When pressed by fluctuating fossil fuel pump prices, the Chancellor of the Exchequer striking the motorist with fresh car taxes and an unavoidable need to address automotive pollution, the channelling of car ownership towards viable alternatives has grown like Topsy. There is seldom a greater game-changer than ‘fear’…although it is tinged these days with more than a soupcon of positive reality.
While Toyota and Honda vied for the honour of introducing British motorists to petrol-hybrid technology, with their Prius and Insight models respectively, the new car scene was relatively slow on the uptake. Offered the opportunity in 2001 to endure a year at the controls of the pretty Honda Insight coupe, I admitted to becoming an ardent fan. Its 999cc/electric-motor combination highlights included brisk acceleration, space-age looks, at-the-time-zero-VED and over 88mpg capabilities. I was hooked.
Despite significant advances in the technology, it is only the past five to seven years that has witnessed the market making these cars more welcome. Although Electric Vehicles (EVs) can provide a near-perfect solution, with quiet, zesty and pollution-free progress being key attractions, aspects such as ‘range anxiety’ and a need to recharge regularly mean that they do not fit into the majority of lifestyles, beyond the cityscape. To be fair, battery developments are erasing the negatives and there is more to come on the EV front.
Yet, hybrids have captured the zeitgeist, with almost every carmaker, from Alfa Romeo to Volvo, offering a growing range of ‘conventional’, self-charging hybrid and the more recent ‘plug-in’ types of technology that offer a vastly increased EV-alone mileage range. Whether seeking a sub-compact, such as a Toyota Yaris Hybrid, investing rather more in a Porsche Panamera Hybrid, or deciding that a Plug-in Hybrid EV (PHEV), such as a Mitsubishi Outlander, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, or Volvo XC90 T8 might be preferable, the lure of over-100mpg fuel returns appears to outweigh the demerits, such as smaller boots and less practicality. However, there is growing interest in ‘range extenders’, such as the BMWs i3 and i8, where EV-mode is the priority but a compact (1.5-litre, three-cylinder, petrol) power unit assumes the responsibility for propulsion, when the batteries need recharging.
Buying into the hybrid revolution can be expensive, although some carmakers, such as Toyota and Mitsubishi, have amortised much of their immense, initial development costs, which has allowed greater equalisation with diesel alternatives in their price lists. The popularity of SUVs has also ensured that models, like the aforementioned Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV but also the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, have been whisked to the top of the sales charts.
Tech-led manufacturers, such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus and Volvo are fulfilling a desire for both high-end SUVs and more conventional hybrid versions of their family saloons. The Merc C300h and BMW 330e are well-engineered, premium cases in point. Yet, mainstreamers, such as Volkswagen, have been cashing-in on the hunt for more rudimentary hybrids. The German firm’s Golf GTE (matched by the Audi A3 e-tron) delivers performance and handling on a par with a GTi but, with 39g/km CO2 emissions and around 31 miles of EV range, the ‘green’ benefits are obvious. However, VW also produces the Passat GTE, which, in estate car form, not only provides executive-class accommodation but great carrying space, allied to strong pace and frugality.
Yet, I have a couple of favourites that I should like to highlight to you. The first is the Suzuki Swift SHVC, which features a ‘mild-hybrid’ enhancement in sub-compact, hatchback form. In its case, the assist battery enables all car functions to operate seamlessly in ‘stop:start’ mode, while also boosting both acceleration and easy cruising at the other end of the scale. Lightweight construction, agile handling and an efficient 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine enable 70mpg potential and easy access to hybrid technology.
My second personal favourite is the Toyota CH-R hybrid, which complies with compact-SUV demands but is powered by the full 1.8-litre petrol-hybrid set-up of the Toyota Prius. Attaining 79mpg is its ace card, allied to racy good looks and innumerable occupant-pleasing features.
If there are any caveats on the hybrid scene, the first lies in not being gulled by claims of astronomical fuel economy, because you will be disappointed by the actual returns, although they are very good. While the technology is now highly refined and very dependable, unless covered by warranty, repairs can be expensive. Bear in mind that some of the performance-enhanced hybrids are playing to racier demands.
