Hybrid Small Luxury SUV Options

BavMachina · 08-13-2022, 09:56 PM

Trying to help my neighbor pick a new vehicle and looking for input. She is replacing a Q5. She would prefer a hybrid (plug-in or mild) and ideally it would be a little smaller (Q3 size). I see that Volvo and Lexus have options in this space, are there any others that I am missing? Any sense if the choices in this space are reasonably good or really need to go with Q5 size, where it seems like there are more luxury hybrid options?

stein_325i · 08-14-2022, 07:52 AM

For sub-compacts, the choice is either a pure hybrid Lexus UX, or Mild-Hybrid Volvo XC40.

Coming from the Audi, the Volvo will feel more luxurious and spacious than the UX, but does have some larger rear blindspots and an iffy reputation for reliability. Infotainment will be hit or miss also depending on if she likes touchscreens and a lack of buttons.

The Lexus is nice, however is based on the Corolla hatch and it does show in some areas. While she does want smaller this may feel very cramped in comparison.

I would recommend staying in the compact (Q5-sized) class. I feel that most sub-compact Luxury SUV's lack in luxury. The Lexus NX is a great choice that has been fully refreshed and is available in Hybrid and Plug-in-Hybrid models, and has a much nicer interior. In this class, other options will be the XC60 also offered in mild-hybrid and a very expensive plug-in, and the new 2023 MB GLC 300 will be a mild-hybrid as well.

If she is willing to jump to electric, Audi also has a new Q4 SUV coming out very soon.

Bc2005 · 08-14-2022, 08:51 AM

If she is willing to step down a little in luxury, the Toyota RAV4 Limited, with “Limited Grade Advanced Technology with options” option almost brings it up into the luxury category.

I’ve done a test drive in one and the hybrid performance is excellent for a small suv. Another plus for these hybrids is that they hold value exceptionally well. If she changes her mind after driving it for a year she can probably trade it in and get all her money back in trade in.

ByFives19 · 08-14-2022, 08:52 AM

This is how I ended up with the 45e. Coming from a RDX but wanted a hybrid.

In our area (Maryland) the Lexus UX and RX hybrids are going for 10k over MSRP with a bunch of dealer mandatory add ins, making them the same price as the 45e less tax credit. IMO the interior design was ugly for that class of car, and to get adequate handling with the RX would have to get a f-sport.

The Audis are likewise very hard to get in our area - friend has had a q4 etron on order since November with no delivery date.

If she’s set on that size SUV I would either load up a CRV hybrid, jump to the 45e or a EQB, or wait.

RM7 · 08-14-2022, 11:14 AM

I watch mechanic's channels and they hate the Q3, because it's mechanically similar to the Q5, but way less space to work on and way more of a pain in the butt. The Q3 looks like a lifted Golf.

Burrcold · 08-14-2022, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RM7

I watch mechanic's channels and they hate the Q3, because it's mechanically similar to the Q5, but way less space to work on and way more of a pain in the butt. The Q3 looks like a lifted Golf.

He said size of a Q3 not to buy a Q3.

Blue87 · 08-14-2022, 12:48 PM

There is also the Lincoln Corsair. Its pretty nice and about 60k for the loaded plugin hybrid. It will must likely be the next vehicle my mom buys.

Red Bread · 08-16-2022, 11:09 PM

Wait, there's no hybrid XC40. Just the B4 or B5, or the full BEV. We replaced our Q5 with an XC40. It's such a better car for what my wife wanted. It's actually surprisingly fun to drive, something I would never say about the Audi. The only good thing I can say about the Audi is that it was better than her F30, but that's true of nearly anything.

overcoil · 08-16-2022, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByFives19

This is how I ended up with the 45e. Coming from a RDX but wanted a hybrid.

In our area (Maryland) the Lexus UX and RX hybrids are going for 10k over MSRP with a bunch of dealer mandatory add ins, making them the same price as the 45e less tax credit. IMO the interior design was ugly for that class of car, and to get adequate handling with the RX would have to get a f-sport.

The Audis are likewise very hard to get in our area - friend has had a q4 etron on order since November with no delivery date.

If she’s set on that size SUV I would either load up a CRV hybrid, jump to the 45e or a EQB, or wait.

New 2023 CR-V hybrid and the new Honda interiors look very nice. Mark-ups though.

zx10guy · 08-17-2022, 10:46 AM

The Lexus UX is the exact same thing as the Toyota C-HR. The change in the rear doors and the rear slope for the hatch will probably make the UX more livable than the C-HR. The chassis is great and the car handles very well. It has a fully independent rear suspension.

