

BYD Sealion 6

Also from BYD, the Sealion 6 introduces a PHEV option in the C-segment SUV category, directly competing with popular gasoline models like the CR-V, Tucson, and Outlander.

The Sealion 6 boasts a modern and youthful design with sharp lines. The front features LED headlights and a horizontal grille. The rear LED light bar creates a seamless and modern look. The vehicle is equipped with 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and a power tailgate with a one-touch opening feature.

The Sealion 6’s cabin offers a 5-seat configuration. The centerpiece is a 15.6-inch touchscreen, accompanied by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The Sealion 6 is equipped with the DM-i plug-in hybrid system, combining a 1.5L gasoline engine (96 hp, 122 Nm) with an electric motor (194 hp, 300 Nm) for a total combined output of 214 horsepower. A second electric motor acts as a generator, not providing drive power.

The BYD Blade battery with a capacity of 18.3 kWh allows for an all-electric range of approximately 100 km. Fuel consumption is rated at 3.5–4.7 liters/100 km combined, or as low as 1.1 liters/100 km when the battery is charged above 70%.

According to internal testing in Vietnam, the Sealion 6 can travel over 1,700 km on a single tank of fuel and a full charge.

Jaecoo J7 PHEV

The Jaecoo J7 officially launched in the Vietnamese market in early 2025 with two variants: gasoline and PHEV.

In terms of design, the front features a boxy and robust look with a large grille accented by vertical slats, reminiscent of Land Rover models. The headlights are divided into two tiers with a boxy design. The daytime running lights form a long LED strip across the grille.

The rear of the Jaecoo J7 features a large roof spoiler with a high-mounted brake light, a horizontal LED light bar, and a seamless, modern overall design. The LED taillights are designed in a trapezoidal shape, arranged scientifically and neatly.

The interior offers a spacious 5-seat cabin with modern amenities such as a flat-bottom sport steering wheel, a large digital instrument cluster, a 14.8-inch vertically oriented central touchscreen, electronic gear selector, panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, push-button start, and a tissue dispenser.

Powering the Jaecoo J7 PHEV is a combination of a 1.5L turbocharged gasoline engine and an electric motor, delivering a total output of 342 horsepower and 525 Nm of torque. This variant is equipped with an 18.3 kWh LFP battery, offering an all-electric range of up to 90 km. When combining both the battery and gasoline engine, the vehicle can travel up to 1,300 km according to the WLTP standard, with an impressive fuel consumption of just 1 liter/100 km.

Kia Sorento PHEV

While BYD and Jaecoo focus on 5-seat models, Kia offers a PHEV option for families with the Sorento PHEV. This is one of the few 7-seat SUVs in Vietnam featuring plug-in hybrid technology, allowing daily electric commuting while remaining versatile for long trips.

The Kia Sorento is developed based on the “Refined Boldness” design language, featuring sporty and elegant lines.

The Sorento PHEV stands out with premium amenities such as a dual-screen setup with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 12-speaker Bose surround sound system, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system with vents for all rows. The driver’s seat offers power adjustment, lumbar support, and two-position memory. The passenger seat features power adjustment, two-way lumbar support, and slide/recline adjustment.

Powering the vehicle is a PHEV powertrain combining a 1.6L gasoline engine with an electric motor, delivering a total output of 261 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. The powertrain is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and full-time all-wheel drive.

This SUV is equipped with a advanced Lithium-ion Polymer battery with a high capacity of 13.8 kWh, enabling all-electric operation for approximately 71 km. The battery can be charged using a standard 220V household or public power source.

Mercedes-Benz GLE 400e

In the luxury segment, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 e 4MATIC also makes an appearance. This mid-size SUV is distributed in limited quantities in Vietnam with a price tag of 4.669 billion VND.

The vehicle features a new grille with a three-pointed star pattern, MULTIBEAM LED headlights, and 20-inch AMG wheels, enhancing its sporty aesthetic.

The interior of the Mercedes-Benz GLE 400e boasts modern amenities such as 64-color ambient lighting, ventilated front seats with acoustic and thermal insulation, a 4-zone THERMOTRONIC climate control system, a panoramic sunroof, dual 12.3-inch screens, and a 13-speaker Burmester sound system.

The standout feature of the Mercedes-Benz GLE 400e is its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain. It combines a 2.0L turbocharged gasoline engine producing 252 horsepower with an electric motor generating 136 horsepower, resulting in a total output of 381 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque. According to Mercedes, this SUV can travel between 95 and 114 km in pure electric mode thanks to its 25.28 kWh battery. Charging time is approximately 2.75 hours using an 11 kW AC power source.

Volvo XC60

Alongside Mercedes-Benz, Volvo continues to solidify its image as a pioneer in electrification in Vietnam with its flagship PHEV model, the XC60 Recharge.

The XC60 Recharge caters to customers seeking a compact SUV with high-end electrification technology. It features a grille inspired by its larger sibling, the XC90, along with the signature “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights. The rear boasts Full LED taillights with a dark graphic design, creating a seamless look.

The interior of the 2026 Volvo XC60 maintains a minimalist layout with an 11.2-inch central entertainment screen. Notably, this screen now integrates Google’s built-in operating system, allowing direct access to Google Maps without needing Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Navigation is also displayed on the digital instrument cluster, a feature that previously required a costly unlock.

Powering the XC60 Recharge Ultra is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain consisting of a 2.0L supercharged and turbocharged gasoline engine (T8 designation) combined with an electric motor, delivering a total output of 462 horsepower and 640 Nm of torque.

The all-electric range after a full charge is approximately 89 km (as per official figures). An 8-speed automatic transmission and full-time all-wheel drive remain standard across the lineup.

Volvo S90

The Volvo S90 targets customers who prefer a luxury sedan with a minimalist Scandinavian design.

The vehicle boasts an elegant and minimalist yet modern design. The front end impresses with LED positioning lights mimicking Thor’s Hammer, featuring a LED strip instead of a large band as before. The new multi-spoke wheels and the replacement of the “U”-shaped taillights with a “T”-shaped design further enhance its modernity.

Inside, the Volvo S90 features an 11.2-inch entertainment screen running Google’s built-in operating system, enabling voice control, Google Maps navigation, and access to entertainment apps like YouTube and Spotify. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity remains available if needed.

The vehicle offers heating/cooling for all four seats, a four-zone independent climate control system, a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, a panoramic sunroof, and more.

The S90 Plug-in Hybrid Ultra is equipped with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine combined with an electric motor, producing a maximum output of 462 horsepower and 709 Nm of torque, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. This exceptional power is not everything. The Volvo S90 also functions as a pure electric vehicle for daily commutes of up to 98 km without using the gasoline engine, thanks to the Pure driving mode. This maximizes fuel savings for daily travel while eliminating emissions.

In Vietnam, the S90 is officially distributed with a price tag of 2.750 billion VND.

PHEV – A “Two-in-One” Choice for the Vietnamese Market

Although not as prevalent as gasoline or pure electric vehicles, PHEVs are opening up new possibilities for Vietnamese consumers: reduced fuel consumption, optimized costs, and maintained convenience in the absence of a complete charging infrastructure. From the C-segment sedan BYD Seal 5 priced below 700 million VND to luxury SUVs like the Mercedes GLE 400 e and Volvo S90, the market is becoming more diverse than ever.

TH (Tuoitrethudo)