Best Luxury Hybrid SUVs [Top Ranked Models for 2024]

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Rich Taber

Rich Taber

Rich Taber has nearly three decades of professional writing experience, including eight years as an automotive columnist for The Standard-Times newspaper, seven years on staff at WheelsTV as a scriptwriter, production manager, and editorial vice-president, and five years as CEO of RPM News Weekly. He has written extensively for numerous regional and local publications and developed public relations products for many non-profit organizations. Having studied both engineering and liberal arts at the University of Notre Dame and worked in audio/visual services, electronic sales, graphic design, and event and entertainment production, he brings a well-balanced skill set to his automotive writing.

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Gone are the days when buying a hybrid vehicle meant sacrificing power, performance, and a modicum of amenities. Not only do today’s hybrids offer more of all the above, but there are more models than ever from which to choose including a bevy of luxury SUV models.

Among those, we’ve selected five models that provide a significant fuel-saving advantage over their gasoline-only driven counterparts.

Check out all our picks for the best vehicles >>

Read about how we rank our vehicles>>

Best Luxury Hybrid SUVs Comparison

*based on 45% highway, 55% city driving, 15,000 annual miles

1. BMW X5 xDrive45e

The BMW X5 xDrive45e is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, as are three of the other luxury SUVs that made it here to the final round. What stands out with this all-wheel drive, midsize SUV is that it offers a 31-mile all-electric range, nearly 48-percent better than the next closest SUV on our list.

If that were all, however, it would be hard to justify a top rating on our luxury hybrid SUV list. Decidedly though, all the other markers in the above table indicate a confluence of competitive desirables – substantial power, abundant utility, and competitive pricing. Here’s a serenely elegant yet affordable luxury hybrid utility vehicle that’s capable of accelerating from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds or towing a nearly 6000-pound travel trailer. Yes, these are winning attributes.

Then, there’s the exquisite bounty of premium features that come standard including adaptive air suspension, all-season run-flat tires, roof rails, heated 12-way power front sport seats, wood interior trim, a 10-speaker audio system, and two 12.3-inch digital displays. Add to that a standard complement of advanced safety technology that includes frontal collision warning, blind-spot detection, and front and rear parking sensors and it becomes evident why the BMW X5 xDrive45e has earned our top spot.

The Takeaway: PHEVs are moving to the forefront of SUV hybrid offerings and the BMW X5 xDrive45e proves that there are advantages not only in fuel savings but in performance and capability as well.

Current BMW X5 Deals & Incentives

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2. Volvo XC90 Recharge T8

Of all the many 2024 Volvo XC90 trim choices, the Recharge T8 PHEV offers the automaker’s best overall performance for this midsize luxury SUV. In addition, Volvo now offers five trim variants just for the Recharge T8, plus extended-range versions of each of those, telling volumes about their commitment to a sustainable future by way of electrified performance.

The Recharge T8 powertrain configuration, comprising a transverse-mounted turbocharged and supercharged 2-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine powering the front wheels coupled with an electric motor powering the rear wheels, gives the SUV its strong performance. More significantly, the fuel-sipping talents of this hybrid really shine, placing it second best for low annual fuel consumption but best overall among the PHEVs for combined city/highway mileage on gasoline. Its all-electric range of 35 miles is another new, impressive feature in the 2024 model.

There’s plenty more to like about this luxury hybrid, from the blessed quietude of its Scandinavian-influenced cabin to the intricate depths of its advanced safety and connectivity technology all accessed via its 9-inch infotainment touchscreen. Offered with seating for either six or seven passengers, the Recharge T8 features automatic braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot detection, front and rear park assist, a 12.3-inch cluster display, smartphone app integration, heated 10-way power front seats, and leather upholstery.

The Takeaway: The Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 offers the best overall driving range in this group of hybrids, but its value as an all-electric daily commuter vehicle is held back by its paltry 18-mile battery range. Nevertheless, many good things come bundled in this gentle midsize giant. Speaking of bundles, the cargo space is ginormous.

Current Volvo XC90 Deals & Incentives

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3. Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring

Leading the way in the power category among our select group of hybrids is the 2024 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring AWD with its 494 net horsepower PHEV set up. It also tops the all-electric mileage category with an impressive 56 MPGe rating despite its hefty 5,673-pound curb weight. A twin-turbocharged 3-liter gasoline engine assisted by a battery-powered electric motor accounts for all the muscle. The total driving range fully charged and with a full tank of gasoline is 460 miles, 21 miles of which is all-electric.

