As the automotive landscape shifts, soon vehicles that are equipped only with traditional, gas-powered engines will be rendered obsolete—or antiquated. While many automakers are doubling down on all-electric designs, it will likely take some time before the vast majority of cars out on the road are exclusively powered by rechargeable electric batteries. Here’s a glance at five efficient models produced by a diversified group of automotive brands.
Porsche
Most efficient hybrid: 2020 Panamera 4 E-Hybrid*
Range on battery charge: 14 miles
Other sustainability features: Equipped with Porsche Connect, an app that allows drivers to easily find charging options and to monitor various vehicle functions, including the car’s current charged state. Future efforts: Porsche has confirmed that the next generation of the Macan will be a fully electric vehicle, the first all-electric compact SUV that Porsche has produced. According to Oliver Blume, the chairman of the board of management for Porsche AG, the company “will be investing more than six billion euros in electric mobility” by 2022. He estimates that by 2025, 50% of all new Porsche vehicles could be equipped with an electric drivetrain.
Starting price: $103,800
porsche.com
*The 2021 model, to be unveiled this spring, will likely offer better range and efficiency, since it is equipped with an updated battery with more capacity. (EPA figures were not available at the time this story went to press.)
BMW
Most efficient hybrid: 330e PHEV Sedan
Range on battery charge: 22 miles
Other sustainability features: Qualifies for up to $5,836 in federal tax credits and also qualifies for state-issued incentives for plug-in electric vehicles.
Future efforts: The 2022 i4 and iX will both be fully electric vehicles. Other existing models will be modified to include hybrid variants, as well.
Starting price: $44,550
bmwusa.com
Land Rover
Most efficient hybrid: 2021 Range Rover P400e and Sport P400e
Range on battery charge: 19 miles
Other sustainability features: When cruising at sustained speeds faster than 65 mph, the suspension will lower the body by 0.6 inches to further reduce drag. A dedicated Eco mode can guide drivers on how they can improve the vehicle’s efficiency. The vehicle’s Predictive Energy Optimization system will analyze traffic, the gradient of a route, and whether the trip that is programed into the navigation system is urban or rural, and then it will seamlessly combine the use of the electric and gas engines for the most efficient travel.
Future efforts: Land Rover cannot comment on future product plans.
Starting price: $83,000 for Sport P400e HSE Silver Edition; $97,000 for P400e HSE
landroverusa.com
Volvo
Most efficient hybrid: S60 Recharge
Range on battery charge: 22 miles
Other sustainability features: Features three drive modes that offer zero tailpipe emission commuting, maximum fuel efficiency, and high performance.
Future efforts: Volvo will invest $84 million into in-house electric-motor production. The company will triple the manufacturing capacity for electric vehicles at its Belgium plant, and its goal for 2025 is to have a global fleet of vehicles in which 50% are fully electric cars and the rest are hybrids.
Starting price: $47,650
volvocars.com
Audi
Most efficient hybrid: 2021 Audi A7 55 TFSI e
Range on battery charge: 24 miles
Other sustainability features: The A7 is equipped with Predictive Efficiency Assist, which analyzes the topography in the navigation system to maximize efficiency. The vehicle also defaults to using EV mode unless the driver specifies otherwise.
Future efforts: Audi will soon expand its all-electric portfolio with the e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT, as well as with Q4 e-tron SUV models.
Starting price: $74,900
audiusa.com
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