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Best hybrid SUVs 2026 – reviewed, rated and ranked
Sales of SUVs and hybrids are booming, making hybrid SUVs some of the most desirable cars around. But which of them are best ones to go for and which are best avoided?
Darren Moss
Updated: 24 November 2025
These days, it pays to choose hybrid power if you're in the market for a new SUV. For one thing, if you choose to run one as a company car, you'll pay less in monthly Benefit-in-Kind tax than you would for a purely petrol or diesel alternative. For another thing, because hybrid cars have both a combustion engine and an electric motor, your running costs should tumble – especially if you mainly drive in the city, where the electric power can be deployed more often.
The good news is that there are now more hybrid SUVs to choose from than ever before, ranging from small SUV options right the way up to luxury models and seven-seaters. This is a double-edged sword, though, because it means that deciding on which hybrid SUV is right for you can be a tricky business.
Fortunately, we're here to help, and our experienced team of road testers have spent thousands of hours testing every hybrid SUV on the market. From refinement to running costs, and from performance to practicality, we've tested hybrid SUVs in all of the areas which matter to car buyers. Plus, we've driven all of the latest models over thousands of miles, both on public roads and back-to-back against key rivals at our private test track.
The result of all that testing is the list you see here, where we've revealed the 10 best hybrid SUVs you can buy, drawing across those which use regular hybrid power, and also plug-in hybrids. If you see a car here which takes your fancy, you can follow the links through to our in-depth reviews to learn more about them.
We've also named the hybrid SUV which we think you should avoid, and answered some of the most commonly asked questions about hybrid SUVs at the bottom of this page.
While the prices you'll see for models below reflect the car's range as a whole, you can click through to the relevant page on our free New Car Deals service to see the price for the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models we're looking at here.
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Mercedes GLC
Best buy: GLC250 85kWh Sport Auto2 5dr
0-62 mph: 5.9 sec
Range: 389 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 520 litres
Insurance group: 50E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Well equipped
- Plug-in hybrid has impressive electric range
- Spacious interior
Weaknesses
- Slightly firmer ride than rivals
- Stylish interior doesn't feel the most sturdy
- Petrol engines need working hard
If you're looking for the hybrid SUV with the longest pure-electric range, then the Mercedes GLC 300e should be right at the top of your shortlist. That's because it can travel up to 80 miles without using a drop of fuel. And that's not only further than key rivals like the Range Rover Sport can manage, but could feasibly be enough to cover your weekday commute without using a drop of fuel – providing you can plug it in to keep its battery topped up, of course.
That long electric-only range also makes the GLC efficient to run as a company car, thanks to low C02 emissions which lead to a low benefit-in-kind tax rating.
It's not just about the statistics, though, because the GLC impresses in its own right as a premium family SUV. It's comfortable to drive, for example, and practical enough to suit the needs of your family. Plus, its interior has the kind of wow factor that few rivals can match.
“It was easy for me to get comfortable inside the GLC, because it seat is set nice and high. This also helps visibility, because I get a good view when I'm trying to see at junctions.” – Will Nightingale, reviews editor
Read our in-depth Mercedes GLC review
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Best price from £54,495
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RRP from: £55,495
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From £39,990
Kia Sportage
Best buy: 1.6 h T-GDi Pure Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 7.9 sec
MPG/range: 51.3 mpg
C02 emissions: 125 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 587 litres
Insurance group: 23E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Lower-spec models are great value
- Smart interior
- Generous rear leg room and boot space
Weaknesses
- Rear head room compromised with panoramic roof
- No clever rear seat functions
- Auto gearbox feels frustratingly slow with non-hybrid engine
The Kia Sportage is popular for many reasons: it’s spacious, comfortable to drive, smart inside and very well equipped.
The regular hybrid version is also a good option if you’re looking for a car that offers strong performance and impressive real-world fuel economy. In fact, we recorded a 0-60mph time of 7.2sec at our private test track, while an average of 43.8mpg was clocked up during our real-world fuel economy test.
Even though the hybrid isn’t as refined as the PHEV version, it’s still whisper-quiet when running on electric power at low speeds. Plus, it’s quicker and a lot cheaper to buy outright than the PHEV.
