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The Best Hybrid SUVs

Hanna Kielar5-minute read
UPDATED: December 12, 2022

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The best hybrid SUVs offer the perfect combination of utility, fuel economy and space. With so many vehicles available to choose from, it can be difficult to choose the SUV that suits you. We reviewed the most highly rated hybrid SUVs on the market so you can make the most informed buying decision.

Our top-rated SUVs have received excellent grades from Forbes, MotorTrend, U.S. News & World Report and Edmunds. They offer ample cargo space, excellent fuel range and the fuel efficiency you’re looking for when considering a hybrid vehicle.

Here's our list of the best hybrid SUVs. Please note that some vehicles listed show MPG for city and highway, while others show MPGe. This is the miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent vehicles. The combined MPGe is based on an assumption of 55% city miles and 45% highway miles.

Table Of Contents

    Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

    Best for: Cargo space

    MPG: 41 city | 38 highway

    Cargo space: 37.6 cubic feet

    Drivetrain: All-wheel drive

    The Toyota RAV4 hybrid was the rated top hybrid SUV by U.S. News & World Report. Its luxurious interior offers both form and function. Premium materials provide passenger comfort, while 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space allows you to transport your family and luggage with enough room for everyone to stretch their legs. And to top it off, this AWD hybrid SUV is one of the most affordable options on our list.

    Forbes gave the RAV4 top marks due to its impressive array of standard safety technology and AWD that allows you to choose from various drive modes. If you’re heading off-road or into inclement weather, the AWD system can help you maintain control on slick or uneven terrain.

    Ford Mustang Mach-E

    Best for: Sporty ride

    MPG: 60 MPG equivalent

    Cargo space: 35 cubic feet

    Drivetrain: All-wheel drive

    The Ford Mustang Mach-E offers responsive acceleration and sporty handling, making it feel like you’re not driving a hybrid at all. Its technology package is intuitive and easy to use, featuring touch screen and connective technologies that allow you to control features with your voice or phone. This caught the attention of the U.S. News & World Report, which named the Mustang Mach-E top in its class for 2022.

    If you’re in need of plenty of cargo space and still want something that handles like a sports car, the Mach-E won’t disappoint. Its 35 cubic feet of cargo space means you don’t need to sacrifice performance for utility.

    Honda CR-V Hybrid

    Best for: Safety

    MPG: 40 city | 35 highway

    Cargo space: 33.2 cubic feet

    Drivetrain: All-wheel drive

    MotorTrend ranked the Honda CR-V the second-best hybrid SUV due to ample passenger space and quiet, comfortable ride. This hybrid crossover is also an IIHS top safety pick and earned a 5-star overall safety score from the NHTSA. While other SUVs on our list have more cargo space, the CR-V still comes close to its competitors at 33.2 cubic feet.

    U.S. News & World Report gave the CR-V a Top 5 rating due to its premium interior materials, passenger comfort and drivetrain capabilities. At a modest 212 horsepower, it’s more responsive than it appears. 

    Toyota Highlander Hybrid

    Best for: Families

    MPG: 35 city | 35 highway

    Cargo space: 16 cubic feet

    Drivetrain: All-wheel drive

    With seating configurations that offer space for up to eight people, the Toyota Highlander is an excellent choice if you’re transporting people rather than cargo. It received the award for Best 3-Row Hybrid SUV from MotorTrend and was a Top 5 pick from U.S. News & World Report. While it offers only 16 cubic feet of cargo space when fully occupied, its foldable seats make it possible to expand that space as needed.

    It’s difficult to find an eco-friendly SUV that can seat up to eight, but the Highlander Hybrid boasts a combined fuel rating of 35 mpg. This is ideal if you’re looking for a balance between fuel economy and the ability to accommodate a large family.

    Kia Niro Hybrid

    Best for: Fuel economy

    MPG: 51 city | 46 highway

    Cargo space: 19.4 cubic feet

    Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive

    Forbes rated the Kia Niro its top hybrid SUV pick because it offers the utility of an SUV and the fuel economy of a hybrid car. The plug-in hybrid SUV version offers superior range and greatly reduces the need for gasoline if you’re able to charge it between trips. Its low profile and sleek design make it drive and respond more like a car than an SUV, which is ideal for those who want the function of a utility vehicle and the feel of driving a car. 

    The Kia Niro received the Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a good safety rating from the NHTSA.

    Toyota Venza Hybrid

    Best for: Value

    MPG: 40 city | 37 highway

    Cargo space: 29 cubic feet

    Drivetrain: All-wheel drive

    The Toyota Venza hybrid offers the comfort and amenities you’d expect from a luxury vehicle without the high price tag. It reaches the list of top picks due to its quiet ride, standard all-wheel drive, impressive fuel economy and safety technology package. At 39 combined mpg, it also offers low cost of ownership. 

    U.S. News & World Report gave the Venza hybrid a Top 10 rating and J.D Power gave it a good reliability rating. With seating for only five people, it’s a small hybrid SUV option that is most ideal if you have a smaller family.

    Audi Q5 Hybrid

    Best for: Performance

    MPG: 50 MPGe

    Cargo space: 26 cubic feet

    Drivetrain: All-wheel drive

    The Audi Q5 plug-in hybrid makes you forget you’re driving a hybrid. It’s capable of acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in only 5.4 seconds, and its gasoline backup engine is more economical than any of its luxury counterparts. It was one of Edmunds’ top picks in the luxury hybrid SUV category.

    In addition to its strong performance, the Q5 comes with an extensive standard equipment package. Included are an all-wheel drivetrain, premium interior materials and a driver-assistive safety technology package. 

    Acura MDX Hybrid

    Best for: Fuel range

    MPG: 26 city | 27 highway

    Cargo space: 15 cubic feet

    Drivetrain: All-wheel drive

    The Acura MDX hybrid offers an ideal balance between interior comfort, handling, responsive performance and fuel economy. It was rated the best luxury 3-row hybrid SUV by Edmunds due to its superior ride quality and fuel range of 524 miles. This is an ideal SUV for families taking regular road trips because you’re able to stay on the road longer between fill-ups.

    The MDX comes with plenty of luxury amenities, including high-quality leather seats, ample passenger space and intuitive driver-assistive safety features. Its intelligent all-wheel drive makes it a top choice for anyone in a cold weather climate due to how well it responds to slippage or loss of traction. 

    The Bottom Line: Prioritize Your Needs

    When shopping for a hybrid SUV, consider your lifestyle and needs. Do you need a vehicle with a high tow rating, extra passenger room or plenty of cargo space? Evaluate what types of terrain you’re most likely to travel when deciding if you need all-wheel drive. 

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    Hanna Kielar

    Hanna Kielar is a Section Editor for Rocket Auto℠, RocketHQ℠, and Rocket Loans® with a focus on personal finance, automotive, and personal loans. She has a B.A. in Professional Writing from Michigan State University.