Luxury cars have long been known for their use of advanced technology, and the new hybrids of luxury car brands are not an exception. With the growing number of people looking for greener cars, car manufacturers are stepping up their game.
Hybrid cars combine two different types of power sources (electric motors and combustion engines) for better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. The cars typically also have standard all-wheel drive to save money on gas. In some versions of luxury hybrid cars, their gas mileage is far superior to their conventional engine counterparts.
Hybrid cars typically consume less fuel and are much more environmentally-friendly, as they have lower CO2 emission levels than conventional cars.
This may positively impact the amount of road tax, company car tax and the amount of congestion charges paid by an owner of a hybrid vehicle.
There are many types of hybrid cars, there are plug-in hybrids, mild, full and extended-range hybrids and depending on what type of hybrid and the brand, you may be looking at prices in excess of $50,000.
This list of luxury hybrid cars was put together on the basis of the cars' efficiency, performance, its safety, comfort and overall look and feel.
So, without further ado, here is a list of some of the best hybrid cars on the market at the moment.
The 2022 upgrade to the Lexus ES midsize luxury sedan has great handling and mileage. The Lexus ES Hybrid offers a high quality ride with both its efficient and hybrid powertrain options of driving, which ensures for a quiet ride, regardless of which choice of mode you use within the powertrain option.
The Lexus ES Hybrid offers a 203 horsepower 250 all-wheel drive (AWD), a 302 horsepower front-wheel drive 350 with a 3.5 liter V-6 engine Sport mode and then a luxury AWD mode. The upgrade also boasts LED headlights, an improved touchscreen infotainment interface and some other cosmetic upgrades.
In terms of performance, the 300 horsepower hybrid is efficient and offers a full hybrid setup with an electric motor and 2.5 liter inline -4 with an EPA-rated 44 MPG. This makes it a great choice for driving around in town and on the highway. The car in the city gets 43 MPG and cannot be matched by any gas engine rivals on the market.
It comfortably seats five people in its spacious cabin and offers leather and wood finishes and boasts excellent crash-test scores and offers automatic emergency braking, lane control and new blind-spot monitors.
The Lexus ES seats five adults, but four would prefer no fifth. A leather- and wood-trimmed steering wheel, heated and cooled leather seats, and other upgrades make for all-day easy cruising. The rear seats don’t fold flat, but a pass-through opens up space for longer items that can’t fit in the trunk’s 13.9 cubic feet of space.
Crash-test scores have been excellent, and the ES has standard automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and blind-spot monitors newly standard this year.
Summary
To summarize, the Lexus ES Hybrid is an exceptional hybrid car with great fuel economy, that is safe and performs well.
Pros:
Economic
Powerful V-6 engine
Calm, quiet ride
Safety optimizing technology
Cons:
The look of the car may not be to everyone's taste.
Although it can seat five people, it performs better with less.
When testing this product, we loved: the performance and feel of the car.
This unique hatchback has a wonderful performance and offers a brand-new infotainment system which offers Spotify, wireless Android and Apple Auto and CarPlay, respectively and improved voice recognition.
It offers a range of models and outputs that range from 325 and 690 horsepower and is offered in rear or all-wheel drive and can reach 60 miles per hour between 5.2 and 2.9 seconds depending on the model.
The car performs well and has a 3 liter V-6 engine. The 4 E-Hybrid reaches a horsepower of 443 and has a full 19 miles of electric driving range. The E-hybrid has a plug-in drivetrain which gets up to 22 MPG when combined with the gas engine.
The new Panamera has adaptive dampers and has a steady but easy ride. It has a chic exterior and boasts a luxurious cabin interior and offers all that you could want out of a car- practicality, luxury, and comfort.
All models come with touchscreen infotainment systems and are paired with leather interiors.
When it comes to safety, these cars are equipped with emergency braking, lane control, navigation, night vision and adaptive cruise control.
Summary
The Porsche Panamera Hybrid hatchback balances performance and price and is unlike any of the other hybrids on the market.
This mild-hybrid engine in the Volvo S90 is a good comparison to the Mercedes-Benz E-class.
The Volvo S90 has a mild-hybrid version of the turbocharged and supercharged 2 liter inline-4 engine. There is an option to recharge via a plug-in, which will give up to 20 miles of electric only driving.
When combined with the gas engine, the car will get a fuel economy of between 25 and 26 MPG.
This new setup means that the powertrain is smoother and the transition from supercharge to turbocharge is much quicker and responsive.
Volvo has a long-standing reputation for elegance in their design and gorgeous interiors. These qualities offer comfort and a spacious cabin.
Volvo has been known to make safety their biggest priority, and the safety technology is a given in any model. It has a unique system, Pilot Assist, which allows for hands-free driving (for a limited time) and is made complete with a surround-view system. Additionally, they score highly on their crash-test scores.
Summary
The Volvo S90 is an elegant, high-performer and is a great choice of hybrid car.
Pros:
Beautiful exterior and interior design.
Tons of safety technology included which are smart-app controlled.
