A traditional hybrid like the Toyota Camry uses regenerative braking and its petrol engine to recharge a small battery. The main benefit is convenience: drivers never need to plug in, and fuel efficiency is significantly better than a conventional car.

Hybrids are especially efficient in city driving, where stop-and-go traffic allows frequent energy recovery. They also tend to cost less upfront than plug-in hybrids and require no changes to driving habits. However, their electric-only range is very limited, meaning they still rely heavily on fuel and cannot operate for long without emissions.

In contrast, a plug-in hybrid such as the Mitsubishi Outlander  has a larger battery that can be charged from an external power source. This allows drivers to travel moderate distances—often 50 to 70 km—on electricity alone.

For short daily commutes, a PHEV may use little or no petrol, reducing fuel costs and tailpipe emissions. The downside is higher purchase price, increased vehicle weight, and the need for regular charging access. If not charged consistently, a plug-in hybrid may offer little advantage over a regular hybrid.

Ultimately, hybrids prioritize simplicity and efficiency, while plug-in hybrids offer greater electric capability but require more commitment and infrastructure.

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Im Rob Fraser

Hybrid Electric Vehicles vs Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles 

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In today’s fast paced world, Listeners often want a quick update or a piece of quirky Automotive news. Listening to Motoring Minute provides that as well as the latest Automotive news and reviews.

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Regular listeners will know I have been a big fan of the diesel Sportage over the years, not the petrol. But the Hybrid version has changed that. Its good, very good.

Being the top model the GT Line, it comes with a host of little luxury features like heated and ventilated front leather seats with multiple electronic adjustment for the driver. Another feature is the  nearly 25 inches of driver’s instrument cluster and central screen, that all merge into one.

At the heart is a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol-electric hybrid system that has combined 169kW of power and 350Nm of torque. This is matched to a 6 speed AT.

This provides spritely acceleration and excellent economy. We averaged around 6.0l/100km for the week. That’s pretty good.

The Sportage is an ideal mid size. Its small enough to be an urban runabout as well as large enough for longer driving trips and weekends away.

For buyers that don’t want to deal with the issues of living with an EV every day, hybrids are especially desirable. There is no range anxiety, excellent economy and in the case of the Sportage GT-Line comfortable, safe and luxurious.

Priced from around $55,500 plus the usual costs its also good value.

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I’m Rob Fraser

Readers can find more details about the Sportage HEV GT Line HERE 

TO LISTEN TO THE Sportage HEV GT Line RADIO SEGMENT, CLICK BELOW

Instead of the Kia Sportage HEV GT Line buyers could look at:

This size SUV as a hybrid or PHEV makes sense. It’s also an increasingly popular segment.

Buyers could look at the: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Mazda CX-60 Hybrid, Jeep Compass e-hybrid, Honda ZRV Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson, Haval H6 Ultra, Nissan X-Trail e-power,  Subaru Forester Hybrid, Peugeot 3008 GT PHEV,

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Listeners can hear Motoring Minute segments around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network.

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners.

You can also find Motoring Minute segments syndicated through other news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive – Cars Transport Culture Radio Program. 

Listeners can find this program weekly on the Spotify, SoundCloud and the Community Radio Network across Australia.

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Hybrids are more popular than EVs. They get excellent fuel economy with zero range anxiety.

The Sportage Hybrid comes with the same 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol-electric hybrid system as the larger Sorento Hybrid, which mates a four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and a 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery.

The combined petrol + electric output is 169kW and 350Nm.

A 6-speed automatic transmission transfers this power to the front wheels. This ensures a smooth transition between gear changes.

Combined ADR Fuel Consumption is a claimed 4.9L/100km.

Unfortunately the Hybrid is only available in front wheel drive only in two trims, the SX and GT-Line.

Kia expects about 20% of total Sportage sales to come from the Hybrid versions.

Pricing is around $45,950 for the SX version and $55,420 for the GT-Line version, plus the usual costs.

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I’m Rob Fraser

Readers can find more details about the Sportage Hybrid HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE Sportage Hybrid RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

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Listeners can hear Motoring Minute segments around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network.

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners.

You can also find Motoring Minute segments syndicated through other news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive – Cars Transport Culture Radio Program. 

Listeners can find this program weekly on the Spotify, SoundCloud and the Community Radio Network across Australia.

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The HR-V is a stylish, compact urban SUV that comes with reasonable interior space and a lot of safety and comfort features.

The Honda HR-V has had many changes over the years and the latest version is the most elegant.

At the heart is a hybrid electric powertrain with two compact, powerful electric motors. These work alongside an Atkinson cycle 1.5-litre petrol engine, a lithium-ion battery, and a fixed gear transmission.

The power control unit constantly cycles between Electric Drive, Hybrid Drive or Engine Drive depending on which is the most fuel-efficient drive mode at that time.

What all that means is that the HR-V Hybrid has excellent economy of around 4.3 litres per 100 kilometres. Its also zippy around town with a smooth ride.

Inside the HR-V is comfortable, with good driver ergonomics and plenty of space considering its overall size. The seats are particularly comfortable and the rear seat and boot area benefits from Honda’s “magic seat” design which gives maximum flexibility.

Overall Honda’s HR-V hybrid SUV is a tidy little unit and priced from $47,000 drive away.

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I’m Brianna Fraser

Readers can find more details about the HONDA HR-V e-HEV L HERE 

TO LISTEN TO THE HONDA HR-V e-HEV L RADIO REVIEW, CLICK BELOW

Instead of the Honda HR-V e-HEV L, buyers could also look at:

Smaller hybrid SUV style vehicles are becoming more popular.

Buyers could look at Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, Haval Jolion Hybrid,  Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, Kia Niro HEV, MG HS, Hyundai Kona HEV., Mazda MX-30,

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Listeners can hear Motoring Minute segments around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network.

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners.

You can also find Motoring Minute segments syndicated through other news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive – Cars Transport Culture Radio Program. 

Listeners can find this program weekly on the Spotify, SoundCloud and the Community Radio Network across Australia.

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