Skip to main content

The world is complicated these days; the war in Ukraine, sketchy “self-driving” cars, and a catastrophic supply chain mess lasting years. However, some things in life are still simple, like, if you want the best hybrid SUV, get a Toyota. Despite the massive popularity of the 2022 RAV4 Prime, that’s not the only Toyota hybrid SUV that is topping the charts. 

2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid small SUVs are parked.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid small SUVs are parked | Toyota

What is the best compact hybrid SUV?

If you guessed a Toyota, then you would be right. MotorTrend has the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in the number one position for best compact hybrid SUV. It’s easy to see why the RAV4 Hybrid did so well with MT testers; it has the highest fuel economy in its class and the quickest acceleration. These are two stats you rarely see on one car. 

MotorTrend gave the RAV4 Hybrid a solid 8.9/10. Despite the three-decade-long legacy of the RAV4 model, the Hybrid option has proven to be the key to unlocking the model’s potential. 

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid sports a 2.5-liter hybrid four-cylinder making 219 hp. In this small package, the 219 hp goes a surprisingly long way. Even better than the torquey snap given by the electric motor is the 40 mpg this SUV gets. Even in times of more normal fuel costs, this is mouth-watering fuel economy. But these days, with gas hitting over $5.00 per gallon in many areas of the country, this fuel economy is nothing short of an oasis in a deadly barren desert. 

And while all this is very true, the new RAV4 Hybrid is also still a Toyota, meaning it is dependable, practical, and versatile. 

The 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid followed in second place with a score of 8.3/10 and a combined fuel economy of 38 mpg combined. The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid takes third place, with a score of 8.2/10 and a combined fuel economy of 38 mpg. 

What is the best compact plug-in hybrid SUV? 

A red 2022 Toyota Rav4 driving along a coast road proves Toyota makes the best Hybrid SUVs
The Toyota RAV4 Prime | Toyota

Surprise, surprise! It’s the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime. At this point, seeing the RAV4 Prime win anything is akin to watching the University of Alabama win another national title in college football; it feels inevitable. 

But, like Alabama, the 2022 RAV4 Prime is undeniably great. It hits every mark of both a good SUV and a good hybrid, making it the best hybrid SUV in the game currently, by every standard. Consumer Reports gave it an 88/100, and MotorTrend gave it a 9.2/10. The Toyota RAV4 Prime is a tour de force for Toyota. 

So, what’s the difference between a plug-in hybrid and a regular hybrid? A plug-in hybrid, like the RAV4 Prime, can be plugged into a car charger to build an electrical charge so that it may travel under only electrical power. In the case of the Toyota RAV4 Prime, the electric driving range can last up to 42 miles before the gas engine kicks in. But even still, the RAV4 Prime gets the same 40 mpg as the regular hybrid model. 

Again, even if it didn’t have this efficient powertrain, it would still be a top contender for Toyota’s legendary toughness and reliability. 

Coming in a close second place, the 2022 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid scored an 8.9/10 and 37 miles of electric power. Third place for best plug-in hybrid SUV goes to the Hyundai Tucson, which scored an 8.5/10 and can do 33 miles under only electric power. 

What is the best three-row hybrid SUV? 

Side view of silver Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the best SUV for commuting in 2022
2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | Toyota

According to MotorTrend, the best three-row hybrid SUV is the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, scoring an 8.7/10. The Highlander is the top dog big hybrid because it hits all the necessary marks for greatness in the segment. It holds up to seven people and still gets 35 mpg in the AWD version and 36 mpg in the FWD version. 

Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder gets the added help of two electric motors. The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid can cover 42 miles under only electric power. However, unlike some other hybrid SUVs, the Highlander Hybrid is actually a whole second slower than the regular Tucson in the Limited trim. But, the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid isn’t built for performance; it’s ferrying people to and fro while still being fuel-efficient. 

Being a family vehicle, the Highlander Hybrid requires a strong safety rating, and the NHTSA gave it five stars all around. The IIHS also gave the Highlander its highest honor, Top Saftey Pick+. 

The 2022 Kia Sorrento Hybrid earned second place for best three-row hybrid SUV with a score of 8.1/10 and 35 mpg overall. Third place goes to the 2022 Ford Explorer Hybrid with a score of 7.8/10, yielding an average of 28 mpg. 

Related

Did Honda Really Just Write ‘FART’ On Every Honda CR-V Hybrid?

Best in Trucks & SUVs
Avatar photo
Staff Writer

Peter Corn

Peter Corn joined MotorBiscuit as an Autos Writer in 2020 and brings his quippiest Southern drawl to our table. Having, in his words, “helped” rebuild his dad’s 1959 MGA as a small child, Peter grew up loving vintage cars and trucks, adding motorcycles and all things 4×4 as he went.

Peter earned a Bachelor of Archeology and Creative Writing from the University of Alabama and has since melded his love of driving with storytelling. His voice, full of pleasantries and witticisms, can be enjoyed in The Gentleman Racer, The Vintagent, Gear Patrol, Iron & Air Magazine, and Classic Car Club Magazine.

Peter is a co-founder of both The Colloquial Magazine and The Fire Escape, the official podcast of The Colloquial. In an effort to increase his abilities in “ramping anything with wheels,” Peter has taken track training from Classic Car Club Manhattan and attended Rally School at Monticello Motor Club, where he was coached by eight-time Performance Rally motorsport champion Chris Duplessis.

On a lucky day, we get to hear Peter tell the story of his first car, a jewel of a 1958 Ford Fairlane, into which he dumped more time and money than made sense, but he has no regrets.