Being more upscale, the UX will have a better infotainment system than the C-HR but I've read reviews complaining of the clunky touch pad system required to navigate through the system.

The UX has the better powerplants versus the C-HR. The base engine is the same as the 4 out of the Corolla HB which puts out around 160HP and has the physical 1st gear CVT. This engine should have been the standard engine in the C-HR over the turd 144 HP engine they have in it. The hybrid used in the UX has been used overseas for quite some time now putting out around 180HP.

MaC-N54-E82 · 08-17-2022, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Wait, there's no hybrid XC40. Just the B4 or B5, or the full BEV. We replaced our Q5 with an XC40. It's such a better car for what my wife wanted. It's actually surprisingly fun to drive, something I would never say about the Audi. The only good thing I can say about the Audi is that it was better than her F30, but that's true of nearly anything.

Picked up a full electric XC40 recharge in December for the wife and she's in love. Don't see her going back to ICE. From my perspective plenty quick and also fun to drive. Would recommend at least a test drive before you rule out a full EV.

G30M · 08-18-2022, 03:28 AM

get an EV. you won't regret it

billnchristy · 08-18-2022, 10:29 AM

We have a PHEV and came from a hybrid. We could never go back and the only way forward is pure EV.

BavMachina · 08-21-2022, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Wait, there's no hybrid XC40. Just the B4 or B5, or the full BEV. We replaced our Q5 with an XC40. It's such a better car for what my wife wanted. It's actually surprisingly fun to drive, something I would never say about the Audi. The only good thing I can say about the Audi is that it was better than her F30, but that's true of nearly anything.

I guess it’s a matter of semantics. Volvo’s website calls the XC40 a mild hybrid, so technically I guess it’s a hybrid? Practically, it does not seem to offer much advantage over a non-hybrid.

BavMachina · 08-21-2022, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaC-N54-E82

Picked up a full electric XC40 recharge in December for the wife and she's in love. Don't see her going back to ICE. From my perspective plenty quick and also fun to drive. Would recommend at least a test drive before you rule out a full EV.

Well it’s a good suggestion, but she just went on a road trip with friend who has a Tesla, and they got stuck at one point waiting for a charger to open up, and then spending a while charging, so does not have an appetite for an BEV until the charging network is better.

BavMachina · 08-21-2022, 12:54 AM

Thanks everyone for the input. It seems as though staying within the categories “Luxury Subcompact SUV” and “Plug-in Hybrid or Hybrid” the only two choices are Volvo and Lexus. The Volvo mild hybrid is so mild that it doesn’t seem very meaningful, and the Lexus just doesn’t do it for her. She does not want to consider a bigger SUV or non-luxury brands.

So we are back to square one, and square one for her was an X1, before someone told her she should get a hybrid and she decided to go that route.

Problem now is don’t know when a ‘23 X1 will be available for a test drive. One dealer told me they likely will not have one until next year, and another told me probably 1-2 months.

Red Bread · 08-21-2022, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BavMachina

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Wait, there's no hybrid XC40. Just the B4 or B5, or the full BEV. We replaced our Q5 with an XC40. It's such a better car for what my wife wanted. It's actually surprisingly fun to drive, something I would never say about the Audi. The only good thing I can say about the Audi is that it was better than her F30, but that's true of nearly anything.

I guess it's a matter of semantics. Volvo's website calls the XC40 a mild hybrid, so technically I guess it's a hybrid? Practically, it does not seem to offer much advantage over a non-hybrid.

Yeah, seems like it's just referring to a small 48v battery and a little brake regeneration. Our Q5 had that too, not sure either have any real effect on mileage.

