The best hybrid SUVs rated in 2026 – and one you really should avoid – Car Magazine
► Which hybrid SUV should you buy in 20266?
► CAR picks the best hybrid crossovers
► From budget seven-seaters to 800bhp performance SUVs
Few cars are more on-trend in 2026 than a hybrid SUV. It’s what plenty of new car buyers are looking for, and the number of choices available is somewhat daunting.
Fuel-saving, pollution-reducing hybrid technology is available in all kinds of cars now, but for most families a hybrid SUV is probably close to the top of your list. Imposing, spacious – and sometimes even stylish – they’re often the most practical option if you’re moving a few people around, and the benefit of them being a hybrid is that many are frugal to run.
With the latest slew of clever electrified technology, the best hybrid SUV can give you all the performance potential you could want, along with lower running costs than you’d associate with a regular petrol SUV. Choose a plug-in hybrid, and that big 4×4 could be less polluting for short trips than the smallest supermini. Our list includes a mix of self- and plug-in hybrid options too.
Keep reading to discover our list of the best hybrid SUVs. If you’re curious about how we can to our decisions, you can find out how we test here.
Best hybrid SUV to suit almost every requirement
Pros: Performance, efficiency, EV range
Cons: Less user-friendly cabin post facelift
We were big fans of the outgoing X5 45e, and the post-facelift 50e is even better. It feels much livelier in electric mode, and even in the depths of winter can travel nearly 50 miles in the real world. Overall power is up, too, dropping the 0-62mph time to less than five seconds.
It’s not quite as good to drive as the Cayenne, but you’ll still have plenty of fun behind the wheel. It’s well-built inside, practical and is well equipped with an exceptionally long options list. Our only gripe is that you no longer get physical controls for the stereo and heater.
Read our full BMW X5 review
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Best hybrid SUV where value is concerned
Pros: Very spacious, impressive plug-in hybrid, keen pricing
Cons: Annoying driver assists, irritating touchscreen
Few cars have improved quite so much in a single generation as the MG HS. The first model was a car we would never have recommended, and lagged well behind rivals, but the latest model is now every bit as good as most of its competitors, yet costs considerably less, with prices starting from £29,245 for the hybrid and £32,245 for the plug-in hybrid.
It’s the latter model we recommend in particular, not least because its claimed 75-mile EV range runs rings around the more expensive Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage. With a surprisingly plush interior and refined driving manners, the HS might not be a car that stirs much excitement, but if you want a well-priced hybrid family SUV, it’s a superb choice.
Read our full MG HS review
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Best for ease of use and its flexible use of space
Pros: Superb hybrid system, fuel efficient, interior is easy to use
Cons: Not a byword in excitement, boot isn’t as large as some rivals
Nissan first rolled out its e-Power hybrid technology into its Qashqai in late 2022, and though it promised to offer an electric car-like driving experience as its engine primarily serves as a generator to power the electric motor. It never quite lived up to its claim. But Nissan has recently revised it and the changes are significant – and far more so than they might initially seem. Revisions include a recalibrated engine and a new module that now integrates the e-motor, generator, inverter, reducer and increaser into a more compact and lighter package, all while giving the Qashqai more power than before and making it significantly quieter.
It’s a revelation, whereas its powertrain previously lagged hybrid crossovers rivals, it now stands head and shoulders above the rest – crucially being quieter, smoother and faster rthan before. The Qashqai might not be the most enjoyable, or even desirable, car to own, but if you want a fuss-free and well-made hybrid crossover at a reasonable price, it takes some beating.
Read our full Nissan Qashqai review
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Best hybrid SUV if you don’t want to look like you’re driving a hybrid
Pros: Monstrous performance, clever hybrid system, handles incredibly for its size
Cons: Hugely expensive, some ergonomic annoyances
Who’d have thought a couple of decades ago that every car in Lamborghini’s line-up would be a hybrid? But here we are. Not that its hybrids are really about saving the planet, they’re still more concerned with outright performance. That’s somewhere the Lamborghini Urus isn’t lacking, with a twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet, and when paired to its electric motor, produces 800bhp. Plus, with its ludicrously OTT styling meaning there’s no chance anybody will think you’ve joined Greenpeace.
That said, you can run it more affordably if you charge its battery (Lamborghini claims a 37-mile EV range) and it’s not quite so offensive if you start it up on electric power. It’s also a remarkably well-rounded SUV that is impressively comfortable when cruising, yet at the press of a button can turn into one of the most raucous SUVs around.
Read our Lamborghini Urus review
Best hybrid SUV for sheer driving thrills
Pros: Ridiculously fast, sharp handling, V8 rumble
Cons: Lesser E-Hybrids are more efficient and more nimble
The Porsche portfolio has grown massively in recent years, and this Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is a case in point. The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is marketed by Stuttgart as a sports SUV, and has the specs to match, as well as the alternative five-door Coupe bodystyle option.
It uses a 729bhp PHEV powertrain delivering impressive performance: 0-62mph takes 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 183mph. There’s also an optional GT Package that sharpens the handling, although the lesser S E-Hybrid feels lighter on its feet and is still fast enough for most.
Read our full Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid review
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Best hybrid SUV for families on a tight budget
Pros: A genuine seven-seater, low price, frugal
Cons: Not the smoothest hybrid, low driving position, one-star Euro NCAP
The Dacia Jogger gives you a practical seven-seat family hybrid SUV for the price of a supermini. That in itself is quite an achievement and certainly worthy of a place on this list. However, it’s also pleasant to drive and punchier than the regular petrol Jogger.
