What is a Super Hybrid? New Chinese Car Brand Catchphrase Explained
Published: 21 Jul 2025
Share Copy Link
Readtime: 5 min
Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here.
Reported EV sales dropped 52% in Australia through June 2025
Chinese brands shift focus to 'Super Hybrid' plug-in hybrid technology
'Super Hybrid' simplifies confusing PHEV jargon
Models like Geely, MG, Chery, and BYD lead the Super Hybrid push
Toyota responds with upcoming RAV4 PHEV amid rising competition
Electric vehicle sales have decreased by more than 52% through June 2025 in Australia, and that's bad news if you're a Chinese EV-only car brand that's trying to break into a new market.
Brands like Zeekr, DEEPAL, Smart, Polestar, and Xpeng have their work cut out for them if they're going to stay as EV-only brands. However, the majority of Chinese car brands are now hedging their bets on hybrid technology, more specifically, 'Super Hybrid' technology. While their EVs are top-notch, their hybrids are even better, and that's a concern for market leaders like Toyota and its top-selling RAV4. It's also a worry for existing brands that have struggled to adapt to hybrids quickly, including Subaru, which only just launched the long-awaited Forester Hybrid.
To dispel the complicated jargon associated with the different types of hybrid technology available, Chinese car brands have joined forces to create the term 'Super Hybrid,' which is another term for 'Plug-in Hybrid' or 'PHEV.' These vehicles have an engine, but can be driven for more than 100km with electric power only. It's genius, here's why.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | Image: Supplied / Mitsubishi
I've had nothing but trouble trying to explain the differences between PHEV, BEV, MHEV, and all of the other complicated jargon associated with hybrid technology in recent years.
I understand it as someone who's driven nearly everything, but I've had nothing but trouble trying to explain the differences to friends and family. I could only imagine what dealers and those on the showroom floor are going through, having to try to explain the differences between the technology to potential buyers.
Consumer understanding hasn't been helped by brands like Mitsubishi that have stuck 'EV' badges on the side of their vehicles that require petrol, but they're not the only culprits. Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and others have been quick to label cars 'Hybrid' that use a simple 48-volt system, which never provides drive to the wheels. The Chinese brands have realised the issues and jumped in with an all-encompassing term that makes your life as a new car buyer easier by explaining these complicated products under one term, 'Super Hybrid.'
Geely Starray EM-i | Image: Supplied / Geely
To get granular, the term 'Super Hybrid' describes a 'Plug-in Hybrid' or 'PHEV' vehicle, which has a conventional petrol engine and gearbox, but also a large battery (that can be charged like an EV) and an electric motor that powers the wheels. These vehicles can be driven on electric power only for more than 100km in most cases and charged with a cable or the vehicle's engine. Most importantly, they can also be driven without even being plugged in by using the petrol engine as a traditional hybrid would.
Geely is the latest Chinese car brand to ditch the EV-only showroom by launching the oddly-named Starray EM-i, which the brand is calling a 'Super Hybrid.' It features a 1.5-litre engine that produces 73kW of power alongside a 160kW electric motor powered by an 18.4kWh battery that can send a combined 193kW of power to the front wheels and drive for up to 80km on EV-only power.
It will soon be joined in the market by other 'Super Hybrid' vehicles, including the Omoda 9 SHS (from $61,990 plus on-roads) and existing models in the market like the MG HS Super Hybrid (from $50,990 drive-away), top-selling BYD Sealion 6 (from AUD$42,990 plus on-roads), and the large Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid SUV (from $45,990 drive-away).
Geely Starray EM-i | Image: Supplied / Geely
If 'Super Hybrid' technology sounds like the best of EVs without the range anxiety, then you'd mostly be right.
I've spent time behind the wheel of everything from the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to a $250,000 Range Rover Sport PHEV and Defender that uses the same basic concept. During my test of these vehicles, I rarely used the petrol engine to drive the vehicle. I charged up the small battery overnight using a powerpoint and drove to work and back without ever using the petrol engine. However, there is one catch, as I experienced in the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV.
