A hybrid SUV hits the sweet spot in the vehicle market right now. I love the practical cargo space behind the rear seats and the flexibility when they’re folded down. Most of us also enjoy the higher ride height of SUVs and the ability to climb a curb or easily travel on gravel.
A hybrid drive gives our SUV seriously better fuel efficiency than a comparable gas-only drive. Best of all, you can get a pretty decent new hybrid SUV at a great price. Here’s a list of the five most affordable hybrid SUVs that are available now. The list and descriptions focus on the most affordable trim, and the higher trims will give you more at a price. With that in mind, this is your starting point.
I didn’t include plug-in hybrids or mild hybrids like the VW Tiguan in this list. Neither are true hybrids, with the plug-in a vehicle in its own class and the latter doesn’t really feature the fuel efficiency to make it onto this list. I still refer to SUV for consistency, although these vehicles are often called crossovers.
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1
Kia Niro Hybrid
Starting price $26,990
This Kia Niro is a small SUV with a funky shape and nice features. It’s unique in that the model comes in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and EV, but I’m looking at the hybrid here. As a day-to-day urban runaround, the Niro is brilliant. It’s small, nimble in traffic and when parking, and gets excellent MPG, notably the best on this list. With its long range and good cargo space, it will also make a great weekend away car for a couple or a small family. The Niro is not fast or spacious, but as an everyday runaround or commuter, it’s excellent.
The LX trim at this price comes with an eight-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a six-speaker sound system. A welcome feature is the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the five-year/60,000-mile general warranty and ten-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty are class-leading.
MPG combined | 53 MPG |
Range/tank size | 588 miles/11.1 gal |
Cargo volume behind rear seats | 23 cu-ft |
Horsepower | 139 hp |
0-60 mph | 8.9 seconds |
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2
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
Starting price $28,495
If you take the Toyota Corolla and replace the body with an SUV shape, you get the Corolla Cross. It’s the same dependable Corolla that does everything so well, but with the more versatile SUV body shape. Like the Corolla sedan, the Cross is way more efficient than the gas model and makes more power. The Corolla Cross is a perfect example of a great car improved by adding a hybrid powertrain, with the added bonus of AWD. It’s not a huge car, but it has great height and a bit of a road presence.
The basic trim comes with an eight-inch square infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The main cargo space is slightly smaller than that of the Niro, but the Corolla Cross has more power and is a bit faster.
MPG combined | 42 MPG |
Range/tank size | 445 miles/10.6 gal |
Cargo volume behind rear seats | 22 cu-ft |
Horsepower | 196 hp |
0-60 mph | 7.3 seconds |
3
Kia Sportage Hybrid
Starting price $30,290
Unlike the Niro or Corolla Cross, the Kia Sportage Hybrid takes us from small to compact crossover, probably the most popular car shape in the country. The Sportage has a sharp look, sometimes described as divisive. The hybrid option gets much better fuel economy than the gas one and has more power as well. The Sportage has the same excellent warranties as the Niro Hybrid.
The Sportage has a good cargo volume and a double floor cargo area to store valuables out of sight. It also has a 6-speed auto transmission for those who dislike the CVT.
The base trim comes with an 8-inch screen and a digital instrument cluster, with Apple and Android connectivity, and six speakers. A larger screen is optional, as is a subscription to SiriusXM.
MPG combined | 43 MPG |
Range/tank size | 589 miles/13.7 gal |
Cargo volume behind rear seats | 40 cu-ft |
Horsepower | 227 hp |
0-60 mph | 7.4 seconds |
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4
Ford Escape Hybrid
Starting price $32,490
The Ford Escape Hybrid is a compact SUV with decent fuel efficiency, power, and features. It certainly outperforms the ICE version in these attributes. The base model is a bit heavy on the econo-interior fittings, and you would have to spend more to get a more upmarket ride. FWD is standard, as is an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with AWD and a bigger screen as options.
The Ford Escape feels a bit like a middle child compared to its competition. It’s quiet and stays in the background, but it’s surprisingly interesting when you get to know it. It’s a perfect choice if your local Ford dealer offers you a good deal.
MPG combined | 39 MPG |
Range/tank size | 558 miles/14.3 gal |
Cargo volume behind rear seats | 31 cu-ft |
Horsepower | 192 hp |
0-60 mph | 7.7 seconds |
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5
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Starting price $32,600
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact SUV, the best-selling such car in the US, and arguably the top-selling car of 2024. The Hybrid is the obvious choice if you are looking for a RAV4, offering better fuel consumption and more power for a slightly higher price. The 2025 RAV4 is the last of the current generation, with the 2026 available as a hybrid. The RAV4 hybrid comes with on-demand AWD, which kicks in the rear axle when more grip is needed, but otherwise it uses only the more efficient FWD.
There are nine trim levels of the RAV4 to choose from, but even the base model has a tilting and telescopic steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and an adjustable false floor in the cargo bay. The base trim has an 8-inch screen and a seven-inch instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system.
MPG combined | 39 MPG |
Range/tank size | 566 miles/14.5 gal |
Cargo volume behind rear seats | 38 cu-ft |
Horsepower | 219 hp |
0-60 mph | 7.3 seconds |
