Compact Hybrid Crossovers
Despite being around for about two decades, gas-electric hybrid technology has only recently become widely available in the compact crossover segment.
Ford has the most experience in the compact hybrid SUV class: It offered a hybrid version of its Escape from 2005 through 2012. Toyota didn’t offer a hybrid in this class until 2017, but its introduction that year of the first-ever RAV4 Hybrid helped open the floodgates—the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV arrived in 2018, while Hyundai, Kia, and Honda followed in 2022 and 2023 with long-awaited hybrid versions of their respective Tucson, Sportage, and CR-V models.
Here’s an overview of all the compact crossover models you can buy today with hybrid powertrains.
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid and Escape PHEV — $40,349 to $47,379
![2023 Ford Escape Hybrid](/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240320_65faa61a434e8.jpg)
This year, the Ford Escape gets refreshed styling to update a design that debuted in 2020, and Ford has also rolled out new Active, ST-Line, and Platinum trim designations for its popular small crossover.
Escape Hybrid models derive 192 hp from a 2.5L engine and an electric motor, while the Plug-in Hybrid configuration boasts 210 hp. Note that if you want AWD, it’s only offered in the conventional hybrid model, while the Escape PHEV is strictly front-wheel drive. The Ford Escape Hybrid’s fuel consumption is rated at 5.6/6.5 L/100 km (city/highway); the PHEV model’s estimates are 5.6/6.3 L/100 km in hybrid mode and 2.3 Le/100 km in electric driving.
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid models start with the $40,349 ST-Line trim level, which comes with dual-zone A/C, passive keyless entry, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, power tailgate, 18-inch wheels, and a suite of driver assists: forward collision mitigation, pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Escape PHEV is based on the ST-Line trim; it’s priced at $45,999 and adds a few items, like digital gauges and navigation.
ST-Line Select ($43,449) adds heated front seats/side mirrors/steering wheel and LED fog lights, while Escape Hybrid Platinum’s ($45,879) additions include ActiveX seat upholstery and black exterior trim. Finally, ST-Line Elite ($47,379) adds digital gauges, a larger touchscreen, wireless phone charging, an auto-dimming mirror, evasive steering assist, 19-inch wheels, hands-free tailgate, and 360-degree camera views.
2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid — $48,890
![2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid](/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240320_65faa61ac7a78.jpg)
The Honda CR-V Hybrid is a new addition to this compact crossover’s lineup for 2023. It builds on the CR-V’s reputation for efficiency with fuel consumption estimates of 6.0/6.9 L/100 km (city/highway) from its 2.0L gas engine and electric motor, which generate 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque.
On the downside, if you’re looking for an entry-grade vehicle with a hybrid powertrain, you won’t find it here. Honda offers the CR-V Hybrid in top-end Touring trim only, making it the most expensive CR-V you can buy for 2023, with a price approaching $49,000.
For that money, you get 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, passive keyless entry with hands-free tailgate, digital gauges, dual-zone A/C, heated front/rear seats and steering wheel, leather upholstery, 12-speaker audio, wireless phone charging, and navigation.
The CR-V Hybrid also comes with a suite of safety features that includes forward collision mitigation, lane keeping assist, driver attention monitor, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and traffic jam assist.
2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Tucson Plug-in Hybrid — $40,099 to $46,949
![2023 Hyundai Tucson PHEV](/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240320_65faa61b6e45e.jpg)
Last year, Hyundai redesigned its Tucson compact crossover into a new generation and added the model’s first-ever hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. In both, a 1.6L turbo gas engine teams up with electric power to make 226 hp in the Tucson Hybrid and 261 hp in the Tucson PHEV. Both come with a six-speed automatic transmission and AWD.
Hyundai’s fuel consumption estimates are 6.3/6.6 L/100 km (city/highway) for the Tucson Hybrid, while the Tucson PHEV is rated for 6.8/6.6 L/100 km in hybrid mode and 2.9 Le/100 km on electricity alone.
Like Honda, Hyundai positions its hybrid models at the top of the trim range, offering both the conventional hybrid and plug-in Tucson models in Luxury and Ultimate configurations, but at more accessible starting prices.
Standard features in Luxury trim (Hybrid $40,099/PHEV $44,549) include 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, a panoramic roof, leather upholstery, heated front/rear seats with front power adjustments, a digital gauge display, eight-speaker audio, hands-free tailgate, an auto-dimming mirror, and dual-zone A/C. Also included is a safety suite of forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors.
Ultimate trim (Hybrid $42,499/PHEV $46,949) adds ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, front parking sensors, remote park assist, rear automatic braking, surround-view cameras, and highway driving assist.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid and Sportage Plug-in Hybrid — $36,495 to $48,995
![2023 Kia Sportage PHEV](/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240320_65faa61c2196c.jpg)
Despite being mechanically and structurally identical to the Hyundai Tucson’s hybrid models, Kia prices its entry-grade Sportage Hybrid EX about $3,600 less to start, making it one of the compact hybrid crossover segment’s most affordable offerings.