Fold or remove the third row seats – thankfully they only weight 10kg each – and you have a giant boot that dwarves many of the much larger and pricier SUVs on this list. There’s no plug-in option, but the self-charging hybrid system is good for over 50mpg without breaking a sweat. A refreshed version of the Jogger is also arriving later in 2026 with a new hybrid powertrain and a few more niceties.
Read our full Dacia Jogger Hybrid review
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Best hybrid SUV for being the people’s car of the hybrid SUV world
Pros: Long electric range, impressively low company car tax rates, spacious rear seats
Cons: Smaller boot than ICE Tiguans, firm ride on R-Line trim, quite expensive
The Tiguan is now Volkswagen’s most important car, with its smart exterior styling, familiar VW interior and spacious cabin making it a hit with families.
But a key draw for customers in recent years has been the option of an eHybrid PHEV model, which offers outstanding efficiency from its claimed 77-mile electric range. Its low quoted CO2 emission figures also make it one of the cheapest hybrids to run as a company car because of its 6% BiK. Little wonder the majority of Tiguans now sold are the plug-in hybrid variant.
Read our full Volkswagen Tiguan review
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Best hybrid SUV for luxury
Pros: Long EV range, comfy, no loss of boot space
Cons: Underslung battery reduces brake-over angle
The latest Range Rover PHEV marks a bit step on from its predecessor. Gone is the wheezy four-cylinder engine and limited EV range, replaced by a smooth six-cylinder and enough battery for well over 40 miles in the real world in winter. It also shares the many positives that make us such fans of the petrol and diesel models.
There are two power levels to choose from, but the base 460e is plenty quick enough given the relaxed driving experience. The electric motor now delivers over 200bhp on its own, so it’s much livelier than the outgoing P440e and P510e running on volts alone.
Read our full Range Rover review here
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Best hybrid SUV when you need to seat seven
Pros: Space for seven, very comfy, luxurious interior
Cons: Now more than a decade old, expensive in top specs, feels its size to drive
Even after more than a decade on sale, the XC90 is still one of few plug-in hybrid SUVs able to combine a premium badge and luxurious interior with seven seat versatility. With the third row folded away, there’s a vast amount of boot space, too.
Updates to the battery and engine have kept it relevant in its twilight years, improving the electric range and efficiency. It also boosted overall power to 449bhp, and gave it usefully more poke in electric mode as well. A recent facelift has helped freshen the styling up, while a larger touchscreen helps modernise it somewhat.
Read our full Volvo XC90 review
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Best hybrid SUV those that like angles
Pros: Capacious third row, quality interior, comfortable
Cons: Performance isn’t as competitive as some, and the looks won’t be for everyone
Believe it or not, the Santa Fe still shares a platform with the Kia Sorento. The Hyundai’s update is a lot bolder than Kia’s, yet it still has the familiar 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a plug-in or self-charging hybrid system. Six or seven seats are available.
The plug-in hybrid is the punchier option, although its 34-mile claimed electric range makes it feel a bit behind the times compared to others on this list. That said, if you only do local miles and electric range isn’t such a concern, the third-row space still makes it a tempting choice.
Read our full Hyundai Santa Fe review
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Pros: Well-made interior, efficient hybrid system, should be reliable
Cons: Tiny boot, hardly any rear seat space, feels outdated
Lexus knows how to make a good hybrid powertrain, and while there’s very little wrong with the actual hybrid system in the Lexus UX, it’s the rest of the car that is the problem.
First introduced in 2019, it’s only had small updates since and feels dated in most regards. But it’s the UX’s sheer lack of space that is its worst feature, with a boot smaller than most superminis and rear seats unsuitable for a car sitting in the family SUV segment. It’s practically being usurped completely by the smaller Lexus LBX and should just be retired now.
Hybrids represent an increasingly popular stepping stone between the best electric cars and the best petrol ones. Boasting many of the benefits of a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), hybrid powered.
SUVs can deliver inexpensive and silent running in town, but without the range restrictions of an electric-only alternative. That makes them great for skating around to the shops, or for longer hauls such as staycations or road trips.
Hybridisation brings other benefits, too: some hybrid SUVs deliver cheaper running costs than their ICE-only counterparts, while the fastest hybrid cars use their electric power specifically for a boost in performance. We’ve added a mixture of the two in our list of best hybrids above.
If you’ve got a family, we’d recommend looking specifically at our guides to the best family hybrid cars and the best hybrid estate cars.
We also have a handy guide explaining the pros and cons of a hybrid car.
Hybrid SUVs combine incredible practicality with low running costs – but what if you don’t need the space? Hybrid cars come in all shapes and sizes now, and that means there’s also a huge range of smaller hybrid cars to choose from in 2026.
From the Toyota Yaris Cross to the Dacia Duster, there are several impressive machines on the market today. To make things easier we’ve rounded up the best ones in our best small hybrid car guide.
If a normal hybrid SUV doesn’t offer enough space, it’s worth checking our guide to the best seven-seater hybrid cars.
Large self-charging hybrid SUVs include the Lexus RX and Kia Sorento, but large plug-in hybrids are more commonplace, with two of our favourites being the Range Rover and Volvo XC90.
New cars editor, car reviewer, news hound, avid car detailer
By Ted Welford
New cars editor for CAR and Parkers. Loves a car auction. Enjoys making things shiny
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