Best hybrid cars arriving in 2022

How many brands is too many for the Australian market? There’s aren’t enough yet, according to Volkswagen Group, which will launch its Spanish performance spin-off marque in Australia in 2022.

Not only will the brand offer performance-tinged rivals across a spectrum of body-styles, but also use the brand to introduce plug-in hybrids.

Slated for a June launch is the Formentor small SUV that can be thought of a more performance-oriented take on the VW T-Roc, and the Ateca segment-straddler which is more a spicy alternative to the Skoda Karoq.

Stay tuned for specs, but the brand is expected to find its own place on the price and performance scale thanks to its electrified options.

Read more: 2022 Cupra Formentor features: Plug-in hybrid electric SUV headlines hi-po line-up for new Audi Q3, Volvo XC40, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Lexus UX rival

Ford has been slow to bring electrified models to our market, but that’s set to change in the first quarter of 2022 with the launch of the plug-in hybrid version of the Escape mid-size SUV.

Originally destined to launch in Australia in late 2020, the Escape plug-in was delayed in Australia due to a battery issue and build constraints at its Spanish point-of-origin.

Set to add to a limited Escape line-up in Australia, the PHEV version combines a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with a 14.4kWh battery and electric motor, for a combined power output of 167kW. It will have more than 50km of electric-only driving range and consume just 1.5L/100km on the combined cycle.

Don’t expect it to be cheap, though, with the price already announced at $52,940 before on-roads.

Read more: 2022 Ford Escape PHEV delayed! Battery fire risk pushes new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid rival back by a year

• Ford Escape 2022 review: ST-Line PHEV (Plug-in hybrid)

Looking for a proper Toyota Kluger hybrid rival? Look no further, with Hyundai to finally launch its own take on the ‘self-charging’ hybrid large SUV.

That’s right, the Santa Fe will be a Toyota-style hybrid from the second quarter of 2022; there’s no PHEV version slated for our market.

Interestingly the Santa Fe will pair a relatively tiny 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo engine with an electric motor, for a combined output of 168kW/350Nm. In comparison, the Kluger uses a much larger non-turbo 2.5-litre engine.

Regardless, the Santa Fe will be the first in a new range of hybrid options from Hyundai, promising trim fuel consumption and the convenience of not having to plug in. Price will be its biggest challenge against Toyota’s relatively affordable options. The Santa Fe hybrid has a lunch target of mid next year.

Read more: 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid confirmed for Australia, but PHEV ruled out! When the brand's first electrified SUV will arrive to rumble the Toyota Kluger Hybrid

Jeep’s much-awaited next-generation Grand Cherokee will slingshot the brand into the future with a plug-in hybrid variant, which is necessary for the brand’s survival in many markets overseas.

In Australia, the brand will use the plug-in variants to effectively replace once-popular diesels, which have been ruled out for the Jeep large SUV globally, although V8s are expected to stick around for a while.

Dubbed the 4xe, the Grand Cherokee variant mates a petrol engine to electric power, for combined outputs of 280kW/637Nm and a towing capacity of 2720kg.

Targeting a launch in the third quarter of 2022, stay tuned as we find out more on Jeep’s first big stride into electrification.

Read more: 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee detailed: Hardcore Trailhawk sets sights on Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol, now available with optional hybrid power

• Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe 2022 review

The Sorento hybrid is part of Kia’s evolution into a more heavily electrified brand, unlike its sister car, the aforementioned Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid, the Sorento will get a plug-in hybrid first (in October 2021) and then a 'regular' hybrid.

Like its Santa Fe relation, the Sorento hybrid models will make use of a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor. The PHEV version will have a 13.8kWh battery pack, and combined outputs of 195kW/350Nm, while the 'self-charging' will have a 1.5kWh unit and develop 169kW/350Nm.

The latter launched in March priced from $66,750 before on-road costs.

