Five top hybrids to help you slash motoring costs

ELECTRIC vehicles may be the current buzz car but hybrids offer more versatility and more driving freedom away from public charger queues.

Hybrids also tend to be cheaper to buy than EVs although slightly more expensive to own as electricity is now cheaper than petrol. Take into account that all EVs will soon be charged a road-user tax so the difference in running costs may shrink.

Hybrid owners save money on fuel as the car can turn off the petrol engine and use the secondary electric motor when reversing, coasting, braking or stopped. It makes a difference.

On top of this, there’s a comfort factor in knowing the car in your garage is ready to go — electricity or petrol — anytime you are and, if not, it’s a three minute refuel at the petrol station down the road.

But hybrids are generally more expensive than a conventionally-fulled car, purely because there’s two power units and a battery.

Do the math. If you commute a lot and enjoy weekends away from the city, hybrids work best. The electric motor is used more in traffic conditions, so the petrol engine is used less and saves fuel and money.

There’s a growing number of hybrids available on the market. Here’s some of the best. You’ll also notice they are all SUVs, because they have become the firm favourite by Australian buyers. 

TOYOTA RAV4 ($49,582 plus costs for the XSE 2WD):

This has been the no-brainer hybrid darling for years and is still in high demand — up to two years wait in some versions — because it simply works.

It is also a hybrid that adds only a small price premium for its technology — around $2500 compared with its petrol counterpart and the hybrid gets a more powerful engine.

The XSE here is a good balance of features and performance, but the RAV4 Hybrid range starts at $42,260, plus costs. Buyers will save about $3000 by choosing the 2WD version over an all-wheel drive (AWD) that may rarely be used.

Driving: There’s nothing to learn — just get in and go. The hybrid has no tricks other than using its silent electric motor to reverse, and its fuel-saving ability to turn the engine off, and on, only when needed.

Boot size: 542 (rear seats in place).

Power: 163kW/202Nm

Fuel thirst: Toyota claims 4.7 litres/100km for the RAV4 Hybrid. It uses the cheapest 91RON petrol.

Warranty: 5-years, unlimited distance.

Service intervals/costs:  12mths or 15,000km/average $260/year for five years.

Features: Standard kit includes leather-look upholstery; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; satellite navigation; full autonomous emergency braking; seven airbags; and 18-inch alloy wheels.

NISSAN X-TRAIL E-POWER ($49,990 plus costs for the ST-L):

If a RAV4 is a ‘conventional’ hybrid, the X-Trail is not. The RAV4 drives its wheels through either the engine or the electric motor or both together. 

The Nissan’s drive is purely electric. It has an onboard petrol engine that is simply there to power the batteries so there’s no separate transmission or other traditional drive components.

There are three E-Power versions — the ST-L here and then two top-end grades, the Ti ($54,690) and Ti-L ($57,690). Prices plus on-road costs.

The ST-L has strong appeal for its comfort but but it costs $6300 more than the petrol-only X-Trail and buyers should consider if that’s value to their needs. Because of the electric drive, Nissan makes the E-Power only as an AWD.

Driving: Again, this is child’s play. Nothing special to learn about driving this. But it is beautifully smooth and quiet and outclasses pretty much all its peers for that seamless power delivery. The petrol engine stats automatically when it needs to charge the batteries but even that is barely perceptible. Handling is very good, especially on winding roads.

Boot size: 575 litres (rear seats in place)

Power: 157kW/torque data not available

Fuel thirst: Nissan claims 6.1 litres/100km for the E-Power models, and down to around 4.8 L/100km in the city cycle. It can use the cheapest 91RON petrol but 95RON is advised.

Warranty: 5-years, unlimited distance.

Service intervals/costs: 12mths or 10,000km/average $508/year for six years.

Features: Standard kit includes leather-look upholstery; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; heated front seats; 360-degree camera; full autonomous emergency braking; seven airbags; and 18-inch alloy wheels.

KIA NIRO HYBRID ($50,5800 plus costs for the GT-Line):

Kia is producing a wider range of hybrids in conjunction with more pure EV models (the Niro is also available as an EV) but the hybrid will endear itself to people who need the freedom and extended range that a petrol engine gives.