“I love that the latest Sportage retains physical controls for its air conditioning system – they're so much easier to use than having to delve into a touchscreen or prod at a touch-sensitive panel, as you'd find on some rivals.” – Stuart Milne, digital editor
Read our in-depth Kia Sportage review
New car deals
Best price from £27,995
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £27,995
RRP from: £31,395
Nearly new deals
From £22,730
Leasing deals
From £306
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What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Kia Sportage
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 36 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £305.95 Initial payment £3,671.40
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,916 total upfront (£3,671 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 36 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Hyundai Santa Fe
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Outstanding seven-seat practicality
- Comfortable and quiet at speed
- Long warranty
Weaknesses
- PHEV’s underwhelming electric-only range
- Not the quickest or most agile seven seater
- Some rivals are even cheaper
The previous Hyundai Santa Fe was one of your best bets if you wanted a hybrid SUV with seven seats, and this all-new version aims to carry the same accolade.
It'll eventually be offered in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms, but it's the regular hybrid we're focussed on here. It uses a tweaked version of the 1.6-litre engine and electric motor from the old Santa Fe, and while it's not especially fast, it has no trouble in getting you up to motorway speeds and should be relatively cheap to run.
The latest Santa Fe is comfortable, too, even though the rival Peugeot 5008 feels a little more settled on faster roads.
Space was a big selling point in the old Santa Fe, and the new model continues that trend. Not only is access to the second and third rows fantastic, but once seated your passengers will have more room to stretch out than they would in most rivals. The boot is massive, too – in five-star mode it'll swallow even more than the Kia Sorento.
“It might be boxy, but I like the various 'H' motifs which have been included in the latest Santa Fe's design. Look closely and you'll spot them in the headlights, tail-lights, even even within the front bumper.” – Claire Evans, consumer editor
Read our in-depth Hyundai Santa Fe review
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Best price from £37,585
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £37,585
RRP from: £49,185
Nearly new deals
From £37,490
Leasing deals
From £454
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Hyundai Santa Fe
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 36 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £453.82 Initial payment £5,445.84
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£5,691 total upfront (£5,446 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 36 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Range Rover Sport
Best buy: 3.0 D300 MHEV Dynamic SE Auto 4WD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 0 sec
MPG/range: 38.8 mpg
C02 emissions: 191 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 0 litres
Insurance group: 48E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Offers many ‘big’ Range Rover qualities for less
- Incredible off-road and comfy on-road
- PHEVs’ fantastic electric range
Weaknesses
- There are cheaper luxury SUVs
- Rivals are sharper to drive
- No seven-seat option
The Range Rover Sport takes many features from the full-size Range Rover (including its plush interior and impressive off-road ability), but offers them at a slightly lower price.
There's only one plug-in hybrid version of the Sport, called the P460e, and it combines a silky-smooth 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine with an electric motor to produce 454bhp.
With its vast 31.8kWh (usable) battery, the P460e can manage 73 miles officially on electric-only power. That’s almost as much as the 80 miles the Mercedes GLC 300e can manage officially.
Even though the Sport is slightly cheaper to buy than its full-size sibling, it still remains a pricey option.
"I think the Range Rover Sport's boot is especially clever, because not only can you drop the rear seatbacks at the touch of a button, but there's also a handy flip-up partition you can use to keep things separate in the back – or to even use as a makeshift seat.” – Darren Moss, deputy editor
Read our in-depth Range Rover Sport review
New car deals
Best price from £73,169
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £73,169
RRP from: £77,620
Nearly new deals
From £67,999
Leasing deals
From £877
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Range Rover Sport
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £876.90 Initial payment £10,522.80
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£10,768 total upfront (£10,523 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Range Rover Evoque
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Great driving position
- Well-equipped
- Slow depreciation
Weaknesses
- Limited boot space
- So-so fuel economy and emissions
- Land Rover’s reliability record
It may well be the Evoque’s looks that first pique your interest, but it’s a fine car on more objective levels, too.
