10 Cheapest Hybrid SUVs You Can Buy Right Now

Hybrid SUVs offer the best of both worlds, family-friendly space and fuel savings, and in 2025 you’ll find more budget-friendly options than ever. This surge in affordability is driven by newer hybrid powertrains, smarter packaging, and growing competition among automakers. There’s now a wave of hybrid crossovers starting under $30,000, making high-efficiency family mobility surprisingly accessible.

These models aren’t just cheap to buy; they’re engineered for the long haul. Many offer excellent combined fuel economy, generous cargo and passenger space, and strong safety credentials, attributes that matter most to families. Leasing and ownership studies point to hybrid SUVs under this price band delivering great value and lower running costs.

In the list below, we’ve rounded up 10 of the most affordable hybrid SUVs you can buy right now. These picks show that you don’t need to overspend to get efficiency, versatility, and modern tech in one well-rounded package.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA. Models are ranked by their starting MSRPs, from most expensive to most affordable.

10

2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $36,595

The Forester was completely redesigned for the 2025 model year, imbued with sleeker looks and more modern technology. It is a roomy and exceptionally practical crossover that can go most places without complaint. The Hybrid makes improvements over the gas model with a smoother, quieter driving experience and lots of standard equipment.

Performance Specifications

The hybrid variant of the Forester is not a huge amount more efficient than its gas-only variant, but it is an improvement. It does put down its power with less of a gruff sound and feels smoother to drive. Subaru also imbues the crossover with a generous 8.7 inches of ground clearance, helping make it more capable than most of its direct competitors.

9

2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $35,630

The CR-V Hybrid is one of the best SUVs you can buy if value for money is your top priority. It is a jack-of-all-trades, delivering comfort, technology, practicality, and an efficient powertrain all at a reasonable price. The hybrid, while very well-equipped, does start much more expensive than the non-hybrid model, though.

Performance Specifications

Honda pairs a sturdy four-cylinder engine with two electric motors in the CR-V. Front-wheel drive is the standard setup, but all-wheel drive is available across the board, though it comes at the cost of some efficiency. It may not be as entertaining as rivals from Volksawgen or Mazda, but the CR-V Hybrid has enough character to keep you entertained.

8

2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $34,750

Mazda has slowly but surely been joining the hybrid race, with the CX-50 joining the CX-70 and CX-90 PHEVs. This compact crossover may not be as popular as the segment’s leaders, but it is every bit as impressive. Not only does it delvier and upscale cabin, but it offers a much more engaging driving experience than you’d expect.

Performance Specifications

Under the hood of every CX-50 Hybrid is the same powertrain found in the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. This means you get Mazda levels of fun alongside Toyota’s excellent efficiency and reliability. While the CVT does sap some of the joy out of the CX-50, its brilliant chassis and steering setup mean it’s still more fun than any of its competitors.

7

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $33,995

When the redesigned Crosstrek first launched for the 2024 model year, it could only be had with a non-hybrid powertrain. For the 2026 model year, Subaru has brought the hybrid back. It is a lot pricier than the standard Crosstrek but it adds effciency to the already attractive recipe of this rugged subcompact SUV.

Performance Specifications

The hybrid version of the Crosstrek feels very similar to the non-hybrid. It may be a little more powerful, but the added weight of the hybrid system means it accelerates at the same rate. It comes standard with 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Our biggest gripe is that you can’t get the hybrid powertrain in the rough-and-tumble Wilderness trim.

6

2026 Ford Escape Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $33,890

The hybrid compact SUV segment is one of the most competitive segments on the market right now. This is part of the reason that the Ford Escape really struggles to stand out. The other part of it is that the American Crossover is dull to drive, a little under-powered, and features low-rent interior materials.

Performance Specifications

While other options on this list have something that they excel at, be it off-road capability, on-road agility, or impressive levels of comfort, the Escape Hybrid is notably mediocre in all of these aspects. Its main strength is that it delivers competitive fuel economy figures.

5

2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $32,850

The RAV4 is the most popular SUV in America, and has been for the last eight years in a row. Toyota has found a simple and effective recipe and the hybrid variant is an even stronger value proposition. It may be worth waiting for the 2026 model year to arrive, with the crossover entering a new generation.

Performance Specifications

The RAV4 Hybrid comes standard with a four-cylinder engine and three electric motors. It’s much quicker and more responsive than the non-hybrid model, feeling relatively peppy off the line. Its ride quality is fantastic but every other aspect of its driving dynamics are pretty dull.

4

2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $32,200

Hyundai offers the Tucson as a gas-only, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid model. The conventional hybrid is the best value choice in our opinion. It is stylish, practical, and exceptionally efficient. Hyundai also loads up this compact SUV with a ton of standard features that make it even more of a bargain at this price.

Performance Specifications

Hyundai not only imbues the Tucson Hybrid with a turbocharged engine, but they also give the crossover a traditional six-speed automatic. Both of these things are pretty rare for a hybrid at this price point. The entry-level Blue trim is the most efficient model, with all other models achieving 35 miles per gallon combined.

3

2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $30,290

Kia has put the Sportage Hybrid under the knife for the 2026 model year, updating its styling to better align with the rest of the Korean brand’s lineup. While not everyone will appreciate the exterior styling, it definitely stands out. This compact SUV is impressively spacious and comes with a ton of comfort features standard.

Performance Specifications

The Sportage is powered by the same setup that you’d find in the Hyundai Tucson, with a turbocharged engine under the hood that pairs with two electric motors. The Kia comes standard with front-wheel drive, though. While the CR-V and RAV4 often get credit for being at the top of the efficiency ladder, the Sportage actually beats both of them if you opt for the front-wheel drive model.

2

2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $28,995

Toyota has facelifted the Corolla Cross Hybrid for the 2026 model year, updating the front fascia and improving the standard tech in the cabin. While this definitely improves the crossover’s value, it is still a slightly underwhelming option. It feels notably low-rent on the inside and is an ultimately forgettable car to drive.

Performance Specifications

The Corolla Cross Hybrid is much more efficient and quicker off the line than the non-hybrid variant. It also comes standard with all-wheel drive, which is a bonus at this price point. Its biggest strengths are its affordability and efficiency, with its driving dynamics being fairly dull and its ride quality being subpar.

1

2025 Kia Niro Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $26,990

If you’re looking for the most affordable hybrid crossover in 2025, the Kia Niro is it. It undercuts other hybrid crossover by a pretty large margin. Calling it a crossover, though, is somewhat generous, with the Korean hybrid feeling more like a hatchback with slightly more ground clearance. It isn’t going to blow you away, but it does give you quite a lot for your money.

Performance Specifications

A single electric motor pairs with a humble four-cylinder engine in the Niro, with front-wheel drive and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission being standard kit. While it isn’t going to excite you with its driving dynamics, we are impressed with just how plush the ride is on this little hybrid crossover. This is the most efficient hybrid crossover on the market as well.