Keen on minimising your fuel bill while simultaneously helping the planet? There’s a multitude of options on the market, and more to come!
Conventional closed-circuit hybrid vehicles introduced electric vehicle technology to the mainstream, but plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) have developed the tech to the point where a vehicle can be powered solely by electricity.
The idea behind the uncompromising system is simple: to be able to run a vehicle electrically for most journeys, but not to exclude the flexibility afforded by having an internal combustion engine under the bonnet either.
It’s an appealing way to save money at the fuel pump while helping to curb emissions at the same time, which is why there are myriad options from all types of carmakers.
Mitsubishi helped pioneer plug-in hybrids with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV more than a decade ago, but the technology has now spread to carmakers including Mazda, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Lexus, MG, and even Ferrari.
Here’s a full list of the plug-in hybrid models available to Australians, broken down by price.
Under $50,000
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV
Small SUV
Price: $46,990 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 1.9L/100km
Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid technology has the ability to achieve fuel economy as low as 1.9L/100km in the Eclipse Cross. The 2.4-litre engine and 13.8kWh battery combo can operate together in series hybrid or parallel hybrid modes, or the battery can power the car entirely for up to 40km of real-world driving range.
MG HS Plus EV
Medium SUV
Price: $49,690 drive-away
Energy consumption: 1.7L/100km
The MG HS Plus EV is named to highlight its ability to act as a petrol or electric car. It forms part of a growing list of plug-in hybrid SUVs and is priced to undercut the competition. It features a 63km driving range (NEDC testing) and is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Under $70,000
Ford Escape ST-Line PHEV
Medium SUV
Price: $54,940 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 1.5L/100km
The Ford Escape plug-in hybrid tech only comes on the high-grade ST-Line specification, but it features a 14.4kWh battery that allows for an electric-only range of 50km. Between the 2.5-litre petrol engine and battery, outputs are a combined 167kW.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Medium SUV
Price: $55,490 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 1.5L/100km
Once a pioneering plug-in hybrid, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV now finds itself as part of a wider set of fuel-sipping frugal hybrids. However, the Mitsubishi’s tech is still unique in the sense that it has bi-directional charging, which can send power from the battery back into your house.
Cupra Leon VZe
Small hatchback
Price: $59,990 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 1.8L/100km
Australia’s newest car brand is looking to carve out a new niche with its Cupra Leon VZe: a plug-in hybrid mixing Golf GTI performance with 67km of claimed electric driving range.
Cupra Formentor VZe
Small SUV
Price: $62,990 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 1.9L/100km
Combining the Cupra Leon’s sporting ability with a more practical SUV body style, the Cupra Formentor blends the balance of space, sportiness, and practicality into a handsome package. It’s claimed to offer the ability to run 58km on electric power alone, where the petrol engine will then kick in to pick up the slack.
Mini Countryman SE Hybrid
Small SUV
Price: $64,000
Energy consumption: 2.4L/100km
The Mini Countryman was the brand’s first electrified model on sale in Australia and claims an electric driving range of 61km from its 9.6kWh battery pack. When that’s exhausted, the car will draw from the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
Peugeot 308 GT PHEV
Small hatchback
Price: $64,990
Energy consumption: 1.3L/100km
The plug-in hybrid version of the funky Peugeot 308 hatchback has arrived in Australia, jumping straight to the top of the range with its $64,990 (before on-road costs) price tag. It’s one of only a few non-SUV body style PHEVs on the market.
Under $100,000
Mazda CX-60 PHEV
Medium SUV
Price: $72,300 plus on-road costs
Energy consumption: 2.1L/100km
The Mazda CX-60 has been a long time coming for the Japanese brand, but it looks finally set to launch locally in June 2023. The carmaker claims 76km of electric driving range, but it’s simultaneously the most powerful Mazda ever with 241kW/500Nm outputs.
Kia Sorento PHEV
Large SUV
Price: $81,080 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 1.6L/100km
Kia’s Sorento large SUV features a 14kWh battery pack paired with its 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine. Using battery power alone, the Sorento PHEV will run 57km (WLTP) according to Kia. In addition to the plug-in hybrid Sorento, Kia also offers a regular conventional hybrid powertrain that doesn’t need to be plugged in.
Peugeot 508 PHEV
Medium passenger
Price: $76,990 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 1.8L/100km
Going against the grain of the SUV onslaught, the Peugeot 508 PHEV delivers suave looks as attractive as its minimal 1.8L/100km fuel consumption. Using 11.5kWh of lithium-ion batteries, the 508 hybrid has a claimed electric-only range of 55km without using any fossil fuels.
Peugeot 3008 PHEV
Medium SUV
Price: $79,990 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 1.6L/100km
Peugeot also offers plug-in hybrid technology in an SUV package, with the 3008 PHEV. It’s available in a single variant that pairs a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine with a 13.2kWh battery. Peugeot claims pure electric range will take you 60km.