It’s comfortable, really posh inside and even reasonably practical by class standards, with this PHEV losing no luggage space compared with its purely combustion-engined siblings, despite having a battery that's big enough for 38 miles of electric driving.
The PHEV is also the fastest engine option in the Evoque range (0-60mph takes just 6.1sec), while the hybrid system is smooth around town and punchy on the motorway.
Land Rover’s reliability record remains a concern, though – the brand finished in 28th position out of 32 manufacturers in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey.
“While most of the Evoque's controls are now accessed through its touchscreen, at least shortcuts to some commonly-used ones – the climate, for example – are permanently displayed, so you don't need to go hunting for them.” – Doug Revolta, head of video
Read our in-depth Range Rover Evoque review
New car deals
Best price from £43,375
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £43,375
RRP from: £44,855
Nearly new deals
From £31,500
Leasing deals
From £630
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Range Rover Evoque
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £630.39 Initial payment £7,564.68
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£7,810 total upfront (£7,565 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Lexus NX
Best buy: 2.5 350h Premium E-CVT 4WD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 8.1 sec
MPG/range: 56.5 mpg
C02 emissions: 134 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 520 litres
Insurance group: 35E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Strong performance
- Should be very reliable
- PHEV has a competitive electric range
Weaknesses
- Petrol engine isn’t the smoothest
- Slightly choppy high-speed ride on 20in wheels
- Takumi versions are pricey
Even though the Lexus NX 450h+ can’t quite beat the Mercedes GLC 300e on electric-only range, it does top the rival Audi Q5 50 TFSIe and BMW X3 xDrive30e, being officially able to take you up to 45 miles.
It can also reach speeds of up to 83mph solely on battery power, and is exceptionally smooth and quiet, even when the battery has been exhausted and the 2.5-litre petrol engine has taken over propulsion duties. Plus, it delivers impressive straight-line performance.
Add in handling that inspires confidence, Lexus's superb reliability record, and an interior that's as classy as it is spacious, and you've got a hybrid SUV that’s a brilliant all-rounder.
“Usually, going for larger wheels on your new car can affect the ride quality. In the NX, however, you'll get a comfy experience whether you stick with the standard 18in alloys, or the upgraded 20in units.” – Lawrence Cheung, new cars editor
Read our in-depth Lexus NX review
New car deals
Best price from £49,495
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £53,489
RRP from: £49,495
Nearly new deals
From £36,990
Leasing deals
From £441
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Lexus NX
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £440.87 Initial payment £5,290.44
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£5,535 total upfront (£5,290 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Hyundai Tucson
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Well-made, user-friendly interior
- Spacious for passengers and luggage
- Good range of engines
Weaknesses
- Some rivals have tidier handling
- Slightly more expensive to buy than rivals
- No sliding rear seats
The Tucson is available with a wide range of engines, including petrol, mild hybrid, hybrid and plug-in hybrid units.
Our favourite of the bunch is the regular hybrid, which is quick, quiet and efficient. It pairs a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to produce 227bhp, while a small battery allows for short bursts of electric power at low speeds, which helps boost refinement and fuel economy around town.
However, the achilles heel of the Tucson is its sibling, the Kia Sportage. While that car is slightly more expensive, it does feel more polished to drive, with better judged brakes, tidier handling and a slightly more comfortable ride.
"While we recommend going for SE Connect trim to help keep your costs sensible, it's worth looking at range-topping Ultimate versions if you're likely to have multiple people driving your car, because this gets you a fully electric driver's seat with a memory function." – Mark Pearson, used car editor
Read our in-depth Hyundai Tucson review
New car deals
Best price from £26,550
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £26,550
RRP from: £33,485
Nearly new deals
From £23,530
Leasing deals
From £310
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Hyundai Tucson
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £310.47 Initial payment £3,725.64
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£3,971 total upfront (£3,726 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Ford Kuga
Best buy: 2.5h Duratec ST-Line CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 0 sec
MPG/range: 52.3 mpg
C02 emissions: 123 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 645 litres
Insurance group: 19E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Good to drive
- Spacious in the back
- Well equipped
Weaknesses
- Interior quality doesn’t impress
- Relatively small boot
- Busy low-speed ride on ST-Line trims
Ford knows a thing or two about making a car that’s good to drive, and the Kuga lives up to that reputation.