08-13-2022, 09:56 PM	#1
BavMachina Private 24 Rep 52 Posts Drives: ‘18 430GC, ‘21 X3 30i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	Hybrid Small Luxury SUV Options Trying to help my neighbor pick a new vehicle and looking for input. She is replacing a Q5. She would prefer a hybrid (plug-in or mild) and ideally it would be a little smaller (Q3 size). I see that Volvo and Lexus have options in this space, are there any others that I am missing? Any sense if the choices in this space are reasonably good or really need to go with Q5 size, where it seems like there are more luxury hybrid options?
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08-14-2022, 07:52 AM	#2
stein_325i Ring Leader of G8X Haters 25297 Rep 8,764 Posts Drives: A Car Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: All-Around iTrader: (0)	For sub-compacts, the choice is either a pure hybrid Lexus UX, or Mild-Hybrid Volvo XC40. Coming from the Audi, the Volvo will feel more luxurious and spacious than the UX, but does have some larger rear blindspots and an iffy reputation for reliability. Infotainment will be hit or miss also depending on if she likes touchscreens and a lack of buttons. The Lexus is nice, however is based on the Corolla hatch and it does show in some areas. While she does want smaller this may feel very cramped in comparison. I would recommend staying in the compact (Q5-sized) class. I feel that most sub-compact Luxury SUV's lack in luxury. The Lexus NX is a great choice that has been fully refreshed and is available in Hybrid and Plug-in-Hybrid models, and has a much nicer interior. In this class, other options will be the XC60 also offered in mild-hybrid and a very expensive plug-in, and the new 2023 MB GLC 300 will be a mild-hybrid as well. If she is willing to jump to electric, Audi also has a new Q4 SUV coming out very soon.
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08-14-2022, 08:51 AM	#3
Bc2005 Lieutenant 381 Rep 449 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	If she is willing to step down a little in luxury, the Toyota RAV4 Limited, with “Limited Grade Advanced Technology with options” option almost brings it up into the luxury category. I’ve done a test drive in one and the hybrid performance is excellent for a small suv. Another plus for these hybrids is that they hold value exceptionally well. If she changes her mind after driving it for a year she can probably trade it in and get all her money back in trade in.
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08-14-2022, 08:52 AM	#4
ByFives19 New Member 17 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 06 TSX, 08 RDX, 23 x5 45e Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Baltimore MD iTrader: (0)	This is how I ended up with the 45e. Coming from a RDX but wanted a hybrid. In our area (Maryland) the Lexus UX and RX hybrids are going for 10k over MSRP with a bunch of dealer mandatory add ins, making them the same price as the 45e less tax credit. IMO the interior design was ugly for that class of car, and to get adequate handling with the RX would have to get a f-sport. The Audis are likewise very hard to get in our area - friend has had a q4 etron on order since November with no delivery date. If she’s set on that size SUV I would either load up a CRV hybrid, jump to the 45e or a EQB, or wait.
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08-14-2022, 11:14 AM	#5
RM7 Brigadier General 3031 Rep 3,638 Posts Drives: Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	I watch mechanic's channels and they hate the Q3, because it's mechanically similar to the Q5, but way less space to work on and way more of a pain in the butt. The Q3 looks like a lifted Golf. __________________ Current: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE, 2023 Colorado ZR2. Former: BMW 428i Gran Coupe.
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08-14-2022, 12:48 PM	#7
Blue87 Lieutenant 407 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 23 X5 M50i, 05 S2000 Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: IL iTrader: (0)	There is also the Lincoln Corsair. Its pretty nice and about 60k for the loaded plugin hybrid. It will must likely be the next vehicle my mom buys.
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08-16-2022, 11:09 PM	#8
Red Bread Major General 4458 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Wait, there's no hybrid XC40. Just the B4 or B5, or the full BEV. We replaced our Q5 with an XC40. It's such a better car for what my wife wanted. It's actually surprisingly fun to drive, something I would never say about the Audi. The only good thing I can say about the Audi is that it was better than her F30, but that's true of nearly anything.
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08-18-2022, 03:28 AM	#12
G30M Major General 5229 Rep 5,086 Posts Drives: M550i; retired - M340i Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Australasia iTrader: (0)	get an EV. you won't regret it
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08-18-2022, 10:29 AM	#13
billnchristy Major 1669 Rep 1,494 Posts Drives: 2022 M440xi GC Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0) Garage List 1966 Ford Mustang [2.75] 2022 BMW M440ix GC [8.33] 2022 Ford Bronco [10.00]	We have a PHEV and came from a hybrid. We could never go back and the only way forward is pure EV.
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08-21-2022, 12:54 AM	#16
BavMachina Private 24 Rep 52 Posts Drives: ‘18 430GC, ‘21 X3 30i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone for the input. It seems as though staying within the categories “Luxury Subcompact SUV” and “Plug-in Hybrid or Hybrid” the only two choices are Volvo and Lexus. The Volvo mild hybrid is so mild that it doesn’t seem very meaningful, and the Lexus just doesn’t do it for her. She does not want to consider a bigger SUV or non-luxury brands. So we are back to square one, and square one for her was an X1, before someone told her she should get a hybrid and she decided to go that route. Problem now is don’t know when a ‘23 X1 will be available for a test drive. One dealer told me they likely will not have one until next year, and another told me probably 1-2 months.
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