Best hybrid cars arriving in 2023

Peugeot is on a hybrid roll lately, one of the few manufacturers bringing its latest and greatest hybrid tech to its core range of SUVs.

While we’ll still be missing out on the brand’s cool-looking fully electric range for the time being, we do have what could be its best plug-in hybrid model yet, the new-generation 308 hatchback.

Combustion versions are set to arrive before the end of 2022, but the plug-in hybrid will arrive some time later in 2023.

It looks sharp and packs a 132kW 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine combined with an 81kW electric motor for combined outputs of 165kW/360Nm. It has a claimed 60km electric driving range, which is high for a car of its size.

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Jeep, in recent history associated with brash V8 engines featuring prominently in its range, has seemingly committed to a complete transformation of its brand, both moving its look and feel upmarket, but also bringing with it leaner plug-in hybrid engine technology, which it dubs ‘4Xe’ which we’re told to pronounce ‘four-by-eee’.

The Grand Cherokee Plug-in hybrid, due mid-way through next year, is capable of a 40km fully electric driving range, less than many of its rivals, although it hopes to lean on its off-road heritage to set its electrified tech apart.

It combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with dual electric motors for a combined output of 280kW/675Nm, while maintaining an eight-speed torque converter transmission facilitating its all-wheel drive.

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Mazda is late to the hybrid party not just in Australia, but globally. Finally though, with the reveal of the CX-60 the brand has shown its hybrid hand.

That hand is plug-in hybrid in form, a serious step-up from the ‘mild hybrid’ technology the Japanese brand has dabbled with so far.

The CX-60 also debuts a new design language and engine tech for the brand, with the PHEV pairing a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a 100kW electric motor for combined outputs 241kW/500Nm. It also packs a relatively large 17.8kWh battery said to be good for a 60km purely electric driving range.

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The new-generation Range Rover Sport is arriving next year, moving even further up market and bringing with it both standard and hybrid engine options.

The PHEV model, known as the P510e will only be available on the top Dynamic HSE trim, costing from a whopping $198,097.

In terms of PHEVs though it is unusual in that it pairs a large six-cylinder engine with an electric motor, for impressive outputs of 294kW/700Nm. It also has a huge battery for a hybrid model, a 38.2kWh unit allowing a 125km purely electric driving range between charges. Unlike many PHEVs it is also capable of direct current (DC) fast charging due to its large battery size, meaning owners can charge up in just 30 minutes at a public DC station.

Land Rover is yet to lock in a solid arrival date, but the entire range will arrive on Australian shores some time in 2023.

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Like the smaller Range Rover Sport above, the larger new Range Rover will add hybrid variants when the new generation arrives in Australia next year.

Unlike its smaller sibling, the full-size Range Rover will add two PHEV variants to its range, the high-spec 375kW/700Nm P510e, and lesser 324kW/620Nm P440e.

The P440e will cost from $229,200 and comes in the mid-grade SE trim, while the P510e will cost from $262,400 and can be chosen in high-spec HSE or flagship Autobiography trims.

Both have the same large battery as the Sport model, allowing for a WLTP-rated 113km of purely electric driving range.

Deliveries for the new Range Rover will start in the second half of 2023.

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The Honda CR-V is in dire need of a new-generation model, with the current one now one of the oldest amongst its mid-size SUV peers.

Like the HR-V before it, the changes to the CR-V will be drastic, bringing a new design language and expanded dimensions to the mid-sizer. In fact, the new CR-V will be even larger than the Toyota RAV4. 

It also brings the car’s design language in-line with the new Civic, and of course, will add important hybrid variants.

The hybrid will arrive without a plug, and pairs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder atkinson-cycle petrol engine with dual electric motors, with outputs totalling 152kW/335Nm.

Right-hand drive production isn’t set to start for some time, with the new CR-V very much targeting the North American market from the get-go, so for now at least we’d predict a late 2023 launch window at the earliest. Like all new Hondas, expect a hike in pricing to come with the new-generation car’s impressive hike in size and standard specification.

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The Honda ZR-V was a surprise addition to Honda’s local line-up, after it was thought to be an alternative to the HR-V for the North American market.

The ZR-V will slot nicely between the smaller new HR-V and much larger new CR-V, and will compete with cars that sit between the small and mid-size segment like the Nissan Qashqai and Toyota Corolla Cross.

The ZR-V follows in the footsteps of the Civic before it, adding a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol and e:HEV hybrid versions to its range, with the latter producing 135kW/315Nm thanks to an unusually powerful electric motor, as has been revealed in Europe already.

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Lexus owns hybrid tech in the minds of many premium buyers, able to lean on decades of easy-to-use Technology from its Toyota parent, and a loyal built-in customer base which swears by plug-free hybrid versions which have existed for years already.

