10 Best Large Hybrid SUVs in Australia

While they might command a price premium over their non-hybrid siblings in the range, the cost-benefit of a large hybrid SUV begins to pay dividends when you begin stacking up those endless fuel bills.

Join us as we take a closer look at 10 of the best large hybrid SUVs on sale here in Australia to help you with your hunt for a fuel-efficient and family-friendly large SUV package.

In no particular order, we’ve mapped out ten of our favourite large hybrid SUVs currently on sale here in Australia, which includes both mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUV packages.

Kia Sorento Hybrid & Plug-in Hybrid

Kia’s seven-seat family hero has been updated with a choice of two fuel-efficient engines, with a hybrid and range-topping plug-in hybrid both offering significant fuel savings over the standard Sorento.

Sitting at the top of the range, the Sorento in hybrid and PHEV form comes exceptionally well-equipped, and comes with one of Australia’s leading warranties.

• Seats: 7
• Fuel Economy: 5.3-5.8L/100km (hybrid) 1.6L/100km (PHEV)
• Electric Driving Range: 68km (PHEV)
• Boot Space: 179-608L
• Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited kilometre
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Volvo XC90 Recharge

For buyers looking for a slice of premium European motoring for up to seven people, the XC90 Recharge is not only fuel-efficient, it’s massively powerful thanks to a turbo- and supercharged four-cylinder engine producing an immense 340kW/709Nm.

Inside, the XC90’s cabin is stunning, with more than enough space for a large family, while Volvo’s interior designs continue to shine in terms of quality and a sleek, minimal style.

• Seats: 7
• Fuel Economy: 1.8L/100km
• Electric Driving Range: 77km (PHEV)
• Boot Space: 709L
• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Toyota Kluger Hybrid

Toyota is one of the most influential brands in the world of hybrid engines, pioneering the technology long before its rivals and offering a range of sedans, hatchbacks and now SUV packages with hybrid engines.

Thankfully for buyers, Toyota doesn’t reserve its hybrid engine tech for its most expensive range-toppers, in fact, it’s offering hybrid engines across each of the three Kluger variants - making for one of the most accessible large hybrid SUVs on sale today.

• Seats: 7
• Fuel Economy: 5.6L/100km
• Electric Driving Range: N/A
• Boot Space: 241-552L
• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

While it took some time to get the ball rolling, Hyundai now has a pair of hybrid Santa Fe variants for buyers that love the well-equipped and hugely practical seven-seat layout.

The Santa Fe hybrid comes powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an electric motor producing a combined 169kW/350Nm that offers huge fuel savings over its V6 petrol siblings.

• Seats: 7
• Fuel Economy: 6.0L/100km
• Electric Driving Range: N/A
• Boot Space: 130-782L
• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Nissan X-Trail e-Power

Nissan’s redesigned and massively updated X-Trail range has been one of the biggest releases in the SUV segment, and the headline act, the e-Power hybrid makes for one mighty impressive addition to Australia’s large hybrid SUV segment.

The X-Trail hybrid features a turbocharged three-cylinder engine that provides power for a pair of electric motors that drive the wheels for very impressive responsiveness, and efficient driving figures.

• Seats: 7
• Fuel Economy: 6.1L/100km
• Electric Driving Range: N/A
• Boot Space: 465L
• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid

Mazda’s latest flagship SUV range, the CX-90, features a range of mild-hybrid V6 engines, as well as a plug-in hybrid range-topper that is set to arrive in early 2024.

The CX-90 showcases a new design language for the company and overhauled interiors over the already-impressive packaging from the company well-known for its quality cabins. V6 petrol and diesels remain the only option for now, until the CX-90 PHEV debuts early next year.

• Seats: 7
• Fuel Economy: 5.4L/100km (D50e)
• Electric Driving Range: N/A
• Boot Space: 608L
• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Plug-in Hybrid

Jeep has just added one of the most sophisticated and fuel-efficient members of its lineup to date, with the introduction of the Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid.

Power comes supplied by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with two electric motors delivering a combined 280kW/637Nm, making it one of the most powerful Grand Cherokees on sale and by far the most efficient.

• Seats: 5
• Fuel Economy: 3.2L/100km
• Electric Driving Range: 52km
• Boot Space: 1067L
• Warranty: Five-year/100,000km
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid

While it might be officially classed as a mid-size SUV package, the latest-generation Outlander has seen its platform stretch and its interior designs made so practical that it matches what’s on offer in a number of large SUV packages.

Amongst the long list of updates was the addition of a plug-in hybrid unit carried over from the Eclipse-Cross PHEV and a larger battery pack that makes it one of the best value plug-in hybrids currently on the market.

• Seats: 5-7
• Fuel Economy: 1.5L/100km
• Electric Driving Range: 84km
• Boot Space: 191-494L
• Warranty: Five-year/100,000km (up to 10-year/200,000km)
• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

BMW X5 xDrive45e PHEV

Rounding out our list of the best large hybrid SUVs in Australia is the Bavarian hero: the large, premium and - in its latest plug-in hybrid form - the fuel-efficient X5.

BMW has updated its engine lineup for the X5 with a PHEV variant known as the xDrive45e which upholds BMW’s reputation for exciting driver’s cars with its combined 290kW/600Nm power and torque outputs.

• Seats: 5-7
• Fuel Economy: 2.3L/100km
• Electric Driving Range: 88km
• Boot Space: 500L
• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre
• ANCAP Safety Rating: PHEV is unrated; standard X5 retains a five-star rating

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If you’re on the hunt for a hybrid or plug-in hybrid for your next car, be sure to reach out to one of our automotive specialists who can help find you the best possible price.