Hybrid technology is becoming a mainstay in the auto-engineering field, and many companies are adopting it to feature in their car models. As from the Alternative Fuels Data Center, we get a hint of how the hybrid system functions in vehicles. It is a combination of both the internal combustion engine and an electric engine to help run the car. The result is reduced fuel economy and also decreased emissions. At the moment, the engine system is becoming a standard, and most vehicle models have a trim level that is a hybrid. Let us have a look at some of the most efficient small SUV cars that feature both the electric and internal combustion engines for their powering needs.
- This is a no-compromise small luxury hybrid SUV, which benefits from an excellent ride, confident handling, and a plush interior. The AWD NX Hybrid can be optioned with a 14-speaker surround sound.
- Updated for 2020, the MINI Countryman hybrid is a stylish, well built SUV with an electric range of up to 31 miles, strong fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. But aside from its competitive statistics, the MINI is one of the best-driving plug-in SUVs around.
- More on Compact SUVs. For most of the people most of the time, it’s not the size of an SUV that delivers the goods, it’s the shape. It’s about sitting above the traffic, lifting the tailgate.
- 2021 Niro Hybrid inside, stylish outside. The updated 2021 Niro gives modern hybrid technology a sleek new look, bringing the efficiency of an HEV to a fun-to-drive compact SUV.
10. 2020 Ford Escape
The Ford Escape has been under the crossover SUV category due to its compact dimensions. However, from its third generation onwards, it has expanded its body dimensions and lies in the small SUV section presently. The 2020 version features some improvements and going electric is one of them. The fourth-generation Escape is slick on its interior and has a sporty feeling to it. The interior is very comfortable, with ample space as evident form Ford’s official website.
9. 2020 Suzuki Vitara Hybrid
The Suzuki Vitara came up roughly three decades ago as a subcompact or mini-SUV. It took the market by storm due to its off-road capabilities and also its low fuel economy. The 2020 Suzuki Vitara is a release that will probably hit the markets by spring of 2020. It will feature the Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki (SHVS), which is the car maker’s hybrid car system intended to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. As from video releases prior to its unveiling in showrooms, it will be heavily inspired by the 2019 fifth-generation facelift. This is evident when you look at the exterior styling and the element of spaciousness on its interior.
8. 2020 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid
With the most power and quickest acceleration of any SUV, Model X Plaid is the highest performing SUV ever built. Both Long Range and Plaid powertrains, with updated battery architecture, can deliver instant torque at any speed. With the most power and quickest acceleration of any SUV, Model X Plaid is the highest performing SUV ever built.
The new edition Rav4 is the most powerful under Toyota’s model. It derives its impressive performance from its advanced 2.5-litre engine, which translates to a 219 horsepower. Another unique feature of this vehicle is the electric on-demand all-wheel-drive powertrain. It provides all-weather sustainability when you look at the handling element of the car. It has a dedicated electric motor that supplies power to the rear wheels, which improves their traction.
7. 2020 Subaru Forester Hybrid
The Forester is among the car models that have undergone massive changes when it comes to their design. It started as something close to a station wagon when it debuted, slowly shifting to the crossover SUV category. Presently it features more full dimensions and is way close to a fully-fledged sports utility vehicle if you choose to class it. The new age Forester is all-rounded and brings its top-game in performance, efficiency and comfort. It is a self-charging vehicle, eliminating the hassles of plugging it to a power source. As from Subaru’s official website you get a hint of the various driver-assisted features its sports. They include the adaptive cruise control, adaptive braking and the driver monitoring system, among many others.
6. 2019 Honda CR-V Hybrid
Honda is one of the car manufacturers that have bought ideally into the hybrid system. It has most of its models featuring a trim dedicated to the hybrid technology. Among them is one of its most celebrated models, the Honda CR-V. Its double powertrains contribute to its impressive performance, with the electric or main motor capable of a 181 horsepower while the 2-liter petrol engine translates to a power of 143 hp. The car is very spacious when you look at both the passenger and cargo compartments. It is an excellent family car with a seating capacity of five.
5. The 2014/15 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid
The Nissan Pathfinder has been on production ever since 1986. During the period of its existence, it has shifted in its body classes from a compact SUV to a mid-size SUV, to its present class of a mid-size crossover SUV. In 2014, it took a turn focusing on its powertrain to go the hybrid way. It came as either a 2-wheel or all-wheel-drive configurations with a 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. The car is very spacious though poor sales led to its discontinued production.
4. 2020 Nissan Rogue Hybrid
When looking at fuel economy, the 2020 Nissan rogue is among the efficient small hybrid SUV vehicles you can come across. On the highway 34-35 miles per gallon while on city roads the figure is 31 to 33 miles. With its efficiency also comes a smooth performance and its 2.5 liter 4 cylinder engine can bring out a horsepower limit of 176 units.
3. 2019 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid
If you want a hybrid sports utility vehicle that goes to another level with sporty looks, then the 2019 Porsche Cayenne is your suitable pick. It is mighty, and it has an impressive performance decorated with 455 horsepower and 516 pounds per feet of torque. The car is also a great speed monster and can achieve 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds.
2. 2020 Audi Q5 Hybrid
The 2020 Audi Q5 takes a spot on the top of the list when it comes to luxury. However, its hybrid version boosts its image when it comes to performance. The result is an all-rounded vehicle that screams of luxury. It is an all-wheel-drive car with a robust 2-liter engine that gives out a 349 horsepower and 369lb-ft of torque.
1. 2020 BMW X5 Hybrid
The X5 is evidence of the German automaker’s intentions when it comes to the luxury aspect of the cars that come out of its production halls. Though it may look bulky, the X5 hybrid is very smooth on the road with a 309hp to show off its performance feat. Power and luxury are its befitting adjectives that take this vehicle to the top spot of the most efficient small hybrid SUVs.
Conclusion
Above are some of the most efficient hybrid SUVs you can come across. They fare well when it comes to factors such as consumption, luxury and performance.
The future of the automotive industry is in electric powertrains. It will take a while until we see all vehicles using zero-emission motors. So, for now, fans are happy to see greener hybrid models at dealerships. Besides cleaner work, such configurations can provide better gas mileage, thanks to the electric support. If the company decides to sacrifice efficiency, then more powerful outputs are guaranteed.
All in all, hybrid powertrains are the perfect match with compact crossovers. In the SUV world, these are still not so popular and that is why the offer is limited. Nevertheless, in the last few years, we saw a lot of new models. Here are the best hybrid SUVs for the 2022 season.
2022 Lexus RX 450h
We start with the currently the most popular mid-size luxury SUV. Lexus RX sales can be compared to the non-premium models. The SUV is quite old and we can expect the redesign. One of the reasons for the popularity of this lineup is the wide choice of options. Besides other versions, there are some of them available with a hybrid unit.
A 3.5-liter V6 engine we find on the standard edition is getting support by an electric battery for enhanced power output and gas mileage. The first one is not bringing some radical improvements, raising the bar from 295 hp to 310 ponies. The fuel economy is way better on the 2022 Lexus RX 450h. Another good thing is the price, which is higher for about $3,000 than the petrol configuration.
2022 Ford Explorer Hybrid
Ford is in the big electrification process. The final result should be seen in 2025 when all vehicles in the lineup are going to offer a hybrid or an EV version. For the SUV class, the first model to become available is the Explorer. A 3.3-liter V6 engine is under the hood and thanks to an electric motor, the system is good for 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque.
A 10-speed automatic gearbox is a power router. Two-wheel drive is standard and it returns 27/29 mpg. With 4WD, you sacrifice a lot, since the 4×4 system is going to consume a lot more gasoline. Towing capacity is respectable. You can tow 5,000 pounds with the 2022 Ford Explorer Hybrid. The price of this version is $52,000, which is slightly higher than expected.
2022 Jeep Wrangler 4xe PHEV
While all the eyes of Jeep fans were pointed to the Hellcat engine becoming available for Dodge Durango and Ram 1500 truck, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid became official. Spy photos indicated that we can expect such an outcome. However, we didn’t know specs details.
The 2022 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and electric motors. The system creates 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, which is at the same level as the Hemi-powered unit. The gas mileage is estimated at 50 MPGe. The plug-in hybrid version is going to cost just under $50,000. You can still get a discount from the federal tax refund, which is up to $7,500.
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2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Prime
After the update of the standard hybrid system, the Japanese carmaker is moving forward. Now, it will follow the footsteps of the Rav4, the best-selling crossover in the US. The PHEV variant called Prime is on the way.
The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is now equipped with a four-cylinder engine and it delivers 255 hp. That is 50 ponies more than before when a V6 was under the hood. On the other hand, the gas mileage jumped to 35 mpg. Well, this is something that you won’t find easily, even if browse in the compact crossover category.
The 2022 Toyota Highlander Prime is the next step in evolution. This version is already available on its smaller sibling, Rav4. With 300 hp, it is powerful enough even for a mid-size SUV. For a long time, Highlander was the only three-row model with a hybrid configuration. Now, when rivals started to catch up, Japanese engineers are setting new challenges.
2022 Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV
One of the most impressive hybrids already available in the market is the 2022 Volvo XC90 T8. The Swedish carmaker is on the way to electrify the entire lineup, so the T8 PHEV could become a part of history soon. All configurations of the mid-size SUV are based on a 2.0-liter petrol unit. The plug-in hybrid is going to produce 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. Plus the gas mileage is on the respectable level, 27 mpg combined. Driving the SUV by using only the electric drivetrain will allow you to march 18 miles.
The 2022 Volvo XC90 T8 is still the most potent unit in the lineup. But, the new Recharge version could be out pretty soon. On the other hand, the XC100 is the new SUV that is also about to debut soon. The plug-in T8 version is coming with a price tag of just under $70,000.
2022 Range Rover P400e
Best Mini Hybrid Suv
Land Rover Range Rover is available with a wide choice of engines. Everything starts with a six-cylinder unit, while top versions are using a V8 with 557 horsepower. Also, there is an oil-burner with a lot of torque. The 2022 Range Rover P400e is a plug-in hybrid based on a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Another part of the PHEV system is a 105-kW battery. The P400e is only available with HSE and Autobiography packages.
The 2022 Range Rover P400e is delivering 398 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque. The SUV is one of the most expensive hybrids on our list with a starting MSRP of $95,000. The Autobiography trim adds more than $35,000 in value. Of course, the plug-in hybrid is capable of driving electric-only. In this case, the SUV can cover 19 miles.
2022 Mercedes GLS Hybrid
While we are waiting for the EQS all-electric SUV, the lighter, hybrid variant is available with the EQ boost system. The 2022 Mercedes GLS uses it with both I6 and V8 drivetrains. The smaller displacement is a 3.0-liter and it creates 362 hp and 369 lb-ft. The good thing about the GLS 450 SUV is the gas mileage, which achieves 21 mpg combined.
More power comes from a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Another 2022 Mercedes GLS Hybrid is also using the EQ Boost system. Here, you are getting 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The price is near the six-digit realm, so any upgrade is going to make the MSRP go over $100k.
2022 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Hybrid
The 2022 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring is the latest addition to the SUV’s lineup. The luxury vehicle is not even more powerful. A 3.0-liter gasoline engine features a twin-turbo system and an electric motor. The total output of the Aviator Hybrid is 494 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. It is way more than the Ford Explorer, a non-premium sibling can do. The gas mileage is 23 mpg, or 56 MPGe if you combine two powertrains.
The 2022 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring also comes with a few upgrades compared to other versions. It sits above Reserve edition and borrows features from a lower-level model. Besides the leather upholstery and 14-speaker Revel audio system, the Grand Touring also adds a panoramic sunroof, adaptive steering, and a special braking system.
2022 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
Like the Range Rover, the German carmaker also can be proud of the wide engine range. All of them are very powerful, and the most efficient, regarding the gas mileage, is the 2022 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid. The SUV is equipped with a 3.0-liter turbo-six. It bursts 455 hp and 515 lb-ft of torque. So, the E-Hybrid is more powerful than the Range Rover P400e. It is also less expensive, starting at $82,000.
Mini Suv Hybrid 2019
There is another 2022 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid version available for purchase. The Turbo S model and electric unit are good for 670 horsepower and taking the price out of limits for most buyers. There are no too many fans willing to spend $165,000. The base E-Hybrid is adding special clusters, unique suspension system, and Sport Chrono Package is standard. The Turbo S package needs to handle the extra power and it makes with the dynamic chassis control and the torque vectoring. A big financial upgrade also brings a heated steering wheel with an adjustable column.
Mini Suv Hybrid
2022 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid
The last model in our list is coming from another Japanese powerhouse. The 2022 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid is coming equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 engine. The base version is using a 3.5-liter displacement. A smaller unit fits better into the hybrid system and the output is 321 horsepower. It also adds 289 lb-ft of torque.
Mini Suv Hybrid Cars
For some while, we were listening about the Acura MDX Type S. Rumors mentioned the plug-in hybrid system with 400 horsepower. Nevertheless, the performance SUV is going to produce 355 ponies and it won’t use a hybrid system. So, the 2022 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid remains the only option and its price is $53,000. You can upgrade it with a few unique packages.
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