It is comfortable, yet powerful.
Cons:
Expensive
Despite the cabin space being relatively large, the trunk space is small.
When testing this product, we loved: the sleek and elegant design as well as the safety features.
The BMW 7 Series comes in a range of models, including the 745e xDrive Plug-In Hybrid. The 745e plug-in hybrid is a turbo-6 motor paired with a lithium-ion battery, which is there to improve fuel economy; but only slightly.
The 745e plug-in hybrid only provides 17 miles of electric-only driving and even when combined with the twin-turbo V8 engine, it only gets to 22 MPG.
Having said that, it offers a lot of safety features including adaptive LED headlights and for an extra two grand, you can have the addition of adaptive cruise control which can change lanes when you tap on the signal and can stop or move the car in traffic with little input from the driver.
With the brand that is BMW, you cannot expect anything other than a comfortable driving experience-the car is nicely balanced, gives a smooth ride. The inside is spacious and uses high-end materials for its finishes. Overall, it is a very attractive car and feels luxurious to drive.
However, the cost for what you get in terms of fuel savings and other features is not always justifiable. Especially when there are other hybrid choices out there.
Summary
The 745e xDrive Plug-In Hybrid is a great car and meets the high quality standards expected from a BMW but if you want all the tech and to feel the benefits of this hybrid, it is going to cost you.
Pros:
Great engine and motor combination.
Smooth and luxurious ride.
Cons:
Expensive.
Only 17 miles were achieved after a full charge.
When testing this product, we loved: the comfort of the ride.
Audi has 4 models in the A8 range, including the plug-in hybrid 60 TFSI e quattro. It is powered by a 335 horsepower turbocharged 3 liter V-6 engine together with an electric motor that works on a 14.1-kwh lithium-ion battery to form a mild hybrid. However, there is a plug in version which can get to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds.
Although the car looks conservative and plain on the outside, the car is filled with technology inside, including tons of safety technology. Including additional extras such as traffic sign recognition and a system that detects passing cars and cyclists so that passengers and drivers do not open the doors to the car.
The performance of the hybrid is second to none-it delivers the right amount of power and handles very smoothly. The priority of Audi is always to provide a comfortable ride that is luxurious, and they get it right with the A8 hybrid.
The interior is made out of the most premium materials and the vehicle offers loads of tech features which make driving a breeze-such as heated seats, wireless charging stations, a panoramic sunroof and a two-screen infotainment system.
In terms of fuel economy, the plug-in hybrid improves the fuel economy of the car while still delivering the much-needed power and gives 26 MPG on the highway.
Summary
Audi is always a brand of car that you can count on to deliver luxury. This hybrid does that, without the loss of power.
Pros:
Comfortable and spacious
A lot of good Tech Features available.
Powerful car.
Cons:
This car is expensive.
The two-screen infotainment system may be confusing for some.
Styling of the exterior may be a bit boring.
When testing this product, we loved: space, comfort and power.
The E-Class also has several models on offer. There is the entry-level model E30 which offers a 255 horsepower 2 liter turbo engine and the E450 and AMG E53 are an upgrade to this with a turbo inline-6 combustion engine paired with a mild-hybrid motor system.
The hybrid increases fuel efficiency to 25 MPG when used in combination with the gas engine, without any loss of power.
The E450 will also reach up to 362 horsepower, despite the extra weight of the motor, the vehicle still manages to reach 60 miles per hour in under 5 seconds. This is an incredible output considering the extra weight on the drivetrain.
What is more, is that the E450 hybrid eliminates any lag experienced from a stop and cleverly switches off the engine coasting into a stop, which increases efficiency.
Other than that, the vehicle has impressive handling and provides a luxurious, safe and comfortable ride.
Summary
This hybrid is one of the most powerful on the market, while providing a luxurious and green ride.
Pros:
Efficient mild-hybrid system.
It is the perfect balance between style, efficiency, and power.
Cons:
None worth mentioning.
When testing this product, we loved: that it offers a lot of space for passengers, great performance, and it feels like a luxurious sedan.
The BMW 3 Series is the flagship of the German manufacturer and comes in three different variations; the 330i, 335i and M3.
All three variants come with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine coupled with a 6 speed manual transmission or a 7 speed dual clutch automatic. The M3 variant comes with a twin-turbo V8 engine which produces over 500 horsepower.
The M3 is the only version of the 3 series that comes with a mild-hybrid system, which allows the driver to select whether he wants to use the electric motor or the gasoline engine.
The mild-hybrid system uses the electric motor to increase fuel efficiency by using regenerative braking to recharge the battery. The mild-hybrids also have a low-speed starter generator, which enables the car to start quickly even if there is no electricity.
The BMW 3 Series Hybrid also delivers impressive acceleration and top speeds of 155 mph. It reaches 0-60 mph in just 5.4 seconds and can travel up to 23 miles on a single charge (for electric only driving).
The interior of the 3 Series Hybrid is spacious and comfortable. It also features a high quality leather steering wheel and seats.