In standard form, this will mean a RX 350h model which pairs a 2.5-litre atkinson-cycle engine with dual electric motors to produce a total of 180kW/316Nm, but the big surprise this time around is a turbocharged performance-oriented hybrid, the 500h variant, which produces combined outputs of 273kW/551Nm.

Like its smaller NX sibling, the RX will also add a plug-in hybrid variant for the first time, which pairs a 227kW combined hybrid system with an 18.1kWh battery pack for a 65kmdriving range, although Lexus has not yet confirmed the PHEV for the Australian market.

The standard and performance hybrid variants will arrive with the rest of the RX range in early 2023. Stand by for updates on the PHEV.

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Nissan struck a chord with the original Qashqai as an SUV which sat between the world of ‘small’ SUVs and ‘medium’ ones. While the previous version stuck around perhaps a little too long, the new Qashqai promises to revolutionise things next year.

This is largely due to the debut of Nissan’s flagship ‘e-Power’ hybrid tech, which turns the entire formula on its head.

Instead of being primarily combustion cars with electric assistance, the Nissan’s e-Power variants are electric cars with combustion motors needed for generators, in a layout which more closely resembles a range extender, just without the need to plug it in.

This means purely electric driving dynamics and no transmission required, although unlike PHEVs or full EVs, these cars will always carry an emissions burden. Power is provided from a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, which provides juice for the 140kW electric motor on the front axle. Expect fuel consumption of 5.3L/100km, notably higher than its Toyota rivals.

Combustion versions of the new Qashqai are due before the end of 2022, but we know the e-Power will come later, likely early 2023.

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Like the Qashqai, the previous generation X-Trail has perhaps outstayed its welcome in the Australian market, but the new one will be a significant upgrade, taking specific aim at the Toyota RAV4 with its e-Power tech.

Described as being “as close to an EV as possible without a plug” the e-Power X-Trail will also debut a new e-4ORCE all-wheel drive technology, which the brand claims will offer superior off-road and on-road performance to equivalent mid-size SUVs thanks to its instantaneous electric torque.

The X-Trail e-Power will combine a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with dual electric motors to produce a combined 157kW, although fuel consumption is higher than its key RAV4 rival, at 6.1L/100km.

The X-Trail range is slated for an early 2023 arrival.

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Is it a sports car? Is it an SUV? Or is it a hybrid? Well, the truth is that the BMW XM is a little bit of everything!

Even though the BMW XM is fitted with a twin-turbo petrol V8, there is also a 25.7kWh battery and an electric motor that enables and all-electric driving range of up to 88 kilometres.

But of course, BMW wouldn't call this the XM if it didn't also offer prodigious performance thanks to a total output of 480kW/800Nm.

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Mercedes-AMG is doing more with less for its new-gen C63 sledgehammer.

While the model has been known for boasting a brawny, beefy V8 for a while now, the new version halves the cylinder count but adds electrical assistance to push outputs to a mighty 500kW/1020Nm.

Despite the electric motor adding significant weight to the Mercedes-AMG C63, the 2023 model will still do 0-100km/h in just 3.4 seconds.

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The Peugeot 508 mid-size liftback and wagon is about to get more niche with the introduction of the plug-in hybrid version of the Sportswagon.

The PHEV has an electric driving range of 50km, but don't expect it to be affordable - the sedan retails for more than $80k.

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Mitsubishi has added 'Vehicle-To-Load' charging to its Eclipse Cross Plug-In Hybrid for 2023, allowing the small SUV to charge household, work or leisure items.

Other smaller changes include USB ports in the rear seats and a series of visual tweaks to the mid-grade Aspire.

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Hyundai's new-generation Kona small SUV has expanded its powertrain options, and will now include a hybrid version alongside a petrol-powered and all-electric choice.

Designed to take the fight right to the Toyota C-HR Hybrid, the Kona's new-generational changes will make it a competitive option, but the standout feature is likely its eye-catching design.

However, its 1.6-litre hybrid powertrain can return just 3.9 litres per 100km, making it one of the most frugal SUVs available in Australia.

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Sitting atop the new Alfa Romeo Tonale small SUV line-up will be a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

It won't come cheap though, priced at $77,500 before on-road costs, the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV is pricier even than some full battery electric vehicles (BEV).

Still, for those that cannot make a BEV work for their situation, a plug-in hybrid like this Alfa Romeo Tonale could fit the bill.

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

- The best new cars coming in Australia in 2023

- Best sports cars arriving in 2023

- Best SUVs arriving in 2023

- Best hatchbacks and sedans arriving in 2023

- Best crossovers and small SUVs 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