About nine in ten vehicles sold in Canada today are a utility model 鈥 that is, a crossover, pickup truck or SUV. The small car shopper from back in the day is increasingly becoming the small crossover shopper today as Canadians put increased value on fuel-efficiency, flexibility and four-wheel drive.
If you鈥檙e considering a new crossover in 2022, there鈥檚 an increasing chance you鈥檙e considering one with Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) power. With more shoppers making more sustainable lifestyle decisions than ever, this fuel-saving, performance-enhancing technology is moving rapidly across the crossover universe.
Here are 10 important things for first-time PHEV Crossover shoppers to consider in making their decision:
Hybrid drive, simply explained
In a regular crossover, power comes from a conventional gasoline-burning engine.
In a hybrid crossover, that conventional gas-burning engine is fitted with extra hardware, which allows it to do three important things: generate electricity, store that electricity and use that stored electricity to drive its wheels.
You might call this a hybrid engine, and hybrid engines automatically create and store electricity in a dedicated battery pack as you drive around.
This battery pack is fully self-recharging, and no driver input is required. It works like the battery and alternator attached to a conventional engine, but on a bigger scale.
The surplus power generated by a hybrid engine can be used to do some of the work of powering the wheels, which boosts performance and saves fuel.
There are different kinds of hybrids
Hybrid crossovers typically come in two forms.
The first is the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), which you can call a hybrid.
The second type of hybrid crossover is called the Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), which you can call a P.H.E.V. or 鈥淧EE-HEV鈥 interchangeably.
To confirm the lingo: 鈥淗ybrid鈥 refers to a standard hybrid and 鈥淧HEV鈥 refers to a plug-in hybrid.
In a PHEV, upgrades and hardware additions expand on the capabilities of the hybrid system, unlocking further benefits that we鈥檒l cover below.
Why some hybrids have a plug (And why others don鈥檛)
Using only its own self-generated electricity, a hybrid is able to boost performance while reducing fuel consumption and emissions. In a hybrid, all required electricity is generated while you drive around. There鈥檚 no plugging in possible, and no charge port to connect to.
A PHEV adds to the above. A larger battery is fitted, which can store much more electricity. In addition to the electricity generated automatically by the hybrid engine, there鈥檚 room to store an additional surplus.
This extra storage space in the battery can be refilled by plugging the PHEV into an outlet or charger. Later, it can be used to power dozens of kilometres of driving, before the gasoline engine has to turn on.
Where a hybrid can drive a moment or two using no gasoline, a PHEV can drive about 30 to 60 kilometres on a full charge before it needs to burn any fuel. This is the PHEV鈥檚 electric driving range, and it varies by model.
The gist? The PHEV driver鈥檚 shorter trips become fuel-free, and many PHEV crossover shoppers report going many months between gas station visits.
Plugging in and charging your PHEV
You can charge your PHEV in your driveway. Just plug it into a standard outlet while you鈥檙e not using it, at home or at work, and you鈥檒l refill the battery over time.
Generally, a full charge on a 120-volt outlet is an overnight ordeal, though at-home fast-chargers running 240 volts drop the time to just a few hours. Charging slowly on 120 volts is called Level 1 charging. Charging more quickly on a 240-volt connection is called Level 2 charging.
You can plug your PHEV into a Level 2 public charger, perhaps while shopping, at work, skating or seeing a movie.
Remember, since the PHEV has a gasoline-burning hybrid engine, there鈥檚 no need to plug it in unless it鈥檚 convenient for you to do so. As long as there鈥檚 fuel in your tank, you鈥檙e ready to drive.
Hybrid AWD options
Many PHEV crossovers come with all wheel drive. Ensuring optimal traction for any condition, PHEV models like the Toyota RAV4 Prime, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Hyundai Tucson PHEV are AWD-equipped.
Many AWD-equipped PHEV crossovers use their hybrid engine to drive the front wheels, and an electric motor to drive the rear wheels. This eliminates the need for mechanical hardware, including driveshafts, to power the rear wheels. With the added torque and immediate control offered by an electric motor, PHEV AWD systems deliver fast-acting response that drivers will appreciate in slippery conditions.
Other PHEV crossovers like the Kia Niro and Ford Escape are front-wheel drive only.
Doing the math (how much could you save):
Hybrids are sold for a premium over non-hybrid models, and PHEV models command an even higher ask.
For instance, the new Kia Sorento with standard gasoline engine is priced from $34,295, while the Sorento Hybrid starts at $36,695. The Sorento PHEV starts at $44,995.
Similarly, a Ford Escape starts at $27,149 with its standard gasoline engine, while the Escape Hybrid comes in from $29,349. The Escape PHEV starts at $35,649.
In part, the added cost is the result of PHEV models commonly being built around high-end trim grades that come loaded with options. In any case, each step up, the pricing ladder comes with an associated reduction in long-term fuel costs.
For instance, both the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4 are available in conventional, hybrid and PHEV options, with annual fuel costs of around $2,100, $1,500 and $850, respectively.
Put another way, stepping from a regular crossover into a hybrid can save you $600 per year on gas, and stepping up to a PHEV could cut your annual fuel bill by more than half.
Check out the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Annual Fuel Consumption Guide for more details.
Buying a used PHEV crossover:
If you鈥檙e buying a PHEV crossover from the second-hand market, keep three tips in mind to help you find the best unit possible for your dollar.
First? Always have the vehicle inspected by a factory-trained technician before you buy. This can reveal potential trouble with vehicle hardware and software that could cost you money. Buying a used PHEV without a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) is not advised.
Second? Be sure to check all charging cables and provisions before your purchase. Worn out or damaged charging cables and connectors can pose a safety risk, damage your vehicle and cost you money.
Third? Only plug your PHEV in using approved chargers and cables. Remember that damage caused to your vehicle鈥檚 charge port or internal systems by a low-quality, non-approved charger is not covered by warranty.
Worth the wait?
When opting for a new PHEV crossover, patience is key because supply is limited.
That鈥檚 thanks in part to supply and demand issues exacerbated by the global chip shortage, and it means that some PHEV models may take months to arrive after you secure your order.
Further, much of the limited available stock on PHEV crossovers is allocated for sale in select provinces, primarily Quebec and B.C., where they鈥檙e the most popular. These factors are only helping make PHEV crossovers more difficult to get.
