UPDATED: Ready to ditch the pumps? Check out these electron-powered options
Your updated plug-in vehicle shopping guide If you’re ready to make the switch from gasoline to electric – or even partially electric – this guide is for you. With cancellation of EV incentives now imminent, at least in Ontario, this may be the best time to make a deal. Take a look through this gallery to discover every battery electric and plug-in hybrid you currently can buy new in Canada. By Stephanie Wallcraft ▲
A depth of choice From affordable commuters to the height of luxury, you might be surprised at the depth of EV and plug-in hybrid options on the market today – several of which are new since we first published this guide a year ago. Browse, enjoy and see which ones spark your interest. ▲
Vorsprung durch electric – Audi A3 Sportback e-tron With a pre-incentive starting price of $40,900, Audi’s first-ever plug-in hybrid, the A3 Sportback e-tron, makes for an affordable green gateway to German luxury in EV-friendly provinces. Its electric-only range clocks in at 26 km, which means saving at the pumps while enjoying the hatchback styling and a trio of well-equipped trim options. ▲
EV dynamics at a price – BMW 330e The upside of the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid is that it’s said to have driving dynamics on par with its siblings in the 3 Series line-up with few compromises. Its electric-only range clocks in at 22.5 km but, with a starting price of $52,100, getting into one is a costlier proposition than with its competition. ▲
5 Series goes electric – BMW 530e The plug-in electric addition to BMW’s 5 Series line-up, the 530e, is now on sale starting from $70,699. Capable of 24 km of electric-only driving and equipped with all-wheel drive as standard, it delivers a combined peak power output of 248 hp and 310 lb-ft. of torque. ▲
Electric opulence – BMW 740 Le If you’re looking to enjoy green motoring from the back seat as much as at the wheel, the plug-in BMW 7 Series might be for you. Rated for 23 km of pure electric driving and delivering a total system output of 322 hp, pricing starts at $113,599. ▲
Now with more sport – BMW i3 There are now two variants of the i3 available in Canada, the standard i3 and the more sport-oriented i3s. The latter gets a slightly more powerful electric motor – 135 kW as opposed to the base i3’s 125 kW – and both are available with the range extender that pulls the electric driving potential up to 156 km as rated by NRCan. Pricing starts at $51,568 for a base i3 without a range extender and goes up to $59,768 for an i3s with a range extender. ▲
A plugged-in supercar – BMW i8 A new i8 has arrived that heralds the arrival of top-down electrified driving. The traditional i8 is now known as the i8 Coupe, and the convertible version is the i8 Roadster. Both come with an upgraded 11.6 kWh battery and 105 kW motor for a combined power output of 369 hp. The Coupe starts at $149,900 and the Roadster at $169,900. ▲
A new electrified Cadillac – Cadillac CT6 Plug-in Cadillac returns to the plug-in hybrid space with the CT6 Plug-in, a direct competitor to the German suite of hybrid executive sedans. Available only in rear-wheel drive, it sports 50 km of electric-only range thanks to its 18 kWh battery, plus a total system output of 335 hp and 432 lb-ft of torque. Its starting price is listed at $86,870. ▲
A multi-award winner – Chevrolet Bolt Heralded as an affordable, approachable all-electric car that busts range anxiety with up to 383 km of driving distance possible on a single charge, the Chevrolet Bolt has been earning accolades left and right since its launch. It’s priced in Canada at $44,400 before government incentives. ▲
A solid long-range option – Chevrolet Volt Canada is a massive country, and giving up on gasoline entirely isn’t practical for everyone, especially those in rural areas. For people who regularly make long or remote drives, the Chevrolet Volt delivers the best of both worlds. Priced at $39,095 and eligible for similar incentives to the Bolt, the Volt offers 85 km of electric range and a total EPA-estimated potential driving distance of approximately 676 km. ▲
The green people-mover – Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid When Chrysler talks about Canada’s first and only hybrid minivan, the Pacifica Hybrid, the fact that it’s a plug-in doesn’t always come up. (Perhaps they think you’ll worry about forgetting to connect it while you’re herding the kids through the front door.) But with a range of up to 53 all-electric kilometres, it’s one of the more planet-friendly and affordable cars for getting up to seven people around comfortably. Pre-incentive pricing starts at $56,495. ▲
