10 Best Hybrid Crossovers for 2019

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ・ Photo by Mitsubishi

Crossovers have taken the American light-vehicle market by storm. The list of bestsellers is littered with them, as U.S. buyers have gravitated to their versatility and go-anywhere persona. Following in the wake of this tsunami of popularity are hybrid-powered crossovers. Of course, they don’t promise the startling fuel economy of vehicles like the pioneering Toyota Prius hybrid, but they do offer all the benefits of the typical crossover plus substantially better fuel economy. And the newest trend — some of the hybrid crossovers offer better performance than their non-hybrid siblings.

Given all the efforts that automakers have put into their new crossover offerings, one thing is certain: there’s never been a better time to buy a hybrid crossover SUV. Let's take a look at the best options.

1. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV deserves praise as the best-selling plug-in hybrid crossover the world has ever seen. And in action, the Outlander PHEV is a very satisfying vehicle. For a vehicle in its class, it offers a lot of interior space. Its controls are straightforward and easy-to-understand. Five adult passengers will find comfortable seating and reasonable wiggle-room.

The plug-in hybrid powertrain teams a 117-hp 2.0-liter four cylinder gasoline engine with two 80-hp electric motors. The 12-kWh battery pack offers 22 miles of electric-only range. More important, it helps the Outlander PHEV deliver an EPA-estimated 74 mpge rating. Pricing starts at about $35,500.

Photo by Mitsubishi

2. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The Toyota RAV4 was the best-selling non-pickup in the American market last year, a testament to its all-around goodness. For 2019, Toyota offers four hybrid-powered RAV4 models. It’s an expression of confidence from the manufacturer that has made the biggest commitment to hybrids globally.

RAV4 Hybrids start with the all-new-for-2019 platform, and then offer variations on the theme. All RAV4 Hybrids use the Toyota Hybrid System II that works in peace and harmony with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. At the top of the hybrid pile performance-wise is the new RAV4 XSE Hybrid. It isn’t just the quickest and best-handling hybrid in the RAV4 lineup; it is the quickest and best-handling RAV4 overall. 2019 RAV4 pricing is expected to start at about $29,000.

Photo by Toyota

3. Volvo XC90 T8

The typical hybrid crossover is a more fuel-efficient version of its conventionally powered doppelgänger. The Volvo XC90 T8 — the plug-in hybrid version of the well-regarded crossover suv — takes hybridization in a new direction. With its turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, the XC90 T8 offers its driver 400 combined hp. That enables it to vault from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than 5.5 seconds.

The XC90 T8’s electric-only range of 14-19 miles won’t knock your fuzzy socks off, but the EPA rating of 62 mpge is nothing to sneeze at. The fact that all this technological wizardry comes in a good-looking three-row SUV is the sour-cream topping on the Swedish fruit soup. Pricing begins at about $74,000.

Photo by Volvo

4. Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Highlander is one of the most popular midsize crossovers in the market, offering economy, comfort and uncommon reliability. The Hybrid version of the model takes all those positive attributes to the next level.

Offered in LE, XLE, Limited and Limited Platinum grades, all Highlander Hybrid models are equipped with an “intelligent” all-wheel-drive system that employs an independent electric motor to drive the rear wheels when needed. Basic power comes from a direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine combined with an electric-drive motor-generator. In total, the powertrain delivers 306 hp. Fuel efficiency is laudable with EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined. Pricing is expected to start at about $39,000.

Photo by Toyota

5. Lexus RX Hybrid

While many brands are just now arriving to the hybrid-crossover party, Lexus has been wearing its paper hat and tossing confetti for more than a decade. The Lexus RX was the world’s first luxury hybrid vehicle. Today, the RX 450h still is a stalwart performer with a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine plus two electric-drive motor-generators for seamless acceleration.

The powertrain offers 308 combined hp and 30 mpg EPA-estimated fuel economy. The available all-wheel-drive system uses an independent electric motor to drive the rear wheels when needed. All of this technological magic comes in a five-passenger SUV that has become a favorite of American luxury buyers. Pricing is expected to start around $48,000.

Photo by Lexus

6. Acura MDX Hybrid

The Acura MDX is one of America’s most-purchased luxury suvs. With the addition of the Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive powertrain technology that also appears in the Acura NSX super sports coupe, the vehicle rises to a whole new level.

Utilizing the unique talents of three (yes, three) powerful electric motors and electric torque vectoring, the system turns the three-row crossover into a reasonable facsimile of a sports coupe. With a 3.0-liter, gasoline-fueled V6, the powertrain boasts 321 total hp. A front-mounted electric motor built into the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a rear Twin Motor Unit provide instant torque. Pricing is expected to start at nearly $60,000.

Photo by Acura

7. Volvo XC60

The things we said about the Volvo XC90 could almost equally be applied to its smaller offspring, the XC60. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain in the T8 trim level is virtually the same as the system in the XC90. Importantly, it contributes the same 400 total hp. It also contains the same highly complicated turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine plus the two electric motors.

Again, as with the XC90, performance - not fuel economy - is this Volvo’s calling card. The EPA gives it a 59 mpge rating. With a smaller footprint, the interior accommodations are tighter than in the XC90 and there is no third row. But if you like the larger SUV’s interior, it’s a lock that you'll like the XC60’s, too. Pricing starts at $61,250.

Photo by Volvo

8. Lexus UX 250h

We all know that vehicles are getting more “intelligent,” but what about a system that analyzes your driving habits and traffic to optimize charging of the hybrid battery? Won’t that take all the fun out of hyper-miling? The Lexus UX 250h, which will go on sale before the end of the year, has just such a system, and it’s called Predictive Efficient Drive.

The exterior design is a bold departure from the typical SUV with radical body sculpting. Its 176 total combined hp and the instant torque available from its electric motor should make it a vigorous performer. With the E-Four system, an additional electric motor on the rear axle gives the UX 250h all-wheel drive capability. Pricing is expected to start at about $34,000.

Photo by Lexus

9. Kia Niro

It might be a stretch to call the Kia Niro PHEV a crossover, but Kia does, so who are we to disagree? There is a great deal to admire about the Niro, especially in its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) form. EPA estimates its all-electric range at up to 26 miles, which means with a short commute you might not buy gas much.

The plucky SUV pairs an all-aluminum, 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine with a powerful 60-hp electric motor. Combined output is 139 hp, and juice comes from an 8.9 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack. All this makes for a 105 mpge rating. EPA-estimated rating for Niro PHEV is 46 mpg combined, similar to that of Niro hybrid. Pricing is expected to start at about $29,000.

Photo by Kia

10. Nissan Rogue Hybrid

The Nissan Rogue Hybrid would probably be higher on this list if it were available across the country instead of just in selected markets. It combines a 2.0-liter 16-valve aluminum-alloy inline four-cylinder engine with a single electric motor and unique two-clutch control. The gasoline engine is rated at 141 hp, while the 30-kW electric motor is rated at 40 hp. Net power for the hybrid system is 176 hp. The system also includes a compact lithium-ion battery, idle start/stop system and an intelligent regenerative braking system.

The Rogue Hybrid features Nissan's suite of dynamic technologies with Intelligent Trace Control, Intelligent Engine Braking and Intelligent Ride Control. Pricing is expected to begin at about $28,000.

Photo by Nissan