Hybrids move into sport-utility market

GETTY IMAGES

Ford Escape Hybrid

Jil McIntosh

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Sport utility vehicles continue to be popular, especially when it comes to compact or mid-size models.

Most of the SUVs you'll see at the Canadian International AutoShow are production models, although Mini will present its Beachcomber: it's strictly a concept car for the show circuit, but several of its features will transfer over to an upcoming production model.

Hybrid technology has moved from cars to the SUV segment, and you'll see a few gasoline-electric models alongside their conventional siblings.

These can offer considerably better fuel economy than the gasoline-only models, but look at your driving habits and do your homework. Their thriftier performance at the pumps needs to be measured against their higher sticker price.

Ford Escape Hybrid

The hybrid version of Ford's popular Escape now comes in a top-line Limited trim, for those who want extra features along with the improved fuel economy.

This includes heated leather seats, sunroof, premium stereo, rear-view camera and auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

The Escape Hybrid uses a 2.5 L four-cylinder engine that includes an Atkinson cycle, a technology that squeezes as much energy as possible out of each drop of gasoline.

The drawback is reduced engine power, but in a hybrid such as the Escape, that's compensated by the assist from the electric motor. The result is a city fuel consumption rating of 5.8 L/100 km (49 m.p.g.) – quite a difference from the conventional four-cylinder Escape, which rates 10.1 L/100 km (28 m.p.g.), primarily because the Escape Hybrid can run on electricity alone in many city conditions.

Lexus RX 450h

Lexus' hybrid SUV was temporarily discontinued for 2009, but with a complete redesign of the RX series, it's back for 2010.

In Car of the Year testing by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, it was named Best New SUV/CUV over $60,000, and it's one of three finalists for the overall Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year, along with the Subaru Outback and diesel-powered Volkswagen Touareg. The winner will be announced Feb. 11.

Like the conventional RX 350, the 450h uses a 3.5 L V6, but with an electric motor and battery pack, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

It's all-wheel drive, but unlike most all-wheel models that use a driveshaft to send engine power to the rear wheels, the 450h uses electric motors directly driving the rear wheels. These also aid in regenerative braking, helping to recharge the battery pack faster.

Lincoln MKX

The Oakville-built MKX gets an update for 2011: a 3.7 L V6 in place of the previous 3.5 L V6, with better fuel economy; an updated transmission with manual shift mode; new leather seats and more interior aluminum trim; and a redesigned exterior, including new wheel designs, taillights, fenders and the brand's new signature "split-wing" grille. It's a somewhat overpowering design that makes it look nose-heavy, but you certainly won't mistake it for anything else.

Also new is MyLincoln Touch, a "driver connect technology" that uses the company's voice-activated SYNC feature and adds intuitive electronic screens, WiFi capability, cellphone-style control buttons, in-car WiFi capability, and a new song-tagging feature. If you hear a catchy tune on the radio, you can tag it and later transfer the information to your iPod; when your player is connected to iTunes, you can browse the list and buy the songs on it.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

With available seating for up to seven passengers, Highlander Hybrid has car-like handling and ride, plus Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive. Its combination of gasoline engine (a 3.3 L V6 in this case), electric motor and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) works similarly to the Prius, offering the ability to drive on battery only, especially in urban driving.

The Highlander Hybrid can be optioned right up to a Limited model, which includes heated leather seats, premium stereo, three-zone climate control, navigation system and power liftgate. Note, too, that the Hybrid model isn't included in Toyota's accelerator pedal recall.

Keyword continued on neXXX

More videos from Wheels.ca and our partners