The hybrid idea is to re-charge the battery at home in about 2 hours every other day – or every 3rd day – and never use any gas until you go on a long trip of over 40 to 50 miles and then the gas engine will start up and take you 400 or more miles so that you are not dependent on finding charging stations along the way.
Road and Track:
Best Hybrid SUVs for 2026
Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid
“The Toyota RAV4 holds the title of the best-selling car globally, with over 1.1 million units sold last year. At the top of the lineup sits the plug-in hybrid version, the RAV4 Prime (now called the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid). This variant offers a solid option for those considering a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), as it provides an electric-only driving range of 42 miles, powered by an 18.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. … with a 6.6 kwh[+/-] level-2 top charging rate … Super chargers cannot be used.”
est.:
40+ miles driving range with air conditioner on,
50+ miles driving range otherwise
40+ mpg when running on gas on the highway
2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid
Price: $33,350 (Hybrid)
Estimated fuel economy: 41–45 mpg combined
The Toyota RAV4 is far from an enthusiast car, but the new hybrid-only 2026 model includes some enticing upgrades. Among these is the new 324-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain, which is available in a GR Sport trim level that includes a lowered suspension, a wing, and even grippy summer tires. The standard hybrid model produces between 226 and 236 horsepower, and it’s upgraded too, but we’re partial to the more powerful plug-in hybrid.
2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid
Price: $37,080
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 35–40 mpg combined
The Honda CR-V’s hybrid model is the pick of the range, with 204 horsepower and a combined fuel rating of up to 40 mpg. As far as “normal” crossovers go, you can’t get much better than this. It comes standard with front-wheel drive, which makes for the best mpg numbers, but all-wheel drive is optional and there’s a new-for-2026 TrailSport trim level that adds all-terrain tires and a few other rugged tweaks.
2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid
Price: $36,840
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 38 mpg combined
The CX-50 was already one of our favorite small SUVs thanks to its fun-to-drive nature, and the hybrid option was new for 2025. It borrows its power-train from the previous-gen Toyota RAV4 Hybrid but wraps it in the Mazda’s more attractive styling inside and out. The CX-50 Hybrid comes standard with all-wheel drive and delivers considerably better mileage than the non-hybrid. It is priced right between the naturally aspirated and turbocharged power-trains available on the standard CX-50, and it splits the difference in terms of power as well with its 219-hp total output.
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road and track: best hybrid suvs