Hybrid 4x4s: what’s here and what’s coming

Electrification is gaining a stronger foothold in the often-pre-historic 4x4 segments as more manufacturers announce, reveal or introduce hybrid, plug-in hybrid or battery-electric off-road models.

Diesel will eventually die one way or another and it seems partial electrification will be one of the primary answers and/or alternatives going forward, with even Ford now muscling in on the act.

So which 4x4s can you buy right now with a hybridised powertrain of some description, and what will you be able to buy in the near future?

Read on to find out… just note we have only included models with an Aussie estimated time of arrival for the ‘coming soon’ section.

These two rugged ladder-frame SUVs share both a platform and a ballsy 2.0-litre turbo-petrol-electric hybrid system outputting a combined 255kW/648Nm.

The smaller and cheaper Tank 300 employs an eight-speed automatic transmission to send power to the wheels via a part-time 4x4 system whereas the LandCruiser-rivalling Tank 500 scores a nine-speed unit and full-time 4x4.

Claimed fuel economy for the former is 8.4L/100km while the latter uses slightly more at 8.5L/100km.

Jettisoning up the price points, the 2024 Land Rover Defender 110 can be had with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric plug-in hybrid system good for 297kW/640Nm and a combined fuel consumption of just 3.4L/100km.

JLR Australia claims the Defender PHEV will cover up to 52km on a full charge of its 19.2kWh battery pack and is the most capable member of its family – besides the monstrous Octa – thanks to the low-end torque, control and finesse it gains off-road via the electric motor.

Even further up the tree, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar all come with six-cylinder hybrid systems.

Essentially the ute equivalent of the Tank 500, the GWM Cannon Alpha is available in top-spec Ultra guise with its SUV sister’s punchy hybrid powertrain, albeit with a greater appetite (9.8L/100km) and superior towing capacity - 3500kg vs 3000kg.

While not on the same level as a dedicated hybrid or plug-in hybrid system, we’d be remiss not to include the Toyota HiLux on this list seeing as it’s now available with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, specifically on select versions of the SR, SR5 and Rogue at the moment.

Toyota claims the ‘V-Active Technology’ can shave up to 10 per cent off the combined fuel consumption of the HiLux’s 150kW/500Nm, 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and makes it more capable off-road through the tandem inclusion of the brand’s ‘Multi-Terrain Select’ off-road system.

Sharing an identical system but paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission (versus six) and full-time 4x4 (versus part time) is the new-generation Toyota Prado, while a more rudimentary version of the HiLux’s powertrain can be found under the bonnet of the LandCruiser 70 Series.

Australia has been begging for the Tundra for years now and finally, it’s been greenlit.

The big US full-sized pick-up truck will be the first in its segment to offer a hybrid powertrain, specifically a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 petrol-electric system outputting a combined (and class-leading) 326kW/790Nm.

Sales are due to start in mid-November.

The first of the big-name brands to wade into the hybrid mid-sized ute game, Ford isn’t holding back with the Ranger PHEV which will be offered here in XLT, Sport, Wildtrak and Stormtrak guises, all outputting a healthy 205kW/690Nm.

Drive comes from a 2.3-litre turbo-petrol engine and an e-motor stashed within the housing of the 10-speed automatic transmission, the motor being fed by an 11.8kWh (net) battery and offering “more than 45km” of electric range.

All of the usual Ranger capabilities are said to be maintained, including low range gearing, with an Aussie introduction set for 2025.

The Chinese-built BYD Shark combines a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with a pair of e-motors and a 29.5kWh Blade battery for a combined 321kW and 650Nm and a zero-emission cruising range of up to 100km (NEDC).

Compared to the diesel-matching Ranger, the Shark falls well short on towing capacity (2500kg) but should offer plenty of control off-road seeing as the electric motors are the primary drive source as opposed to the petrol engine which only drives the front wheels.

The Shark is due in showrooms before the end of 2024.

Arriving in April will be the GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4T, a plug-in hybrid version of the Cannon Alpha which is good for a Tundra-scaring 300kW/750Nm and up to 110km of electric cruising (WLTC).

The big plug-in GWM shares a similar 2.0-litre powertrain to the plug-less hybrid version but steps things up with a significantly more powerful e-motor and a bigger 37kWh lithium-ion battery, a combination it claims will use just 1.7 litres of fuel per 100km (WLTC). And it's still capable of towing 3500kg.

See our New Car Diary to find out when every other inbound model, regardless of segment, is due on Aussie soil.

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au