8 Best Hybrid Crossovers

The popularity of crossovers has automakers expanding their lineups to include more models, so you have more choices. This includes a growing number of hybrid options. A large part of what makes crossovers popular is their flexibility for carrying people and cargo. Adding hybrid versions of popular crossover adds another layer of flexibility.

Instead of relying solely on a gas engine, these crossovers run on both gas and electric power. This makes them more fuel-efficient and better for the environment. Here are the top eight hybrid crossovers currently available.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid compact crossover is available in a range of four well-equipped trims. This makes it easy to find a version of the RAV4 Hybrid that has the features you want at a price you can afford. Power comes from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors for 219 combined net horsepower. They’re paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission. There’s also standard all-wheel drive for handling bad weather or more rugged terrain.

When it comes to fuel economy, the RAV4 Hybrid does not disappoint. It achieves an EPA-estimated 41 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 40 mpg combined. Pricing for the 2020 RAV4 Hybrid starts at $28,100.

The subcompact 2020 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is available in a single trim with standard all-wheel drive. This plug-in hybrid crossover features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors for a combined 148 net horsepower paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission. It has an all-electric range of 17 miles and can operate on electric power at speeds up to 65 mph.

The Crosstrek is a more rugged hybrid option with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a 1,000-pound towing capacity. It gets an EPA-estimated 90 MPGe and features a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including automatic pre-collision braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure and sway warnings. Pricing for the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid starts at $35,145.

The 2020 Ford Escape is all-new this year and marks the return of a hybrid to the Escape compact crossover lineup. It’s available either as a standard hybrid or plug-in hybrid, both of which are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The plug-in hybrid is front-wheel drive only, but the regular hybrid offers all-wheel drive as an option.

The standard hybrid with front-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 44 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 41 mpg combined. The numbers drop slightly with all-wheel drive to 43 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 40 mpg combined. The plug-in hybrid’s fuel economy estimates are not yet available. The 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid is priced from $28,255.

The 2020 Lexus UX 250h hybrid is available in three trims with a starting price of $34,350. This entry-level luxury crossover is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors for 181 combined net horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard.

New features this year include Android Auto standard across the trim range. The Lexus UX hybrid gets top marks for fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 41 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 39 mpg combined.

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is an affordable plug-in hybrid compact crossover with a starting price of $36,095. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors and comes standard with all-wheel drive. It can be charged at a standard 120-volt outlet in eight hours, or in under four hours at a 240-volt charging station. It can also accommodate DC fast-charging and get up to 80 percent capacity in only 25 minutes.

The Outlander PHEV achieves an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 74 MPGe, making it easy on your wallet when gas prices rise. It also offers a wide range of available safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and forward collision mitigation.

The subcompact 2020 Kia Niro hybrid gets a mid-cycle update this year. Enhancements include new projector-type headlights and fog lamps, a new grille, and a bolder faux rear skid plate. Inside, the instrument cluster has been reorganized with new drive mode graphics. The Niro is available in a range of five trims, with power coming from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor for 139 combined net horsepower.

Fuel economy varies between trims with the FE offering an EPA-estimated 52 mpg in the city, 49 mpg on the highway, and 50 mpg combined. The Touring trim drops to 46 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highway, and 43 mpg combined, which is a significant difference but still good fuel economy. Plug-in hybrid (and all-electric) Niro versions are also available.

The 2020 Volvo XC60 is available as a plug-in hybrid with a range of three trims and standard all-wheel drive. Those looking for a more performance-focused hybrid will do well to test drive the XC60: Power comes from a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for 400 combined net horsepower.

The plug-in XC60 T8 gets an EPA-estimated 57 MPGe. This is a luxury offering, so it does come in with a higher starting price than other hybrid crossovers. The base Momentum starts at $52,900 while the top Inscription has a starting price of $60,250.

The seven-passenger 2020 Acura MDX hybrid is available in two trims with standard all-wheel drive. Power comes from a 3.0-liter V6 engine with two electric motors for 321 combined net horsepower. It includes the AcuraWatch safety suite as standard equipment, featuring a forward collision warning, collision-mitigation braking, a lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a road-departure warning.

Its well-appointed interior includes an ELS Studio premium audio system with 10-speakers, multiple charging ports for the first and second rows, leather seat trims, and 12-way power-adjustable seats for the driver and front passenger. The MDX gets EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 27 mg combined with a starting price of $52,900.