Read more: Watch out Toyota Kluger! 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid Australian pricing and features revealed for single-grade electrified SUV

• Kia Sorento 2022 review: GT-Line Hybrid

As European automakers struggle with ever-tighter emissions regulations, you can expect to see more and more hybridised performance models, and the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe's new flagship is one of the most powerful so far.

Mating the brand’s 4.0-litre V8 to a 150kW electric motor, the AMG GT’s combined output is rated at 620kW and an absurd 1400Nm.

It sends drive to all four wheels, and will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds. Oddly, this wildly powerful AMG only has a tiny 6.1kWh battery pack, good for a claimed 12km of range under electric power alone, with the brand claiming the system is designed for power delivery rather than driving range.

Charging up is also slower than normal, with the GT’s AC inverter rated at just 3.7kW. Styling-wise, the four-door GT is near-identical to the purely petrol version, making onlookers non the wiser of its huge electric boost. The electrified GT is due in the second half of 2022.

Read more: Mercedes-AMG brings the thunder with new 620kW/1400Nm GT 63 S E Performance plug-in hybrid

Mitsubishi’s much-awaited first step into its next generation of products will kick off with the new Outlander. An early mass-produced PHEV, the new Outlander will get a plug-in variant, as Mitsubishi places its electrification hopes squarely on plug-in rather than ‘self-charging’ technology.

The new Outlander is expected to take a price and spec hike as it debuts a new exterior and interior styling language for the brand with traditional combustion variants (in November 2021).

It will also merge onto the Renault-Mitsubishi-Nissan alliance CFM-CD platform which will also underpin the incoming next-generation Nissan X-Trail, and presumably a new version of Renault’s Koleos.

The new Outlander will be larger than the outgoing model, and will be available as a PHEV with seven seats for the first time, with the latter expected to join Mitsubishi’s line-up in the third quarter of 2022.

Read more: 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV now coming in quarter three as Toyota RAV4 hybrid rival gets top safety tick

Volkswagen’s new Touareg hybrid is important, because the brand is hoping the performance virtues of its electrified drivetrain will position it as a replacement for the outgoing V8 diesel – the last one which will ever be produced by the brand.

Instead, the new PHEV flagship will pair a petrol 3.0-litre V6 turbo to an electric motor for a combined output of 340kW/700Nm. For reference, it’s more powerful than the V8 but produces less torque.

It pairs this system to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. The electric system is backed by a 14.3kW battery good for a claimed 47km of all-electric driving range.

The Touareg R will be the first VW PHEV to hit Australian streets, as our poor national fuel quality standards have thus far locked out the brand’s expansive range of plug-ins popular in Europe. Expect to see the new Touareg flagship in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Read more: 2023 Volkswagen Touareg R PHEV Australian launch confirmed! Brand's first plug-in hybrid set to take up sold-out V8 model's performance mantle

Volvo already has plug-in hybrid versions of its popular XC60 and XC90 SUVs, although the first quarter of 2022 will see the next iteration of the technology, bringing larger batteries and significantly extended driving range, complete with a power boost for the electric motors.

Still reserved for the top-spec T8 versions of each, the new powertrains offer electric only driving range of 68km in the XC60, or 72km for the XC90, with Volvo pointing this should allow the majority of drivers a majority of time under electric power alone, cutting their emissions by up to 50 per cent.

Volvo will also launch its first dedicated EV, the C40, toward the end of 2022, and its Polestar all-electric spin-off brand will also look to offer stylish alternative models in the near future.

Read more: Is Sweden about to outlast the plug-in hybrid SUV competition with the longer-range 2022 Volvo XC60 and XC90 Recharge?

When Haval's new H6 launched in 2021, it formed a significant part of the brand's new and improved catalogue, but a promised hybrid variant had been pushed back into early 2022 due to global component shortages.

Unlike its Chinese MG HS rival which features a plug-in hybrid variant atop its range, the H6 range-topper will initially arrive as a Toyota-style 'self-charging' hybrid.

