While SUVs are wonderfully versatile, they tend to be thirsty beasts. Hybrid drivetrains integrate electric motors to take some of the sting out of the weekly tab at the service station, although they tend to cost more than their conventional counterparts. When gas prices rise, however, it changes your calculations. If you’re really keen on reducing the amount of gasoline you use, you’ll want to consider a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). While PHEVs have substantially higher sticker prices, they’re eligible for substantial federal tax rebates. Some states offer rebates on PHEVs, as well. This can come in handy on April 15th, but you’ll want to verify exactly which tax rebates apply before signing on the bottom line.
Worth noting: none of the hybrid SUVs on our list are domestic. While Ford, General Motors, and Fiat/Chrysler have offered hybrid SUVs in the past, none are currently doing so.