Even more enticing is that you can now own such fuel-efficient cars below the RM100K mark.
Besides getting the price down, hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are fuel efficient and does save you from visiting the petrol pump on a regular basis.
However, PHEVs cost more than hybrids as they come with larger batteries and can be charged via an external cable.
Overall, these electrified cars also benefit the environment with its low emissions by applying the electric motor and the start/stop feature which switches off the combustion engine when the car is idle.
Another benefit of these cars is the very low cabin noise level.
When the car utilises the electric motor, it is so quiet sometimes you can’t tell whether it is running or not.
This offers another level of comfort for the driver and passenger.
Even when the combustion engine is ignited, these cars are so well damped sound-wise that you may not even notice the engine is running.
Finally, another plus to a hybrid and PHEV is that they produce more output than its combustion engine equivalents especially more torque which results in more powerful drives.
Let’s take a look at the options of owning a hybrid or PHEV car in Malaysia.
BMW 330e M-Sport
The direct competitor of the C-Class plug-in hybrid is the Bavarian-make 330e M Sport trim PHEV priced at RM258,800.
It also features a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Coupled with the electric motor, the car generates 252PS and 420Nm of torque.
Besides the usual drive modes of Eco, Normal, Sport and Sport+, the 330e also comes with three other modes of AUTO eDRIVE which lets the car determine the use of engine, electric motor or both; MAX eDRIVE uses mostly electric motor; and SAVE BATTERY uses the engine for most of the time.
The M kit includes a set of 18-inch double-spoke M light alloy wheels with 225/45 (front) and 255/40 (rear) tyres and the M Sport suspension package which lowers the car by 10mm.
For more information, click here and here.
BMW X5 xDrive40e
If PHEV SUVs is more your thing, then you want to have a look at this.
It’s locally-assembled in M Sport trim priced at RM388,800 on-the-road without insurance.
Under the hood is a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine which churns out 242hp and 350Nm of torque and a synchronous electric motor.
The combined system output is 313hp and 450Nm of torque delivered by the eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission to all four wheels. It has an electric range of around 30km.
The battery pack for the vehicle is a lithium-ion unit with a gross energy capacity of 9.0kWh
Equipment on the xDrive40e includes front sports seats, auto air-conditioning with four-zone control, a Navigation system Professional system with a 10.25-inch display monitor, a Harman Kardon surround sound system with 16 speakers and a rear seat entertainment system made up of two 10.2-inch monitors.
The car has Lane Departure Warning and City & Pedestrian Collision Warning with front and rear Park Distance Control (PDC) as well as Surround View, which comes with side and rear view cameras.
And you get the BMW ConnectedDrive Services with Intelligent Emergency Call, BMW TeleServices, Concierge Services and eDrive Services.
For more information, click here.
BMW 740Le X-Drive
The BMW 7 Series is now exclusively offered as a plug-in hybrid in Malaysia and is locally-assembled to boot and priced at RM598,800 on-the-road without insurance inclusive of a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty.
The 740Le xDrive is powered by a 2.0 litre BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder unit offering 258PS and 400Nm.
The supplementary synchronous electric motor is integrated into a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic.
The combined system output is 326PS and 500Nm of torque. In electric mode, it has a range of 41km.
Eventhough this is a big car it’s no slouch as it can go from 0-100kph in just 5.3 seconds.
Luxury appointments include a Design Pure Excellence exterior and interior package, Nappa leather quilted upholstery and a Poplar Grain Grey fine-wood trim finish.
The equipment includes the Sky Lounge panoramic glass roof, a BMW Display Key, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, two 10-inch display screens operated via a BMW Touch Command seven-inch touchscreen tablet.
Safety-wise, it comes with eight airbags, Isofix, an Active Protection System, lane departure warning, lane change warning, pedestrian collision warning, crossing traffic alert, active cruise control with a Stop&Go function, steering/lane control assistant and lane keeping assistant with active side collision protection.
Also included is a head-up display, parking assistant, automatic parallel and perpendicular parking and surround view.
For more information, click here.
Honda City and Jazz Sport Hybrid i-DCD
Honda Malaysia made a mark in the local industry this year by offering hybrid variants of the City sedan and compact hatch, Jazz with prices at RM89,200 and RM87,500 respectively.
Honda City.
Both cars have a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission producing a combined output of 137hp and 170Nm of torque.
The features of both cars are quite similar especially in terms of safety other than the fact that the Jazz lacks side mirrors with turning lights, auto retractable door mirrors, rear air-con vents and paddle shifters.
