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Going Green — Which BMW Hybrid Cars Are For Sale in 2021?

The electric future is no longer a future — it’s quickly becoming the present, as more and more automakers are offering large portfolios of electrified vehicles. BMW has even increased its hybrid offering quite a bit over the years. However, the vast majority of customers are are a bit slower to adapt than enthusiasts, so knowing what’s actually available can be tricky for many potential buyers. Which is why we’ve put together a list of which hybrid BMWs are currently on sale, both in North America and Europe.

BMW X1 xDrive25e (EU)

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The X1 xDrive25e is the smallest crossover you can get from BMW with a hybrid powertrain. It comes with a 1.5 liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, which combine to make 162 kW (217 horsepower) and can achieve a claimed 1.9 liter/100 km (123 mpg) combined between EV driving and the gas engine. It can also drive 49-52 km (30 miles-ish) on just electric power.

BMW X2 xDrive25e (EU)

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It goes without saying, the X2 xDrive25e is just a more stylish version of its X1 sibling. The hybrid powertrain is identical and so is its fuel efficiency. Though, the X2 can get an extra kilometer or two of electric range, likely due to its superior aerodynamics.

BMW X3 xDrive30e (NA/EU)

This is one of the few hybrids that’s available in both North America and Europe. The BMW X3 xDrive30e uses a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to make a combined 215 kW (288 horsepower in NA) and use only 2.4 liters of fuel per 100 km (98 mpg US). So it’s not as efficient as its smaller siblings, due to its weight. It can also drive 43-51 km (26-30 miles) on pure electricity.

BMW X5 xDrive45e (NA/EU)

While most of BMW’s hybrid lineup uses small displacement engines, for efficiency purposes, the BMW X5 xDrive45e didn’t get the memo. Instead of little turbo three and four-pots, the X5 xDrive45e gets a 3.0 liter turbocharged I6. When combined with an electric motor, it makes 290 kW (389 horsepower NA). It can also achieve 2.1-1.6 liters per 100 km (112-147 mpg US) combined and 77-88 (47-54 miles) in EV mode.

BMW 225xe Active Tourer (EU)

For the 225xe Active Tourer’s powertrain, see: BMW X1 and X2 xDrive25e. It uses the same hybrid powertrain combo as both of those cars, just with slightly different economy and range figures. The hybrid 2AT can use 1.8 liters per 100 km and do 52-55 kms on electricity alone.

BMW 320e Sedan/Touring (EU)

For the lesser 3 Series hybrid model, customers will get a 2.0 liter turbo-four, paired with an electric motor, that makes 150 kW and can achieve 1.5-1.6 liters per 100 km. It can also drive on EV power alone for 56-61 km. It’s also available as either a sedan or a Touring (wagon) model and with either rear or all-wheel drive.

BMW 330e Sedan/Touring (NA/EU)

Spending a bit more will get you the more powerful BMW 330e. While it uses essentially the same engine and electric motor, the engine’s been tuned for more power in the 330e. It makes a punchier 215 kW (288 horsepower) and uses 1.6-1.5 liters per 100 km (147-156 mph combined, US). It can also go 56-60 km (34-37 miles) under EV power. So it’s more powerful but less efficient.

BMW 520e (EU)

The least powerful hybrid 5 Series uses a 2.0 liter turbo-four with an electric motor to make 150 kW and uses 1.9-1.7 liters per 100 km. As for all-electric range, it can go 55-61 km and only uses rear-wheel drive. It also can only be offered as a sedan.

BMW 530e (NA/EU)

This one’s available for both North America and the European market and packs a bit more power than the 520e. It also uses a turbo-four and electric motor pairing but it’s setup has been tuned to makes 215 kW (288 horsepower US). The BMW 530e is available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and the car’s efficiency and economy are affected by the choice. The rear-drive 530e is surprisingly rated at the same efficiency as the 520e but the xDrive model is a bit less efficient, with 2.1-2 liters per 100 km (112-117 mpg US)

BMW 545e (EU)

Just like the BMW X5 xDrive45e, the BMW 545e also uses a 3.0 liter turbocharged I6 with an electric motor. It makes a combined 290 kW (389 horsepower NA) and achieves 2.3-2.2 liters per 100 km. It also can drive 49-57 km (30-35 miles) o EV power.

BMW 745e xDrive (NA/EU)

The BMW 745e is available in both Europe and North America and uses the same powertrain as the 545e, only with worse economy. It does around 1.8 liters per 100 km (122 mpg WLTP) and has around the same electric range.

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Photo Gallery: MINI Cooper SE Countryman goes for a hike in France

The holiday season is slowly coming to an end. Even though most of us probably didn’t take their customary summer vacation, time flies and here we are, in September, wondering where the sunny days have gone to. The pandemic forced many to stay indoors at home, and skip this year’s holiday, but that seemingly didn’t apply to the MINI Cooper SE Countryman. The plug-in hybrid Countryman went for a trip in what is known as ‘France’s Grand Canyon’. It came back with a full set of photos.

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The area in question is located along the Verdun River along the south-eastern edge of Provence. This is the place where many enthusiasts come for some white-water rafting and you can see plenty of kayaks around here, just like the MINI Cooper SE Countryman is sporting in several pics. Squeezed in between Brittany and Cote d’Azur, the landscapes you encounter here are not easily forgotten.

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The gorge is more than 20 kilometers long, with winding country roads wending their way through little villages and past popular panoramic viewing points. In summer, hosts of tourists with canoes and kayaks are on the lookout for somewhere to launch their boats and paddle along the turquoise-blue waters of the Verdun. It’s so beautiful and hidden away, it would be a shame to pollute it with CO2 emissions. Luckily, the Cooper SE Countryman is a plug-in hybrid and you can drive completely electric around these iconic roads.

Related: WORLD PREMIERE: 2021 MINI Countryman LCI — Better Looking Big MINI

A total of five barrages were erected between the 1920s and the 1970s in order to harness the waters of the Verdun River, supply the surrounding regions with water and generate energy with the assistance of hydro-power stations. The latest and simultaneously biggest of the reservoirs created in this way is the Lac de Sainte-Croix, which has developed into a popular getaway destination. The high fluorine content colors the waters turquoise blue and in summertime they warm up to reach pleasurable bathing temperatures.

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Water-sports fans who prefer a more leisurely approach are able to take a trip upstream from the lake into the Verdun Gorge and admire the steep, rocky walls soaring above from the vantage point of canoes and pedalos. Around 140 million kilowatt hours of electricity are generated each year by the hydro-power station of the Lac de Sainte-Croix, which is located behind a concrete dam 95 meters high.

The sustainably produced energy is fed into the distribution grid of the surrounding region. This means that the MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 is able to recharge its lithium-ion battery with electricity generated from renewable sources during its evening stopover in Sainte Croix du Verdon. This way, you could enjoy the view emission-free.

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