An electric Blue Oval – Ford Focus Electric Get it before it’s gone: the Ford Focus Electric, currently the Blue Oval’s only all-electric vehicle, will be leaving the market within the next two years as Ford cuts nearly all cars from its sales line-up in North America. Its $34,998 price tag makes it especially affordable in provinces with incentives, and it has a 185 km range and 184 lb-ft of torque from its 107 kW electric motor. ▲
Hybrid comfort and style – Ford Fusion Energi The Fusion also is on Ford’s hit-list for discontinuation within the next two years, which means that the Fusion Energi will disappear as well. It combines 35 km of all-electric range with an efficient gasoline powertrain for a total of 947 km of driving on a full tank plus charge. Pricing starts at $32,088 before incentives. ▲
Electrified power, premium feel – Honda Clarity PHEV The Honda Clarity Plug-in is another new entry into the PHEV field and is currently Honda’s only product offering that comes with a plug. It puts 77 km of electric-only driving into an affordable car with plenty of premium touches. Starting from $39,900 before incentives, it sports a 17 kWh battery and a combined power output of 212 hp. ▲
A new contender – Hyundai Ioniq Electric and Electric Plus The Ioniq badge is a new one for Hyundai that will be carried on all of the brand’s electric-powered vehicles. The full line-up is now available with the Electric Plus plug-in hybrid priced at $31,999 and the Electric at $35,649. The plug-in version has an electric-only range of 47 km and a combined power output of 164 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, while the electric version uses its 88 kW electric motor to go up to 200 km on a charge. ▲
A Model S competitor? – Karma Revero Now available in Canada, the Karma Revero is a reborn version of the Fisker Karma after the latter company was bought by Wanxiang Group in China from a bankruptcy sale. Its two electric motors produce a combined output of 403 hp and 981 lb-ft of torque, and its 21 kWh battery delivers an electric-only range of up to 80 km. The solar roof that gathers charge from sunlight is a particularly interesting feature. Pricing starts at $149,000. ▲
Nearly 50 all-electric km – Kia Optima Plug-In The all-electric range on the Kia Optima plug-in hybrid is 47 km, which is one of the higher figures in the large sedan class. Pricing starts at $42,995 before incentives for the EX model, which includes key features such as blind spot detection and autonomous emergency braking, but for $45,495 buyers can add niceties like air-cooled seats and a panoramic sunroof. ▲
Classic sass – Kia Soul EV The Kia Soul EV is perhaps this country’s easiest-to-spot electric vehicle. Already quirky enough in its own right, Kia has never shied away from allowing its customers to scream their Earth-friendliness from the rooftops with the electric blue and white paint job and refusal to hide behind fake grilles and tailpipes. The 2018 model, priced from $35,895 before incentives, has a range of up to 179 km. ▲
A right-sized electrified SUV – Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Canadians are in love with compact SUVs, and Mercedes-Benz has put an electrified one on the market with the introduction of the GLC 350e. With standard all-wheel-drive, a net system power output of 315 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, and up to 21 km of electric-only range, the GLC 350e starts at $59,900. ▲
Heights of EV luxury – Mercedes-Benz GLE 550e The Mercedes-Benz GLE 550e plug-in hybrid makes the three-pointed star an option for those not willing to compromise on SUV luxury in the name of fuel efficiency. With a combined net system power of 436 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, buyers may be willing to overlook its relatively low electric range of 19 km. Pricing, which is subject to modest incentives, starts at $83,900. ▲
Go-anywhere efficiency – Mini Cooper S E Countryman BMW brings Mini into the electric game by offering a plug-in hybrid iteration of the Mini Countryman. With its quirky styling, family-friendly size, and go-anywhere attitude, the Countryman adds an element of fun to driving efficiency – there’s even a graphic fish who helps by encouraging you to be smooth with the pedals. Its electric range was rated by NRCan at a lower-than-expected 19 km. Pricing starts at $44,390. ▲
The mainstream electrified SUV – Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV The long-anticipated Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has finally arrived in Canada, and with the quiet disappearance of the i-MiEV, it’s now the only electrified vehicle that Mitsubishi Motors sells in this country. Surprisingly, while there are plenty of plug-in and fully electric cars on the market, this is the only electrified SUV on the market in Canada from a non-luxury brand. It is able to run up to 35 km on electric power alone and pricing starts at $42,998 before incentives. ▲
