10 of the Best Used Hybrid SUVs to Buy

The Outlander could be credited as the car which started off the hybrid SUV craze. It’s a model that delivers a robust, family-friendly interior alongside running costs that could be superbly low. As a plug-in hybrid, it does rely on being connected to the mains as often as possible as it’s with full batteries that it’ll deliver its best efficiency.

It’s easily one of the best used hybrid SUVs currently available, and because of its popularity, there are loads of great examples currently available on the used market. The growing number of used hybrids available has seen Outlander prices fall, too, so there’s some great scope for a very wallet-friendly purchase.

A spacious cabin with plenty of headroom means it’s great for all types of adventures. Remember that the plug-in hybrid Outlander is only available with five seats – not seven, like the standard petrol models.

Toyota has fine form when it comes to hybrids. It has been fond of the powertrain for quite some time and it was put to great used in the RAV4. Previously, the RAV4 had been known as a more off-road-focused model, but the version which arrived in 2016 had more of an eye on efficiency.

The petrol-electric setup is great when it comes to fuel costs, but it’s also a ‘regular’ hybrid so you don’t need to plug it in. However, it can’t run on electric-only power for long stretches, but instead uses it at lower speeds such as when parking or reversing.

Still, this can really help to reduce fuel bills, particularly if you live in urban areas where you’re often queueing in traffic. But it’s still very practical while all models get loads of equipment that can help make everyday life a little easier.

The Q5 is one of the heavyweights in the SUV segment and has recently soared to become one of Audi’s most popular models. It’s easy to see why, too, as the Q5 has all the space that you’d expect from a regular SUV but it also gets loads of premium features that the Audi badge tends to bring.

The plug-in hybrid version – badged TFSI e – throws some added efficiency into the mix. It also makes it into one of the best used hybrid SUVs available today, as you’re getting all of the space and practicality of the regular Q5 but with a powertrain which can really help to reduce running costs.

As with other plug-in hybrids here, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got somewhere to charge the Q5 TFSI e up. However, do that and you’ll be rewarded with a car with very few drawbacks.

The Kuga is a great all-rounder. Ford has always taken a value-orientated approach to it, ensuring that it’s accessible to families or drivers who need a low-cost way of getting around. Later on in its lifetime, a plug-in hybrid version was added which, despite raising the Kuga’s price slightly, managed to maintain its spaciousness levels while making it cheaper to run.

You’re getting loads of great equipment included from the off with the Kuga, however, with features such as cruise control and automatic lights being included on all models. If you’re after bells and whistles, this could be the right car for you.

The plug-in hybrid model is also pretty decent when it comes to acceleration – it can do zero to 60mph in 8.4 seconds – so it’s quite a bit zippier than you might think. It’s also got a great boot which can easily swallow up loads of kit.

If there’s a car company that knows a thing or two about hybrids, it’s Lexus. Creator of a vast swathe of battery-enhanced models, it’s a company that has been seen as a go-to in the luxury hybrid segment for a little while.

The RX is the firm’s largest SUV and, as a result, its most spacious. Lexus cars have always been designed to be both luxurious and a little different from the norm, so they’re a great choice for drivers who want to stand out from the crowd.

The RX gets loads of equipment as standard, while a dynamic ‘F Sport’ grade adds in some – as you’d expect – sportier touches to make this into a very attractive-looking used hybrid SUV. It’s not a plug-in, either, so you don’t have to worry about connecting it to the mains at the end of the day.

As far as family-friendly hybrid SUVs go, the XC90 is bang on the money. It’s a large, comfortable seven-seater which is packed with safety tech and loads of features designed to make life a little easier. Plus – and fittingly for this list – it’s available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

You’ll find the plug-in hybrid version of the XC90 wearing a ‘T8’ badge, which means it combines a four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors and a battery. It’s quite a potent setup, too, but can deliver some great efficiency when it is kept charged up.

It’s also superb place to spend time. The seats are comfortable, while the process of getting the middle row lowered to access the rear seats is a breeze. The XC90 also has a great track record for safety, with even early models fitted with loads of assistance equipment as standard.

Okay, so this generation of Sportage might make it one of the newest cars on this list, but because of this Kia’s low cost to begin with it makes for a superb used buy. Striking and innovative, it’s a great example of how far Kia has come in recent years.

It’s also available with mild-hybrid, hybrid and plug-in hybrid setups, so there really is something to cater for everyone. You’ll also find great levels of equipment inside, while the build quality of this used hybrid SUV has come on in leaps and bounds for this latest generation.

The styling of the new Sportage is really eye-catching, too, and will definitely get people talking. Inside, it’s got loads of space while its boot will happily take trips to the shops, summer holiday adventures and everything else in between.

If you’re after a smaller hybrid that is easy to park, then the C-HR should be on your radar. As with the RAV4, the C-HR is a great example of Toyota’s prowess in the hybrid field. This ‘self-charging’ version gets its best efficiency throughout mixed driving, though you’re likely to see tip-top efficiency if you’re mainly doing shorter trips. During these, the C-HR’s compact battery can help reduce strain on the engine and help it to reduce fuel usage.

It’s a compact SUV with the feel of a raised-up coupe and this means the C-HR still looks fresh out on the road today. It’s got more space to offer inside than you might think, too, while a great track-record for reliability means a well-serviced C-HR should last you a long time.

It’s not often that you find diesel power introduced to a hybrid setup, but the GLE 350de shows that it’s a great combination. In fact, it makes you question why it isn’t more commonplace as with its large battery this Mercedes can travel for up to 62 miles on electric power alone, yet when all the juice is run out you’re left with a smooth-running and efficient diesel engine.

The rest of the GLE is classic Mercedes with luxurious materials being combined with top-notch technology. Though some plastics don’t feel quite as high-quality as you’d like, the GLE is – for the most part – a well appointed and premium-feeling way of getting about. Just remember that you’ll need somewhere to plug this hybrid in to get the very best efficiency from it.

We’re finishing on a high with the Range Rover – arguably one of the best used hybrid SUVs. Though usually associated with big, thirsty engines, this generation of Range Rover was actually available with a plug-in hybrid setup, badged ‘P400e’.

Of course, as with any Range Rover, you’re getting loads of luxury. The seating position for both drivers and passengers is high and commanding, so you’ve got a great view of the road ahead and the surrounding areas.

The plug-in hybrid is just as adept at off-roading as the ‘regular’ versions, too, with Jaguar Land Rover’s clever four-wheel-drive systems there to rely on when things get sticky. Winter tyres will make the Range Rover a real asset for those who live in areas where it tends to snow or get icy over winter, too. The plug-in hybrid setup, meanwhile, helps dial out some of the higher costs usually associated with Range Rover ownership.