Most Efficient Plug-in Hybrid Cars in Canada for 2026

The Kia Sportage is the automaker’s best-selling vehicle and it receives several enhancements for 2026. This compact five-seater SUV is available three ways: in gasoline-only; as a hybrid; and as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

2026 Kia Sportage Competitors

Canadian consumers love the compact SUV segment, and the Sportage faces numerous rivals including the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander PHEV, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan, and more.

What’s new with the Kia Sportage for 2026?

The hybrid and PHEV powertrains all get a slight boost in horsepower. Front and rear styling is refreshed; wireless phone connectivity is standard; and new available features include a head-up display and digital key. Models with all-wheel drive (AWD) get a new selectable Terrain Mode for snow, mud, and sand.

2025 Kia Sportage Performance

The gas-only Sportage uses a 2.5L four-cylinder engine that makes 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base LX trim starts in front-wheel drive (FWD) but can be optioned to AWD, which is standard on all other trims.

The hybrid uses a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder that makes 177 horsepower and 195 lb-ft on its own, but working in conjunction with the hybrid system, that rises to 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The PHEV uses the same engine but its combined output is 261 horsepower plus 258 lb-ft of torque. Both the hybrid and PHEV use a six-speed automatic transmission and are AWD.

2026 Kia Sportage Efficiency

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) hadn’t yet rated the 2026 Sportage at time of writing; but the 2025 Sportage in FWD is rated at 9.3 L/100 km city, 7.1 highway, and 8.3 combined; and in AWD it’s 10.1 city, 8.7 highway, and 9.4 combined.

The Sportage Hybrid for 2025 is rated at 6.1 city, 6.3 highway, and 6.2 combined. The PHEV is 6.6 city, 6.7 highway, and 6.7 combined; but after it’s been plugged in and charged, it’s rated for 55 kilometres on electricity alone. Once that depletes, the system reverts to conventional self-charging hybrid operation, switching between gasoline, electricity, or a combination; and it will continue to drive for as long as there’s fuel in the tank.

2026 Kia Sportage Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn’t yet rated the 2026 Sportage, but it gave its top five-star rating to the 2025 version. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2025 version its top “Good” in its small overlap front and side crash tests, but hadn’t yet subjected it to the updated moderate front overlap, which now assesses potential injury to a rear-seat passenger as well as to those in front. It received the next-step-down “Acceptable” for its front pedestrian detection in automatic emergency braking, but “Marginal” for vehicle-to-vehicle detection.

Standard driver-assist features include emergency front braking, lane-keep assist, trailer stability assist, front and rear park distance warning, rear occupant alert, tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and mandatory rearview camera. Upper trims can add blind-view monitor, highway driving assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, and surround-view monitor.

2026 Kia Sportage Reliability

Consumer Reports gave the 2025 Kia Sportage a predicted reliability rating of 67/100, saying it expects it to have “above average reliability when compared to the average new car,” based on data from the 2023 and 2024 models. It didn’t win an individual award in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which looks at three-year-old vehicles, but Kia as an automaker ranked 11^th among all automakers, two steps above the industry average.

2026 Kia Sportage Interior

The gas-only LX entry trim includes a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, keyless entry, heated cloth seats, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, and pushbutton start. The X-Line adds faux leather upholstery, power driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, wireless charger, and remote starter. The EX, the next step up from that, is also the entry level on the hybrid and PHEV, and it adds navigation, satellite radio, auto-dimming mirror, dual-zone climate control, and automatic defogger. From there, higher trims can add power passenger seat, driver’s side memory, air-cooled seats, heated rear seats, head-up display, premium audio, and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

2026 Kia Sportage Dimensions

The 2026 Kia Sportage has an overall length of 4,660 mm (183.5 inches). Legroom is good at 1,052 mm (41.4 inches) in front and a generous 1,050 mm (41.3 inches) in the second row. Depending on how you set the cargo floor height in the gas-only Sportage, you get up to 1,121 litres of cargo space, opening up to a potential 2,098 litres when the second row is tucked down. Battery placement in the electrified models cuts a bit into cargo space. The gas Sportage can tow up to 2,500 lbs when properly equipped, and up to 2,000 lbs for the Hybrid and PHEV.

