Electric SUVs will take over the market, which is unavoidable. Hybrid and PHEV systems are just a step before we see full electrification. In the past few years, those drivetrains took over the market, mostly thanks to the superb gas mileage. Companies are also fixing problems with towing capacity and performance. Also, the technology is evolving, so the base configurations are more affordable.
Compared to standard setups, hybrid engines offer extra power and better fuel economy. There are still issues about recharging, where there is an option available. Buyers trust classic engines with internal combustion. But, the fact is – the future is in electric powertrains. Let’s check which are the best midsize hybrid SUVs for the 2024 season.
2024 Toyota Highlander and Grand Highlander
The Japanese company is a leader in this segment and they are proving it day after day. It all started with the Rav4, the first compact crossover to hit 40 mpg. The Highlander was the only midsize three-row SUV for a long time. Now, it is the most efficient. The company traded a V6 and around 50 horsepower for better gas mileage. The 2024 Toyota Highlander will return 35 mpg. Not too many ways smaller crossovers can do that.
To make it up for the downpowering of a large SUV, the manufacturer will build a new version of the Highlander. There are a few teaser images of the new Grand Highlander, an upgraded model in every way. Although unconfirmed, experts believe the upcoming SUV will deploy a new system. A turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a hybrid setup will crack 340 horsepower.
2024 Toyota Venza
Another midsize hybrid SUV comes from Toyota, but it is a two-row model, and there is no conventional petrol setup available for the 2024 Venza. A 2.5-liter mill delivers 219 hp and combined gas mileage is 39 mpg. With such numbers, it is hard to find a better solution. Pricing of the SUV starts at $34,000. The XLE adds $4,000, and the Limited is already above $40,000.
The 2024 Toyota Venza will come unchanged, while the company is preparing an update for the following season. So, this could make most buyers wait for the fresh version. We still don’t know in which direction the company will develop Venza. But, it might become one of the first EVs in the lineup.
2024 Lexus RX Hybrid
The all-new Lexus RX is ready to cement its place as the best luxury SUV in the market. Sales don’t lie. Now improved, we hardly see any other midsize SUV being able to compete with the RX. The versatility is the key. A hybrid engine upgrades an already impressive base version. The RX350h costs $51,000 and returns 35 mpg. A 2.5-liter engine is paired with an electric battery and puts out 246 hp. The acceleration is not the best, but there is a fix for that.
The 2024 Lexus RX500h hits 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds. The company uses a new 2.4-liter turbo-four engine and more powerful batteries to help the luxury SUV achieve 366 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. The base price of the vehicle is $63,000, but you are also getting the F Sport upgrades. Because of high outputs, the RX500h can’t return more than 27 mpg combined.
2024 Honda Pilot Hybrid
The vehicle has been spotted a few times, but the company never confirmed it. To stay competitive, the 2024 Honda Pilot Hybrid should be a priority over the redesign. Honda already builds one of the most efficient systems for the compact CR-V crossover. The Pilot is the flagship vehicle, but outdated, both with styling and engines.
It is strange why the company didn’t offer a hybrid configuration from the premium Acura MDX. But, even this one is now discontinued. But, the Japanese carmaker made it up with the Type S performance edition. So, if the 2024 Honda Pilot Hybrid doesn’t show up, we expect a consolidation reward with the Type R package. More about the all-new SUV will be known in the second half of 2023.
2024 Ford Explorer
We are now moving to US carmakers. General Motors is now a leader in electrification, but this company completely skipped the hybrid world. of course, Ford wouldn’t allow others to take over the market without a fight. The 2024 Explorer Hybrid might be improved, but the current version completely serves the object. It won’t impress you with outputs, but slightly better power outputs and gas mileage is what people expect from a midsize hybrid SUV.
We’ll talk later about the Lincoln Aviator, a cool alternative to Ford’s fans that adds extra power. The Explorer with a hybrid unit can put out 318 hp and 322 lb-ft. The gas mileage of the 3.3-liter V6 jumps to 28 mpg combined in the base form. With extra equipment, the fuel economy suffers. The good thing is there are plenty of packages available for the Explorer hybrid.
