Best hybrid SUVs 2024 – 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?...

Best hybrid SUVs

Not so long ago, if you wanted an SUV, it was almost always best to go for a diesel engine. However, changes to the company car tax system, combined with improvements in hybrid car technology, means cars which mix petrol and electric power are now great for your wallet as well as your conscience.

Best hybrid SUVs

In addition, the number of hybrid SUVs available has exploded in the last couple of years. But this increased choice can be a negative as well as a positive, making it harder to decide what to go for. So, here we count down our current top 10, starting with the car our experienced team of road testers has determined to be the class leader – the Mercedes GLC 300e – and reveal the model that's best avoided. As well as our reviews, we'll show you the best hybrid SUV deals available for these models.

Learn more about how we test cars


1. Mercedes GLC 300e

Mercedes GLC front cornering

When choosing a plug-in hybrid you naturally want the longest electric-only range possible, and the Mercedes GLC 300e has just that. 

It can officially travel 80 miles on electric-only power, meaning that it tops both the Lexus NX 450h+ (45 miles) and Range Rover Sport P460e (76 miles). 

Of course, that long official electric-only range brings low CO2 emissions and a low benefit-in-kind (BIK) rating, which makes the GLC 300e a brilliant choice for company car drivers.

However, it’s not just about the numbers. The GLC is comfortable to drive and practical, while the interior design (with its large central infotainment screen) presents a real wow factor that few rivals can match.

For Well-equipped | Plug-in hybrid has impressive electric range | Spacious interior

Against Slightly firmer ride than rivals | Stylish interior doesn't feel the most sturdy | Petrol engines need working hard

Read our full Mercedes GLC review, or see Mercedes GLC deals >>


2. Lexus NX 450h+

Lexus NX 450h+ front cornering

Even though the NX 450h+ can’t quite beat the GLC 300e on electric-only range, it does top the rival Audi Q5 50 TFSIe and BMW X3 xDrive30e.

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.

For Strong performance | Promise of stellar reliability | PHEV has good electric range

Against Petrol engine isn't the smoothest | Choppy high-speed ride on F Sport versions | Takumi versions are pricey

Read our full Lexus NX review, or see Lexus NX deals >>


3. Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid

Kia Sportage front cornering

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.

For Lower spec models are great value | Smart interior | Generous rear leg room and boot space

Against Hybrid petrol engine sounds strained | Rear headroom compromised with panoramic roof | No clever rear seat functions

Read our full Kia Sportage review, or see Kia Sportage deals >>


4. Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe front

If you’re looking for a hybrid SUV with seven seats, then the Santa Fe is your best bet. 

It's a brilliant all-rounder with tidy driving manners, a huge boot and spacious second row (and third row) seating. Meanwhile, it’s cheaper to buy outright than a Kia Sorento, and yet fuel economy is reasonable and performance plentiful.

The regular hybrid version will make more sense to most private buyers, while the PHEV is a good option if you're a company car driver. 

All versions come with an impressive roster of standard equipment. So all you’ll need to do is decide whether you want your Santa Fe very well equipped, or very, very well equipped.

For Seven seats fit for adults | Loads of standard equipment | Long warranty

Against So-so performance | Some wind noise | Ultimate trim is pricey

Read our full Hyundai Santa Fe review, or see Hyundai Santa Fe deals >>


5. Range Rover Sport P460e

Range Rover Sport LT front

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. 

It also has the same range of engines as its bigger brother, including two plug-in hybrid engine options (P460e and P530e). Our favourite of the two is the P460e, which 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 76 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.

For Offers lots of Range Rover qualities for a lower price | Incredible ability off-road | Fantastic range on the PHEV model

Against Cheaper than a Range Rover, but still very expensive | Rivals are sharper to drive | Land Rover's reliability record is a concern

Read our full Range Rover Sport review, or see Range Rover Sport deals >>


6. Range Rover Evoque P300e

Range Rover Evoque P300e hybrid small SUV front

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.

For Great driving position | Well equipped | Slow depreciation

Against Limited boot space | So-so fuel economy and emissions | Land Rover's reliability record

Read our full Range Rover Evoque review, or see Range Rover Evoque deals >>


7. Kia Sorento 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid

Kia Sorento front right driving

The Sorento's hybrid tech combines decent real-world fuel economy with comparatively low CO2 emissions, while the ride is comfortable and the steering accurate. 

Throw in a nicely made and well equipped interior, a driving position that’s lofty enough to make HGV drivers jealous and Kia’s unmatched seven-year warranty, and the Sorento is a fine choice. 

All models come with plenty of luxuries, although that’s largely a result of the Sorento being available in one fully-loaded trim level – Edition. As a result, the Sorento is more pricey than the Santa Fe and Nissan X-Trail.

However, it’s difficult to fault the Sorento on the practicality front. All three rows of seating are spacious, while the boot is vast (we managed to fit 10 carry-on suitcases below the parcel shelf with five seats in place).

For Seven seats fit for adults | A massive boot | Well equipped

Against Cheaper trims no longer available | Hybrid system isn't as efficient as Honda CR-V's | Interior quality not as good as similarly priced premium rivals

Read our full Kia Sorento review, or see Kia Sorento deals >>


8. Hyundai Tucson 1.6 TGDi Hybrid 230

Hyundai Tucson front cornering

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. 

For Frugal hybrid is a worthy alternative to diesel | Well-made interior | Spacious for passengers and luggage

Against So-so handling | Ride can get choppy at times | No sliding rear seats

Read our full Hyundai Tucson review, or see Hyundai Tucson deals >>


9. Ford Kuga 2.5 FHEV

Ford Kuga front cornering

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.

For Good to drive | PHEV offers competitive electric range | FHEV hybrid is cheaper than equivalent diesel

Against Interior quality doesn't impress | Relatively small boot | Infotainment system isn't the slickest

Read our full Ford Kuga review, or see Ford Kuga deals >>


10. Lexus RX

Lexus RX front

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.

For Well built and well appointed inside | Hushed on the move | Strong performance

Against Rivals are better to drive | Takumi versions are pricey | PHEV's electric range isn't the best

Read our full Lexus RX review, or see Lexus RX deals >>


And the hybrid SUV to avoid...

DS 7 Crossback E-Tense

DS 7 front right driving

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 Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson are better to drive, with tidier handling and more progressive braking.

For Spacious and practical | Competitive CO2 emissions | Good level of standard equipment

Against Interior quality poor in places | Pricey against rivals | Grabby brakes and so-so handling

Read our full DS 7 Crossback review >>


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Read more: The best plug-in hybrid cars >>

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