2026 Kia Sportage Canadian Pricing

The gas-only 2026 Sportage has the bulk of the available trim levels, starting with the LX FWD at $31,995, and the LX AWD at $33,995. From there, it goes through the X-Line at $37,745; the EX at $39,745; the EX Premium at $41,745; and the X-Line Limited at $45,245. Other than that entry LX FWD, all come with AWD.

The Sportage Hybrid starts with the EX at $41,25; then the EX Premium at $44,245; and the SX at $47,745. The Sportage PHEV comes as the EX at $46,245; the EX Premium at $49,245; and the SX at $52,745.

The 2026 Lexus NX is a compact five-passenger SUV that sits between the UX and RX in the automaker’s lineup. It comes with three types of powertrains: the gasoline-only NX 350; the hybrid NX 350h; and the NX 450h+, which is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The entry NX 250 that was offered in 2025 is no more.

Competitors to the 2026 Lexus NX

Rivals for the Lexus NX include the Acura RDX, Audi Q3, BMW X3, Genesis GV70, Lincoln Corsair, and Mercedes-Benz GLC.

What’s new with the Lexus NX for 2026?

The NX lineup slims down to three variants, with the NX 250 bowing out; it carried a naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine that made 203 horsepower. Beyond that, updates for the 2026 Lexus NX are in trims, with the NX 350h receiving available F Sport 2 and F Sport 3 packages; and an F Sport 2 package for the NX 450h+. Despite their sporty names, these don’t include any performance upgrades, but add such features as a mesh grille, 20-inch wheels, aluminum pedals, sports seats and steering wheel, and more interior features.

2026 Lexus NX Performance

The gas-only NX 350 uses a turbocharged 2.4L four-cylinder engine that makes 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid NX 350h uses a naturally-aspirated 2.5L four-cylinder with hybrid system, making a combined 240 horsepower and with automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT). It self-charges its battery with regenerative braking and doesn’t get plugged in.

The NX 450h+ PHEV also uses the 2.5L engine and CVT, but its hybrid system makes a combined 304 horsepower. When plugged in and charged, it can drive for a rated 60 kilometres on electricity alone. When the charge depletes, it reverts to the same self-charging operation as the NX 350h. All three NX variants have standard all-wheel drive. Towing capacity on all is a maximum of 2,000 lbs.

2026 Lexus NX Efficiency

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) rates the 2026 Lexus NX 350 at 10.9 L/100 km city, 8.5 highway, and 9.8 combined, for an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,340. The NX 350h is rated at 5.7 city, 6.4 highway, and 6.0 combined, for an estimated $2,100 per year. The heavier NX 450h+ tops the 350h slightly at 6.6 L/100 km in combined driving. All want premium-grade gasoline.

2026 Lexus NX Safety

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last crash-tested the Lexus NX for 2021, when it received the top five-star rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tested the 2025 version and named it a 2025 Top Safety Pick. It received the top “Good” in all tests but the updated moderate front overlap, where it got the next-step-down “Acceptable.” That test now assesses potential injury to a rear-seat passenger as well as to those in front, and that score prevented it from achieving the Top Safety Pick+ designation.

Standard or available driver-assist features on the NX include emergency front braking, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, active front head restraints with whiplash protection, active parking assist, lane change assist, digital rearview mirror, and mandatory rearview camera or panoramic camera.

2026 Lexus NX Reliability Rating

Consumer Reports gave the 2025 NX a “Recommended” badge and a predicted reliability rating of 77/100, saying it expects it to be “more reliable than the average new car,” based on data from the 2022 through 2024 models. It didn’t win an individual award in the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which looks at three-year-old vehicles, but Lexus as a brand ranked first among all automakers.

2026 Lexus NX Interior

Features on the entry NX 350 Premium include a 9.8-inch centre touchscreen, seven-inch digital instrument cluster, heated and ventilated front seats, heated power-adjustable steering wheel, driver’s side memory, power liftgate, power sunroof, front and rear USB ports, dual-zone climate control, single-colour ambient lighting, garage door opener, and ten-speaker audio system.

From there, depending on the trim, interior features can include a 14-inch touchscreen, 64-colour ambient lighting, wireless charger, wood or dark prism trim, panoramic sunroof, digital rearview mirror, head-up display, ventilated front seats, heated and power-folding rear seats, and 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.

