In July, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines shared that local xEV sales are up 132.7% year-on-year. Interestingly, this figure stands against lower overall vehicle sales in the country for the first half of 2026.
For the uninitiated, xEV pertains to hybrids, full BEVs, and plug-in hybrid and range-extended vehicles. While the general segment is getting more popular, 54% of the 31,381 xEVs sold as of June 2026 were hybrids.
These powertrains are leading the electric shift in Philippine mobility, and that got us thinking about other hybrids we’d like to see on our roads. Now, there is already a healthy number of hybrid options—but let’s welcome more competition, shall we?
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
We tried the free Love Bus from Robinson’s Galleria to Opus Mall
Owner of viral double-parked car that got scraped by a fire truck gets LTO show cause order
1) Toyota Land Cruiser Prado HEV
While the larger LC300 already offers a hybrid powertrain, the humbler 250 Series or the Prado could also benefit from electrification. One of its pain points is its 2.4-liter engine, which some have found to be underpowered; however, with boosted efficiency and performance from an electric motor and a dedicated battery, this smaller setup could be forgiven.
The hybrid variant has been offered in the United States and other Western markets for some time, and you may have already seen some LC250s with green plates on local roads. But those are probably grey-market units and not official releases from Toyota, sadly.
2) Mitsubishi XForce HEV
During the 2026 Philippine International Motor Show in June, we were almost certain that the hybrid XForce was going to make its local debut. However, we were pleasantly surprised to see a more affordable variant of the compact crossover instead.
That being said, we do still believe that the XForce HEV would make for a worthy contender in the Philippines. It would go toe-to-toe against the likes of the Honda HR-V RS e:HEV and the Toyota Yaris Cross HEV in a highly competitive segment.
3) Mitsubishi Xpander HEV
If we’re dreaming of the XForce HEV, why not throw in the best-selling nameplate in the Philippines, too? It’s hard not to think that the hybrid Xpander wouldn’t be an instant hit for our local market. The Xpander has become a go-to option for MPV shoppers, and the draw of more efficient fuel consumption just makes sense.
Along with the plug-in hybrid Outlander and the XForce HEV, the hybrid Xpander would also give Mitsubishi Motors Philippines a simple but thorough electrified lineup in the country. Now, what could the brand’s first BEV release be?
4) Honda City e:HEV
Speaking of best-selling nameplates, the City has been Honda Cars Philippines’ pride and joy for 30 years, and it’s about time that its hybrid variant becomes available to Filipino buyers. In our experience, Honda’s e:HEV system is one of the most seamless hybrid powertrains we’ve tested out, and having it on the City would probably make it much more accessible.
At the same time, the electrified subcompact sedan segment could use another competitor. The Toyota Ativ HEV has been slugging it out with the BYD Seal 5 DM-i, but the City may just be the segment shaker to keep everyone on their toes.
5) Honda Accord e:HEV
While the subcompact sedan market is kicking, the midsize side is sorely lacking. Moreover, the hybrid midsize sedan segment really only has the Toyota Camry HEV and its Lexus counterpart in the ES. Still, those compete at drastically different price points, further alienating the Camry.
This is where the Accord could promptly step in. It revives a storied rivalry, while also updating with hybrid engines and new technology for the present era. We’ve already seen the Accord e:HEV a couple of times in Bangkok, and we hope to see it return to the Philippines one day soon.
6) Hyundai i20 mild-hybrid
Mild-hybrid vehicles get a bad rap, but ultimately they still tend to be more efficient than traditional internal-combustion engine cars—green plate or not. And while we’re on the subject of reviving nameplates, Hyundai does offer a mild-hybrid powertrain with its latest i20 hatchback.
The 48V mild-hybrid assist is paired with a 1.0-liter turbocharged mill to deliver a peppy drive while saving drivers a few bucks on fuel. The i20 has also been updated in accordance with Hyundai’s current design language, as it looks like a mini Kona. While we do love the outdated Venue, if Hyundai were to replace it with another subcompact, the i20 is our pick.
7) Nissan X-Trail e:Power
We know what you’re thinking: “Wasn’t the new X-Trail just launched?” And yes, you are correct, but what we are talking about is the all-new X-Trail headed to the US market later this year.
Yes, we’re ending this list with another American special, but hear us out. Not only does the X-Trail get an overhauled design that looks way more futuristic, but it also gets an improved e-Power system with dual motors. While the X-Trail we get is a fine vehicle, this newer one looks much more exciting.
Honorable mention: Toyota RAV4 PHEV
While this isn’t a list of plug-in hybrids, this RAV4 is too interesting to leave out. Thanks to its plug-in hybrid powertrain, it is the most powerful RAV4 available, with 324hp—close to what the hybrid Prado makes.
The plug-in hybrid RAV4 can also drive up to 87km on just electric power, and it looks great doing it. The Gazoo Racing style fits the fifth-generation silhouette very nicely, with special wheels and interior improvements to match.
Let us know if you’d want a list just for plug-in hybrid and range-extended vehicles.
