The Best Hybrid SUVs Currently Available

By SUV LIVE | June 10, 2022

by Dave Ashton

As gas/petrol prices continue to soar, the push towards fully electric vehicles becomes ever more clear. For those who still don’t want to dive fully into the world of EVs, a hybrid SUV is a good stepping stone. A hybrid SUV being a happy medium between a dinosaur juice engine and one that also runs on electric.

Within the subset of hybrid SUVs, there are standard hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and mild hybrids. A standard hybrid SUV uses both a traditional ICE and an electric motor. These types of vehicles don’t plug in to recharge, but rather use driving momentum to top up power levels. They are designed for only short periods of running on electric only.

The plug-in hybrid(PHEV) variety has the same as setup as above, with both an ICE and an electric motor. This type of hybrid SUV needs to be plugged in to recharge the batteries. The main benefit over standard hybrids is the extended range and higher speeds running on only electric power.

Lastly, the mild hybrid group still uses an electric motor in some capacity, but only to make the ICE run more efficiently. You can’t drive exclusively with electric power of this type.

Lexus NX

The Lexus NX is a plug-in hybrid and a first for the company. This PHEV version has a 45-49 mile range on electric, and is available in 2 hybrid versions. The interior is spacious, comfortable, and quiet, with enough room for an average-sized family.

The Lexus also has the looks, with lots of high-tech features, but can be noisy under acceleration, and doesn’t have the best towing capacity out there. However, it is one of the most rounded, luxury hybrids available at a reasonable price point.

Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage is the cheapest option here, but doesn’t lack as a fully functional SUV. Available in both standard and plug-in hybrid versions, the Sportage has the plus points of a spacious cabin, great infotainment system, and refined design. It may not be the best version on this list to drive, plus the top spec models are quite pricey. However, it’s a great overall performer. As an alternative, you may want to consider the Hyundai Tucson if you’re looking at the higher spec. versions of the Sportage.

Volvo XC60

‘They’re boxy, but they’re good,’ said Dudley Moore in the movie Crazy People about Volvos. The boxy designs may have gone, but the goodness is still there. The XC60 has high levels of build quality and attention to detail, with a practical, well-equipped cabin, and a reasonable drive. The T6 version with a 48-mile range on just electric is the best buy.

BMW X3

The BMW X3 is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive, benefiting from exacting German engineering. The BMW X3 is an experience to drive, with plenty of cabin space and the best of the lot entertainment system. Only a plug-in hybrid version is available, and while it can only do 30 miles on a full charge, it makes up for being one of the best drivers.