Lexus NX450h+
Medium SUV
Price: $90,923 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 1.3L/100km
Lexus has long been a purveyor of electrified hybrids, but it’s only now beginning to offer vehicles that you can plug in for a total EV experience. The NX450h+ joins the regular NX350h conventional hybrid by teaming an 18.1kWh battery with a 2.5-litre petrol engine.
BMW 330e
Medium passenger
Price: $97,400 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 1.9L/100km
A sleek, sporty, sumptuous sedan with all the trimmings – the BMW 330e promises to lower your emissions without sacrificing on performance. It pairs a 2.0-litre engine with a 12kWh battery, while BMW claims a 57km driving range of full electric power.
Over $100,000
Volvo XC60 Recharge
Medium SUV
Price: $100,990 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 1.6L/100km
The flagship-specification Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 plug-in hybrid features an 18.8kWh battery and a 2.0-litre turbo engine. Not only does it return fuel economy as low as 1.6L/100km, but it can also run 81km on full electric power.
Range Rover Evoque PHEV
Medium SUV
Price: $104,310 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 2.1L/100km
You’ll be paying over $100,000 for it, but the Range Rover Evoque R-Dynamic HSE offers the capability to run on electric power in addition to its 1.5-litre turbo petrol three-cylinder engine.
BMW X3 xDrive30e
Medium SUV
Price: $110,400 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 3.2L/100km
The BMW X3 xDrive30e integrates a conventional petrol motor with a small electric battery/motor combination to reduce fuel consumption overall. It’s said to be a considerable amount too. BMW estimates the plug-in hybrid X3 will burn through about half as much petrol as its petrol-only counterparts, 3.2L/100km to be exact.
BMW 530e
Large passenger
Price: $125,400
Energy consumption: 2.3L/100km
BMW says its 530e plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) sedan will do 54km on full battery electric power and record a 2.3L/100km fuel consumption when using both electric and petrol power.
Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 plug-in hybrid
Large SUV
Price: $121,990 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 1.5L/100km
The top of the XC90 range is the Volvo XC90 Recharge Ultimate T8 plug-in hybrid, which costs $121,990 plus on-road costs. It features an 18.8kWh battery that is said to be good enough for a 92km range.
Mercedes-Benz E300e
Large passenger
Price: $130,900
Energy consumption: 2.5L/100km
The Mercedes-Benz E300e is an electric alternative to the E300, an already well-equipped car. It features a 13.5kWh battery and is said to travel 51km without petrol power.
Range Rover Velar PHEV
Large SUV
Price: $132,800
Energy consumption: 2.7L/100km
The Range Rover Velar PHEV comes in two specifications, the Dynamic SE and Dynamic HSE. Both feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain that incorporates a 19.2kWh battery and 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine. It’s said to run 53km according to WLTP testing.
BMW X5 xDrive50e
Large SUV
Price: $149,900 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 2.3L/100km
The BMW X5 xDrive50e is a single-spec PHEV that costs an astronomical $150,000. It features 360kW/700Nm outputs from a 25.7kWh battery and 3.0-litre turbo petrol engine. It’ll run up to 100km on a single electric charge.
Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid
Large SUV
Price: $150,900 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 3.2L/100km
Similarly priced to the above is the Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid that features an all-electric driving range of 47km. It features a 17.9kWh battery.
Range Rover Sport
Large SUV
Price: $198,097 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 1.6L/100km
Teaming a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 with a sizeable 38.2kWh battery, the Range Rover Sport is capable of delivering fuel numbers as low as 1.6L/100km. It’ll also do over 110km of electric-only driving before depleting its battery.
Over $200,000
Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid
Large passenger
Price: $252,700 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 2.6L/100km
Porsche Panamera buyers can have their plug-in hybrid Porsche in both hatch and Sport Turismo (wagon) body styles, and both feature a 17.9kWh battery that enables up to 56km of electric-only range.
McLaren Artura
Supercar
Price: $449,500 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 4.6L/100km
Though it emphasises performance, the McLaren Artura supercar features a 7.4kWh battery that allows for 31km of electric range.
Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid
Large passenger
Price: $456,000 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 2.7L/100km
The Bentley Flying Spur is the first model in the British marque’s line-up to feature electrification, and it’s equipped with an 18kWh battery in addition to a full electric range of 28km.
Ferrari 296GTB
Supercar
Price: $568,000 before on-road costs
Energy consumption: 6.4L/100km
Not even Ferrari gets away without a plug-in hybrid powertrain, with the new 296GTB featuring a 7.5kWh battery and 25km electric-only range.
The post Every plug-in hybrid vehicle on sale in Australia right now appeared first on Drive.