Electrification is the keyword of today’s automotive industry and it isn’t just about passenger cars anymore. This process of electrification has been deep into the pickup truck segment as well and while everyone talks about all-electric pickups, many manufacturers are also working on more realistic, hybrid pickups, which are far more affordable and accessible to a wide range of buyers.
Some companies have already launched their hybrid pickups, while others are preparing their models for the next year. It’s good to know that hybrid pickups will be present in all segments (except for HD pickups, of course) and that buyers will have a pretty wide choice. Some of them compete in the full-size segment and already offer respectable towing ratings, while others put focus on fuel economy, comfort, and convenience.
Therefore, we’ve decided to make a list of some of the most interesting hybrid pickups for the next year:
2023 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid
The current generation of Honda’s pickup has been around for nearly six years but it continues to impress us with its impressive ride quality and overall convenience. It is the smoothest pickup on the market. It offers a crossover level of comfort, which is no wonder considering that it shares most of its parts with the Honda Pilot.
However, the competition is getting stronger every year and despite all the qualities, this pickup isn’t among the best-selling models in the class. That’s why many of us expect novelties in the near future. Naturally, one of the first things that come to mind is electrification.
The current model is available with just one engine option, with a smooth but quite thirsty V6 engine. Many expect to see a hybrid version in the future and if we can trust rumors, that powertrain would be based on a turbo-four engine. Allegedly, it would come in pair with two electric motors, with a combined output that goes around 300 horsepower. All-wheel-drive would be standard, while a large battery pack would provide around 30 miles of the all-electric range.
Unfortunately, the officials are still quiet about the new powertrain. This leads us to the conclusion that Honda engineers won’t offer electrified versions before a complete redesign, which won’t happen in the next few years.
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2023 Ford Ranger Hybrid
It’s no secret that the new generation of Ford’s mid-size pickup is in the works and that it should debut by the end of this year. Although it will continue to ride on the same (but significantly updated) T6 platform, it will bring a full load of novelties. Besides styling changes, it will also bring a lot of new powertrain options.
Among them, we also expect to see some forms of electrifications. Some sources even speculate about the all-electric version. At this point, the officials are still quiet. So, speculations are the only thing we can rely on at the moment. Currently, the most probable scenario is to see a PHEV version.
Most sources suggest a setup that’s based on a 2.3-liter turbo-four engine, which would get significant help from an electric motor and a large battery pack. Australian sources suggest a combined output of 270 kW (362 hp) and 680 Nm (502 lb-ft) of torque. The system would be paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
From what we know so far, Australia, South Africa and Europe will be the first markets where the new Ranger Hybrid will appear. The US version is expected in 2023, most likely in summer.
2023 Ram 1500 Hybrid
The current generation of Ram’s light-duty pickup has been around for a while and it looks like it’s time for a mid-cycle refresh. If we can trust the latest reports, the next year will bring some styling updates, while some changes under the hood have also been rumored. More precisely, a hybrid version has been rumored.
Technically, this pickup is already available with a hybrid powertrain. Both V6 and V8 engines can be coupled with the eTorque system but we are talking about a mild 48-V hybrid system, which doesn’t have a significant impact on performance and fuel economy. The 2023 Ram 1500 Hybrid could bring something better.
The officials are still quiet, while rumors suggest a setup that’s quite similar to the new Wrangler 4xe PHEV. This system is based on a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine, which gets help from a capable 134-hp electric motor, for a combined output of 375 horsepower. In this particular case, we could see a more powerful or additional electric motor, which would increase the max output to around 430 horsepower. Also, we would expect a bigger battery than the 17-kWh pack that can be found in the Wrangler 4xe.
Unfortunately, the officials are still quiet, so make sure to remain reserved for the new 2023 Ram 1500 Hybrid.
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2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid
After almost 15 years of waiting, Toyota’s full-size pickup has finally been redesigned. The new generation debuted for the 2022 model year and considering how long the previous model was in production, it’s no wonder that we saw so many novelties and improvements. One of the biggest novelties was the introduction of the hybrid version.
The 2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid will represent the second production year. Therefore, we are pretty sure it won’t feature any bigger changes. The new hybrid powertrain impresses in many ways. It combines a 3.4-liter turbo V6 with a 48-hp electric motor, for a total output of 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. Also, the system comes in a combination with a new 10-speed automatic transmission.