If you become too lazy to charge the battery during the ownership period, PHEV or 'Super Hybrid' vehicles are terrible to drive. The added weight (often hundreds of kilograms) and underpowered petrol engine mean they're severely down on power, and without the added oomph of an electric motor driving the wheels, you spend the whole time wishing that you were driving a conventional hybrid.
2026 Toyota RAV4 | Image: Supplied / Toyota
Therein lies Toyota's argument. Car buyers are lazy; they won't charge their PHEVs, and the Super Hybrid technology is merely a stepping-stone to a battery EV or a step backwards on the super-efficient hybrid technology that Toyota already offers. At least, it was their argument until they launched their new RAV4 with a PHEV variant.
Toyota has sold 24,034 Hybrid RAV4s through June 2025. That figure is down 5.4% on where the top-selling car was this time last year, but it's one to watch as more 'Super Hybrid' models from Chinese brands hit our market in the coming months and Toyota's own plug-in hybrid RAV4 hits the market sometime next year.
PHEV sales in Australia are up 10.5% so far this year, but the small number of cars sold through June 2025 (472 sales) does make you wonder just how many people are asking for this technology.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Age
9 hours ago
- The Age
With no one to take over, Australia's oldest Chinese restaurant is closing
'We are getting old,' says Sai Yoke 'Sue' Wong, 74, who runs Toi Shan in Bendigo with her husband, Kok Hem 'Peter' Chee, 71. 'We have been wanting to retire for a long time. We looked for someone to take over, but no one has.' The couple will permanently close their restaurant in Bendigo's CBD on July 30. It will later reopen as an Indian restaurant. Toi Shan has been around since 1948, when Allan Chan took over On Loong cookshop and renamed it after the southern Chinese city he was born in, more commonly transliterated as Taishan. On Loong, however, dates back further, possibly to 1892. Its first iteration was on Bridge Street, in the heart of Bendigo's Chinatown, and it moved to the current location on Mitchell Street in 1942. The Chan family sold the business to Sue Wong's family in 2003. 'We've been here 20 years,' says Wong. 'It's a hard job with long hours. Staff are hard to find, and you don't make enough money to pay them anyway, so you work until midnight. One day it's busy, two days quiet, one day busy. It's hard for old guys.'
Man of Many
13 hours ago
- Man of Many
2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Review
High point Low point Verdict Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is still the king in this segment for road holding ability and surefootedness Technology and use of materials on the interior are not up to scratch compared to the newcomers in the mid-size SUV segment. It's still the obvious choice for traditionally minded mid-size SUV buyers and those that want to go a little further off the beaten path than most. Scroll horizontally to view full table With a debut at the Chicago Auto Show earlier in the year, we've finally gone behind the wheel of the new Subaru Forester Hybrid at the press launch in Christchurch, New Zealand. It's the first in a line of new models that are scheduled to enter Subaru Australia showrooms over the next 12 months, but it's arguably their most important model release in decades as it arrives with Hybrid power to tackle the top-selling Toyota RAV4 and others like the Mitsubishi Outlander. But can it deliver the good? We headed to New Zealand to find out. How Much is the Subaru Forester Hybrid? The all-new Subaru Forester is available in seven variants, priced from AUD$43,490 plus on-road costs for the non-hybrid entry-level petrol model and from AUD$46,490 plus on-road costs for the Forester Hybrid. What Do You Get for the Money? Here's everything you get for your money when buying a Subaru Forester in Australia. I'll start by outlining the standard options across the petrol range before moving into the Forester Hybrid. Petrol-Only Variants of the Subaru Forester Forester AWD – from AUD$43,490 plus on-roads 2.5-litre Boxer petrol engine Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive X-Mode Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) – 2 mode Subaru's Vision Assist with Panoramic 360 Degree View Monitor 9 SRS airbags now including: Far Side airbag Front Passenger Seat Cushion airbag The latest gen of Subaru EyeSight®, which now adds: Wide-angle monocular