Audi is one of the last companies in North America to offer a hybrid. But that isn't stopping them from jumping in with the newest tech for the Q5 Hybrid crossover. Plus, being the late-comer has its advantages. This auto is seen as the harbinger of the electrification for the entire line. Audi is capitalizing on what appears to be the next evolution of the hybrid, involving the elimination of continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) and moving to an electric motor/generator. This new technology is lighter, simpler, and the new wave for hybrids. Hybrid doesn't mean gutless though. You can still reach 100 km/h on combined engine/motor power and it is possible to go up to three kilometers at 60 km/h on the battery. On paper, the engine seems small at 2.0-litres but it features Audi's turbo-charging technology, producing 211 hp. Mated with a 54 hp electric motor, the combined output has 245 hp. Fuel consumption is 6.9L/100 km and that's with Audi's quattro AWD as opposed to 2WD. MSRP $52,000