New Hybrid Cars of 2022
Looking for a new or refreshed hybrid? These models are either all new, or significantly refreshed for 2022.
Ford
While electric vehicles seem to get all the attention today, there's still a significant demand for new hybrid cars, which combine a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Some hybrids use that dual power for performance, while others are aiming for fuel efficiency. Either in the form of new models, new generations, or refreshes, there are seven new hybrid cars of 2022 for you to consider. See them below, arranged in no particular order.
Ford
2022 Ford Maverick
In an era of big trucks, the idea of a truly small pickup is revolutionary on its own. The 2022 Ford Maverick is small—32 inches shorter than a Ford F-150 and more than 11 inches shorter than the Ford Ranger midsize pickup.
The standard powerplant is a hybrid—a 2.5L four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a 94 kilowatt (kW) electric motor and mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Output is 162 hp and 155 lb.-ft. of torque. Fuel economy is remarkable by any standard, but especially for a pickup truck, with the EPA-estimated 42/33/37 mpg city/highway/combined. There is a non-hybrid 250 hp 2.5L turbo four-cylinder available as an extra-cost option.
All three trim levels of the 2022 Ford Maverick with the hybrid powerplant begin at less than $30,000. The base-model Maverick XL has a starting price of about $20,000. Stepping up to the XLT (pictured) brings painted aluminum wheels, cruise control, power mirrors, and keyless entry for roughly $22,000. The top-of-the-line Lariat increases the wheel size from the standard 17 inches to 18 inches and upgrades the finish to bright aluminum. There's also an eight-way power driver's seat and a more stylish, luxury-oriented interior for a base price of $25,000.
All Mavericks are four-door models with seating for five and 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear bed, which has a maximum payload of 1,500 lbs.
Hyundai
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Plug-In
The Santa Fe and Santa Fe Hybrid were all new for 2021, with huge changes from the 2020 model, but this year, the lineup adds a plug-in hybrid. The Santa Fe is one size class larger than the Tucson, but uses the same hybrid powerplant—a 1.6 liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine and a 66.9 kW electric motor. Total system output is 261 hp, with 258 lb.-ft. of torque.
When fully charged, the Santa Fe Hybrid Plug-In has a pure electric range of 31 miles before the gas/electric hybrid kicks in. The EPA fuel economy estimate is 76 MPGe, but as with the Tucson Hybrid Plug-In, that estimate counts the 31 miles of pure electric travel. If you skip charging and drive it purely as a gas/electric hybrid, the EPA estimates a combined city/highway efficiency figure of 33 mpg.
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Plug-In's SEL Convenience starts with a base price of roughly $40,000.
Lexus
2022 Lexus ES Hybrid
The entire Lexus ES sedan lineup is getting a refresh involving multimedia, safety and style updates for 2022, and that includes the ES Hybrid, also known as the ES 300h. The ES hybrid is also getting an F SPORT option for the first time, making exterior styling options like F SPORT badging, a mesh grille with dark surround, trunk lid spoiler, 19 inch wheels with black finish and sportier interior touches available on the ES Hybrid for the first time.
The 2022 Lexus ES 300h combines a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with a 29kw electric motor for a combined output of 215 hp and 163 lb.-ft. of torque.
The EPA fuel economy average is 43 mpg city/44 highway/44 combined.
The ES 300h has a base price of about $43,000. The ES 300h F SPORT starts at almost $47,000. Both are exceptionally well-equipped, with 10-way power adjustable front seats, automatic climate control, a 10-speaker audio system with HD Radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an eight-inch color touchscreen standard.
Hyundai
2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
Hyundai's Tucson small SUV is all-new for 2022, and it includes a hybrid model in addition to the standard gasoline version.
The Tucson Hybrid pairs a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 44.2 kW electric motor. Total system output is 226 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. The EPA fuel economy estimate for the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is 37/36/37 mpg city/highway/combined.
The Tucson Hybrid the Blue Hybrid AWD (all-wheel drive) starts just above the $30,000 mark. It is well-equipped, including a six-speaker audio system with HD Radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
The Tucson Hybrid seats five and offers 38.7 cu. ft. of cargo space, though folding down the second row of seats increases that to 74.8 cu. ft.
Jeep
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
One year after introducing its first plug-in hybrid, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, the iconic off-road brand now has a second one. The Jeep Grand Cherokee in all forms is all-new for 2022, and debuts with a PHEV as part of the lineup.
The Grand Cherokee 4xe is designed to use the combination of gas and electric power for performance far more than fuel economy. The combined gasoline engine and electric motor (identical to the hybrid powerplant in the Wrangler 4xe) turn out 375 hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque.
25 miles of pure electric driving is available on a full charge, after which the system switches over to the gas/electric hybrid. The only fuel economy estimate available (from the manufacturer, not the EPA) is 57 MPGe (the miles per gallon equivalent used for electric vehicles), but that figures in the 25 miles of pure electric driving, which is only available if owners remember to recharge. At least one study shows PHEV owners are less than diligent about doing that.
Without the 25 electric miles, the Wrangler 4xe's 49MPGe (an official EPA estimate) drops to 20 mpg.
The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe starts just under $60,000. All models come with all-wheel-drive ("4xe" is supposed to signify 4-wheel-drive and electrification), wears Jeep's "Trail Rated" badging and, even though there are four different trims, it's well-equipped even in base Limited form.
Kia
2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Kia's midsize Sorento SUV was all-new last year, including a hybrid, but new for 2022 is a PHEV, the Sorento Plug-in Hybrid.
The Sorento Plug-In combines a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine and a 66.9 kW electric motor to produce 261 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque.
32 miles of pure electric driving is available on a full charge before the system kicks into gasoline/electric hybrid mode. The EPA fuel economy average is 79 MPGe, which includes that 31 miles of electric driving. If the vehicle isn't charged and is driven only as a hybrid, the EPA estimate drops to 34 miles per gallon combined city/highway.
There are two trim levels of the 2022 Kia Sorento Plug-In, with a starting price of about $45,000.
Hyundai
2022 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The entire Hyundai Tucson line is all new for 2022, and it includes the Tucson's first-ever plug-in hybrid version (PHEV). It combines a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine and a 66.9 kW electric motor. The total system output is 261 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque.
When fully charged, the Tucson Hybrid Plug-In has a pure electric range of 32 miles before the gas/electric hybrid kicks in. The EPA fuel economy estimate is 80 MPGe (the electric vehicle equivalent of gasoline miles per gallon). But that estimate counts the 32 miles of pure electric travel. If the owner doesn't charge the Tucson and drives purely on the hybrid system, the fuel economy drops to 35 mpg combined city/highway.
The 2022 Hyundai Tucson PHEV starts at about $35,000. It's well-equipped, featuring 19 inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, and an audio system with an eight-inch touchscreen. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Mike HagertySorting through the hundreds of new car, truck and SUV choices on the market to find the right one for your needs gets tougher all the time. I'm here to help. I've been writing and talking about new vehicles for 25 years on TV and radio, in print and online. And my passion for cars and driving goes back even farther than that. I love design and performance, but the second-largest purchase most of us will ever make (for some of us, the largest) needs to be based on more than good looks and quick zero-to-60 times.
Related articles
View more related articles