camera Emergency Driving Stop System Front-side radar Reverse Automatic Braking Driver Monitoring System An 11.6-inch high-definition touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity Wireless Qi charger Heated front seats Ladder-style roof rails 18-inch alloy wheels Forester AWD Premium – from AUD$46,490 plus on-roads adds: Satellite navigation Powered tailgate with kick sensor Powered front seats: 8-way power seat with dual memory – driver Electric lumbar support – driver 8-way power seat – front passenger Auto driver's seat and door mirror adjustment DMS functions Auto folding door mirrors with auto dipping passenger mirror on reverse Forester AWD Sport – from AUD$48,490 plus on-roads adds: X-Mode – 2 mode Water repellent synthetic leather seat trim Electric sunroof Dark metallic 18-inch alloy wheels Unique styling cues such as: Black front grille with green insert Symmetrical All Wheel Drive exterior badge – Green Exterior Sport badge – Green Interior seat stitching – Green leather steering wheel with green stitching Shift boot with green stitching Forester AWD Touring – from AUD$50,990 plus on-roads adds: 10 speakers, plus sub-woofer and amplifier, Harman Kardon® audio system Leather and Ultrasuede® accented seat trim in a choice of black or brown colour themes Front seat ventilation Stylish gloss black exterior highlights on the: Front grille Front and rear bumper Side garnish Door mirror caps Low-profile roof rails Hybrid Variants of the Subaru Forester Forester AWD Hybrid – from AUD$46,490 plus on-roads Next generation strong hybrid e-Boxer Lineartronic CVT with Sports Regeneration Paddles Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive X-Mode – 2 mode Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) Subaru's Vision Assist with Panoramic 360 Degree View Monitor 9 SRS airbags now including: Far Side airbag Front Passenger Seat Cushion airbag The latest gen of Subaru EyeSight®, which now adds: Wide-angle monocular camera Emergency Driving Stop System Front-side radar Reverse Automatic Braking Driver Monitoring System An 11.6-inch high-definition touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity Wireless Qi Charger Heated front seats Ladder-style roof rails 18-inch alloy wheels Forester AWD Hybrid Sport – from AUD$54,990 plus on-roads adds: Stylish bronze accents on the: Front and rear bumper Side garnish Symmetrical All Wheel Drive badge Electric sunroof 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster Satellite navigation Powered tailgate with kick sensor Auto driver's seat and door mirror adjustment DMS functions Powered front seats: 8-way power seat with dual memory – driver Electric lumbar support – driver 8-way power seat – front passenger Auto folding door mirrors with auto dipping passenger mirror on reverse 10 speakers, plus sub-woofer and amplifier, Harman Kardon® audio system Enhanced suspension for improved comfort on bumpy roads Low-profile roof rails 19-inch alloy wheels – Bronze colour Forester AWD Hybrid Touring – from AUD$55,990 plus on-roads adds: 19-inch alloy wheels – Dark grey machined gloss finish Leather and Ultrasuede® accented seat trim in a choice of black or brown colour themes Front seat ventilation Stylish gloss black exterior highlights on the: Front grille Front and rear bumper Side garnish How Much Does the Subaru Forester Hybrid Cost to Run? Subaru Forester Hybrid is covered by a 5-year/ unlimited kilometre warranty in Australia and an 8-year, 160,000km warranty for the Hybrid battery. Here's how much it costs to service under the brand's 5-year/75,000km Capped Price Servicing Program, which covers both petrol and hybrid AWD variants: 1 Month (Health Check & Chat) – Free – Free 15,000km / 12 Months – $347.95 – $347.95 30,000km / 24 Months – $520.45 – $520.45 45,000km / 36 Months – $393.10 – $393.10 60,000km / 48 Months – $679.30 – $679.30 75,000km / 60 Months – $358.20 This pricing is about average for the mid-size SUV segment, but you might find cheaper pricing from some of the cut-price Chinese-made competition like MG, Chery, etc., if this is a concern. 