The latest statistics for vehicle sales in Canada confirm a continuing trend: SUVs and light-duty trucks now own 68% of the market. And yet, the number of hybrid utility models available in this market segment still lags behind the number of hybrid cars offered by automakers. As for fully electric vehicles, the landscape for utility models is currently barren, once you look beyond the Tesla Model X.
Fortunately, some manufacturers are busy trying to fill that gap in the product offering, and a number of new models are set to launch in the months and years ahead.
If you’re looking to buy a hybrid SUV, you’re at the right place: Auto123.com offers you a comprehensive guide, with all the information you need to help you shop and make your choice. You’ll find here the relevant numbers (starting with base prices), links to our recent reviews and photos and videos. Also worth learning about, of course, are the incentives available with the purchase or lease of electric vehicles in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. Consult the website for your province to help you calculate the true price you’ll pay for each model.
Happy shopping!
Acura
The 321-hp MDX Sport Hybrid ($69,990), rated to use 10.7L/100 km, is a more eco-friendly version of one of Canada’s top-selling luxury SUVs. Note: the model offered is a 2017 edition; no announcement has been made regarding the 2018 model-year.
BMW
The X5 xDrive40e ($74,950) is a plug-in hybrid that generates 308 hp and uses on average 9.9L/100 km. Range in all-electric mode is roughly 30 km. We test drove the model recently; click on the link to see if it represents a smart choice in comparison with the regular X5.
Chrysler
Yes, it’s worth including the Pacifica Hybrid minivan ($51,445); it’s an interesting option for families who want to reduce fuel costs. With an all-electric range of 53 km, it offers excellent city energy consumption of 2.6Le/100 km. In hybrid mode, our test drive in Maine showed us it consumes around 7.0L/100 km.
Kia
The Niro ($24,995) is a small hybrid crossover that delivers 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, and it uses only 4.7L/100 km. A plug-in hybrid version will be added to the lineup later in 2018, followed by a 100% electric version in 2019.
Lexus
Two of the six hybrid models offered by Toyota’s luxury car division are SUVs: the compact NX 300h ($55,300) delivering 194 hp and consuming 7.5L/100 km on average, and the larger RX 450h ($70,900), with an output of 306 hp and average fuel consumption of 7.9L/100 km. For 2018, the latter model is also available in 7-seat format under the name RX L.
Mercedes-Benz
The GLC 350e 4MATIC ($59,900) benefits from hybrid technology that pushes the power output of the Mercedes compact SUV to 315 hp and torque to 413 lb-ft (no fuel consumption figures are available as of yet). As for the GLE 550e 4MATIC ($83,900), it generates 436 hp and uses an average of 11L/100 km. Note: the company will be unfurling its EQ Power banner for its new generation of hybrid and electric vehicles.
Mitsubishi
The all-new 2018 Outlander PHEV ($42,998) is finally available in Canada! It’s the only plug-in hybrid SUV in this price range, and the only one to offer standard rapid charging functionality, which allows for bringing the battery’s charge up to 80% in only 30 minutes. Electric range is around 35 km; the company is holding back on specifying its exact power output. Check out our review based on the road test we just carried out in Vancouver!
Porsche
The Cayenne S E-Hybrid ($90,400), a plug-in hybrid model focused squarely on sporty performance, generates total power of 416 hp, and its range in all-electric mode is anywhere from 18 to 38 km. The next-generation 2019 Cayenne, due to arrive on the market this summer, will also have its E-Hybrid variant (exact date TBD).
Toyota
Renowned for its safety and reliability, the 194-hp RAV4 Hybrid ($34,790) uses 7.3L/100 km thanks to Toyota’s excellent Hybrid Synergy Drive system. This system is also used in the Highlander Hybrid ($50,950), which generates 306 hp and consumes on average 8.3L/100 km. We will be reviewing the latter this coming spring so stay tuned. Note: neither of these models is a plug-in.
Volvo
The large XC90 T8 ($80,050) is a swanky, luxurious 7-passenger plug-in hybrid SUV that produces 400 hp and offers five different operating modes. It has now been joined in the lineup by the XC60 T8 ($70,250) which matches that power output despite its smaller size. These hybrid models out of Sweden impressed us greatly during our road tests.
