PLUG-IN HYBRID
Audi
The A3 Sportback e-tron compact car ($40,900) is fitted with a 1.4L TFSI engine and generates up to 204 hp. Fuel consumption checks in at 6.9L/100 km when in hybrid mode, and it can of course be driven in all-electric mode for short distances.
BMW
A new generation of the BMW i8 will bring its 369 horses to market this coming spring for the 2019 model-year. It certainly doesn’t target the average hybrid-car buyer, offering instead a way to enjoy high-level performance in a more fuel-efficient package. The i8 will also come in a convertible format for the first time. The BMW lineup also feature the 330e ($51,500), 530e ($67,500) and 740Le ($110,400) sedans, as well as the X5 xDrive40e ($74,950) utility model.
Chevrolet
The next-generation Volt ($38,995) sports a more attractive design as well as an improved EV range of 85 km. GM calls it an electric car because its gasoline engine serves only to charge the battery and not to power the front wheels, but in reality it’s a plug-in hybrid with a total range of hundreds of kilometres.
FCA
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid ($51,095) is a minivan lauded for, among other things, its all-electric range of 53 km and its average fuel consumption of just 2.8Le/100 km. We test drove it during a road trip to Maine and came away impressed.
The C-MAX Energi hatchback compact is no longer available in Canada, but Ford is still offering the Fusion Energi ($35,088), a comfortable sedan that can cover 35 km without resorting to the combustion engine. Average energy consumption is 2.4Le/100 km.
Honda
The all-new 212-hp Clarity plug-in hybrid ($39,000) has arrived in Canada, and its electric range of 76 km immediately sets it apart from other sedans in its category. It’s as spacious as an Accord and chock-full of technologies. Only the design, greeted by mixed reviews, could make buyers hesitate…
Hyundai
The Sonata Plug-in Hybrid is getting upgraded for 2018 and should hit the market this summer (pricing TBA). At 202 hp, it’s slightly more powerful than the Sonata hybrid base model thanks to a 50-kilowatt electric motor and its 9.8 kWh battery, which gives it a 43-km electric range (950 km range in all). Hyundai’s other big new plug-in hybrid offering is the new IONIQ Electric plus ($31,999). Its range is slightly superior, and our road test allowed us to confirm its efficiency even in cold weather.
The Optima plug-in hybrid sedan ($42,995) has an all-electric range 47 km and delivers average energy consumption of 2.3Le/100 km (5.9L/100 km in hybrid mode). Impossible not to also mention the arrival of the Niro plug-in hybrid version for 2018 (pricing TBA) and its 42 km all-electric range.
Land Rover
The Range Rover Sport hybrid and the larger Range Rover hybrid should both be hitting the market in Canada in summer 2018, for the 2019 model-year. Pricing has not been announced as of yet for either model. Both models are expected to deliver total output of 398 hp, 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.7 seconds, and a total electric range of 51 km. Land Rover is promising that the vehicles’ legendary 4x4 capabilities will not be affected.
Mercedes-Benz
The GLE 550e 4MATIC ($83,900) is the first of the new generation of Mercedes hybrids and electric cars to come. This midsize plug-in hybrid SUV can generate 436 hp and uses an average of 11L/100 km – 5.5Le when taking into account all-electric range. The smaller GLC 350e ($59,900) is less powerful with 315 hp but is more energy-efficient with its rating of 9.3L/100 km, or 3.3Le with the electric range factored in.
MINI
The new Cooper S E Countryman ($46,775) represents a bold new step for the small British brand. It’s the most expensive MINI out there, and it consumer an average of 8.6L/100 km. You might find the 19-km all electric-range kind of puny; on the other hand there’s nothing puny about the driving experience it delivers.
The new Outlander PHEV ($42,998) is finally available in Canada after a seemingly interminable wait. This is the only plug-in hybrid SUV in this price range, and the only one to offer Level 3 rapid charging that can replenish the battery to 80% capacity in under 30 minutes. Its all-electric range? 35 km. Click on the link to read our full review!
The next-generation Panamera E-Hybrid sedan is available in four versions (two with extended wheelbase). The most affordable is priced at $113,400 and gives 462 hp in return, while the 680-hp Turbo S Executive sets buyers back $221,700, can go from a stop to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, and uses only 2.9Le/100 km! There’s also the Panamera Sport Turismo E-Hybrid ($124,900), as well as for the Cayenne S E-Hybrid SUV ($90,400), which can produce 416 total hp and travel between 18-28 km in full electric mode.
Toyota
The new Prius Prime ($32,990), sold at first only in Quebec, is now available Canada-wide. Its new Hybrid Synergy Drive system enables quick acceleration and energy consumption of just 1.8Le/100 km on a full charge. Total range for the Prius Prime extends to 1,035 km, 40 of them in fully electric mode.
Volvo
The XC90 T8 twin-engine large SUV ($80,050) continues to rack up the accolades and awards. This luxury seven-seater delivers 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, along with five available driving modes. The smaller 2018 XC60 T8 ($70,250) compact crossover has the same output and the same all-electric range of 27 km. The S90 T8 sedan ($74,950) pushes that range to 34 km. Volvo, you may recall, has announced that all of its models will be offered in hybrid or electric versions starting in 2019.
Make sure to check out our Hybrid and All-electric sections!
Interested in a hybrid car? Do not hesitate to consult our inventory of used hybrid vehicles.