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia What's the Interior of the Subaru Forester Hybrid Like? The interior of the Subaru Forester Hybrid is pragmatic, to say the least. There's very little in the way of showy, shiny things that catch your eye like they would inside the Chinese-made competition. However, that's not to say that it's not a pleasant place to sit, and many will appreciate the simplicity of the control and the glasshouse effect of having a high driving position and low window line. To my surprise, physical buttons adorn the steering wheel, there's a large stick in the centre of the cabin to select gears instead of a nub, the cupholders are exposed so you can chuck things inside, and you can even change the direction of the aircon vents by moving them with your hands. These were all typical new car things five years ago, but they've mostly been phased out as the wave of new car brands has rewritten consumers' expectations. It's very hard for me to critique Subaru for sticking with the old ways because I'm sure it's exactly what their market research team says the customer wants, but it does feel like you're going back five years when you get inside the cabin. 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia Practicality and storage are areas where the Forester has always reigned supreme, but the battery has taken its toll on the cargo space inside the Forester Hybrid. The non-hybrid models have 496 litres of cargo space in the boot, while the hybrid models have just 484 litres. This is significantly less than the Toyota RAV4, which manages 542 litres of space with the floor in its highest position. Meanwhile, the larger and more expensive Volkswagen Tiguan manages 652 litres of space. Fold the second-row seats down and you'll have 1,162 litres of space in the hybrid models, which is useful for late-night Facebook marketplace finds. You'll appreciate the handful of clever features in the boot too, such as the four pull‑out tie‑down points and side‑wall cargo hooks to secure bulky items or camping gear, the ceiling hooks to hang shopping bags or garment bags upright, and the retractable cargo blind to keep valuables out of sight (tucks away when not needed). Heck, even the door pockets are large enough to store 1‑litre drink bottles. Ports-wise, there's one USB‑A and one USB‑C up front and in the rear, an aux jack, and two 12‑volt outlets. 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia The technology inside the new Subaru Forester gets the job done, but there's very little wow factor compared to other vehicles in this class. There's an 11.6‑inch portrait touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (full screen) available on every grade. However, it's far from the highest-quality screen on the market, and while I never had any trouble connecting my phone to the bevy of vehicles we drove on the launch, it's like operating a Kindle while everyone else is using an iPhone. The upcoming 2026 Subaru Outback goes away from this system, but it seems the Forester will make do until a mid-cycle facelift eventually arrives. The standard 6‑speaker sound system (Core, Premium, Sport & Hybrid) sounds okay, but the better 10‑speaker Harman Kardon sound system with sub‑woofer and external amp (Touring, Hybrid Sport, Hybrid Touring) should be standard across most models in the range at this point because competitors offer better standard audio systems for less money. I was also disappointed to see that only the Touring models get the new 12.3‑inch full LCD instrument cluster with Normal, Map and EyeSight views, while every other model in the lineup has to use the same old 4.2‑inch colour Multi‑Information Display that we've seen in Subarus for years. I understand why Subaru would keep the technology updates to a minimum, but even the cheapest new cars on sale in Australia have quality screens, sound systems, and driver displays these days. 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid | Image: Subaru USA What's Under the Bonnet of the Subaru Forester Hybrid? There are two powertrain options available with the new Subaru Forester in Australia. Subaru Forester Petrol models are powered by: Engine : 2.5-litre horizontally opposed Boxer 4-cylinder : 2.5-litre horizontally opposed Boxer 4-cylinder Power : 136kW @ 5,800rpm : 136kW @ 5,800rpm Torque : 247Nm @ 3,700rpm : 247Nm @ 3,700rpm Transmission : Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with: 8-speed manual mode Broader gear ratio range (8.1) Retuned for stronger take-off acceleration Lower 1st and reverse gears for increased performance on hills : Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with: Fuel economy : 7.9 litres/100km (combined) : 7.9 litres/100km (combined) Fuel tank capacity : 63L : 63L Towing: 1,800kg braked, 750kg unbraked Subaru Forester Hybrid models are powered by: Engine : 2.5-litre Boxer petrol engine with 90kW electric motor and 1.1kWh