Best hybrid SUVs: expert picks from our lab tests

Often seen as a stepping stone between pure petrol/diesel and electric, hybrid cars are increasingly popular. Combine this with the spacious, high-riding design of an SUV,and you've got the potential for a winning formula. But our lab tests show that this isn't always the case.

To help you pick the perfect hybrid SUV, we've listed the top-scoring models from our lab tests, taking into account reliability, fuel efficiency, practicality, safety and more.

Our independent lab tests go beyond manufacturer claims, conducting real-world fuel economy and emissions tests on every car. Armed with this data, we can show you how much it costs to run each car, along with polluting models that we’ve withheld Best Buy ratings from.

Best hybrid cars: see our top pics for hybrid models across all car classes

Best new compact full hybrid SUVs

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Want the high-riding position of an SUV, but don't like big cars? A compact full hybrid SUV could be the answer.

See all our compact full hybrid SUV reviews (new and used).

Best new compact plug-in hybrid SUVs

A compact plug-in hybrid SUV gives you the convenience of enough electric range for town driving.

See all our compact plug-in hybrid SUV reviews (new and used).

Willing to consider other fuel types? See our guide to the best small SUVs and the best large SUVs

Best new large full hybrid SUVs

The best large SUVs give you plenty extra internal space, both in the cabin and the boot.

See all our large full hybrid SUV reviews (new and used).

Best new large plug-in hybrid SUVs

Large plug-in hybrid SUVs combine space and, as long as you keep the battery topped up, decent fuel economy – but they can also be expensive.

See all our large plug-in hybrid SUV reviews (new and used).

Full hybrid or plug-in hybrid SUV?

Both types of hybrid car similar on the surface: they both have battery packs, can run on pure-electric power and have the potential to be economical.

However, full-hybrid SUVs have much smaller battery packs compared with PHEVs and can’t be topped up from an external power source, such as a home charger. Instead, they’re charged by the engine and through regenerative braking.

While the larger battery packs in PHEV SUVs allow them to travel further on pure electric (typically around 30 miles compared with just one or two miles with a full hybrid), it also makes them heavier than their full-hybrid equivalents. As a consequence, a PHEV’s fuel economy often tumbles when the battery is depleted, such as on long journeys.

Our in-depth lab tests reveal real-world fuel efficiency for full hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs.

Popular hybrid SUVs to consider

Although these models all scored well in our tests, they all have their pros and cons. Click through to our expert reviews to find out how they fare for reliability, safety, fuel economy and more.

Hyundai Tucson hybrid (2021-)

Hyundai’s Tucson has proved to be a popular model in the UK, and the hybrid model is claimed to be more economical and emit less CO2 than its pure-petrol and mild-hybrid siblings.

While our lab tests were able to verify these claims as being accurate, they also highlighted problems with the Tucson’s ability to control carbon monoxide emissions.

But is it a Best Buy? Read our Hyundai Tucson hybrid review to see how it fared in our lab tests.

Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid (2015-)

Volvo was one of the first manufacturers to introduce a PHEV SUV and its long-running XC90 model remains popular today. According to Volvo, the current XC90 Plug-in Hybrid model has a 45-mile electric driving range and is incredibly economical at 235.4mpg.

Our tests revealed that while neither figure stacked up in reality, it’s still more economical than the diesel XC90 models we’ve also tested (assuming you can keep the battery topped up).

Read our Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid review to see how economical it actually is and whether you should choose the PHEV model over petrol or diesel XC90s.

Nissan Qashqai e-Power (2022-)

The popular, British-built Nissan Qashqai is also available as a full-hybrid e-Power model. However, unlike most hybrid cars, the engine never powers the wheels directly. Instead, it charges the hybrid system’s battery, which then powers the car. It’s similar to the system used by Mazda in its MX-30 R-EV, although the Mazda is a PHEV and not a full hybrid.

Our tests found that this system means the Qashqai e-Power is very economical in urban areas, but also quite thirsty on the motorway.

Our Nissan Qashqai e-Power review tells you all you need to know about this car.

Why are more manufacturers offering hybrid SUVs?

As SUVs become ever more popular, car manufacturers have to balance the higher CO2 emissions generated by petrol and diesel SUVs with their obligation to sell certain amounts of electric vehicles in the UK.

That’s partly why more and more full hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUVs are being introduced to manufacturer ranges. While some manufacturers have produced hybrid and PHEV SUVs for some time, plenty of brands with less experience of producing hybridised cars are also active in this sector of the market.

Why you can trust our car reviews

Our lab tests go the extra mile. As with other types of car, all hybrid SUVs go through more than 300 tests, which lets us provide detailed and comparative information on each model. And because Which? is independent, you can trust our reviews to tell you the truth about every car we test.

To find out more, see how we test cars.

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