In our favourite ST-Line Edition trim, it’s one of the more engaging family SUVs to drive, with quick steering and a firmer suspension set-up that allows it to follow the contours of the road more easily than the entry-level versions.
The Kuga’s engine range includes two hybrid options: a regular hybrid and a PHEV. The former is our recommended option for private buyers, and it pairs a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and battery pack. The system is smooth and easy to drive, although the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are slightly quicker and equally as efficient.
Those cars also have more spacious and practical interiors (but only just), while quality isn’t as good for the price.
“Hybrid SUVs can sometimes feel more wallowy through corners than their combustion-engined siblings because of their extra weight. However, with the Kuga hybrid, it handles with such precision that you'd be hard pressed to tell it apart from the regular car.” – George Hill, used cars writer
Read our in-depth Ford Kuga review
New car deals
Best price from £28,475
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £28,475
RRP from: £33,335
Nearly new deals
From £22,699
Leasing deals
From £331
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Ford Kuga
Expected annual mileage 6000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £330.97 Initial payment £3,971.64
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£4,217 total upfront (£3,972 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 6000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Lexus RX
Best buy: 2.5 450h+ 18.1kWh Prem E-CVT 4WD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 6.6 sec
MPG/range: 0 mpg
C02 emissions: 75 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 612 litres
Insurance group: 45E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Efficient engines
- Hushed on the move
- Strong performance
Weaknesses
- Rivals are better to drive
- Takumi versions are pricey
- PHEV's electric range isn't the best
The Lexus RX of the early 2000s was one of the first luxury SUVs to use a hybrid system, and this latest version is proof of the firm’s expertise.
The plug-in hybrid RX 450+ is incredibly quiet and refined, while reliability remains a strong point for Lexus. In fact, the RX should be more dependable than the Range Rover Sport P460e.
While the electric-only range with the 450h+ isn’t as long as the Range Rover Sport or Mercedes GLC 300e’s, those cars are more expensive to buy outright. There’s also a more affordable regular hybrid version available, which is a good choice if you don’t have easy access to a charger.
“I enjoyed how serene the RX is, because there's hardly any wind or road noise on the motorway. Plus, when its petrol engine needs to wake up and take over from the electric motor around town, the changeover is seamless.” – Claire Evans, consumer editor
Read our in-depth Lexus RX review
New car deals
Best price from £65,095
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £69,995
RRP from: £65,095
Nearly new deals
From £55,690
Leasing deals
From £563
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Lexus RX
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £562.88 Initial payment £6,754.56
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£7,000 total upfront (£6,755 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Honda CR-V
Best buy: 2.0 h i-MMD Elegance eCVT 4WD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 9.3 sec
MPG/range: 42.2 mpg
C02 emissions: 151 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 587 litres
Insurance group: 31E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Generous boot space and versatile rear seats
- Hybrid system is smooth and economical in town
- Secure handling
Weaknesses
- Expensive compared with rivals
- Noticeable road noise
- Rivals have classier interiors
Honda's family SUV is only available as a hybrid – the only choice you have as to what powers it is whether you want to choose regular or plug-in hybrid power.
We think the regular hybrid – which also has the benefit of four-wheel drive for slippery roads – will suit most buyers the best. Like the PHEV model, it gets a 181bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor, and can haul you up to motorway speeds pretty swiftly, even when loaded down with luggage.
Speaking of which, we managed to fit eight carry-on suitcases into the CR-V, which is more than the rival Lexus NX can manage. Things aren't so good in the rear seats, though, because the roller blind for the panoramic roof robs you of a few vital centimetres of rear head room.
“I spend a lot of time on the motorway, so the CR-V's relatively heavy steering didn't bother me at all. Drivers who spend most of their time in the city, however, might prefer something lighter.” Dan Jones, reviewer
Read our in-depth Honda CR-V review
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New car deals
Best price from £42,450
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £42,450
RRP from: £47,795
Nearly new deals
From £35,995
Leasing deals
From £577
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Honda CR-V
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £577.37 Initial payment £6,928.44
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£7,173 total upfront (£6,928 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
And the hybrid SUV to avoid...
