Automakers had to take notice and adjust their existing lineups, with the automotive world moving ever closer to a more sustainable means of propulsion in everyday cars. Many manufacturers are converting their vehicles to either partially or fully electric to comply with the ever-stricter emissions regulations and the rising fuel price.
Updated February 2023: As more manufacturers move away from large, high-displacement engines to please eco-warriors, it's now time for hybrids to shine. Manufacturers have been working on hybrid technology for years and even though it means we are on the brink of losing the orgasmic-sounding V8s and V12s, hybrids are promising better performance and efficiency. Here's an updated list of the coolest new hybrids in 2023.
While the hybrid had been quite a boring drivetrain option in the early 2000s and 2010s, supercar and hypercar makers have reinvigorated the segment. Instead of using the technology to make their vehicles more efficient, they reworked the system to aid the car in producing more power and performance – the polar opposite of what automakers originally wanted. Now, automakers are using this basic idea and are busy 'weaponizing' their systems to create some truly powerful – and hopefully efficient – sports cars and supercars. Companies like Chevrolet and BMW are busy testing hybridized versions of their Corvette and M5, Porsche is working on a hybrid 911, and even Toyota is busy reinventing the Prius – the car that popularized the whole trend.
So, while there are still some pretty uneventful hybrid vehicles sold for everyday use, the more premium hybrids are becoming sportier and more performance-orientated – which is excellent! From practical SUVs to luxury cars, here are 10 of the coolest new hybrid vehicles in 2023.
11 Chevy Corvette E-Ray
Chevrolet has confirmed that they are working on an electric version of the Corvette C8 – but people have spotted multiple test vehicles showcasing the E-Ray, a hybrid version of the Corvette that will slot in between the base Stingray and the Z06. The E-Ray seems to use the base 6.2-liter V8 powering the rear wheels, but with a pair of electric motors on the front axle to aid performance.
Speaking of Z06, the upcoming Corvette Zora could probably use a hybrid drivetrain to go along with its (most likely) twin-turbo V8. The confirmation of the Zora makes it the most powerful Corvette ever made – named after the GM engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov, who helped make the 'Vette a success.
10 Alfa Romeo Tonale
Like most of its competition in the subcompact luxury crossover segment, the Tonale gets a sexy bodywork accentuated by Alfa Romeo's sharp-nosed face. Besides having admirable looks, the Tonale promises to be satisfying to drive, thanks to adaptive dampers and fully independent suspension.
Alfa Romeo offers one powertrain option in the Tonale, a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder, and an electric motor producing 272 hp. The 15.5 kWh battery pack boasts over 30 miles of estimated electric range. In addition, the Tonale gets an all-wheel-drive system and a six-speed automatic.
9 Porsche 911 Hybrid
Porsche has confirmed they are working on a hybrid 911 to join their Cayenne, Panamera, and Macan hybrids. While these cars improve efficiency rather than provide more performance, Porsche has assured that the 911 Hybrid will have performance as its primary objective.
The 911 Hybrid will most likely be all-wheel-drive, like the Carrera 4, and will use electric motors to boost overall power output. The 911 Hybrid will probably have an electric-only mode for short trips.
8 Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius was the car that popularized the hybrid drivetrain. Since the introduction of the second generation in 2003, the Prius has been at the epicenter of all hybrids on the market. Over the years, Toyota has improved the Prius in terms of efficiency but kept it as slow and boring as the original – ending up with exterior styling, which has become quite questionable.
Toyota unveiled the latest generation of the Prius a few months ago, and it's better than anyone could ever have imagined. The biggest improvement in the 2023 Toyota Prius is in the design department - for the first time ever, the Prius has a sleek, sporty design that all gearheads love. The 2023 Prius is also quick, as it has up to 220 hp to play with.
7 BMW XM
The upcoming BMW XM will be the brand's second M-only model. The XM is a large, luxurious SUV powered by the excellent S63 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8. The engine works hand in hand with some electric motors to produce a combined 653 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque – although the Germans almost always understate their power figures.
The XM has subtle touches that hark back to the M1 supercar of the 1970s, mixed with a modern BMW design and huge kidney grilles on the front. It will compete with other super SUVs like the Lamborghini Urus, Aston Martin DBX707, and the upcoming Ferrari Purosangue.
6 BMW M5
Testing on the next BMW M5 is already underway, with 7th gen test prototypes already spotted racing around the Nürburgring. The next M5 will reportedly keep the twin-turbo V8 powerplant but will gain some electric help to boost performance.
It is unclear how BMW will use the hybrid system – if it will be a plug-in, passive or mild-hybrid setup. Like most BMW hybrids, it will produce a large combined power output. With the immense performance of the recent M5 CS, we are eager to see what BMW will do next.
5 Lexus UX
The 2023 Lexus UX will only be available in hybrid trims, ditching the UX 200 non-hybrid model for the more efficient UX 250h in various trims. The biggest change to the UX is the addition of a new infotainment system that features a larger screen, better graphics, and the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The UX is usually nothing more than a fancy Prius, but Lexus has adequately updated the model to be more in line with the rest of the segment's offerings – all while achieving a claimed 41 MPGe. While the larger NX or the upcoming RX are still better options within the Lexus range, the UX fills the compact crossover/SUV gap.
4 Aston Martin Valhalla
The Aston Martin Valhalla will be the brand's first hybrid hypercar, slated to go on sale in 2023. It uses a 4.0-liter AMG-sourced twin-turbo V8, mated to some electric motors to produce a combined 937 hp. Aston Martin has claimed a 0-60 mph time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of around 217 mph.
The Valhalla is a scaled-back version of the Valkyrie hypercar, but a bit more user-friendly. The Valhalla will have an EV mode; however, it is still unknown how much range it will have. To save weight, the British brand has designed most of the Valhalla in carbon fiber and other exotic weight-saving materials, which will most likely result in a high six-figure price.
3 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance
The new Mercedes-AMG C63 will have a 4-cylinder hybrid setup instead of a guttural twin-turbo V8. This has caused quite a controversy within the motoring community, but AMG has assured enthusiasts that the new car will be just as fast or even faster than the V8 model.
While it is sad to see the end of an era for AMG – having announced the E63 AMG Final Edition regarding the V8 as well – it is a new time for hybrids and electric cars. While most will go this way, some manufacturers, like BMW and Lamborghini, have assured fans they will stick with their engines for as long as possible.
2 Genesis G90
The G90 is Genesis' most luxurious sedan. For the 2023 model year, Genesis offers a dramatic redesign and a new hybrid option. The hybrid combines the standard 3.5-liter Biturbo V6 with a 48-volt e-supercharger that helps boost the output to 409 hp.
With its higher output, the G90 is impressively quick for a large sedan. It offers plenty of driving comforts, including a Chauffeur driving mode that creates a smooth experience for the passengers. The interior also gets a fresh design with posh materials that can easily compete with top full-size luxury sedans like BMW 7 Series and Audi A8.
1 McLaren Artura
About a decade ago, McLaren showed its readiness to embrace a hybridized future when it built the legendary P1. Together with the Porsche 918 Spyder and Ferrari LaFerrari, the P1 was part of the 'Holy Trinity of Supercars' that proved hybrids didn't have to be slow and boring.
Since then, McLaren has been working on its hybrid technology and is now among the industry leaders, which is easy to see when you look at the Artura. The Artura debuted in 2021 to replace the 570S and has been a hit since. The Artura uses McLaren's new 3.0-liter M630 twin-turbocharged V6 engine paired with one electric motor. With a combined output of 671 hp, the Artura only needs 2.9 seconds to hit 60 mph and will go on to reach a 205-mph top speed.