Skip to main content

Since 2020, more families are willing to pile into the family whip and take road trips. With that in mind, many families are also trying to upgrade their family rides for comfort and room, but also fuel efficiency. As more consumers turn to EVs and hybrids, the market has had to produce more large family haulers to keep up with rising demand. As the market grows, many families are looking for the best hybrid SUVs for piling in and hitting the road. Well, here they are. 

The Toyota Sequoia is Toyota's model with the best potential to last longer than the car company's other vehicles.
Toyota Sequoia | Toyota

What are the best hybrid SUVs for families? 

The three major factors that make a great family hauler are size, reliability, and fuel efficiency. This is why the hybrid element has become so sought after. In years past, a big family-hauling SUV meant horrible gas mileage. That unfortunate aspect of big SUVs is starting to change. 

The Toyota Sienna Hybrid

A red 2023 Toyota Sienna is parked.
The 2023 Toyota Sienna | Toyota

Far too many drivers turn their noses up to the minivan—this needs to stop immediately. The truth is, while so many people feel the need to drive an SUV, the minivan, the Toyota Sienna Hybrid, in particular, will do everything your SUV can and sometimes even more. 

If you get the Toyota Sienna Hybrid in AWD, you’ll have a lifted AWD vehicle with spacious seating for seven, comfortable captain’s chairs, 245 hp, and 36 mpg combined. Tell me that doesn’t sound like an excellent SUV. Not to mention the 101 cu. Ft. of cargo storage. 

2023 Toyota Sequoia 

This lumbering brute has dominated the three-row SUVs for over a decade. Now with the new generation Sequoias using the 3.5-liter V6 hybrid motor, the Toyota Sequoia goes from about 15 mpg to 22 highway. This more efficient mileage and Toyota’s superior reliability make the Hybrid Sequoia a tough one to beat.

While nothing can compete with the cargo capacity of a minivan, the Toyota’s 89 Cu. ft. isn’t so bad. 

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid

2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | Allison Barfield, MotorBiscuit

The 2023 Toyota Highlander hybrid is a fine choice if you want something smaller and more efficient. Clocking an average of 35 mpg combined, this compact three-row SUV really is the whole package; it’s sizeable without being a school bus, super fuel efficient, and still reliable. 

Honorable mentions

Other great hybrid SUVs for families are the Kia Sorento Hybrid, Ford Explorer Hybrid, and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (yeah, another minivan). The large SUV hybrid market is finally blossoming, and we couldn’t be happier. Bring on the hybrids! 

Related

Is There a Cool New Minivan?

Best in 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.