lithium-ion battery Power : 121kW @ 5,600 rpm Torque : 212Nm @ 4,000–4,400 rpm : 2.5-litre Boxer petrol engine with 90kW electric motor and 1.1kWh lithium-ion battery Combined system output : 145kW : 145kW Transmission : TH2B Hybrid Transaxle Planetary gearset Integrated secondary electric motor/generator (MG1) : Fuel economy : 6.2L/100km (combined) : 6.2L/100km (combined) Range : Over 1,000km per tank (indicative) : Over 1,000km per tank (indicative) Towing: 1,200kg braked, 750kg unbraked The non-Hybrid 2.5-litre horizontally opposed Boxer 4-cylinder produces 136kW @ 5,800rpm and 247Nm @ 3,700rpm. Meanwhile, the Forester Hybrid features a 2.5-litre Boxer petrol engine with a 90kW electric motor powered by a 1.1kWh lithium-ion battery for a combined power figure of 145kW. That means the overall power figure is similar to the recently unveiled 2026 Toyota RAV4 (143kW), but down compared to the 226kW RAV4 PHEV variant. Notably, the Forester Hybrid's claimed city fuel economy has jumped by 30 per cent over the naturally aspirated petrol to a claimed 6.2-litres per 100km combined. Even more impressively, this hybrid powertrain delivers an impressive driving range of over 1,000km per tank (based on laboratory results under ADR testing conditions). Even on our test drive through the twisty roads of NZ, we managed to achieve an average figure of 6.8 litres per 100km, which is good, but not quite at RAV4 levels. 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia How Does the Subaru Forester Hybrid Drive? I've poked a lot of holes in the Subaru Forester Hybrid so far, but there's one thing that Subaru has always done well, and that's create a car that drives well. They've done it again with the Forester Hybrid. While I'm unsure how many buyers will be throwing it at the sweeping country roads, gravel tracks, and muddy trails that we tackled on our launch drive, these are the types of roads where the Symmetrical AWD system with its active‑torque split coupling proves its worth. There are very few mid-size SUVs that I'd want to drive on these roads with any sort of anger, but I know that the Forester is at the top of the list. I hate the word 'planted,' but that's how it feels. You try and unsettle it through a slippery gravel sweeper, and the front end stays hooked while the rear end rotates the car around in a controlled manner. It could do with some more feel through the electric rack‑and‑pinion steering, but it's much better than the previous-generation vehicle, and it keeps the tight 10.8 m turning circle. It's the same story on the backroads, winding its way through the country with ease. The only negative is the constant beeps from the EyeSight driver monitoring system, but I'm never going to turn it off as it once saved me from a very awkward phone call to Subaru's PR department. 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia Surprisingly, the planetary gearbox (not a CVT, but kind of a CVT) isn't taking away from the experience. While I'd prefer a snappy dual-clutch or well-tuned automatic, it's perfectly adequate. On the power front, the Forester Hybrid doesn't feel much quicker than the petrol model. It wouldn't be far off to assume that the only performance gains to be had are in the fuel consumption department. Would it have been exciting to see a little more attitude from the powerplant under the bonnet? Yes, but it's still punching out enough grunt to get out of harm's way when needed. The MacPherson struts suspension up front and double‑wishbones at the rear do a great job of softening any bumps on the smooth tarmac around Christchurch, and I would say the overall ride quality of the Forester is very good in all specifications. You'd be pretty hard pressed to tell the difference between the petrol and hybrid models in terms of suspension set-up, but the brand does assure us that there is a difference, which is likely down to the added weight of the batteries and electric motor. Lastly, we challenged a few rougher tracks to check out the full breadth of capabilities of the X-Mode II system available in the higher trims. This proved once again that the Forester is capable of keeping up with 98% of the tracks that your tradie mates drive in their dual-cab utes. 