DS 7
The DS 7 is a well equipped, relatively comfortable and practical hybrid SUV. However, the pricing is too close to established rivals such as the Lexus NX, and it doesn’t feel as refined or luxurious as that car. What’s more, cheaper alternatives such as the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are better to drive, with tidier handling and more progressive braking.
Read our review
How to choose the best hybrid SUV
SUVs can be a costly purchase, but choosing one with hybrid power can ease the pressure on your pockets thanks to lower running costs. And there are plenty on the market to choose from, ranging from compact options to luxury models with all the kit you could possibly ask for.
But all that choice makes it even more important to know exactly what to look out for when you’re buying one. Here, we discuss all the factors you should take into account when looking for a new hybrid SUV.
What sort of hybrid power would suit you?
Not all hybrid SUVs are the same. When something is labelled a ‘hybrid’, it generally refers to a car with either a mild hybrid, full hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) setup – and deciding which one works best for you will depend on your driving habits.
Mild hybrids are, to all intents and purposes, slightly more efficient petrol or diesel-powered cars. Indeed, many owners may be unaware their car even has the technology. Typically the hybrid system is there simply to start the engine.
Full hybrids (often misleadingly called self-charging hybrids) are powered by either a petrol or diesel engine and an electric motor (which gets its power from a small battery). As such, they can run on just the combustion engine or for short distances on pure electric power – or on a combination of the two.
Unlike plug-in hybrids, full hybrids don’t need to be plugged in to charge the battery. Instead, the battery is recharged by running the engine or by regenerative braking – a system which harvests waste energy and feeds it back to the battery. You can usually drive for short periods of time on pure electric power, particularly if you’re going at low speeds around town.
On the other hand, plug-in hybrids receive a larger battery, which does need to be plugged in to recharge. Thanks to the bigger battery, they can travel for more significant periods of time on pure electric power, with the best PHEVs offering more than 80 miles of petrol-free driving. You’ll need to charge regularly for the best results, though.
If you’re in the market for a new company car, PHEVs are generally the option to go for, if not a fully electric car. This is because they benefit from very low benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax rates due to their green credentials.
It’s worth remembering, too, that most full hybrids and PHEVs are at their most efficient in stop-start city traffic, because that’s when the electric motor can do the most work. If your commute consists mostly of motorway driving, you might not be able to reap the full benefits of the low running costs.
Are hybrid SUVs expensive?
As a general rule, SUVs aren’t that cheap to buy; many are large, and some offer extra features like four-wheel drive and are well sought-after in today’s market.
Due to their extra tech, hybrid SUVs tend to cost even more than their combustion counterparts because of the costs involved in producing batteries and electric motors.
However, where you do pay a slight premium over non-electrified vehicles, the hybrid system should, in theory, offset that initial price with its low running costs, and you should see big payoffs if you really take advantage of that electric power. And thanks to their low carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, you’ll generally pay less tax on your hybrid SUV, too.
What style of hybrid SUV would suit you?
So, you might now have an idea of what type of hybrid power would be best for you, but there’s still more to consider: what type of SUV would suit you?
Hybrid power can be found in a huge range of SUVs, all the way from compact runabouts to hefty seven-seaters. In order to choose the best one for your needs, you need to consider a number of aspects, such as space, comfort, cost and equipment.
If you’re looking for a vehicle to accommodate you and your large family, you’ll likely be looking at a family SUV or even a seven-seater. These tend to focus on maximising interior and boot space so that passengers of all sizes can get comfortable, and any luggage or furry friends are accommodated, too.
Bear in mind, though, that some plug-in hybrid SUVs have to accommodate a battery under the floor, which means boot space is sometimes compromised. If you need to maximise your storage capacity, you might be better off with a petrol or diesel vehicle.
If you want something that’s going to transport you in sheer comfort and aren’t worried about spending too much cash, you might want to look at a luxury SUV. These tend to offer the most premium interiors, with plush materials and supple suspension that won’t toss you around on long journeys. They also tend to come generously equipped with the latest tech and lots of kit.
