Hybrid SUVs That Make The Most Sense For American Families
Hybrid SUVs and hybrid cars in general are at a turning point. What once was an interesting, slightly premium alternative to gas engines that offered more economical options for those who wanted better gas mileage has turned into the preferred option by not only automakers but also consumers. Companies like Honda/Acura have all but completely abandoned their electric vehicle programs, with their concepts being put out to pasture. In their place is an entirely hybrid modular platform that will be shared across all SUVs and sedans.
Other companies like Toyota have already made the full switch to full hybrid with the Camry, RAV4, Crown, Crown Signia, and Sequoia. Hybrid SUVs offer a similar level of economic consciousness that you would want from a fully electric vehicle, without the pain of waiting to charge it from 10 to 80 percent in 20 to 30 minutes. More and more people are buying hybrid cars, with hybrids accounting for 16 percent of sales, according to Autoweek. Here are 10 of the most sensible hybrid and plug-in-hybrid SUVs for families according to MPG combined.
The models on this list have been researched extensively, and all data provided is accurate as of the time and date of publishing. Models are listed in ascending order from least to most fuel efficient.
Mazda CX-90 PHEV
Average Fuel Economy: 26 MPG
The Mazda CX-90 PHEV is Mazda’s mid-size three-row SUV entry that also comes with a two-row-only variant in the CX-70. The CX-90 has a starting MSRP of $52,225 and comes in three trim levels. It’s powered by a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gas-powered engine and has a 68 kW electric motor combined making 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The battery pack offers up to 26 miles of total electric range before you get to the 25 MPG combined. Behind the first row, you’re treated to 75 cubic feet of storage, which is at least four more cubic feet compared to the outgoing CX-9.
Lexus TX 500h/500h+
Average Fuel Economy: 27 to 29 MPG
This is Lexus’s much-needed dedicated entry into the mid-size three-row SUV segment, the Lexus TX. Like its corporate cousin, the Grand Highlander, it comes in gas-powered and hybrid-powered variants. You can still get a nicely powered turbocharged 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder hybrid in the 500h, which makes 366 horsepower. Unlike the Grand Highlander, it also comes in a much more powerful PHEV variant that makes it the sportiest one on this list, featuring a 3.5-liter V6 engine that outputs a combined 404 horsepower. The 500h+ still manages to achieve a better combined MPG of 29 over the standard hybrid that gets 27 MPG combined. This comes at a price, as you’ll be spending between $72,010 and $82,160 for an MSRP.
Toyota Grand Highlander
Average Fuel Economy: 27 to 36 MPG
When the Toyota Grand Highlander arrived, it caused some confusion with the Highlander. The Grand Highlander offers more room at a lower starting MSRP and has a grander appearance than the standard Highlander. The Grand Highlander also comes with two hybrid powertrains rather than one, with the most powerful being a higher-output 2.5-liter four-cylinder combined with electric motors making 362 horsepower. The higher combined MPG goes to the standard hybrid in front-wheel drive rather than the AWD model. Not a huge difference, however, as the AWD model achieves 34 MPG combined.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
Average Fuel Economy: 34 to 36 MPG
This isn’t the first-generation Hybrid Santa Fe. The previous generation Santa Fe received a hybrid powertrain for the 2021 model. Now, the Santa Fe is much more rugged and off-road ready, coupled with more room and a hybrid powertrain to give it an impressive EPA rating. Even more impressive is its insane total range of over 600 miles with one tank of gas. Especially with gas prices where they are now, that represents a massive savings. Interestingly, this has an incredibly small engine with a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder combined with the electric motors giving it 231 horsepower.
Kia Sorento Hybrid/PHEV
Average Fuel Economy: 34 to 37 MPG
The Kia Sorento Hybrid is often overlooked thanks to the Telluride’s immense popularity, but it shouldn’t be, as it offers similar capabilities at a much lower price point. The hybrid starts at $40,385 and comes with features like a built-in navigation system, adaptive cruise control, faux leather seats, and standard blind spot monitoring. While it doesn’t have the most impressive cargo space, at 126 cubic feet with the seats up, it has 75.5 cubic feet of storage behind the first row, which some higher-end vehicles also offer.
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
Average Fuel Economy: 36 to 38 MPG
The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid might be the most versatile in terms of trim count and available features. It comes in five different trim levels and has the best MPG offering in the Blue SE AWD, with 38 MPG to speak of. It also comes in a plug-in-hybrid variant that offers 33 miles of total electric range alone. It also offers impressive cargo space with 38.7 cubic feet behind the second row and a whopping 74.8 cubic feet of total storage. That’s mid-size SUV level cargo space.
Toyota Crown Signia
Average Fuel Economy: 38 MPG
The Lexus TX may technically be the only luxury car on this list, but the Toyota Crown Signia cuts it pretty close to luxury. Offered only in hybrid form and two trims, the Crown Signia has a starting MSRP of $44,690 and tops out at $49,090. This is also the only combined MPG offered, as it comes with a single 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with electric motors, giving it an all-wheel-drive drivetrain coupled to an eCVT. It’s a bit on the smaller side in the mid-size segment with a cargo space offering of 25.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 68.8 cubic feet behind the first.
Honda CR-V Hybrid
Average Fuel Economy: 37 to 40 MPG
It only makes sense that the Honda CR-V Hybrid is in the top three on this list. Considered the sportier variant, as it comes exclusively in “sport” trims, the CR-V Hybrid offers peak performance and EPA ratings. The cargo capacity is also impressive, with a grand total of 76.5 cubic feet. It has a starting MSRP of $35,630 and tops out at $42,550.
Kia Sportage Hybrid
Average Fuel Economy: 35 to 42 MPG
You may be surprised to find this near the top of our list, but the Kia Sportage Hybrid offers features that some rivals on this list can’t match. For example, compared to the highly popular CR-V, it comes with cooled seats, while the Honda does not. It also comes in a plug-in-hybrid variant that offers 34 miles of total electric range before the engine even kicks on.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid/PHEV
Average Fuel Economy: 38 to 43 MPG
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 received a full redesign for this model year. This current generation, as we stated in the introduction, takes no prisoners, offering only full hybrid capabilities. The previous generation outsold full-gas-powered vehicles with its hybrid models, and Toyota took that as a clear sign that it needed to make the switch. Toyota also used the Prime as inspiration to market its newest trim, the PHEV GR Sport RAV4, which makes 324 horsepower.
Sources: Toyota, Hyundai, Lexus, Kia, Honda, Mazda, Fueleconomy.gov, Autoweek
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