Honda Malaysia recently posted figures of 1,200 bookings of both cars combined. And this figure is dated Sept 30, 2017 with the City being the more popular of the two.
Honda Jazz.
Honda Malaysia offers a five year warranty with unlimited mileage, free labour service up to 6 times within 100,000km or five years and an eight year hybrid battery (lithium-ion) warranty with unlimited mileage. Terms and conditions apply.
For more information, click here and here.
Hyundai Ioniq
The Ioniq hybrid from South Korean marque Hyundai was launched at the end of November 2016.
Now available in two variants - HEV and HEV Plus AVN - with prices starting from RM100,328 and RM116,488 respectively.
The Ioniq Hybrid is powered by the Kappa 1.6 litre Atkinson GDi combustion engine and the electric Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) which is mated to a 6-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT).
The combustion engine produces 105PS at 5,700rpm and 147Nm of torque at 5,000rpm while the 32kW electric motor pushes out 43hp and 170Nm of torque.
Powering the electric motor is the lithium-ion polymer battery.
Standard features for both variants are impressive such as include keyless entry, smart key with stop start button, LED daytime running lights, dual zone climate control with single zone operation mode, seven airbags, anti-lock brake system (ABS), brake assist system (BAS), hill-start assist control (HAC), electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management, auto cruise control, auto light control, tyres pressure monitoring system, front and rear parking sensors and rear view camera.
Meanwhile, the high spec HEV Plus AVN variant comes with HID Bi-Xenon head lamps and LED type rear combination lamps, 8-inch high definition Android-based TFT-LCD digital cluster, wireless charging for smartphones, blind spot detection (BSD), lane keeping assist system (LKAS), autonomous emergency braking system (AEB), smart cruise control system and rain sensor.
For more information, click here.
Mercedes-Benz C 350 e
Need more oomph for your C-Class then the C 350 e is the way to go.
This is a PHEV priced at RM289,888 (Avantgarde trim); RM294,888 (with AMG Line interior); RM299,888 (AMG Line exterior and interior).
The combustion engine comprises of a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and outputs 279hp and 600Nm of torque.
It uses a lithium-ion battery which can be recharged by plugging to a charging station or wall socket. The battery can be fully charged from 10% to 100% in about one hour and 45 minutes with the 230V 16A 3.7kW single-phase wallbox (RM7,000) or about two hours with a 230V 13A 3.0kW wall socket.
It comes with the highly sought after Airmatic air suspension which is comes as standard, for outstanding ride comfort with minimal road noise and tyre vibration.
The only downside is the size of boot which shrinks due to the placement of the battery.
The C 350 e has a smaller 335-litre boot compared with a 480-litre boot in the non-hybrid C-Class.
For more information, click here.
Mercedes-Benz E 350 e
If you want the latest E-Class PHEV sedan then there are three choices to choose from: E 350 e AMG Line, E 350 e Exclusive Line and E 350 e Edition 60.
It features a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine mated the nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission producing 208 hp and 350 Nm of torque and an electric motor. The combined output produces 281hp and 550Nm of torque.
The all-electric range is rated at 33km. And the century sprint is achieved at 6.2 seconds.
The E 350 e Exclusive Line is priced from RM392,888 features the classic look while the E 350 e AMG Line (RM395,888) comes with a sporty interior while the E 350 e Edition 60 (RM408,888) is limited to only 60 units, features exclusive and luxurious options including 19-inch 6-spoke light alloy wheels and Exclusive Line interior package.
Standard equipment includes AIR BODY CONTROL, Pre-Entry Climate Control system and an advanced energy recuperation mode for exceptional driving comfort, multibeam LED headlights with adaptive highbeam plus, keyless-go entry and start, thermotronic three-zone climate control, nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with memory and four-way lumbar support, active parking assist, a 360-degree camera, panoramic sunroof, 64-colour ambient lighting and a powered bootlid, twin 12.3-inch Wide Cockpit display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Qi wireless charging and a 13-speaker Burmester sound system.
For more information, click here.
Mercedes-Benz S 400 h AMG line
This is the first locally assembled hybrid luxury saloon which was launched back in 2014 and is now offered in AMG Line trim priced at RM598,888 on-the-road without insurance.
The AMG Line kit includes an AMG bodystyling kit and 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, a new three-spoke AMG multi-function sports unit steering wheel and AMG sports pedals.
It is powered by a 3.5 litre V6 CGI engine which pushes out 306hp and 370Nm and is paired with an electric motor integrated between the engine and the 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission.