The Aviator also utilizes this PHEV configuration in the ultra-exclusive Black Label Grand Touring edition. Three rows of seating are standard in either trim, but the third row with just over 29 inches of legroom is best left to children. Aside from that constraint, we’re especially impressed with the plush and sophisticated elegance of the interior. Standard features include leather seating with heated 12-way power front seats, a wireless charging pad, a panoramic roof, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with integrated Apple Carplay and Android Auto functionality, and a 14-speaker premium audio system. But more than just its long list of amenities, the cabin exudes a sense of calm intelligence.

Meanwhile, the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 system takes care of a host of advanced safety technologies including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot detection, lane-keeping assist. There are also washing systems for the front and rear cameras.

The Takeaway: It’s quite easy to put aside any minor deficiencies one might find with the Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring considering the wealth of elegant comforts one can check off for this luxury hybrid SUV. How many SUVs can you name that use actual symphonic sounds for the alerts?

Current Lincoln Aviator Deals & Incentives

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4. Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid

From a price perspective, the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid appears to be in a different league. Not unusual for a Porsche, but in this case, it’s one of the deciding factors that kept it from garnering a higher slot in this list. Sure, there’s the exquisite engineering one expects from this automaker, and the excellent power to weight ratio, yet one must wonder if the price of entry surpasses the overall value.

Call it a hybrid sport utility vehicle, but more than anything, the Cayenne E-Hybrid is a sports car that’s capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4.7 seconds (when equipped with the $1,140 optional Sport Chrono Package). So, maybe providing a maximum of 56.8 cubic feet of cargo space – small for a midsize SUV – can be forgiven. To its credit, the E-Hybrid’s towing capacity outdistances its closest rival in this group of luxury hybrids by almost 30 percent. Nevertheless, annual fuel consumption will cost significantly more than other PHEVs.

Standard amenities include a power liftgate, 8-way power front seats, a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface with wireless Apple Carplay / wired Android Auto integration, a 10-speaker audio system, a refrigerated box in the glovebox, front collision mitigation, and front and rear parking sensors. For many other amenities such as a Burmester 3D surround sound system, one must turn to the lengthy (and pricey) options list.

The Takeaway: Utility is not exactly an afterthought with the Cayenne E-Hybrid, but the drive is clearly where this Porsche SUV excels. One feels that as soon as they get behind the wheel.

Current Porsche Cayenne Deals & Incentives

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5. Lexus RX 450h AWD

If plugging in your vehicle every day is not feasible, yet you still would like to take advantage of the benefits offered by a hybrid-powered luxury SUV, then you would be best served by the Lexus RX 450h.

It certainly provides better fuel economy than most of its all-wheel drive, gasoline-only competitors, particularly in city driving, and it's affordably priced compared with the other luxury SUVs in this list, but it does come with a few sacrifices. Notably, its cargo volume is more station wagon-like than that of a midsize SUV, and its 3,500-pound trailering capability is well below the average weight of a small travel trailer.

Nevertheless, the RX 450h capitalizes on the automaker’s access to many years of hybrid development technology at parent company Toyota and couples it with the Lexus reputation for executive-level elegance. Standard premium features include bi-LED headlamps, a wood-trimmed interior, 10-way power front seats, deodorizing interior air filter, 6 USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen with ancillary touchpad interface and mobile phone integration. Most impressive are cabin noise reduction measures and the suite of advanced safety technologies that include automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, dynamic cruise control, and blind-spot detection.

The Takeaway: Undeniably competitive in the luxury hybrid SUV department, the Lexus RX 450h is priced more toward a working family’s budget. It’s well-equipped and by no means a gas guzzler, but this old-school hybrid is being overshadowed by the newer PHEV kids on the block.

Current Lexus RX Hybrid Deals & Incentives

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best luxury hybrid SUV?

Examining your specific needs will ultimately guide you to what’s best. The BMW X5 xDrive45e topped our list but any of the five vehicles in our comparison of luxury hybrid SUVs might be best for you.

What’s the most fuel-efficient luxury hybrid SUV?

Go to fueleconomy.gov to get the most complete picture, but based on estimated annual fuel consumption, the BMW X5 xDrive45e came out on top among the five vehicles compared here.

What is a PHEV?

PHEV is an acronym for a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle whereby the vehicle features all-electric driving capability afforded by an electric motor and a high-capacity battery that can be recharged by plugging into an electrical outlet. The vehicle also operates as a typical gas/electric hybrid when not in EV mode.

Which of the best luxury hybrid SUVs offers the most towing capacity?

The Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid has the highest rating for towing with a 7,700-pound capability.