Best Hybrid SUVs Reviews & Ratings

Better fuel economy than an equivalent gas-powered engine is the main characteristic of hybrid SUVs, which use electric motors and batteries to supplement their gas engines. Hybrid SUVs are typically powered by the electric motor at low speeds and by the gas engine at higher speeds or when more power is needed. Gas is saved by the engine shutting down in stop and go traffic and at stoplights. Kinetic energy is captured by regenerative brakes that store it in the batteries.

Driving a hybrid SUV is like driving a regular SUV but hybrid SUVs and crossovers are usually heavier than an equivalent gas-powered engine but may not handle quite as sharply or have the same agility on the road. In addition, hybrid SUVs do not have the towing capacity of a gas-powered SUV and are usually not designed for off-road driving. Hybrid SUVs typically cost more than their gas counterparts with the payback expected from the increased fuel economy.

The Ford Escape Hybrid is a fuel efficient best hybrid SUV with a rating of 34 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. An upgraded processor for the engine has made the switching between gas and electric modes less perceptible affording better aerodynamics and a compliant suspension offers a smooth ride over potholes and a quiet, well-insulated ride on the highway.

The Volkswagen Toureg Hybrid is a mid-sized best hybrid SUV that delivers reasonable fuel economy and a solid performance due to the combination of German engineering and the latest in green technology. Like others in its class, it can run on all-electric power for speeds less than 35 mph with the additional capability of being able to coast down hills at speeds of up to 99 mph without the engine running.

A full-sized hybrid SUV that delivers comfort and styling without sacrificing fuel economy is the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. As a hybrid SUV it is powered by a V8 engine that shuts off when the car is not in motion and by a 300-volt nickel metal hydride battery which keeps the vehicle moving in slow traffic. As with other hybrid SUVs, regenerative brakes capture the vehicle's excess kinetic energy and store it in the battery pack.

Another of the best hybrid SUV that delivers fuel efficiency and environmentally favorable features is the full-sized GMC Yukon Hybrid. It combines a 6.0 liter V8 engine with a specially designed electric system in the transmission that produces a hybrid SUV with more power than the typical hybrid vehicle. Unlike other hybrid SUVs, it has a larger cargo capacity and its size and engine enable it to have an excellent towing capacity.

The Mercedes-Benz M-Class Hybrid is a mid-sized luxury hybrid SUV that is powered by a V6 engine combined with two electric motors. The powertrain is automatically controlled so that the gas engine takes over from the electric motors at higher speeds and the vehicle meets the most stringent of United States emission standards for internal combustion engines.

A mid-sized hybrid SUV is the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid that combines a supercharged V6 engine combined with a 34 kW electric motor. The electric motor is powered by a 288-volt nickel metal hydride battery that enables the vehicle to drive on all-electric power at speeds up to 30 mph with a special electronic button that can delay the speed at which the gasoline engine kicks in.

The Saturn VUE Green Line Hybrid was considered a hybrid SUV mostly due to its rated fuel economy but its technology was different from most hybrid SUVs of its kind. Its four-cylinder gasoline engine was coupled with a small electric motor that could carry the vehicle in speeds of up to only 3 mph but was primarily designed to restart the engine after it automatically shut down when stopped to conserve fuel. Like other hybrid SUVs energy was captured by regenerative braking and stored in the battery pack.

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid is a small hybrid SUV that is powered by a gasoline engine and two electric motors. One electric motor drives the wheels while the other starts the engine and manages the transmission, which is used to determine when the vehicle can run on electric power. The gasoline engine and the regenerative braking system are both used to recharge the vehicle's battery pack.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a mid-size crossover hybrid SUV with a V6 engine and three electric motors. Using an all-wheel drive system, a separate electric motor is used to power the rear wheels in cases where extra traction or acceleration is needed. Like other hybrid SUVs, it can run on full electric power when at slower speeds and boasts a fuel economy of 28 mpg in both city and highway driving.

The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is a full-sized hybrid SUV powered by a V8 engine combined with two 60 kilowatt electric motors inside a specialized automatic transmission. It can run on electric power only for speeds under 30 mph while the V8 cuts in at higher speeds. When stopped, the regenerative braking system stores the excess energy in the batteries.