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia Is the Subaru Forester Hybrid Safe? The Subaru Forester scores a 5-star ANCAP safety rating with full marks for driver protection in the side impact, oblique pole and full width tests. Here's a closer look at the ANCAP ratings: Adult occupant protection – 83 per cent – 83 per cent Child occupant protection – 91 per cent – 91 per cent Vulnerable road user protection – 86 per cent – 86 per cent Safety assist – 75 per cent Standard safety equipment across the range includes (A-Z): 9 airbags, including: Far-side Front passenger seat cushion Active torque vectoring Autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse) Autonomous emergency steering Adaptive cruise control Blind-spot monitoring Driver monitoring system Emergency driving stop system Emergency lane-keep assist Front-side radar Lane centring Lane change assist Lane-keep assist Rear cross-traffic alert Rear parking sensors Surround-view camera Traffic sign recognition Tyre pressure monitoring Wide-angle monocular camera NOTE: There is no full-size spare wheel. 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Touring | Image: Supplied / Subaru Australia Man of Many's Verdict on the Subaru Forester Hybrid If you're a traditionally minded mid-size SUV buyer, the new Subaru Forester is worth taking a closer look at. While it still lacks the wow factor compared to many of the newcomers from China, it's a pragmatic vehicle that you can trust to take you further and last longer than just about anything else in this class. Still, adventurer or not, the recalibrated steering, suspension, and gearbox will make everyday driving more pleasant, as will the increased sound insulation in the cabin and upgraded tech that finally brings it closer to the standards we expect in this ever-evolving segment. I believe the hardest choice for buyers in the showroom will be between the petrol and hybrid grades. The $6,500 price increase from Sport to Sport Hybrid would buy you a lot of petrol.
Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Perth Now
China's premier proposes global co-operation on AI
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has proposed establishing an organisation to foster global co-operation on artificial intelligence, calling on countries to coordinate on the development and security of the fast-evolving technology. Speaking at the opening of the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on Saturday, Li called AI a new engine for growth, but adding that governance is fragmented and emphasising the need for more coiordination between countries to form a globally recognised framework for AI. The three-day event brings together industry leaders and policymakers at a time of escalating technological competition between China and the United States - the world's two largest economies - with AI emerging as a key battleground. "Currently, overall global AI governance is still fragmented. Countries have great differences particularly in terms of areas such as regulatory concepts, institutional rules," Li said. "We should strengthen co-ordination to form a global AI governance framework that has broad consensus as soon as possible," he said. Washington has imposed export restrictions on advanced technology to China, including the most high-end AI chips made by companies such as Nvidia and chipmaking equipment, citing concerns that the technology could enhance China's military capabilities. Despite these restrictions, China has continued making AI breakthroughs that have drawn close scrutiny from US officials. Li did not name the United States in his speech, but he warned that AI could become an "exclusive game" for a few countries and companies, and said challenges included an insufficient supply of AI chips and restrictions on talent exchange. China wanted to share its development experience and products with other countries, especially those in the Global South, Li said. WAIC is an annual government-sponsored event in Shanghai that typically attracts major industry players, government officials, researchers and investors. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has in past years regularly appeared at the opening ceremony both in-person and via video, did not speak this year. Besides forums, the conference also features exhibitions where companies demonstrate their latest innovations. This year, more than 800 companies are participating, showcasing more than 3000 high-tech products, 40 large language models, 50 AI-powered devices and 60 intelligent robots, according to organisers. The exhibition features predominantly Chinese companies, including tech giants Huawei and Alibaba and startups such as humanoid robot maker Unitree. Western participants include Tesla, Alphabet and Amazon.
