Best hybrid cars arriving in 2024

The Toyota C-HR at long last will move to its second-generation, and this time around it’s hybrid only.

Offered with the choice of either a 1.8-litre in front-wheel-drive configuration for the GXL and Koba variants, or a 2.0-litre all-wheel-drive configuration for the GR-Sport, the C-HR is on sale now.

Aside from the new styling, which matches it up with the not-for-Australia Prius, the C-HR also gets an interior overhaul with extended use of recycled materials and a larger 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen.

The Jeep Compass received an overhaul in 2024 with plugless and '4xe' plug-in hybrid variants joining the line-up.

Set to arrive in the first half of 2024, the Compass 4xe pairs a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a 179kW combined output. It maintains all-wheel drive and has a six-speed automatic transmission.

Jeep says fuel economy is as low as 1.8L/100km, and the Compass 4xe can travel up to 50km under pure electric power alone. It also says the SUV will maintain its “all-terrain vocation with efficiency not being achieved at the expense of performance.”

The plugless e-Hybrid variation, which is front-wheel drive only, features a small 14kW/55Nm electric motor and 95kW/230Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, driving the wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The Sportage - which is the Hyundai Tucson’s sister car from Kia - has arrived with hybrid power and is available now. Again, competing with the likes of the RAV4 and and X-Trail plugless hybrids.

The same 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, 44.2kW electric motor, six-speed automatic and 1.5kW battery match the Tucson hybrid, although the Kia is confirmed to be available in front-wheel drive with fuel consumption ratings as low as 4.9L/100km.

The Sportage will join the existing and larger Sorento hybrids, and Kia Australia has confirmed supply of around 200 units a month. Significantly less than that of its RAV4 rival, but more than it has been able to bring in for the Sorento.

Peugeot is going all-in on the electrification front, with a slew of hybrids and electric cars having joined its range in 2023 with more to come in 2024.

The 408 is a new nameplate joining the brand’s roster. Sitting alongside the 3008 mid-size SUV, the 408 is a more coupe-styled alternative, and will be served exclusively in plug-in hybrid form, at least initially.

It will arrive in high-spec GT form with pricing from $68K. It is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and 81kW electric motor for combined outputs of 165kW/360Nm - the same as the brand’s flagship 508 sedan and wagon.

The Citroen C5 X is part wagon, part crossover, but all a quirky offering from the ever-unconventional automaker.

Available with a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine in front-wheel drive only, a plug-in hybrid version is now available – but via special-order only through Peugeot dealers.

It has the same 165kW/360Nm combined output and 12.4kWh battery pack as the Peugeot 508 PHEV, although travels slightly further than the 508 at a WLTP-measured 63km.

The flagship version of the facelifted Touareg is the R, which uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Producing 340kW/700Nm from a 3.0-litre turbo petrol V6 and electric motor, the Tourareg R certainly has the outputs to keep pace with other performance SUVs.

Its 14.1kWh battery pack also enables an all-electric driving range of around 48km.

After a short delay compared to the combustion versions, the hybrid Sorento returns in plugless and plug-in forms.

The Sorento maintains the same 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, electric motor, and six-speed automatic transmission as before, for outputs totalling a combined 169kW for the HEV or 195kW for the PHEV.

The mid-life facelift focuses on styling and interior technology, with new software for its revised screen layout and an update to the safety suite to include the latest tech, like stop-and-go for the adaptive cruise and a new lane following assist feature.

BYD has made some big promises for 2024, possibly the largest of the lot being its forthcoming ute.

The offering from BYD won’t be a turbo-diesel, instead it will offer a plug-in hybrid powertrain dubbed 'Dual-Motor intelligence' (DM-i).

It uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor on the rear axle to deliver all-wheel-drive grip and make 320kW and 650Nm.

A 30kWh battery feeds the electric motor and provides a driving range up to 100km in pure EV mode. One snag is the low 2500kg max towing capacity and a payload of 835kg.

The brand’s local division has promised the ute was designed with Australia in mind from the beginning, claiming it will be ‘best-in class’ when it launches.

Expect to see it in the second half of 2024 if all goes to plan for the brand.

The Nissan Qashqai forms a big part of the Japanese brand's efforts to reinvigorate its range, and after adding the e-Power hybrid already a facelifted version is due later in the year.

Mechanically it remains the same as the existing model, meaning the choice of a petrol and an e-Power hybrid powertrain, but the design has changed quite a bit.

The familiar -V-motion' grille is gone in favour of a more geometric look accented by comma-shaped LED daytime running lights, small LED headlights and more. It also gets a tweaked rear end and new wheel designs and colours.

The bigger new GWM Cannon Alpha ute is sure to give Ford's product planners sleepless nights.

Larger and bolder looking than the smaller Cannon launched in 2020, it is powered by a more powerful petrol-electric hybrid engine than the current 2.0-litre four-pot turbo-diesel.

Over the existing Cannon, this new ute scores a far more luxurious interior, as well as better manners on and off the road. It should be good, so keep watching this space.

A whole new generation of MG's mid-size SUV is expected to land in Australia by September.

There will be a petrol price-leader with a more expensive plug-in hybrid also confirmed, likely packing a 20kWh-plus battery pack for 100km (or more) of EV-only driving range.

Expected outputs of 180kW and 570Nm should make the Sealion 6's life harder. As should the HS's new design in keeping with the smaller MG3's lead.