The majority of Nepali automobile enthusiasts can be divided into two categories: the camp that favours ICE-powered vehicles and those who prefer electrically powered vehicles. Fans of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) sit right in between. HEVs have been developed/designed for those who are conscious about the environment and want to burn less fuel, overall, than if they were to drive ICE-powered vehicles.

Although HEVs are not new here, few models are available in the market, and they are also less widely adopted than EVs. 

In Nepal, the big names that offer hybrid models are Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Kia, among others.

Toyota RAV4

Toyota’s most successful SUV in Nepal–the RAV4–comes with a hybrid electric technology that provides premium performance, enhanced stability, and improved fuel efficiency.

Powering the hybrid SUV is a 2.5L petrol engine that is paired to a 40 kW electric motor to generate a combined power of 219 hp and a combined torque of 220 Nm. The engine comes mated to a CVT. The all-wheel drive SUV comes with five driving modes: Sport, Eco, Normal, EV, and Trail.

The SUV comes with some notable features such as a tilt-and-slide moon-roof, 7-inch infotainment system, dual-zone auto AC, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, wireless charger, 60:40 split rear seats, seven airbags, ABS, VSC, parking sensors, reverse camera, and parking brake.

Specifications

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid price in Nepal

Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Like the RAV4, the Corolla Cross is Toyota’s latest vehicle to come with hybrid electric technology. Powering the Corolla Cross Hybrid is the same 1.8L, dual VVT-i petrol engine as its ICE-powered sibling’s, but here it is paired with an AC synchronous electric motor that is capable of generating an additional 71 bhp of power and 163 Nm of torque. For transmission, the engine comes mated to a CVT.

The front-wheel drive vehicle gets a smaller fuel tank (36 litres) than its ICE-powered siblings, but it provides a better mileage, of 15-20 kmpl.

Among the SUV’s notable features are its tilt-and-slide moonroof, 7-inch colour instrument cluster, 8-inch infotainment system, cruise control, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, smart entry and start system (with panic button), VSC, ESS, reverse camera, and parking sensors.

Specifications

Corolla Cross Hybrid price in Nepal

Sorento Hybrid

The Sorento Hybrid is powered by a 1.6L TGDi turbo petrol engine and a 1.49 kWh battery mated to a 44.2 kW AC-synchronous permanent-magnet motor. The hybrid motor is based on the TMED structure, with a parallel-drive system, which enables shift-by-wire through a six-speed automatic transmission. 

The all-wheel drive SUV primarily uses its electric motor to get to 25 kmph, and then the TGDi petrol engine takes over. However, it uses both the electric motor and the TGDi petrol engine through power-split transmission while accelerating. 

The SUV comes equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen (with navigation and mapcare). Other notable features include: UVO-link remote connectivity, voice recognition, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise-control buttons, adaptive cruise control, front-parking sensors, intersection assist, driver-drowsiness monitoring, rear-view camera, and rear-parking sensors.

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Specifications

Kia Sorento Hybrid price in Nepal

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The Outlander PHEV, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, comes with a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion battery that needs to be externally charged. The SUV runs purely on electric mode for about 45 km, then a 2.4L petrol-powered engine takes over. Combined, the hybrid SUV generates a power of 221 hp and a torque of 295 Nm.

The SUV comes with notable features such as an 8-inch infotainment system, dual-zone automatic AC, EV-driving mode, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry system, power windows, push-start button, rearview camera, steering wheel (with mounted control buttons), rain-sensing wipers, ABS with EBD and BA, blind-spot warning, forward collision mitigation, and anti-theft alarm system.

Specifications

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV price in Nepal

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