Fuel consumption is low, but not RAV4 Hybrid low, at 5.2L/100km, but power outputs are impressive, with 179kW/530Nm being channeled through the front wheels from both a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor via an interesting two-speed transmission setup.

Read more: 2022 Haval H6 Hybrid delayed: New Toyota RAV4 Hybrid rival's Australian launch pushed back - but huge 530Nm punch still coming soon

• Haval H6 2022 review: Hybrid

Honda's new-generation Civic surprised many with its single pricey VTi-LX variant at its launch in late 2021.

Honda also announced the 1.5-litre petrol turbocharged launch variant would be joined later by an e:HEV hybrid variant which will use a Toyota-style 'self-charging' system.

It is part of Honda's promise to launch hybrid variants of every new model going forward in Australia, although you can expect pricing to be closer to the $50,000 region, as the combustion VTi-LX version already costs $47,200 driveaway.

The Civic hybrid is set to arrive in the second half of 2021, with more details to be unveiled closer to that time.

Read more: Toyota's Corolla Hybrid finally has some competition! 2022 Honda Civic e:HEV hybrid detailed with fuel-sipping powertrain

After initially shying away from the popular-in-Europe plug-in hybrid models in Australia, Peugeot has come around, confirming its 3008 mid-size SUV and 508 Fastback would receive electrified variants early 2022.

The price hikes significantly for each into premium territory, with the PHEV version of the 3008 coming in with an MSRP of $79,990, and the 508 Fastback wearing a price-tag of $76,990.

The 3008 PHEV packs a 13.2kWh battery good for a claimed electric-only driving range of 60km, while the 508 PHEV offers a slightly smaller battery pack, at 11.8kWh. It offers an electric-only driving range of 55km.

The 3008 PHEV's spec mirrors that of the GT Sport in the combustion line-up, while the 508 PHEV will mirror the single GT combustion variant in Australia.

The 3008 gets a significant power boost from 133kW in the 1.6-litre turbo petrol version, to 222kW in the dual-motor all-wheel drive PHEV. Meanwhile, the 508 only pairs a single electric motor to a less powerful 133kW engine, matching the current combustion car's output of 165kW.

Read more: 2022 Peugeot 3008 and 508 PHEV price and features: The upmarket Toyota RAV4 and Camry rivals Australia has been waiting for?

Peugeot 3008 2022 review: GT Sport PHEV

Peugeot 508 2022 review: GT Fastback PHEV

Honda's new-generation HR-V arrives in April, and brings crucial self-charging hybrid technology to one of the brand's historically best-selling models.

The HR-V e:HEV will pair a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine to electric motors, producing 96kW/253Nm with a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.3L/100km.

Costing from a whopping $45,000, it faces tough competition from an array of electrified rivals in the small SUV space, including the Toyota C-HR, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV, and Kia Niro.

Read more: Price shock! 2022 Honda HR-V hybrid costs less than a Civic hatchback, but only features seating for four

• Honda HR-V 2022 review

Want to know what other new models are due in 2022? Check out our rolling coverage by clicking on the links below.

- The best new cars coming to Australia in 2022

- Best SUVs arriving in 2022

- Best utes arriving in 2022

- Best crossovers arriving in 2022

- Best electric cars arriving in 2022

- Best hatchbacks arriving in 2022

- Best 4x4 and off-road vehicles arriving in 2022

- Best sedans arriving in 2022

- Best sports cars arriving in 2022

- Best hybrid cars arriving in 2022

Want to know what new models are due in 2023? Check out our rolling coverage by clicking on the links below.

- The best new cars coming in 2023

- Best SUVs arriving in 2023

- Best sports cars arriving in 2023

- Best hatchbacks and sedans arriving in 2023

- Best small SUVs and crossovers arriving in 2023

- Best 4x4, off-roaders and light-commercial vehicles arriving in 2023

- Best utes arriving in 2023

- Best hybrid cars arriving in 2023

- Best electric cars arriving in 2023