High-End Hybrid Tech
When you think of vehicles that are packed with the highest tech gadgets, you may think that these are all extremely high-priced cars. That isn’t always true. Certainly, the high-end luxury cars get the lion’s share of innovative technological wonders first, but as this listing proves, high tech plug-in hybrids come in many forms, from the over half a million-dollar Ferrari SF90, all the way down to the affordable, with a starting MSRP of $28,000, Hyundai Ioniq. Lower priced PHEVs get all the bells and whistles if you go up a trim level or two.
Today's Best High-Tech Plug-In Hybrids
We’ve listed the following top ten high-tech wonders alphabetically by automaker. Just for fun, we threw in the Ferrari for your perusal.
Audi A7 TSFI e
We begin with this sleek sedan by Audi. We think it is one of the best midsize luxury cars you can buy. The TSFI e brings you 362-horsepower in a plug-in hybrid package with all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It will take you 24 miles on electric-only power and after that, has an EPA-estimated 68 MPG combined. Zero to 60 mph happens in 5.7 seconds.
Standard tech includes a top view camera with Virtual 360 view, Audi’s latest MIB 3 infotainment system, heated front leather seats, adaptive cruise control, LED headlights. Premium Plus models come with ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, active lane assist, and cruise assist, and much more. Prestige trim even adds seats that massage you.
MSRP starts at $75,945
BMW 330e
Recently updated, the 330e brings you the ultimate driving machine in a plug-in hybrid suit. A turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine is paired with a 111-horsepower electric motor for a total of 228-horses. XtraBoost tech give this 3-series sedan an extra 40 horsepower in Sport mode. Top speed in electric-only mode is 87 mph and it will take you 23 miles on battery power alone. EPA fuel economy is 75 MPGe in rear-wheel drive and 67 MPGe in all-wheel drive.
Tech includes BMW’s Connected Package Professional with real-time traffic conditions, hazard preview, and intelligent personal assistant. BMW Assist eCall for emergency calls, automatic collision notification, rear-view camera, LED running lights, lane departure warning, and more.
MSRP starts at $43,945
Ferrari SF90 Stradale
This is no Hyundai Ioniq. The 986-horsepower Stradale two-seater is an electrified coupe that gets an EPA-estimated 51 MPGe. Starting with a 769-hp twin-turbo V8 engine, Ferrari adds three electric motors to bump up the horsepower making this one insanely fast super car. Zero to 60mph happens in just 2.3 seconds!
All the tech in this speed demon is used to make this thing corner and steer like a race car on steroids and to blast you into the stratosphere with face-melting speed. It includes anti-lock brakes, stability control, and front impact airbags, a navigation system and parking assist. Ferrari tells us it includes a stereo, not that you can hear it over the growl of the motor.
MSRP starts at $625,000
Hyundai Ioniq PHEV
The plug-in hybrid version of the Ioniq sports a more powerful electric motor than its hybrid brother and a larger battery pack. You can drive 29 miles on electric-only power before using the gas engine. It drives and acts much like a traditional gas-powered car. The four-door, five-seater crossover is a favorite of families looking for a safe and affordable everyday ride. It offers space and style combined with the latest technology and connectivity.
Tech wise, the Ioniq includes real-time traffic, weather, speed camera alerts, fuel price info and on street parking. There’s Bluelink voice recognition for seamless connectivity to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Hyundai Smart Sense includes smart cruise control, forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision warning with lane change assist, driver attention warning, and speed limit warning. That’s a lot of technology for under 30K.
MSRP starts at $27,845
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
Capability meets sustainability in the new 4xe plug-in hybrid Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV. It gives you 375 horsepower from its turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine and electric motor combo for an EPA fuel economy rating of 23 mpg combined. With 470 pound-feet of torque, the Jeep can tow 6,000 pounds and will take you 470 miles of combined driving range.
In the tech department, the Grand Cherokee offers 110 standard and available safety features. These include Active Driving Assist which uses sensors and radar to keep maintain a safe distance from other vehicles including adaptive cruise control, active lane management, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, and rear park assist. Additional safety features include surround view camera, intersection collision assist, parallel parking assist, drowsy driver detection, and even night vision.
MSRP starts at $60,695
Karma GS-6
This exciting four-door grand touring car is a plug-in hybrid uses the three-cylinder gas engine from a BMW i8 married to two electric motors at the rear wheels for 536-horsepower. It will take you 61 miles on the electric battery alone and zero to 60 mph takes just 4 seconds. EPA estimated fuel economy is rated at 71 mpg city and 69 mpg on the highway.
A host of safety and driver assist features include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, curve adaptive headlights, 360 view camera, and park distance monitor. Over-the-air software updates makes improvements without a visit to the dealership.
MSRP starts at $85,700
Lexus NX450H+
This stylish crossover with the very odd name has been completely redesigned featuring a 302-horsepower hybrid powertrain from the Toyota RAV4 Prime. EPA ratings tell us the NX will take you 84 MPGe and 550 miles on a tank of gas. This luxury compact can also take you 37 miles on electricity alone.
When it comes to infotainment and safety tech, Lexus voice assistant responds to you and your passengers, changing adaptive ambient lighting, offering Alexa to open or close your windows or play your favorite music. Safety System Plus includes lane departure alert, pre-collision alert with pedestrian detection, intersection turn assist, front and rear cross traffic alert, 360 view camera, blind-spot monitor, dynamic radar cruise control, lane change assist, road sign assist, head up display, and advanced parking actually parks your can all by itself. That’s a lot of high-tech for the money.
MSRP starts at $56,725
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
This is one of the fastest SUVs ever made, with a zero to 60 mph time of just 3.2 seconds. The Cayenne E-Hybrid combines a 335-horsepower V6 engine with a 134-horsepower electric motor for a total of 455 horses. Of the Porsche plug-in hybrid cars, this is the least expensive option. Both the Cayenne Coupe and Turbo S Coupe cost more. Fuel economy is 46 MPGe.
Besides this SUV’s amazing performance tech, it also features anti-lock brakes, stability control, and front and side airbags. You’ll find cruise control, keyless drive, navigation, a 10-speaker sound system and voice command. Standard driver assist features include warn and brake assist, front and rear park assist, rearview camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and LED headlights.
MSRP starts at $86,500
Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
The Crosstrek has earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for its outstanding safety features. With an EPA estimated 90 MPGe combined rating, this all-wheel drive clever crossover is ready for adventure and will take you 480 miles on a tank of gas.
As far as tech, the Crosstrek includes Subaru’s standard Eyesight Driver Assist technology that has reduced rear-end crashes by 85 percent. This tech includes adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, pre-collision braking, pre-collision throttle management, and more.
MSRP starts at $36,845
Toyota RAV4 Prime
America’s most popular crossover is now a plug-in hybrid. The RAV4 Prime sports a 302-horsepower hybrid powertrain that is faster than the Supra sports car. It comes with an industry-leading 10-year, 150,000 battery warranty and the EPA rates fuel economy at 94 MPGe.
Tech includes a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Sirius XM radio. The RAV4 includes Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 driver assist features such as its pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, enhanced stability control, 360-degree bird’s eye view camera, blind-spot monitor, and eight airbags, and more.
MSRP starts at $40,300
