SUVs have long been established as an ideal choice to blend utility, safety, and comfort. They’re large enough to carry everything needed for family vacations, camping excursions, or helping friends move between homes. This roominess makes them much less claustrophobic for long drives, but they’re still small enough to work well as daily commuting vehicles for many people.
Despite these advantages, the one drawback to SUVs traditionally has been their reduced fuel efficiency compared to many sedans. With the introduction of hybrid SUVs in the early 2000s, car manufacturers began to address that concern in earnest. For the better part of two decades now, these companies have been improving their designs, maximizing fuel efficiency without trading any of the form or function that Americans have sought in SUVs.
What Makes a Good Hybrid SUV?
The best hybrid SUVs are those that maintain excellent performance while achieving greater fuel efficiencies. Initially, there wasn’t a major difference between a hybrid and a non-hybrid SUV without the sacrifice of a lot of the punch that these larger vehicles need. Today, however, the best hybrid SUVs retain all the functionality that makes SUVs desirable in the first place while also managing to achieve fuel efficiencies of around 40 miles per gallon.
Naturally, these advantages come with price tags that suit them. Fortunately, the technologies and designs have become so refined that car manufacturers across the board have been able to keep those prices relatively low compared to non-hybrid designs. This increased design efficiency now lets many more people enjoy the benefits of hybrid SUVs without breaking the bank.
The Standout Best 4 Hybrid SUVs on the Market
The best hybrid SUVs on the market have several qualities in common. Their modern designs make them as much a pleasure to look at as to drive, but several characteristics separate each of them.
- Kia Sportage: As the most economical among the four best, the Kia Sportage boasts a starting suggested retail price of just under $30,000. It’s designed with a rear hatch for easy access to its ample cargo space and lets its owner tuck things away into various storage spaces along the front seating area. The Sportage has a compact design and runs at up to 43 miles per gallon in the front-wheel drive model. Its basic quality-of-life features are also inviting and feel as if they belong in a more expensive vehicle. Further, this SUV has a smooth ride, giving appropriate attention to a calm and quiet driving experience.
- Hyundai Tucson: The 2023 Tucson reveals Hyundai’s emphasis on the overall driving experience, providing a clean ride in its hybrid design regardless of trim selection. It’s also designed with safety in mind, scoring well on crash tests and setting drivers’ minds at ease. While it doesn’t match the Sportage’s fuel efficiency and may not accelerate as quickly when fully loaded, it has a visibly larger chassis and sleek design that looks as good as it feels to drive. Considering Hyundai’s generous factory warranty, it’s easy to see why the Tucson is still an exceptional choice for a hybrid SUV today.
- Honda CR-V: At the highest starting sticker price out of the four best hybrid SUVs on the market, the CR-V puts in some work to justify its cost. Nevertheless, it still lives up to its reputation as a go-to standard for SUV designs. It has a deceptively large amount of cargo space in a seemingly compact frame, drives very comfortably, and possesses several smart features in varying trim options. The CR-V does stand out ahead of the rest in terms of performance, occasionally helping drivers forget that they’re in an SUV based on how well it handles turns and braking.
- Ford Escape: The Escape was the first hybrid SUV on the market in 2005, so it’s only natural that this model has the benefit of experience within its design. As the only domestic on the list, its design showcases its American mentality by balancing roominess, performance, fuel efficiency, and creature comforts. Its driving performance can be a little choppy, but not so much that its driver would notice in average driving conditions. Nevertheless, it maintains high safety standards and ensures that every ride starting at point A safely ends up at point B.
In today’s quickly shifting vehicle market, hybrid SUVs offer practicality and eco-friendliness that meet the needs of many drivers. By combining the space and utility of SUVs with the fuel efficiency and lower emissions of hybrid technology, they provide a balanced solution for everyday convenience and environmental consciousness. As we move toward a more sustainable future, these four hybrid SUV options showcase a practical way to reduce our environmental impact without sacrificing performance and versatility.