- The rising popularity of hybrids and reduced production costs have made hybrid SUVs affordable.
- Hybrid vehicles are more expensive than those that operate with gas engines, but they provide the benefit of reduced cost of ownership.
- If you purchase a hybrid vehicle, you may qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit that helps offset the upgrade from a traditional gas engine.
- You can expect hybrid SUVs to have a fuel economy between 25 – 40 mpg, but plug-in hybrids may exceed these numbers significantly.
Do you have a family but rising gas prices are turning your SUV into a financial liability? Whether you’re concerned about the cost of gas or just want to make a positive impact on the environment, hybrid SUVs can help reduce emissions and keep money in your bank account. Tax credits and improved technology have made it worth it to consider hybrid vehicles now.
There are plenty of hybrid SUVs on the market to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that suits your needs. Here are some of the most highly rated hybrid SUVs for 2022.
1. Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
One of the most important changes to the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid this year is the introduction of the plug-in hybrid engine. This helps if most of your trips are short because it’s possible to travel using only the electric motor.
The Santa Fe Hybrid starts at $33,750 and is loaded with comfort and safety technology. You can use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay hands-free and can enjoy standard all-wheel drive and the available SmartSense safety package to keep your family safe.
Source: Hyundai2. Honda CR-V Hybrid
The 2021 Honda CR-V was named the Best Compact SUV for the Money by U.S. News and World Report, and the 2022 hybrid model exceeds last year’s offering. It starts at an affordable $31,610 and gets great gas mileage for an SUV at 40 mpg in the city.
What people enjoy most about the CR-V is how much interior space it offers, the comfy seats and the interior’s upgraded materials. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity and a premium stereo all come standard on the CR-V.
Source: Honda3. Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Toyota Highlander Hybrid starts at $38,855, but the extra cargo space and power could be worth the higher price. Toyota made notable improvements to the interior, and the Highlander offers sporty acceleration and handling.
If you have a large family, this is a great option because it can seat up to eight people and has a soft ride. Your entire family can connect and charge their devices with five USB ports, and Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, push-button start, keyless entry and a nice suite of safety technologies come standard.
Source: Toyota4. Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
If safety is one of your priorities, you can’t go wrong with a Subaru. The Crosstrek Hybrid is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, which is the highest grade a vehicle can receive. It’s designed to handle all terrains with standard all-wheel drive and is great if you want to take it off-road.
If you plan to use the Crosstrek around town, it can give you up to 90 MPGe or 35 mpg if you need the gas backup engine for longer trips. The 2022 Crosstrek Hybrid starts at $35,645.
Source: Subaru5. Audi Q5 Hybrid
The Audi Q5 has received some important upgrades this year. For one, the interior is ergonomically designed, which means the seats are meant to keep you in the most comfortable position to support your spine and back while driving or riding in the passenger seat – perfect for people who drive longer commutes.
It has a power-adjustable steering column to help you find the perfect driving position and lots of comfort and convenience technology that you’d expect in a luxury SUV. It starts at $43,300 and delivers plenty of value for the money.
Source: Audi6. Ford Explorer Hybrid
If towing is important to you, the Ford Explorer Hybrid proves you can still pull a boat or camper without sacrificing fuel economy. It can tow up to 5,000 pounds, a feat that no other hybrid in its class is capable of.
It also comes with a voice-activated infotainment system that allows you to make phone calls, play music and get directions without taking your hands off the wheel. The Explorer Hybrid starts at $45,495 and provides good value for the price.
Source: Ford7. Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
The Tucson Hybrid is great if you’re looking for an affordable and compact SUV. Its starting price of $29,200 makes it one of the most affordable hybrid SUVs on the market.
The moment you take a look inside, you’ll be surprised by the spacious and luxurious interior. It also gets up and goes with a powerful engine, while still getting you up to 38 mpg on the highway.
Source: Hyundai8. Kia Sorento Hybrid
The Kia Sorento Hybrid offers safety and performance in the same package. Automatic emergency braking and blind-spot detection are standard features, while it delivers smooth and quick acceleration on the highway.
With a starting price of $34,090, this SUV offers upgraded interior materials, seating for five people, ample cargo space and an infotainment center with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, premium sound, touchscreen GPS and a USB port.
Source: Kia9. BMW X5 Hybrid
This hybrid gets up to 50 MPGe while delivering the power of a sports car. The BMW X5 hybrid checks both boxes with acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds and a plug-in hybrid engine that has a range of 31 miles without using a drop of gas. This is especially useful if you live in the city and can charge it when it’s not in use.
The X5 Hybrid has a starting price of $63,700, but its style, performance and comfort features justify the luxury price tag.
Source: BMW10. Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is turning heads with an aggressive amount of horsepower for a plug-in engine. The Mach-E is an all-electric SUV with a range of up to 314 miles on a single charge when equipped properly.
It’s also an IIHS Top Safety Pick because it offers plenty of driver-assistive technologies that alert you to vehicles in your blind spot, activate the brakes to avoid a collision and allow you to do more without taking your hands off the wheel. This incredible SUV has a starting price of $43,895.
Source: Ford11. Lincoln Aviator Hybrid
The Lincoln Aviator Hybrid allows you to bring luxury and fuel efficiency to the outdoors with an available tow package, a powerful engine and up to 56 MPGe with the plug-in hybrid option. The Aviator comes with many of the features you’d expect in a luxury SUV, but the really cool options are the ability to use your phone to lock and unlock your doors, a wireless charger for your smartphone, the Co-Pilot 360 safety and driver assistance package, and a premium 14-speaker surround-sound stereo system.
This all comes at a cost, however, with a starting price of $68,360.
Source: Lincoln12. Ford Escape Hybrid
If you don’t want to spend hours learning how to use a new infotainment system, you’ll enjoy how intuitive the Ford Escape Hybrid’s SYNC system can be. It’s also surprisingly affordable to own, with a starting price of only $28,495 and fuel economy of 44 mpg on the highway.
Its low profile and sporty engine make it feel more like a car than an SUV while giving you extra cargo room and utility.
Source: Ford13. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
With an affordable starting price of $29,075, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offers incredible value. Its standard safety package includes a system that can recognize and react to road signs, automatic emergency braking, cruise control that paces with the vehicle in front of you, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and the ability to keep you from leaving your lane. It also delivers up to 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.
ShutterstockWhat Else You Need to Know
Whether you’re looking for an SUV that is safe for your family, loaded with technology or gets the best fuel economy, there’s a vehicle out there for everyone. Don’t focus solely on the price of the vehicles you’re evaluating, though always purchase within your means.
The costs of maintenance, insurance and gas all contribute to your cost of vehicle ownership, and some vehicles come with a lot more standard options to justify a higher price tag. Factor in the savings you receive from warranties that provide maintenance plans when calculating the cost of ownership, and choose a vehicle that offers the best mileage for the type of driving (city or highway) you do most.
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