2026 Lexus NX Dimensions

All NX models have an overall length of 4,660 mm (183.4 inches.) Front-seat headroom is 942 mm (37.1 in), while rear-seat passengers get 967 mm (38 in). Legroom is 1,040 mm (40.9 in) in front and 916 mm (36.0) in behind. Cargo capacity is 642 litres (22.7 cubic feet) with the rear seats upright, and 1,328 litres (46.9 cu.ft.) when they’re folded down.

2026 Lexus NX Canadian Pricing

The NX 350 starts in Premium trim at $54,830; and moves to Luxury at $58,969; Ultra Luxury at $62,937; Executive at $68,203; F Sport 2 at $62,012; and F Sport 3 at $68,403.

The NX 350h hybrid starts with the Premium at $57,675; and then the Luxury at $61,815; Ultra Luxury at $65,782; Executive at $70,528; F Sport 2 at $65,192; and F Sport 3 at $71,383.

The NX 450h+ PHEV starts in Ultra Premium at $59,990; the Executive at $76,605; F Sport 2 at $73,090; and F Sports 3 at $76,725.

This model showed up three years ago, bearing an actual name instead of the ‘gone and gladly forgotten’ alphabet soup with which Lincoln used to saddle its cars. Bearing more than a passing resemblance to its much more expensive brothers, the Corsair is the smallest of four models currently on sale in Lincoln Canada showrooms.

2026 Lincoln Corsair Competitors

Playing in the smaller end of the pool, the Corsair does battle with cars like the Acura RDX, Lexus NX, Volvo XC40, and Audi Q3. Cadillac surrendered this space when it killed off the XT4 and let the XT5 rot on the vine without updates.

What’s new with the Lincoln Corsair for 2026?

No significant changes are expected for the Corsair this year. Look for a potential reshuffling of colour options and interior trim pieces - but yer neighbours will be hard pressed to tell if you got a leftover ‘25 or popped for a span-fire new ‘26. It is unclear if the Corsair will live past its current model cycle.

2026 Lincoln Corsair Performance

The brand denotes its plug-in hybrid trims with a Grand Touring moniker, though world politics could make it difficult to find one on the ground these days. That aside, its electrified guts and 2.5L engine tag-team each other to make 266 combined horsepower. On the other side of the paper are trims with a 2.0L turbocharged engine making 250 ponies and 275 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is standard across the board in this country.

2026 Lincoln Corsair Efficiency

Owners of a gasser Corsair should expect roughly 11.2 L/100km efficiency in town, 8.3 on the highway, and 9.9 combined. Opting for the plug-in hybrid supplies an estimated 43 kilometres of electric-only range when conditions are right; combined with its gasoline-powered part of the equation, NRCan rates the Grand Touring at 6.9 L/100km in the city, 7.4 on the open road, and 7.1 combined.

2026 Lincoln Corsair Safety

The crash test dummies at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety base some of the Corsair’s scores on results it got for the Ford Escape since both vehicles share most underpinnings. This means the crossover gets top marks in the tough small overlap front test. Like many of its peers, the Corsair gets a Marginal rating on the updated side impact test, an new exam which places more weight in a higher impact zone than the old test.

2026 Lincoln Corsair Reliability

The dweebs at Consumer Reports places the Corsair smack dab in the middle of the road on its measure for predicted owner satisfaction. However, they blow raspberries at it for predicted reliability, doling out a 34-of-100 score which seems based at least in part on the configuration of certain in-car infotainment controls rather than outright breakdowns.

2026 Lincoln Corsair Interior

While this luxury crossover may share some underpinnings with its lesser Blue Oval cousin, Lincoln has done a great job of making the Corsair completely different than anything in a Ford showroom. Its cabin is well appointed and options like 24-way Perfect Position seats are some of the most comfortable thrones this side of Germany. Jazzy red upholstery can (and should) be spec’d rather than dour black or grey.

2026 Lincoln Corsair Dimensions

Total length of this vehicle is 181.4 inches or 4,676 millimetres; if you’re looking for a familiar yardstick, this places it within a few hairs of the popular Lexus NX. Width with the mirrors folded is 76.2 inches (1,935 mm) while height checks in at 64.1 inches (1,628 mm).

2026 Lincoln Corsair Canadian Pricing

Gasoline-only trims are the Premiere and Reserve, starting at $52,295 and $59,295 respectively. Expensive options and wheel packages can conspire to push the latter well into the mid-$70,000 bracket. As for the hybrid, it starts at $62,685 though selection of every single option pack will push the total over 80 grand.