Improving on an original – Nissan Leaf The new, second-generation Nissan Leaf has arrived with 40% more range for a total of 242 km, a more mainstream (and less bug-like) design, and desirable features like ProPilot Assist suite of driver assist technologies, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and ePedal one-pedal driving. Before incentives, the entry model is priced at $35,998. ▲
Efficiency for the enthusiast – Porsche Cayenne S e-Hybrid The next generation of Cayenne has arrived, and with it comes a new Cayenne S e-hybrid. Priced at a starting point of $90,400, it offers a combined power output of 416 hp, can go up to 23 km on electric power, and comes with standard all-wheel-drive. ▲
Electrified and electrifying – Porsche Panamera 4 e-hybrid Porsche enthusiasts looking for a plug-in hybrid solution have plenty of options within the Panamera line-up – the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is available in the standard and Sport Turismo configurations with six different models available. The base Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is priced at $113,400 and has 462 hp of combined power output, while the top-of-the-line Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive rings in at $221,700 and delivers 680 combined horsepower. ▲
A tiny package – Smart fortwo electric coupe and cabrio For the truly committed urban driver, the Smart fortwo coupe and cabrio make navigating narrow streets and tiny parking spots a snap, and in Canada they can now be purchased only as fully electric cars. The coupe gets just a smidge more range – 93 km as opposed to the cabrio’s 92 km – and both have 80 hp and 118 lb-ft of torque. The coupe is priced from $29,050, and the cabrio from $32,050. ▲
EV for the everyman? – Tesla Model 3 The Model 3 is finally starting to arrive in Canada with much ado, and it’s already become a not-uncommon sight on urban roads. Its advertised range is between 354 and 499 km depending on the model. If you’re interested in picking one up, pricing starts at $45,600 before incentives, but you should expect to wait months for delivery – especially of that base-price model. The Tesla website currently estimates performance model delivery in two to four months, long-range models in three to five months, and standard battery units in six to nine months. (But Elon Musk is known as an optimist! – ed) ▲
Controversial but still successful – Tesla Model S The original anxiety-busting sedan, capable of going up from 401 to 539 km between charges depending on the model, is still going strong and can frequently be spotted silently cruising around Canada’s major urban centres. Pricing starts at $96,650 for the 75 model. ▲
Fully electric family hauler – Tesla Model X The eccentric Model X seven-seat crossover with its signature gullwing doors has a drag coefficient of 0.24, making it the most aerodynamic crossover on the market. It achieves a range of between 383 and 475 km on a full charge depending on the model. Pre-incentive pricing starts at $102,300. ▲
Toyota’s most advanced hybrid – Toyota Prius Prime The Prius Prime’s 40 km electric-only range from its 8.8 kWh battery is 22 per cent more efficient than the previous Prius plug-in. It gets 121 net hp from a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motor. $32,990 will get you in the door with features like the Toyota Safety Sense P suite of safety technologies, but if you want the 11.6-inch touchscreen everyone raves about, you’ll have to spring for the $35,445 Upgrade model. ▲
Electrification of a classic – Volkswagen eGolf The Volkswagen eGolf was voted Best City Car in Canada for 2018 by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. Rated to provide up to 201 km on a full charge and putting out 134 hp from its 100 kW electric motor, the eGolf is stickered at $36,355. You’ll need to be patient, though – it currently has a 12 to 18-month waiting list. ▲
Swedish electrification – Volvo-S90-T8 Volvo Car Canada has expanded its plug-in hybrid line-up to include two new models over the past few months. The S90 is the sedan offering, which puts out 400 combined hp and 472 lb-ft of torque and goes up to 34 km on exclusively electric power. Packaged with all-wheel-drive as standard, it starts at $74,950. ▲
Plug-in mid-size SUV – Volvo XC60 T8 The second new Volvo model with a plug is the XC60, which can go 27 km on a charge while delivering the same 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque from the T8 electrified powertrain. For this two-row SUV, pricing starts at $70,250. ▲
A hot seller – Volvo XC90 T8 Volvo Car Canada reports that an impressive 25% of sales on its XC90 SUV have been the plug-in hybrid T8 models. For a starting price of $73,400, buyers take home the XC90’s award-winning and modern styling, connectivity, and safety, along with the same T8 combined output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. of torque along with an electric-only range of approximately 27 km. ▲
Keyword: Here’s every EV and plug-in hybrid available in Canada