This is where hybrid SUVs enter the equation, offering a best-of-both-worlds approach to family motoring that doesn’t make owners compromise on space and comfort, while reducing fuel use over their traditional petrol and diesel-powered siblings.
With more and more hybrid SUVs entering the Australian market in 2023, it can be difficult to know which is your best option, which is what we’ll be unpacking today as we take a close look at the top ten best hybrid SUVs in Australia.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Toyota’s pioneering hybrid vehicles mean that it has enjoyed a significant head-start on the competition when it comes to hybrid SUVs, and the latest-generation RAV4 hybrid is proof of the company’s expertise.
Most notably, Toyota has updated the RAV4 range with hybrid engine options available for everything from the entry-level GX to the range-topping Edge, and everything in between, meaning there’s a RAV4 Hybrid for everyone’s budget.
The entry-level RAV4 Hybrid front-wheel drive is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which is paired with a single electric motor, while the AWD lineup gains another e-motor over the rear.
Power outputs stand at a healthy 160kW - increasing to 163kW in the Hybrid AWD - while fuel economy figures are a very impressive 4.7L/100km on a combined cycle.
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Request a quoteMitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Mitsubishi has continued to develop its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) designs with the latest Outlander platform, which means families of seven people have a great hybrid SUV option up their sleeve.
The Outlander PHEV comes packing a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a large 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack that produces a very impressive 185kW of power and 450Nm of torque, making the Outlander far from a boring hybrid SUV.
Better still, the Outlander can travel up to 84km on electric power alone, while fuel economy figures for this large, practical and exceptionally comfortable family SUV stand at just 1.5L/100km so long as there’s charge in the lithium-ion battery.
Mazda MX-30
If you’re in the market for a sleek and stylish compact SUV that comes powered by a hybrid engine from Mazda, look no further than the MX-30, which also offers buyers the choice of a battery-electric flagship.
The MX-30 G20e is available in three different trim levels, depending on your budget and need for features like heated seats, a sunroof, or adaptive LED Headlights, with all members of the family powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol with a mild hybrid system.
Power and torque outputs are rated at 114kW and 200Nm respectively, while the MX-30’s fuel economy figures stand at 6.4L/100km on a combined cycle.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
For families in need of a fuel-efficient and feature-packed seven-seat hybrid SUV, Hyundai has you covered with its recent addition to the Santa Fe family.
The Santa Fe Hybrid retains all the important hallmarks that have made it a hit with large families, with the all-important addition of a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an electric motor that produces a very healthy 169kW of power and 350Nm of torque.
Fuel economy figures for this seven-seat family chariot stand at just 6.0L/100km, making the Santa Fe a very attractive offering for buyers in the market for a fuel-efficient seven-seat hybrid SUV.
Ford Escape PHEV
While the Ford Escape is often overshadowed by its main rivals, it remains a particularly great package for buyers looking for a stylish, practical, and fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid vehicle.
Sitting at the top of the Escape lineup, the Escape PHEV comes powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack, producing a significant 167kW of power.
The Escape’s onboard battery offers up to 50km of all-electric driving, while fuel economy figures of just 1.5L/100km are on the table while the battery is charged.
MG HS Plus EV
MG has been taking the market by storm, and its plug-in hybrid vehicle, the HS Plus EV is one of the most feature-packed PHEVs you’ll find in its respective price bracket.
The HS Plus EV comes powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a 16.6kWh battery pack that produces 189kW of power and 370Nm of torque, with an all-electric driving range of a claimed 63km.
Fuel economy figures for the MG HS Plus EV stand at just 1.7L/100km on a combined cycle so long as there’s charge in the battery pack, however, these figures - like all the other plug-in hybrids on our list - illustrate the current flaws in how we measure fuel economy figures for PHEVs.
Kia Sorento HEV & PHEV
Kia’s all-conquering family SUV, the Sorento, is positioned perfectly for fuel-conscious buyers thanks to the fact it comes offered with no less than two hybrid engines.
The first of which powers the Sorento HEV, and pairs a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and 1kWh battery pack producing 169kW/350Nm and returns fuel economy figures of 5.3L/100km on a combined cycle, increasing to 5.8L/100km in the Sorento HEV AWD.
Stepping up to the Sorento plug-in hybrid (PHEV) utilises the same turbo-petrol engine with a significantly larger 14kWh lithium-ion battery pack, and drops fuel economy figures to just 1.6L/100km when the battery is charged.
Subaru Forester Hybrid
For all those adventurous families out there, the Subaru Forester has you covered thanks to its capable all-wheel-drive system and its practical cabin that can handle a family of five without any problems.
The Forester Hybrid L sits in the middle of the range while the Hybrid S sits atop the lineup, giving buyers some variety within the range, with the hybrid Forester actually offering slightly more boot space at 509L.
Both come powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine which is paired with an electric motor producing a combined 126kW of power and 262Nm of torque, with fuel economy figures standing at 6.7L/100km on a combined cycle.
Toyota Kluger Hybrid
The Toyota Kluger is one of the best options for Australian families in the market for a large, comfortable seven-seat hybrid SUV, with Toyota adding hybrid engines across all members of the Kluger family.
Toyota’s hybrid Kluger range comes powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with two electric motors up front and a rear-mounted electric motor producing 184kW of power and returning very impressive fuel economy figures of just 5.6L/100km.
Haval H6 Hybrid
Haval has spared no effort in creating a practical, feature-packed and cost-effective hybrid SUV for the Australian market with its latest H6 Hybrid, which remains one of the best value propositions on the market.
The H6 Hybrid comes powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an electric motor producing a very impressive 179kW of power and 530Nm of torque, which is transferred to the front wheels.
Inside, there’s a practical interior with a heap of space for families of five thanks to its large 600L boot, which is made even more impressive by the Haval H6’s fuel economy figures of 5.2L/100km.
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If our list of the ten best hybrid SUVs available in Australia has sparked your imagination, click here to get in touch with one of our car-buying specialists.
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