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See the best hybrid SUVs available today. Our Kelley Blue Book editors test drive and examine hybrid SUVs every year and rank them on factors like safety, fuel economy, driving performance, tech features, car value, level of comfort, and more.
How we rate vehicles |
2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
4.8
Expert Rating
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid blends many Toyota qualities into a best-selling compact crossover that’s roomy and has great safety scores.
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
4.7
Expert Rating
The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is an upscale midsize SUV with an efficient hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive, all at an attainable price.
2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid
4.7
Expert Rating
The safe and fuel-efficient 2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid delivers interior comfort and modern technology in a stylish midsize 3-row SUV.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
4.6
Expert Rating
The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid is an all-new compact crossover with a fuel-efficient hybrid setup. Pricing starts at $27,290.
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
4.5
Expert Rating
The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a safe, reliable, and fuel-efficient family SUV, but there isn’t much room in the third row.
2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
4.4
Expert Rating
The 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is a spacious compact SUV that turns fuel efficiency up a notch and comes with all-wheel drive as standard.
2022 Toyota Venza
4.4
Expert Rating
If the RAV4 is too small and the Highlander too big, consider the Venza: It brings great fuel economy into the world of the midsize SUV.
2022 Ford Escape
3.7
Expert Rating
The 2022 Ford Escape is a good compact crossover/SUV, but not a great one. It has many plus points, but the competition is too strong.
2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid
For a small family SUV that’s good on gas or just a loyal daily commuter, the 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid is an efficient and practical choice.
2023 Toyota Sequoia
The new 2023 Toyota Sequoia full-size 3-row SUV is the most luxurious in Toyota’s stable and one of the most capable. On sale summer 2022.
Best Luxury Hybrid Vehicles
What Our Ratings Mean
- 0-1.0: This is the rarest group of all because a really bad new car is really, really hard to find these days. We recommend that you pass on any vehicle receiving a rating between 0 and 1.
- 2.0: Cars landing in this set are also rare. Only true love and limitless passion (or a free vehicle) should allow you to give in to temptation for one of these vehicles.
- 3.0: Is the vehicle you’re looking at in this range? We’d bet that if you look a little harder, you’ll find a better vehicle at a similar price to fulfill your needs.
- 4.0: This is the area where the rubber meets the recommendations. The 3-4 range is full of good cars and some great ones. Starting here, it’s OK to listen to your heart.
- 5.0: These scores represent the cream of the crop, with “5.0” representing, well, near perfection. Any car you choose in this group will treat you very well over time.
How Kelley Blue Book Rates Cars
Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.
Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)
We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
FAQ
What is a hybrid SUV?
A hybrid SUV is a sport utility vehicle that has both a gas-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) and a battery-powered electric motor. The ICE and electric motor work in tandem to power the vehicle, which ultimately improves fuel efficiency and reduces tailpipe emissions. The ICE does the bulk of the work at cruising speeds, while the electric motor typically takes over when braking, idling, or accelerating from a stop. This can make hybrid SUVs an attractive option for people who do a lot of stop-and-go driving.
Are hybrid SUVs worth it?
The answer will likely depend on factors like how much you drive, how long you’ll use the vehicle, and your own personal values. That said, in most cases, a hybrid SUV is a good investment. Hybrid SUVs tend to have a higher MSRP than gas-powered models, but most drivers will get that money back through fuel savings within three years on average. It’s also worth considering the environmental impact. SUVs have historically been known as inefficient “gas guzzlers,” but many of today’s hybrid models get over 40 miles per gallon.
Who makes hybrid SUVs?
Several major manufacturers now produce hybrid SUVs, including Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, Ford and more.
Do you have to charge a hybrid SUV?
Nope. Unlike a fully electric vehicle or a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), a standard hybrid SUV essentially charges itself. This primarily occurs in two ways. First and most simply, the gas engine provides a charge to the battery pack to ensure the hybrid motor maintains power. The second way is through a process called regenerative braking. This system recovers the energy expelled when the car slows down and uses it to charge the battery.
What was the first hybrid SUV?
The 2005 Ford Escape line was the first to include a full hybrid SUV. This model featured a 2.3-liter, 4-cylinder engine and boasted a combined fuel economy of 27 mpg.