2024 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring
The plug-in hybrid system under the hood of the 2024 Lincoln Aviator will be one of the most impressive configurations you will find in the market. Plus, the SUV is being redesigned for the next season, so it is going to draw even more attention. Spy photos are out. The front and rear are new, and the Aviator adds extra features inside the cockpit, including ActiveGlide autonomous drive.
The hybrid system is appearing under the Grand Touring badge. It combines electric batteries with a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine for 494 hp. The SUV can go 21 miles by using only electric motors. The 2024 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring is also available with the unique Black Label package. Special themes and an enhanced engine make the price go over $90,000. In the base form, the Aviator Hybrid will cost significantly less.
2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe
Jeep is not well-known for hybrid configurations. But, the company had to build a system for the most popular midsize SUV. The 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is the PHEV that combines the power of a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and electric energy. Outputs are 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The setup is new, but the owners already provide positive feedbacks.
As said, hybrid and PHEV systems are just a step to complete electrification. The 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is proof of that theory. Soon after the new version was released, the company announced the development of the Wrangler Magneto, an all-electric SUV. But, it won’t happen until 2026. Meanwhile, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe returns 49 MPGe, go 21 miles on electric battery, and costs $55,000. And yes, off-road performance is almost at the same level as with the classic configuration.
2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge
The Recharge badge is used for the first-ever electric crossover, XC40. So, when we heard about the Volvo XC90 Recharge, we thought it will be an EV. But, it is an old T8 PHEV. The electric SUV is coming out as the EX90. Engineers squeeze 455 hp from a 2.0-liter petrol engine and electric system. That is more than the previous T8 could do. The setup also cracks 523 lb-ft of torque. The electric-only range is 36 miles.
As the premium SUV, the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge costs from $73,000. Another change is an update of grades. There is no more R-Design and Inscription as higher trim levels. Now, the Ultimate is the only optional package. You can pick it in a dark and light theme. Either way, the price is $81,000. More choices could be added for the 2024 YM.
2024 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid
The E-Hybrid is the system that makes the Cayenne one of the most powerful SUVs in the market. For example, the base SUV cracks 335 hp and 332 lb-ft with a 3.0-V6 engine. But, the 2024 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid will enhance the outputs to 455 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Since it is a plug-in setup, you can drive it using only electric battery. The range is 17 miles.
When we talk about power, there is no too many SUVs that can beat 670 hp coming from the 2024 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid. A 4.0-liter V8 is pretty mighty even without electric support, producing 450 hp for the GTS and 540 hp for the Turbo packages. But, the E-Hybrid adds a special touch. The bad thing is that the SUV is also one of the most expensive vehicles in the segment. The price of the Turbo S Hybrid is over $165,000.
2024 BMW X5 xDrive45e
BMW is not excluded from the big electrification process in the automotive industry. We thought we saw it all, but the new xDrive45e is the new PHEV system for the X5 midsize luxury SUV. It combines a 3.0-liter engine with electric batteries for a total of 390 hp and 331 lb-ft. The range is 31 miles. Soon, the iX5 EV is about to debut, and the xDrive45e is the perfect practice for German engineers.
The hybrid model is positioned between the base SUV equipped with an I6 engine and the M50i which uses a V8. 8-speed auto transmission is standard and it sends power to all wheels (famous xDrive). The price for the hybrid model starts from $66,000, which is about $5k above the entry-level petrol configuration. The M50i and V8 engines cost a lot more. Soon, BMW could combine an eight-cylinder engine with a hybrid system.
2024 Mercedes GLE
There are five engine configurations available for the GLE SUV, and all but the base one will use the EQ Boost system. Hybrid configurations enhance both I6 and V8 engines. The 2024 Mercedes GLE 450 is delivering 362 hp. A 3.0-liter I6 engine sends power to all wheels (4Matic system). The hybrid system enhances the gas mileage, but it is not impressive at 22 mpg combined. The I6 is also there for the AMG version. In this case, the power output is 430 hp and the gas mileage drops to 19 mpg combined.
A 4.0-liter V8 is also using the EQ Boost. The GLE 580 will produce 483 hp and return 18 mpg. The price of this configuration is $85,000. But, if you add the AMG 63 package, the MSRP skyrockets to $120,000. The upgrade includes 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. It is not easy to find SUVs with 600+ ponies, especially with the high-luxury design Mercedes is offering.