As in the Tucson, hybrid Kia Sportage models are powered by a combination of a 1.6L turbo engine and electric motors, with conventional hybrid versions getting 227 hp and plug-in hybrid variants rated for 261 hp. A six-speed transmission and AWD are included across the line.
Kia’s fuel consumption ratings are a touch better than the Tucson’s: the Sportage Hybrid is rated at 6.1/6.3 L/100 km (city/highway), and the Plug-in Hybrid models come in at 6.6/6.7 L/100 km in gas-electric driving and 2.8 Le/100 km on battery power alone.
The Sportage Hybrid EX ($36,495) comes with 17-inch wheels, LED headlights/fog lights, a heated windshield, heated front seats/steering wheel, dual-zone A/C, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, an auto-dimming mirror, passive keyless entry, and wireless phone charging.
Standard safety kit includes adaptive cruise, forward collision mitigation, lane keeping assist, blind spot/rear cross-traffic collision mitigation, and rear park assist.
Sportage PHEV models start in an EX Premium ($45,595) trim that adds a hands-free tailgate, panoramic roof, 19-inch wheels, quilted upholstery, and ventilated front/heated rear seats.
SX configuration (Hybrid $43,195/PHEV $48,995) gains digital gauges, a Harman Kardon stereo, rear parking collision avoidance, highway driving assist, blind spot/surround-view monitors, front park assist, and remote park assist.
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV — $46,538 to $56,348
![2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV](/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240320_65faa61cf3732.jpg)
Mitsubishi has completely redesigned its Outlander PHEV for the 2023 model year. Not only does it look more substantial than its predecessor, but it also gets a more powerful drivetrain that makes 248 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque with its 2.4L engine and two electric motors. There is no conventional hybrid version of this crossover, so if you don’t have a place to plug in, the Outlander’s only other option is a less-potent gasoline powertrain.
Mitsubishi’s energy consumption estimates are 9.2/8.7 L/100 km (city/highway) in hybrid driving and 3.6 Le/100 km when running on electricity alone.
The Outlander PHEV starts in ES trim ($46,538) with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated front seats, dual-zone A/C, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and digital gauges. The standard safety suite includes lane change assist, front and rear collision mitigation, driver attention alert, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
LE trim ($51,238) adds 360-degree cameras, LED fog lights, a panoramic roof, suede seating, three-zone A/C, a heated steering wheel, navigation in a 9.0-inch display, a power tailgate, and passive keyless entry.
For $54,048, SEL’s additions include 20-inch wheels, heated rear seats, quilted leather, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Finally, GT trim ($56,348) brings auto-levelling headlights, active blind spot assist, a head-up display, nine-speaker audio, rear side sunshades, and wireless phone charging. A GT Premium package adds massaging front seats.
2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid/RAV4 Prime — $34,850 to $54,790
![2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime](/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240320_65faa61dbbe81.jpg)
Few compact hybrid crossovers offer as much variety as the Toyota RAV4, which starts out at $34,850 in LE Hybrid trim and tops out with the nearly-$55,000 RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid.
RAV4 Hybrid and Prime both match a 2.5L engine with two electric motors and standard AWD. In RAV4 Hybrid models, that setup provides 219 hp, while RAV4 Prime boasts 302 hp. Toyota’s fuel consumption estimates are 5.8/6.3 L/100 km (city/highway) for the RAV4 Hybrid; RAV4 Prime’s ratings are 5.7/6.4 L/100 km in hybrid driving, and 2.5 Le/100 km on electricity alone.
The LE Hybrid ($34,850) comes with LED headlights, dual-zone A/C, alloy wheels, heated front seats, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen. The XLE Hybrid ($37,990) brings a power tailgate, passive keyless entry, heated steering wheel, and a sunroof. The XSE package ($42,690) gets an 8.0-inch touchscreen, digital gauges, and a digital rearview mirror, and Limited trim ($45,850) adds 360-degree cameras, a hands-free tailgate, a 9.0-inch touchscreen, ventilated front/heated rear seats, and LED fog lights.
RAV4 Prime starts out in SE trim ($49,950) with passive keyless, the 8.0-inch touchscreen, heated front seats/steering wheel, digital gauges, wiper de-icer, and an auto-dimming mirror. The XSE trim ($54,790) adds wireless phone charging, power tailgate, 9.0-inch touchscreen, heated rear seats, and a sunroof.
All RAV4 Hybrid and Prime trims are also equipped with forward collision mitigation, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. Certain configurations can be optioned with rear automatic braking and front parking sensors.
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