There are many hybrids on the market right now. In general, they are smaller vehicles like the Prius. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it doesn’t serve the needs of many drivers. Here are some vehicles that are proving that hybrids are getting bigger and better in every way.
The Honda CR-V Hybrid
The Honda CR-V is a true hybrid, earning about 40 miles per gallon on the highway. It’s also affordable, making it accessible to more families. The definition of a true hybrid, in this case, is one that isn’t given a hybrid motor to increase horsepower without regard to efficiency.
For those who think a true hybrid can’t be big, the Honda CR-V Hybrid is on hand to make a point. The hybrid version of the popular Honda CR-V offers best-in-class accommodations. Its cargo hold is around 33 cubic feet. The backseat has 40.4 inches of legroom, a figure that many rivals can’t match.
At 182 inches long and 66 inches high, this SUV has been streamlined and yet it still occupies a lot of space. The curb weight is 3,700-plus, more than the regular CR-V. However, it has the power to move this load. The powertrain produces a net 212 horsepower. This exceeds the regular CR-V by 22 horses.
Even better, the CR-V Hybrid can produce 232 pound-feet of torque. It’s this push that makes the hybrid competitive in busy traffic and gives an edge when heading up a steep incline. It doesn’t drive like many people expect a hybrid to drive, in other words. And that’s a good thing.
The Ford Maverick
Coming with the wave of 2022 models, the Ford Maverick arrives as the first hybrid truck. It is a midsize with a 4.5-foot bed. While Ford tried to keep this one small, it is still 199 inches long. It’s 83 inches wide before you count its mirrors. At 68 inches, it’s a bit taller than the Honda CR-V Hybrid. The cabin offers a generous 100 cubic feet of passenger space on two rows.
The powertrain yields 189 horsepower through the combination of its engine and electric motor. It can handle up to a 2,000-pound tow when properly equipped. The 33-cubic foot bed can handle up to 1,500 pounds of payload.
While smaller than the Ranger, the Maverick is still sizable, and the fact that it is expected to earn 40 miles per gallon in the city is excellent. You’ll notice this is in line with the CR-V Hybrid, although the two don’t share any specific technology.
The Lexus UX 250h
The hybrid edition of the Lexus UX crossover is another case in point. This small SUV weighs over 3,600 pounds. This makes it considerably bigger than the Prius both in terms of physical size and spaciousness. At 177 inches long, it is five inches smaller than the CR-V Hybrid.
A good fit for smaller families, this hybrid doesn’t sacrifice spaciousness to have hybrid technology. In fact, the cargo hold is listed as bigger in the UX 250h than the standard UX. At 21.7 cubic feet, it’s generous for a crossover this size.
The powertrain produces 181 horsepower. With its electric motor for added umph, the UX 250h actually does the 0-60 sprint faster than the regular UX with its gas engine.
Adding value, all-wheel drive is standard. Generally that hurts fuel economy, but not in this case. The Lexus UX 250h has impressive stats. In the city, it earns 41 miles per gallon. In highway driving, it earns 38 miles per gallon.
The Honda HR-V Hybrid
Soon to be released in the European market, Honda has added a hybrid powertrain to its popular HR-V Hybrid. Not all of the details have emerged yet, but the expectation is that it will have the same type of hybrid set-up as the CR-V. This would give it a 212-horsepower output and that terrific 232 lb-ft of torque.
This set-up would ensure that fuel economy was as good as the Honda CR-V Hybrid or better, since the HR-V is smaller. Still, the HR-V is 170 inches long and 63 inches high. The current version weighs over 3,000 pounds.
The current model measures 39.3 inches of rear legroom. The cabin has over 100 cubic feet of passenger space, making it about 7 cubic feet bigger than the Prius.
With more hybrids in bigger sizes on the horizon, the fuel-saving technology is sure to appeal to more buyers. This is especially true when the pricetag is affordable compared to the alternative.
Bigger SUVs and trucks are getting boosters from hybrid technology. Maybe soon they, too, will be on this list as manufacturers figure out how to produce more power and use less gasoline to do it.
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