Hybrids coming in 2016

PHEV: Price TBA

For 2016, BMW joins Porsche by offering a plug-in hybrid option in a European luxury SUV. In the case of the mid-size X5, the electric motor is integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. Up to 20 kilometres of electric driving is available, at speeds up to 120 km/h, before the 2.0-litre 240-hp four-cylinder gas engine needs to chime in. Claimed 0-100-km/h time is a brisk 6.8 seconds and the 40e retains the same AWD system as its conventional siblings.

HEV or PHEV: From $29,649

The second-generation Sonata Hybrid is here, and will soon be joined by a plug-in version. With a stronger electric motor than its sibling and a 9.8-kwh battery the Sonata PHEV has an official electric range of 39 kilometres. That’s a little more than most other PHEVs, though still well short of the Volt’s 85. Both versions employ a 154-hp 2.0-litre engine and a conventional six-speed automatic transmission, thus avoiding those annoying surges of engine rpm typical of CVT-equipped hybrids.

EREV: From $38,390

Although the Volt can be plugged in like a PHEV, and has both a gas engine and electric motors, GM calls it an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) rather than a plug-in hybrid. Behind the semantics, the Volt’s 1.5-litre gas engine is basically a generator that recharges the battery but doesn’t directly drive the car. Whatever. What you need to know is the Gen 2 Volt is lighter, faster, roomier and has an even greater electric range (85 kilometres compared with 61) than its standard-setting predecessor. And it costs less to buy.

HEV: Pricing TBA

Toyota pioneered hybrids with the Prius and it pioneered the “cute-ute” compact crossover genre with the RAV4. Now both concepts (finally) come together in the RAV4 Hybrid. To be offered in XLE and Limited trims, it will be the first full hybrid – one that can sometimes run on electric power alone – in this hot-selling segment since the 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid. Like its Highlander big brother, the RAV4 Hybrid uses its rear electric motor to provide all-wheel drive. Pricing will be released closer to the mid-November on-sale date.

HEV: Pricing TBA

Acura’s born-again supercar doesn’t just demonstrate how electrification can amplify acceleration; the NS-X also channels its electric side to optimize handling. While one of its three electric motors is sandwiched conventionally between the mid-mounted 3.5-litre twin-turbo gas V-6 and the nine-speed dual-clutch transmission, each of the other two motors drives one of the front wheels. By varying the amount of torque sent to each front wheel, the car’s agility and/or stability can be enhanced as needed.