Best Hybrid SUVs. 2022 Hybrid Crossover Ratings

Characteristics of Hybrid SUVs

From the smallest compact to the largest full-size, every type of SUV can be hybridized.. However, it is safe to say that they share fundamental similarities that make the classification so popular. This is what automakers try their best to capitalize on and why there are many qualities you can expect to find in a hybrid SUV, regardless of how we rate it. These include:

Practicality: An impractical SUV is not long for this world, though some buyers are willing to overlook a small trunk if there is a third row of seating. Still, having enough space for people and their stuff is a requisite for the top sports utility vehicles. It is essentially what sets them apart, and makes them superior in many eyes, to the more traditional sedan. It’s not too hard to find an SUV with AWD, which adds to its versatility and practicality.
Comfort: Designed specifically for the family lifestyle, crossover SUVs more often than not lean towards accommodating interiors and on-road comfort. Hybrids, especially, are more urbane and shy away from the off-roading that more rugged body-on-frame SUVs enjoy. Their suspensions are softer to soak up regular bumps in the road.
Safety: Larger vehicles are generally safer than their smaller brethren, with bigger crumple zone, hardier construction, and an overall advantage in the weight class. This is before you even start looking at more advanced features, which is something these cars are rich in. Lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, or even parking sensors are generally inclusive.
Efficiency: Separating hybrid SUVs from the rest of their kind is their higher levels of efficiency. This is an area where these larger vehicles most often suffer, consuming fuel far more liberally than sedans or hatchbacks, which have now been displaced by the desirable high riders. Strapping on a battery pack and regenerative brakes might not do as much to reduce costs as much as full electrification, but it does help to reduce the dent in your wallet.

What to Consider Before Buying a Hybrid SUV

Now, buying a new car is always going to be a weighted decision. Hybrids, in particular, are more expensive than the regular fare, and recouping the extra price means hanging onto them for quite a few years. Subsequently, buyer's remorse can last an uncomfortably long time. To help you avoid this, here are some of the pros and cons of buying a hybrid SUV to help you decide if it is, in fact, the right choice for you:

Pros

Better mpg means lower running cost
More loading room than the average sedan
Eco-friendly thanks to reduced emissions
Extended brake life due to regenerative tech
Higher resale value

Cons

Hi-tech components often increase overall weight considerably
Higher initial cost can be off-putting
Battery packs sometimes reduce rear-seat and trunk room
Additional moving parts negatively impact maintenance costs

FAQs

Are hybrid SUVs good?

If done right, a hybrid sports utility vehicle gives you all the advantages of the popular body style and then some. Combining the heightened practicality of the high-riding body and the comfort of a spacious interior with the eco-friendly benefits of a hybrid powertrain can’t be bad, right? However, some manufacturers equip their hybrids with weak engines. The savings in fuel aren’t always worth the sacrifices, which is why you need to ensure you buy one that gets the recipe right.

What hybrid SUV has the best gas mileage?

Since this is the most discerning strength of the classification, it makes sense to seek the best of the lot. Luckily, one of the most frugal hybrid crossovers is also one of the best in other areas. The Kia Niro is a very safe and reliable family hybrid, getting 48 miles to the gallon on the highway and 53 mpg around town. The EV variant is even more efficient, and therefore cheap to run, but not everyone is willing to abandon the combustion engine completely.

Are hybrid SUVs stronger than regular cars?

For the most part, automakers use the exact same engine in their hybrid models as the rest of their range, but add an extra battery pack and regenerative brakes. However, a smaller engine often helps to get even better fuel economy figures, which means settling for less power in the name of affordability. Plug-in hybrids differ in that they often do have more power thanks to the addition of an electric motor. Luxury brands, in particular, use hybridization to enhance performance.

Best Hybrid SUVs of 2022