However, if you don’t have as much to spend, don’t fear – SUVs are no longer reserved for the top end of the market, and there are plenty of more affordable options offered nowadays with hybrid power. They tend to be smaller in size, but the best ones still feature plenty of space for five passengers to stretch out comfortably, and enough standard kit to keep you ticking along.
Should I buy a hybrid SUV?
Buy one if:
- You drive a lot in the city and can benefit from low running costs
- You can charge up at home or at work (for PHEVs)
- You want to benefit from low tax rates
Don’t buy one if
- You don’t want to pay a high initial cost to buy the car
- You want to drive all the time on pure electric power (for that, you’d need a fully electric car)
- You drive mostly on motorways, where you won’t see the fuel benefits
How we choose the best hybrid SUVs
Our team of highly experienced reviews have tested every hybrid SUV on sale to deliver their definitive verdicts. Based on that testing, and continual reassessment, we’re able to provide this authoritative guide to the best hybrid SUVs on sale today.
While every car undergoes the same testing, we’re able to use the responses from more than 20,000 car owners to focus on the factors that are more important to buyers of hybrid SUVs. These include:
Buying and ownership costs
Hybrid SUVs are often bought on the basis of their impressive fuel economy. Yet we don’t treat official figures as gospel; we put hybrid SUVs through our own fuel economy tests. For plug-in hybrids, we test them when their batteries are flat, too, to ensure we give figures for all scenarios.
Hybrids and plug-in hybrids can be expensive to buy. So on top of evaluating the cars running costs, we evaluate the car’s pricing and trim levels to see which ones are the best value for money.
Reliability
Hybrid systems can be very complex, but thankfully, our Reliability Survey can tell you which ones to buy and avoid. We extract real-world data from more than 20,000 owners to give you the best possible advice on reliability, including on a number of hybrid SUVs.
Comfortable driving position
A comfortable driving position is vital for any new car purchase, including a hybrid SUV. As such, we take into account the positioning of the steering wheel, seat and pedals, as well as the adjustment of the seat and steering wheel, to judge how comfortable the seating position is. Our research shows that SUV buyers like to sit up high, too, which is why we measure the height from the base of the seat to the road to judge this.
Our testing criteria is extensive, and covers many other areas than the ones quoted here. To find out more, you can head to our how we test cars page.
FAQs
Which hybrid SUV has the fewest problems?
In our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, the 2014-2021 Lexus NX was Britain's most reliable car. It scored a remarkable rating of 100%, meaning that no owners had suffered any issues over the previous year. Indeed, as a brand Lexus came second in our survey, right behind Mini.
Which hybrid SUV has the best UK MPG?
The Toyota Yaris Cross, with its regular hybrid setup, is the most economical car we've ever tested. It managed 60.1mpg combined during our road test, and recorded an impressive 103.3mpg around town. Other very economical hybrid SUVs include the Kia Sportage, which recorded 44.6mpg in hybrid form, and the Ford Kuga, which officially returns 52.3mpg as a regular hybrid.
Is there a downside to buying a hybrid SUV?
Most new SUVs have some kind of hybrid technology, be that mild hybrid tech that works in the background to save fuel, full hybrids which don’t require plugging in, or plug-in hybrid models which do. The main downsides are as the amount of hybrid assistance increases, so – generally – does cost and complexity.
On the flip side, the more hybrid assistance provided, the lower your fuel bills could be. The caveat – and key drawback – with plug-in hybrids is that you need to charge them as often as possible for the best fuel economy.
What is better? A hybrid SUV or a plug-in hybrid SUV?
Whether a hybrid SUV or a plug-in hybrid SUV is better depends largely on your circumstances. Many plug-in hybrid SUVs offer the potential of more than 100mpg, but only if you’re willing and able to plug them in to charge regularly to make use of their all-electric range – typically between around 20 and 50 miles. Once the battery is depleted, the economy will tumble.
There are no such vagaries with full hybrid SUVs, though. They use their petrol engine to charge a small battery, enabling the motors to assist the engine under acceleration, or power the car on electricity alone for short distances. These hybrids don’t require plugging in.
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