Coming soon
Here's our top six to look out for:
- Volkswagen Golf
- Renault Scenic Hybrid Assist
- Ford Mustang
- Hyundai Ioniq (plug in hybrid)
- Volvo S90 and V90 T8 (plug in hybrid)
- MINI Countryman (plug in hybrid)
Volkswagen Golf
Release date
2020
Price
£24,000 (est.)
What do we know?
Volkswagen is putting more resources into its eco-friendly hybrid models.
The popular Golf has been given a facelift for 2017, and you can already buy an electric e-Golf and plug-in hybrid GTE.
For the next-generation Golf, however, the firm has hinted there’ll be a hybrid using the 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor.
Anticipation rating
7 out of 10
Electric Golfs aren’t huge sellers... yet. But a hybrid priced closely to diesels could win more buyers round to the electric vehicle cause.
Renault Scenic Hybrid Assist
Release date
Spring 2017
Price
£24,945
What do we know?
The latest Renault Scenic proves that MPVs really can still be trendy, even in a world that’s going crossover-crazy.
The Hybrid Assist combines a 48-volt battery charged by the diesel engine with an electric motor.
It won’t run on electric power alone, but it does reduce fuel consumption by around 10%.
Anticipation rating
6 out of 10
Company car drivers will appreciate the Benefit-in-Kind tax advantages of the lower CO2 emissions and for the rest of us its a dependable option.
Ford Mustang
Release date
2020 (est.)
Price
£45,000 (est.)
What do we know?
It could be several years before it happens, but Ford has said it will be revealing seven new electric vehicles over the next five years – including a hybrid Mustang.
Don’t worry, though, it isn’t going down the Prius route. The Mustang will combine the 5.0-litre V8 with an electric motor for extra torque.
Anticipation rating
8 out of 10
It sounds a bit unnecessary, but it proves that hybrid cars don’t have to be boring. We’re quite excited by the hybrid ’Stang.
Hyundai Ioniq
Release date
Spring 2017
Price
£28,000 (est.)
What do we know?
We’ve already driven the impressive electric and hybrid versions of the Hyundai Ioniq, and the Toyota Prius will also be available as a plug-in hybrid from later in the year. A 60hp electric motor will give the plug-in Ioniq an electric-only range of 31 miles, while CO2 emissions could be as low as 32g/km.
Anticipation rating
7 out of 10
The Hyundai Ioniq is going down in history as the first car on sale with a hybrid, electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Once the latter is added to the line-up, it’ll be interesting to see how many Uber drivers take to it – rather than the Toyota Prius.
Volvo S90 and V90 T8
Release date
Late 2017
Price
£48,000 (est.)
What do we know?
Volvo is going through a radical turnaround at the moment.
First there was the Volvo XC90, and then the S90 and V90 models replaced the S80 and V70. This year we’ll see a ‘twin engine’ T8 plug-in hybrid variant of both, combining a 320hp petrol engine with an 87hp electric motor.
Prices and performance figures are yet to be confirmed, but it’s fair to say it’s going to be pretty swift.
Anticipation rating
8 out of 10
We’re big fans of the latest generation Volvos, and a plug-in hybrid V90 could be the ultimate ‘do it all’ wagon.
MINI Countryman
Release date
Late 2017
Price
£30,000 (est.)
What do we know?
There’s a new MINI Countryman in town – and, for the first time, it’ll be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. A three-cylinder petrol engine works with an electric motor to produce a combined 224hp, taking it to 62mph in 6.9 seconds.
It can run on electric power at speeds of up to 78mph, with a range of 25 miles.
Anticipation rating
6 out of 10
Plug-in hybrids are set to become trendy with the launch of the plug-in MINI Countryman. Those figures are impressive, too.
READ NEXT: