2023 – 2024 Best SUV Find out which SUV is the best for 2022, 2023, and 2024. Here you can find professional reviews and rankings of all upcoming crossover and SUV cars.
Although carmakers are constantly bringing up new all-electric models, most buyers still aren’t ready for a full transition. Even if they are, hybrids are still more reasonable solutions, because they combine good fuel economy and come at a far more reasonable price compared to all-electric cars.
At this point, the offer is pretty impressive and includes a variety of models. It’s pretty hard to find a manufacturer that doesn’t offer some kind of hybrid electrification. Therefore, we have decided to help you and make a selection of models we think are the best hybrid SUVs on the market today. Some of them are all-new such as the new-generation Honda CR-V. Others have been around for a while and proved themselves as an excellent choice, models like Toyota RAV4 or Ford Escape.
Let’s take a look at some of the best hybrid SUVs for 2023:
2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The RAV4 has been an undisputed leader among hybrid SUVs for years and even though the competition is much tougher these days, it is still of the best choices. Known for a pretty refined setup, this SUV offers a respectable 219 horsepower in a combination with excellent 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.
Also, we saw some pretty interesting updates for this model year. The most interesting one is the new Woodland Editions, which brings a bit of off-road flavor, with features like a TRD suspension kit, bronze-colored wheels, a roof rack, mud flaps, black exterior badging, etc. Another very important update that came this year is the new infotainment system, with new software and bigger screens.
The RAV4 hybrid starts at around 32.000 dollars. Of course, you can also go for a way more capable, but also way more expensive RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, which offers over 300 horsepower and 42 miles of the all-electric range. That version goes around 43.500 dollars.
2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid
Honda’s most-popular SUV has just been redesigned and, of course, it is also offered with a hybrid powertrain. The Japanese manufacturer introduced a new system, which combines a 2.0-liter inline-four engine with two electric motors, for a total output of 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. Also, the company claims pretty respectable numbers regarding fuel economy, around 43 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.
Besides the new hybrid system, this redesign brings many other novelties. Of course, there is the new styling, more elegant and more mature than before, along with a much nicer cabin, which takes a lot of inspiration from the Civic, in terms of the dashboard design. The new model features bigger dimensions and, therefore, offers more interior space. Although many expected to see the optional third row, that didn’t happen.
Of course, the tech and convenience features have been updated as well, so you may now count on a new infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, and a variety of standard and available connectivity features.
The new generation comes well-equipped already in base variants, so it’s no wonder that the price starts at around 33.500 dollars.
2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
The last year’s redesign of Hyundai’s compact SUV amazed the automotive world. We saw significant improvements over the previous generation and the new model now features one of the most complete designs in the class. It is spacious and refined, with one of the nicest cabins in the class, characterized by super-fine materials, lots of tech features and very good overall build quality.
Considering that this is the second production year of the generation, no bigger changes were introduced. Therefore, things under the hood remained the same as well, so you may count on two hybrid variants of the SUV.
The first one is a classic self-charging hybrid, based on a 1.6-liter turbo-four, with a combined output of 226 horsepower. The company claims 38 mpg combined, which sounds pretty good for the class. If you are looking for a more capable powertrain, there is also a plug-in hybrid version, which features the same gasoline engine, but a bigger battery and more capable electric motor. So, the combined output goes up to 261 horsepower, while you may also count on 33 miles of range in the EV mode.
The starting price for the hybrid goes around 32.500 dollars, while the PHEV is available at around $38.600.
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
The Escape has just received so-needed mid-cycle and now looks way more appealing than before. The new model comes with a completely new face, with new headlights, a grille and other parts that provide a much bolder look. Besides the new styling, there are also important novelties on the inside, particularly in terms of new tech features.
Namely, there is a new generation of the company’s well-known SYNC infotainment system, along with a massive 13.2-inch infotainment system, which is offered in higher trim levels. Base models come with an 8-inch screen, along with an 8-inch digital instrument gauge. A bigger, completely digital instrument cluster is available too.
Under the hood, things continued in the same way, with a setup that combines a 2.5-liter inline-four engine with two electric motors, for a total output of 210 horsepower. The system comes coupled with a CVT and the Blue Oval Company claims 44 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Of course, you can also go for the PHEV, which offers 37 miles of all-electric range.
The starting price goes around $32.300, while the PHEV goes around 37.000 dollars.
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
While the gasoline-powered version of Toyota’s three-row SUV was recently updated with the new turbo-four engine, which came instead of the old V6, the Hybrid version continued in the same way. So, you may count on a familiar setup, which combines a 2.5-liter inline-four engine with two electric motors, for a total output of 243 horsepower. The system comes coupled with a CVT and offers quite decent performance. What’s more important is the fuel economy, which goes around 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, which is excellent for the class.
Still, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a few novelties, even though the powertrain remained the same. The biggest ones are those in terms of new tech features. There is
a new, 12.3-inch infotainment screen, while the smaller 8-inch unit remains reserved for lower trim levels. Also, higher trim levels are available with the new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
All these novelties come in a combination with Highlander’s proven qualities, such as a smooth and comfortable ride, spacious cabin and lots of safety features. The starting price goes around 41.500 dollars.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid is certainly one of the best hybrid SUVs to buy because it comes completely redesigned for this year. The new generation brings significant improvements and looks way upscale than before. Of course, there is the new styling, while improvements in terms of ride quality are also notable.
However, the biggest improvement over the previous generation is interior design. The new cabin looks way more upscale, thanks to the elegant dashboard design, which combines attractive design with numerous tech features. Furthermore, the whole cabin is wrapped with quality materials, and higher trim levels look quite comparable with much more expensive, premium-badged SUVs.
Under the hood, you can find two familiar hybrid setups, the same ones that power the new Tucson. So, both of them are based on a 1.6-liter turbo-four. One is a classic hybrid with 226 horsepower, while the other one is a plug-in hybrid with 261 horsepower and 33 miles of the all-electric range.
The new 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid comes with a pretty attractive starting price of around 29.000 dollars.
2023 Toyota Venza Hybrid
The Venza has been on the North American market for a few years now and most experts agree that Toyota’s badge could easily be replaced with the Lexus badge. Simply, the model looks stylish, with curvy lines and a sloping roof, while the interior looks very luxurious, thanks to the super fine materials and lots of standard and available equipment.
For this year, the Japanese manufacturer brings a new, Nightshade version to the offer, with lots of exclusive styling details. This is a blacked version of the SUV, with features like black wheels, black front and rear bumper accents, a black grille surround, black mirror caps, and black door handles.
On the other hand, the powertrain remains the same. The Venza practically features the same setup as the RAV4, with a 219-horsepower hybrid setup that combines a 2.5-liter gasoline engine and two electric motors. We particularly like the fuel economy, which goes around 40 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, which is impressive for a mid-size SUV.
The 2023 Venza starts at around 35.500 dollars.
2023 Ford Explorer Hybrid
The Explorer may feature an older-generation hybrid system but it still has a lot of great things to offer, starting from the fact that this is one of the rare hybrid SUVs that features rear-wheel drive. Of course, AWD layout is available too, while the 2023 Ford Explorer Hybrid brings no significant changes. It is a typical carryover model, so the biggest novelty is actually a new Red Jewel Metallic finish.
On the other hand, the powertrain remains the same, based on a good-old 3.3-liter V6 engine. The combined output goes around 318 horsepower, which is plenty enough to ensure a pretty impressive overall performance. However, fuel economy goes just around 28 mpg combined, which is pretty low for a hybrid mid-size SUV. Also, the transmission between gas and electric power isn’t particularly smooth.
Still, as we already mentioned, there are many things to like about this Hybrid SUV, starting from the spacious cabin and large cargo area. Also, the ride quality offers a good balance between comfort and athleticism, while the list of standard equipment is pretty long.
The 2023 Ford Explorer Hybrid starts at around 54.000 dollars.
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Hybrid
After the last year’s full redesign, the Outlander comes with another big novelty for this year. We have witnessed the return of the PHEV version, which comes with a new, more capable system. The new setup consists of a 2.4-liter inline-four engine and two electric motors, while the total output goes up to 248 horsepower. That’s plenty enough for strong performance, while the average fuel economy goes up to a pretty respectable 64 MPGe. Also, there is a massive 20-kWh battery pack, which ensures 38 miles of range in the EV mode.
Other than the new hybrid powertrain, the Outlander comes with a familiar design that was introduced last year. The new generation impresses with its interior design, which feels pretty upscale, thanks to stylish aesthetics and fine materials, while the amount of tech features are pretty decent too. Also, we are talking about one of the rare compact crossovers with three rows of seats, which is also a great advantage over many competitors.
The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid is available at around 41.200 dollars.
2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is a great choice if you need an affordable plug-in hybrid with good fuel economy. Even though the next generation is set to debut in the next
year, the outgoing generation is still a great choice if you don’t want to wait for the new one to come.
The 2023 Crosstrek comes with a familiar plug-in hybrid, based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which comes in a combination with an electric motor and an 8.8-kWh battery pack. The total output goes up to 148 horsepower, while you may count on 90 MPG-e. In hybrid mode, the average fuel economy goes around 35 mpg, which is also pretty decent for a hybrid SUV. Also, you may count on 17 miles of range in the EV mode.
Besides a good powertrain, this small SUV has a few more good things to offer. We like its excellent AWD system, as well as the chassis and suspension setup, which ensures a lot of athleticism, but a smooth and comfortable ride as well. The cabin is spacious and comes with a lot of standard equipment.
The starting price goes around 37.000 dollars.