Although it may look like a hatch, the Niro is marketed as an SUV. It’s a neat car that fits right into the genre, especially on price, while the seven-year warranty certainly holds ownership appeal.

The hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) model here is available from $44,930 plus costs in its ’S’ grade but the GT-Line just adds a bit of extra features.

The hybrid system is very similar to that used by Toyota, so the electric motor operates over small distance at low speeds, such as reversing; assists the petrol motor for extra performance; and takes the place of the engine when coasting, at the traffic lights or braking.

Driving: Nothing to fear here. It drives quietly and has strong performance, mainly from the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and its dual-clutch transmission. Most hybrids, including Toyota, use a continuously-variable transmission system that can get a bit noisy under acceleration. The comfort and handling are among the best in its class.

Boot size: 425 litres (rear seats in place)

Power: 77kW/144Nm

Fuel thirst: Kia claims 4.0 litres/100km. It uses the cheapest 91RON petrol.

Warranty: 7-years, unlimited distance.

Service intervals/costs: 12mths or 15,000km/average $570/year for seven years.

Features: Standard kit includes heated and ventilated front seats; electric tailgate; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; twin 10.25-inch touchscreens; full autonomous emergency braking; eight airbags; and 18-inch alloy wheels.

HAVAL JOLION HYBRID ($36,990 drive away included for the Lux):

One of the big surprises in the hybrid basket is the top-notch offerings from GWM Haval. Under the Haval sub-brand, GWM of China markets SUVs in two models — Jolion and the bigger H6 — both with optional hybrid power.

Lots to like about the Jolion for its balance of size, its non-confronting styling, welcoming interior, spaciousness and the way it ticks all the boxes for driving enjoyment and fuel efficiency.

There’s also the agreeable price that includes all on-road fees, and a seven-year warranty.

The hybrid drive is similar to Toyota (and others) with a petrol engine supplanted by an electric motor. They work together or, such as reversing or low-speed manoeuvres, electric alone.

It is also similar to the hybrid drive in the H6 model (from $42,490 drive away) for people wanting more cabin space.

Driving: This is a conventional hybrid drive experience although is made a bit sharper by the dual-clutch auto transmission that gives conventional ca performance. Much of the work is down to the turbo-petrol 1.5-litre engine with a bit of help from the electric motor. Comfort and handling are reasonable.

Boot size: 390 litres (rear seats in place)

Power: 139kW/375Nm

Fuel thirst: Haval claims 5.0 litres/100km. It uses the cheapest 91RON petrol.

Warranty: 7-years, unlimited distance.

Service intervals/costs: 12mths or 15,000km/average $310/year for five years.

Features: Standard kit includes heated front seats with electric adjustment for the driver; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; a 10.5-inch touchscreen; full autonomous emergency braking; seven airbags; and 17-inch alloy wheels.

LEXUS NX350h ($76,550 plus costs for the Sport Luxury 2WD):

Lexus dovetails with its parent company Toyota to make a generous range of hybrid models with the NX being the affordable SUV for a small family or for couples. The engineering is very similar so what goes for one, generally applies to the other.

The quality and reliability of Lexus products — which regularly feature in the Top-3 of the global best in both areas — is enhanced by its prestige features and craftsmanship, along with strong customer experience programs.

The NX has most of the high-end features of the rest of the Lexus range so buyers get pretty much all the cutting-edge tech and safety on board.

It’s also a good looking car that, badge aside, looks like a quality vehicle.

Driving: The drive experience is on par with other hybrids in function, although there is a lot of work in this car to minimise exterior noise. As such, it’s an impressively quiet vehicle to drive and allows occupants to appreciate things like the excellent audio system. Ride comfort and handling are very good.

Boot size: 520 litres (rear seats in place)

Power: 179kW/239Nm

Fuel thirst: Lexus claims 5.6 litres/100km. It uses the cheapest 91RON petrol.

Warranty: 5-years, unlimited distance.

Service intervals/costs: 12mths or 15,000km/average $495/year for three years.

Features: Standard kit includes heated and ventilated front seats; leather; electric tailgate; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; 14.0-inch touchscreen; full autonomous emergency braking; emergency turn assist, eight airbags; and 20-inch alloy wheels. 

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