With all that power, this large and heavy pickup needs just around 5.8 seconds to hit 60 mph. The max towing capacity goes up to 12.000 pounds, which is a pretty respectable number for the class. Besides strong performance, you may also count on pretty good fuel economy. It goes around 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg combined.
The 2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid should feature a starting price of around 54.000 dollars.
2023 Mitsubishi Triton Hybrid
The current generation of Mitsubishi’s pickup may look amazing from the outside. However, it is still a pickup that’s been around since 2015. Considering that the competition is getting tougher every year, it’s no wonder that the Japanese manufacturer is already working on the next generation.
The new model will come with significant changes. First of all, it will ride on a different platform. Of course, the company wants to cut expenses. So, the new Triton will have most things in common with the Nissan Navara. The two models will ride on the same platform and the new Triton will get bigger and come with a more refined suspension setup, especially on the rear end.
While the current generation relies mostly on diesel engines, the new model will be mostly about hybrids. The exact details are still unavailable but we are pretty sure that the new 2023 Mitsubishi Triton Hybrid will feature a plug-in hybrid setup, based on a four-cylinder engine. The officials are still quiet.
Of course, diesel engines will remain available in certain parts of the world. The test mule has been spotted in Sweden. Despite the camouflage, we believe it is almost ready, so the sales should start in the second half of the year.
2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid
The Ford F-150 Hybrid has been around for some time and it proved itself as a worthy electrified workhorse. It offers great performance in a combination with good fuel economy. The pickup is practically the same as the rest of the F-150 lineup, so you may count on all the benefits that come with standard models.
Considering that this pickup is still pretty fresh, the 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid won’t bring bigger changes. It will continue with the same setup, which combines a capable 3.5-liter V6 engine with a 47-hp electric motor and a 1.5-kWh battery pack. The total output goes around 430 horsepower, while the max torque goes all-away up to 570 pound-feet of torque.
With all that power, the 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid will be able to hit 60 mph in less than 5.5 seconds. More importantly, the max towing capacity goes around 12.700 pounds. That is pretty impressive for a hybrid pickup and more than you can tow with the new Tundra Hybrid. At the same time, this powertrain provides a pretty impressive fuel economy, which goes around 24 mpg combined.
We don’t believe that the next year’s model could bring bigger price changes. The current, 2022 model starts at around $43.000.
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Hybrid
A modern crossover in the shape of a pickup truck. Those would be the right words to describe Hyundai’s compact pickup. This attractive compact pickup borrows the front end from the new Tucson, but also comes with a pretty advanced suspension setup, which provides ride quality that’s on a completely new level when compared to other trucks. Also, we really like its luxurious cabin, filled with quality materials and tech features.
This is an all-new model and the initial version came with two gasoline engines on the offer. The base one is a good-old 2.5-liter inline-four with 191 horsepower, while the optional 2.5-liter turbo-four features a max output of 281 horsepower and offers notably better performance.
If we consider that the key rival, Ford Maverick, is already available with a hybrid powertrain, we may expect that the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz would go in the same direction. Logically, it would use the same powertrains as the new Tucson. This means a setup that combines a 1.6-liter turbo-four engine with an electric motor, for a total output of 226 horsepower. A plug-in hybrid version with 261 horsepower should also come. This one would feature a bigger battery and around 30 miles of the all-electric range.
2023 Ford Maverick Hybrid
The Maverick has just arrived and we could say it established a whole new segment of compact pickups. It’s somewhere between pickups and SUVs, considering its unibody platform. As a result, it may not be as capable as traditional trucks but on the other hand, it offers car-like ride quality, full of comfort and convenience. Furthermore, we like its stylish cabin, as well as the spacious second-row seats.
Also, we like the attractive starting price, which goes around 20.000 dollars. For that sum, you get a hybrid powertrain, which combines a 2.5-liter inline-four with a single electric motor, for a total output of 191 horsepower. The power goes to the front wheels via CVT, which does a pretty fine job too. Another thing we like about this powertrain is fuel economy. It goes around 40 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
Some sources suggest that the 2023 Ford Maverick could also bring a plug-in hybrid powertrain. We presume this system would also be borrowed from the Escape crossover, with the same engine but the more powerful electric motor, for a combined output of 221 horsepower. Also, it would feature a 14.4-kWh battery pack, which would ensure around 30 miles of the all-electric range.
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