Summary
The 3 Series Hybrid is a very good choice if you want a sporty yet efficient luxury sedan.
Pros:
Very fast acceleration.
Excellent handling.
Great design.
Cons:
Not as practical as other hybrids.
When testing this product, we loved: that it delivers exceptional handling and impressive performance.
Best Luxury Hybrid Buying Guide
Buying a luxury hybrid is not easy-there are so many options out there and each option has its pros and cons. This buyer’s guide is intended to assist you in making the right decision when buying your next luxury hybrid.
Price
The first consideration that is on most people's list is the price of the luxury hybrid. More often than not, the more features you add on to the vehicle, the more pricey it will become. If you go in with an entry-level model with the capacity to be hybrid, this addition will usually cost a bit more than the entry-level model alone.
Thankfully, most of these vehicle brands above have many models and options for you to choose from to create the luxury hybrid you desire.
Driving Habits
There are several things to consider here, firstly, how much driving do you do? Do you travel long distances every day or just for vacations? If you are just driving in and around town, then a hybrid vehicle, no matter which kind may be suitable for you.
Fuel Efficiency and Speed
In terms of fuel efficiency, most of the hybrids on the list are more fuel efficient than conventional, combustion engine only vehicles.
However, they are also in general mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicles, with the plug-in versions being slightly more efficient than the mild-hybrids because mild-hybrids don't take over the engine like full or plug-in hybrids.
If you are focused on trying to save money on fuel, perhaps take into consideration how much fuel efficiency the hybrid will offer you on an MPG basis.
Additionally, if you are a speed-junkie, try to look for a hybrid option that does not take away too much power from the car in terms of overall speed and acceleration.
Brand Prestige
If you are looking for prestige, then you should look at the brand name of the luxury hybrid. Some of the luxury brands such as Lexus have been producing their own luxury hybrids for years now.
However, other luxury car brands have jumped on the bandwagon. These brands are known for their high quality products and luxurious interiors.
Other Features
Another thing to consider is safety. When purchasing any car, safety is always important, especially when considering a luxury hybrid.
Look for a luxury hybrid that comes with standard safety features such as airbags, adaptive LED headlights, and additional features like lane control, surround-view cameras and other sensors to detect movement close to the car.
Something else to consider is the look and feel of the vehicle exterior and interior-how many comfort features are you wanting? How much tech do you want in the vehicle, such as wireless charging, or voice recognition?
These are all factors that may influence your buying of a hybrid car.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Hybrid Cars, and How do Hybrids Work?
As mentioned briefly, hybrid cars combine a petrol or diesel powered (a combustion engine) engine with an electric motor. The electric motor stores energy in the car battery, but is not necessarily plugged into an electrical outlet to charge.
The batteries can be charged by regenerative braking and by using its own internal combustion engine. This action powers auxiliary loads and decreases idle time when the car is still but running, thus improving fuel economy and overall performance.
Some batteries can store enough energy to have the vehicle running for 40 miles and speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. As mentioned, there are a few types of hybrids, namely full hybrids, mild hybrids, plug-in and range-extended hybrids.
Full hybrids, also known as parallel hybrids, use the combustion engine and electric motors either simultaneously or each alone.
The combustion engine usually kicks in when speed is increased or during acceleration and when you are idling or when you use the brakes, the braking system produces electricity which charges the battery in which it is stored for use later on.
Mild hybrids work on the same principles as full hybrids, but the electric motor is used only to assist the engine and doesn't take over completely. Next, the plug-in hybrids are vehicles which can be plugged into an electricity outlet to charge its batteries and move the goalposts closer to being an electric car.
The batteries can be charged overnight, and the car will start using the electric mode until the charge of the battery runs out, then only will the combustion engine take over. Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is the best out of all the hybrid models of vehicles because of how little the combustion engine is used.
Range-extender hybrids only use the combustion engine to produce electricity for a generator that acts as a range-extender that recharges the battery- i.e., the combustion engine only produces energy for the electric motor and is not used to power or drive the car itself.
There are many benefits to owning a hybrid car for example, when driving a hybrid, it will feel a lot like driving an automatic car on a combustion or gas engine, which means there is little compromise on comfort and performance.
There are also varying types of power modes in a hybrid car-from eco-modes (which are extremely fuel efficient) to power modes which are less fuel efficient as this is when the combustion engine kicks in.
With hybrids, you don't have to worry about being far away from charging points because the battery is charged through driving. Hybrid cars will suit your lifestyle if most of your mileage is done in and around town, but if you are driving a lot on motorways, you would probably be better off with a fuel efficient diesel car.
Derek Bruce has interests in many diverse subjects, including gardening, electric vehicles, creative writing and science fiction. "Really look at any flower or mechanism and you will see the whole Universe!"
Sitemap DB Marketing and SEO, Casa de Serrabodes, CP827, Mexhilhoeira Grande, Faro, Portugal - Bus. Reg: 9996004777432 - Tel: +351 969147910 derekbruce597@gmail.com
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