The competitors have already jumped on the bandwagon! Ford was slow to act. The Hyundai Tucson, the Mitsubishi Outlander and the Toyota RAV4 have convinced many buyers. The Ford Escape Hybrid PHEV will give it a try.
Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid
Price: from $ 38,889
PHOTO DREW PHILLIPS, SUPPLIED BY HYUNDAI
Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid
Here’s one that makes the Escape plug-in hybrid look bad. Hyundai’s proposal is barely more expensive, but offers the added bonus of a four-wheel drive, a basic warranty of 5 years / 100,000 km (Ford only offers 3 years / 60,000 km), a more rewarding presentation and little sweets that make many consumers crack. A heated rear seat, for example. What qualities? No. In terms of pure efficiency, the Escape takes the lead with a slightly greater electric range (around 10 km) and a lower average consumption of 1.3 L / 100 km.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Price: from $ 44,198
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MITSUBISHI
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
A pioneer in the category, the Outlander PHEV is currently counting down the days between retirement. A new generation is expected next spring and normally it will be even more efficient. For its latest release, this model has undergone certain technical improvements which allow it to offer more power, but hardly more autonomy. Electric, of course. Compared to the Escape, Mitsubishi’s offer appears not very agile and its presentation even more austere. More expensive to acquire, but still eligible for government rebates, the Mitsubishi can count on proven reliability, a generous warranty and an all-wheel drive that is among the most efficient in the industry.
Toyota RAV4 Prime
Price: from $ 44,990
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TOYOTA
Toyota RAV4 Prime
The wait is sometimes long before getting your hands on a RAV4 Prime. We can understand why. This utility sets the benchmark in the segment thanks to its remarkable 68 km electric range (during our test we were able to cover 94 km on a single charge). Producing a combined power (gasoline and electric) of more than 300 hp, this electrified RAV4 is, with the exception of the Supra, the fastest Toyota in the catalog. If the Toyota makes the headlights of the Escape PHEV blush with its taillights, it fails to record such low consumption.