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Your hybrid car guide: The latest fuel-efficient rides for your daily commute
For drivers seeking economy without compromising performance, these rides blend eco-friendly technology with functionality
For an efficient drive under start-stop conditions, especially in the city, hybrid cars make for an effective solution.
PHOTO: TOYOTA
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In the city, where traffic lights seem endless and with fuel prices ever-rising, hybrid cars emerge as the savvy urban driver’s best friend.
A combination of the best of electric vehicles (EVs) and petrol cars, hybrids offer exceptional fuel efficiency, especially during stop-and-go city driving.
There are various types of hybrids to suit different needs: Mild hybrids provide a small electric boost to the engine; full hybrids can run on electric power alone for short distances; and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) offer extended electric-only ranges with the option to recharge via an external power source.
Recent advancements have also enhanced hybrid cars’ performance and lowered emissions through improved battery technology and regenerative braking systems.
In Singapore, according to the Land Transport Authority, the rise in hybrid vehicles continues to accelerate, with numbers jumping from 65,882 in December 2022 to 91,514 in August 2024, a 39 per cent increase.
The number of PHEVs also climbed 36 per cent in the same period, from 1,101 to 1,494. This highlights the growing shift towards more sustainable vehicle options as consumers embrace hybrid technologies.
Transitioning to a hybrid is straightforward and requires no drastic lifestyle changes – unlike fully electric cars, which often demand access to charging infrastructure. They maintain the familiar handling and comfort of traditional vehicles, making them a reliable choice for urban commuting.
For those aiming to meet daily transportation needs while being more environmentally conscious, hybrids present the ideal middle ground. They allow drivers to reduce their carbon footprint with less range anxiety some may associate with EVs. So, when considering your next car, a hybrid could be the right fit – and you might just find your perfect match at The Car Expo.
Honda HR-V: A versatile, efficient urban commuter
The 2025 Honda HR-V is a versatile sport utility vehicle (SUV) that excels in both fuel efficiency and manoeuvrability. The e:HEV model offers an impressive fuel consumption of 20.4km for every litre, making it a top choice for those prioritising eco-friendly driving.
Its compact dimensions, paired with technologies like vehicle stability assist, make it easy to navigate urban spaces while ensuring an unruffled ride.
The HR-V also comes equipped with advanced features like a new 9-inch touchscreen display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and Honda Sensing, boasting a suite of safety systems.
Balancing performance, sustainability and design, the HR-V makes for a great all-rounder for modern drivers.
Toyota Camry Hybrid: A refined, powerful sedan
The 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid effortlessly combines luxury, performance and fuel efficiency, making it a standout in the sedan market.
With a fuel efficiency of just 5.1 litres for every 100km, it is designed to offer great mileage without compromising on power.
Its compact dimensions, complemented by a 5.7m turning radius, make it easy to navigate tight urban spaces.
Equipped with a 2.5-litre hybrid electric vehicle engine that produces a total of 227hp, the Camry delivers smooth, quiet performance while maintaining eco-friendly driving.
The advanced hybrid system utilises regenerative braking, harvesting wasted energy and storing it in its lithium-ion battery. Enhanced safety features, such as Toyota Safety Sense, further elevate the driving experience.
Roomy and fuel-efficient: How Kia Sorento Hybrid is equipped to meet family’s needs
A more spacious and fuel-efficient ride is what the Berntzen family will seek in their next car when they retire their petrol-powered SUV.
With two growing children, aged 10 and 4, and frequent family outings – sometimes with the extended family – they are in the market for a ride that can handle daily school runs, weekend activities and the occasional road trip.
With a hybrid car in mind, editor Jassmin Peter, 43, and her husband, Kristian, 46, took the new Kia Sorento Hybrid out for a spin with their children, Andreas and Sienna.
Impressed by its spaciousness and an array of family-friendly features, they share why this seven-seater could be the perfect fit for the family’s needs.
“The Kia Sorento Hybrid seven-seater SUV is the ideal blend of family comfort and modern tech. From the moment we stepped inside, the spacious cabin welcomed us with plenty of room to move,” says Mrs Peter-Berntzen.
With a collapsible third row that expands the boot to 708 litres, the family had more than enough space for the kids' school bags, lunch packs, scooters, picnic mats.
They found the experience inside just as impressive. Says Mr Berntzen: “We were immediately drawn to the luxurious legroom, the 12-speaker Bose sound system and the convenience of USB charging ports located throughout the car.
“The panoramic sunroof added a special touch, giving us a clear view of the sky above.”
As the driver, it was the safety features and thoughtful designs that won Mrs Peter-Berntzen over. “Sharing driving duties with my husband was a breeze thanks to the integrated memory system that automatically adjusted the seat and mirrored to our individual preferences as soon as we started the engine,” she shares.
The 12.3-inch digital driver cluster and 12-3-inch touchscreen infotainment system acts like a command centre, managing everything from music to parking.
The car has a surround-view mode which makes navigating tight spaces less stressful as it displays a variety of views of the situation around the vehicle.
She adds, “The turn signal activated a blind-spot camera that revealed any oncoming traffic and alerted us if a vehicle got too close, giving us that extra layer of security on the road.”
The Kia Sorento Hybrid also offers the Berntzens the opportunity to ease into the hybrid car market – “a step we’ve been considering to cut down on petrol costs and make a more eco-friendly choice”, adds Mr Berntzen.
Lexus LBX: A compact luxury crossover
Combining luxury with space-efficient design, the 2024 Lexus LBX compact crossover, which is the Japanese marque’s first car with a Category A certificate of entitlement, is engineered for both performance and efficiency.
Powered by a 1.5-litre hybrid engine, it achieves a fuel efficiency of 19.6km for every litre, making it suitable for city driving.
With streamlined dimensions and available features like an Advanced Park system, the LBX offers nimble and compact handling, especially in tight spaces. Its 129hp ensures responsive performance, reaching 0kmh to 100kmh in 9.6 seconds.
The interior, outfitted with a 9.8-inch touch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, as well as the Lexus Safety System+, provides a luxurious and secure driving experience, blending cutting-edge technology with premium craftsmanship.
Hyundai Kona Hybrid: A sporty city cruiser
The Hyundai Kona Hybrid is engineered for top-tier fuel efficiency, featuring a 1.6-litre engine paired with a 32kW electric motor, producing a combined 129hp and 265Nm of torque.
Its advanced hybrid system, alongside aerodynamic features such as upper and lower active air flaps, helps achieve an impressive drag coefficient of 0.30, optimising fuel consumption and reducing emissions. The lower the drag coefficient, the better the car’s performance.
Navigating tight urban spaces with it is near-effortless due to its compact size and e-Motion Drive, which controls braking and torque during sharp cornering.
Additionally, the paddle shifters enable a more engaging, sporty performance. The Kona Hybrid’s intelligent driving systems, such as lane keeping assist and forward collision-avoidance, ensure a smooth, controlled drive.
The Car Expo will be held on Oct 5 and 6, at Singapore Expo Halls 3 and 4 from 10am to 8pm. Click here for the floorplan of the show. Read more about the latest cars and special deals at the The Car Expo here.