The car comes equipped with LED intelligent light system headlamps, an electric panoramic sliding sunroof, an Airmatic suspension system and a Driving Assistance package Plus which includes Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, Brake Assist BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, Pre-Safe Brake with pedestrian detection, Pre-Safe Plus, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist.
Inside the cabin are plush appointments like designo brown high-gloss sunburst myrtle wood trim elements, black or brown leather upholstery, a 13-speaker Burmester Surround Sound audio system and a rear seat chauffeur package.
For more information, click here.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
The popular sedan from Toyota received a hybrid powertrain back in 2015 and comes in two variants - 2.5 Hybrid Luxury and 2.5 Hybrid Premium - priced at RM169,900 and RM160,200 respectively.
The 2.4-litre petrol engine produces 160PS and 213Nm of torque of mated to the electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) while the electric motor pushes out 143PS and 270Nm.
For those who enjoy wood trim and leather seats, among other things, while still staying well below the RM200K budget, this is the best bet for you.
The Luxury version comes with 17-inch wheels while the Premium comes with 16inch wheels and the kit list is almost the same except the Premium excludes the automatic rain sensor, wireless charger, 7” touch screen display audio with navigation system, DVD player, tuner, MP3, USB, Bluetooth, reverse camera and JBL speaker.
Safety wise, the Premium lacks the blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert but both cars come with seven airbags, anti-lock braking System (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA), vehicle stability control (VSC) and traction control (TRC), hill-start assist control (HAC), emergency stop signal and ISOFIX.
Currently, Toyota is offering a promotion of RM7,000 cash rebate + 1 year free service until Dec 31, 2017.
For more information, click here.
Volvo S90 T8 Twin Engine Inscription
The Swedish marque has set its sights on the luxury E-segment sedan market with the recent launch of the plug-in hybrid Volvo S90 T8 Twin Engine which comes in two variants - Inscription and Inscription Plus - priced at RM368,888 and RM388,888 (on-the-road without insurance).
The S90 T8 features a transversely-mounted twin-charged (supercharged and turbocharged) 2.0 litre four-cylinder Drive-E engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with an output of 320hp and 400Nm. This powers is the front wheels while the rear axle is powered by an electric motor with lithium-ion battery.
Standard equipment includes full LED headlamps with Active Bending Lights and LED DRLs, LED taillamps, 19-inch wheels, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display, a nine-inch touchscreen head unit, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and dual-zone climate control.
Exclusive to the Inscription Plus is the Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system with 19 speakers and a set of electronically-controlled adaptive dampers.
Safety features are abound here with the Volvo Intellisafe pack, beginning with adaptive cruise control with distance monitoring, City Safety with full auto braking, smart detection of cyclists, pedestrians and large animals, Run-off Road Mitigation, Park Assist with Park Assist Pilot (self-parking) and level two Pilot Assist, Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keeping Aid, and 360 degree surround view camera.
For more information, click here.
Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine
The Volvo XC90 PHEV has been a popular choice of SUVs from the Swedish marque over a decade ago and was updated in 2016 and locally-assembled for competitive pricing at RM403,888 on-the-road without insurance.
This is a seven-seater SUV and introduced the T8 Twin Engine which you now find in the newly released S90 sedan along with signature “Thor’s Hammer” LED DRLs, LED Active Bending Lights and Active High Beam Control headlights, LED Adaptive Brake Lights, dual exhaust tips and a powered tailgate.
The interior gets a Nappa leather upholstery, the three-spoke multi-function steering wheel, a crystal gear knob made by Swedish crystal makers Orrefors, and diamond-cut engine start/stop button and volume control knob, a long nine-inch touchscreen display linked to Volvo’s latest Sensus Connect High Performance audio system interface which controls almost every feature of the car, including the four-zone climate control system, navigation, WiFi hotspot and surround-view camera.
Then there is the 10-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, USB and Aux connectivity, Android and Apple screen mirroring and a 12.3-inch Adaptive Digital Display instrument panel.
The XC90 is powered by 2.0 litre four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged Drive-E petrol engine and an electric motor.
There is also an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
The engine produces 320hp and 400Nm of torque and is sent to the front wheels while the electric motor drives the rear wheels.
It has a total system output is at 407hp and 640Nm, and both drive units form an electric all-wheel drive system. It has an electric range of 43km.
Safety-wise, it gets seven airbags, Adaptive Cruise Control, City Safety with Front Collision Warning and Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with Full Auto Brake, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Aid, Roll Stability Control, Hill Descent Control, the run-off road protection package and the Park Assist Pilot system.
For more information, click here.
