In the race to the top, which luxury hybrid SUV is rated as the absolute best? And more importantly, why isn’t Lexus earning this top nod? Explore further with this latest ranking from U.S. News and see what the Lexus hybrid SUV models can do to close the gap.

The five best luxury hybrid SUVs

Hybrid models are gracing nearly every automaker’s lineup these days. And for those consumers interested in luxury hybrid SUVs, there are a few top contender hybrids to consider. U.S. News recently put together an official ranking of the “Best Luxury Hybrid SUVs for 2023 and 2024.” The top five luxury hybrid SUVs are:

• 2023 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid ($86,500 – $173,800)
• 2023 Lexus NX Hybrid ($41,955 – $57,805)
• 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid ($49,000 – $61,600)
• 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale ($42,995 – $47,495)
• 2024 Lexus UX Hybrid ($35,340 – $44,170)

While the Lexus hybrid SUVs can celebrate making it on this list, the story here does point out that none of the three hybrids are good enough to be No. 1.

What the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid does that the Lexus hybrid SUVs don’t

The 2023 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid earns the No. 1 position on this best-of list for a few key reasons. As the U.S. News reviewers shared, this luxury SUV brings all the refined comforts and luxurious extras along with the enthusiastic powertrain options, earning it a score of 8.4 out of 10. And when Porsche set out to create a hybrid, the team prioritized incredible fuel economy, with the electrified version achieving 42-46 mpg and an all-electric driving range of 15 miles.

The Porsche Cayenne Hybrid seats up to five and comes in AWD. And its horsepower ranges from 455 hp to 670 hp, depending on how you equip yours. The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid brings some of the highest horsepower on the U.S. News site. The infotainment is sleek, the interior is dressed to impress, and both rows of seating are the ultimate in luxurious comfort. Check out the pricing by hybrid model:

• Turbo S E-Hybrid ($171,300 – $173,800)
• E-Hybrid ($86,500 – $91,800)
• Platinum Edition E-Hybrid ($94,400)
• Platinum Edition Hybrid ($95,500)

What Lexus hybrid SUVs can do differently to close the gap

The 2023 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid beats out all three Lexus models in contention. The 2023 Lexus NX Hybrid comes in second place with a U.S. News score of 8.0. The RX Hybrid scored 7.8, and the 2024 UX Hybrid comes in fifth with a score of 7.1. And to be fair, Lexus does well to deliver posh interiors, great standard features, modern technology at every touch point, and decent powertrains. 

However, if Lexus hopes to beat out Porsche in the luxury hybrid SUV contest, it’s going to need to make a few improvements. The reservations with the RX Hybrid and the others include more limited availability of cargo space. And the horsepower ranges of 240-304 hp on the NX Hybrid and 246-366 hp on the RX Hybrid aren’t as impressive as those of the Porsche. Fuel economy is good, with 27-37 mpg on the RX Hybrid, but not as cost-effective as the Cayenne. 

The Lexus lineup of Hybrid models is worth a look. But if you’re interested in stylish, fuel efficient, and peppy, you can find more affordable options with the Lincoln Corsair Hybrid or the Volvo XC60 Hybrid. And if brand prestige doesn’t matter to you, you’ll love the incredible value with the Toyota RAV4 Prime, Kia Sportage Hybrid, or the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. The Lexus NX Hybrid, RX Hybrid, and UX Hybrid certainly earned their place on the list, but none are quite good enough to be No. 1 just yet.