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Kia's midsize Sorento SUV is a great blend of passenger space and efficiency. A new hybrid offers around 39 mpg in the city, and the optional plug-in can drive up to 30 miles solely on electricity. Buyers can choose either six- or seven-person seating. Forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and other safety aids are included. The Escape is one of just a few small SUVs with an available hybrid powertrain.

What Car? Electric Car Awards in association with myenergi

With electric cars now coming in all shapes and sizes – and available to suit every budget – we’ve named the best models in every class. Here we look at the best plug-in hybrid small SUV...

WINNER: Hybrid small SUV

Kia Niro PHEV

Best buy 1.6 GDi 3 List price £31,945 Target Price £29,843 Target PCP £340 per month* 0-62mph 10.4sec Top speed 107mph Official economy 201.8mpg Official electric-only range 30 miles CO2 emissions 31g/km

Some families simply pulsate with intelligence. In fact, with every single Kia Niro being electrified in one way or another, you could say the spark of genius runs right through the range.

It’s the fully electric e-Niro that grabs the zero-emissions limelight, but many families might find that the plug-in hybrid Niro meshes with their lifestyle more comfortably. After all, it can provide quiet all-electric running for up to 30 miles on a full charge, yet it also offers the stress-free long-distance cruising ability of a regular petrol car.

The Niro may not be as glamorous as upmarket plug-in hybrid rivals such as the BMW X1 xDrive25e and Volvo XC40 Recharge T5, but it’s in a league of its own when it comes to ownership costs. For starters, it’s one of the cheapest plug-in hybrids you can buy (particularly among SUVs), significantly undercutting its premium rivals, both as an outright purchase and on a PCP finance scheme. Business users will benefit here, too: the Niro occupies the same lowly 10% benefit-in-kind bracket as the X1 xDrive25e, but its much lower price tag makes the salary sacrifices far more palatable.

You might think that spending far less money means you get far less of a car, but that isn’t the case. In fact, the Niro is a well-rounded choice. It may not be all that exciting to drive, but it’s far from a chore, and few will complain about comfort on urban roads or on the motorway, with only the occasional pothole spoiling the peace. And the transition from electric to petrol power is smoother than it is in the XC40.

There isn’t much wrong with the Niro’s interior, either. Those of the X1 and XC40 are more glitzily styled, but the Niro is well built and uses good-quality materials. Equipment isn’t in short supply, either, regardless of which trim level you opt for, and the infotainment system is full-featured and easy to use. There’s plenty of space for a growing family, too.

Overall, the Niro PHEV isn’t quite the world-beater that its fully electric e-Niro sister is, but it does enough, well enough and for a low enough price to be a compelling prospect among plug-in hybrid SUVs.

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Crossovers and SUVs have taken over the planet. SUVs are perfect vehicles for families that will provide spacious interior, great comfort, superb ride, and so much more. The manufacturers across the globe stepped their game with the latest hybrid technology. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models are providing better mileage and are lowering CO2 emissions. There are so many reasons for everyone to buy these attractive models.

Luckily, you can find everything from the subcompact to the full-size SUVs. Interestingly, crossovers and SUVs have accounted for amazing 47.6 percent of all vehicles sold in the United States this year. Moreover, that number is growing rapidly. Hybrids are the present and the future and we will give you a verdict on the top five hybrid SUVs that are worth waiting for in 2021.

2021 Jeep Wagoneer

Here’s our first model. The 2021 Jeep Wagoneer is making a huge return after the years of waiting. Previous generations were offering an odd look with wooden doors. If you are a fan of the Breaking Bad series, then you know that Skyler White drove a 1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Unlike that particular model, the new 2021 Wagoneer will look completely different. There is no room for such a design or anything similar in the years ahead.

New spy shots are showing a brand-new design and styling that one modern SUV should wear. This model will offer new headlights and taillights. Moreover, it will look unique, and it won’t borrow anything from the rest of the Jeep’s crossovers and SUVs. However, some cues are taken from the Ram 1500 pickup. The interior will provide a premium feeling and there will be three rows of seats. That means the Wagoneer is offering a room for seven passengers. Also, Grand Wagoneer will offer the same number of seats but its cargo area will be larger.

As for its hybrid powertrain, Wagoneer will borrow Ram’s 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This system will pair with a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine and probably with an optional 5.7-liter V8. It is perhaps too early to tell you the hybrid specs, but we have no doubts. New 2021 Wagoneer will offer impressive mileage and better performances than the regular gasoline version. Finally, this SUV will use a ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox. Its price will start between $44,000 and $47,000.

You can read a complete review of 2021 Jeep Wagoneer HERE

2021 Lincoln Corsair

Lincoln’s new Corsair model already caught much attention, mostly thanks to its upscale design and luxurious cabin. However, the 2021 Lincoln Corsair will get its plug-in hybrid version, the company stated last month. If you want a hybrid variant, you’ll have to buy the Grand Touring trim level. Corsair Grand Touring will provide more power, unique design, great mileage, and even more features than the base trim level.

Inside the cabin, this crossover will offer a lot of luxury. The new hybrid powertrain makes the cabin really quiet and the Grand Touring model comes with more sound-insulating materials. On top of that, the Noise Control system is in the offer and it will use numerous microphones that will enhance the sound quality. The interior is spacious and even the storage areas are generous. Space for luggage and legroom are better thanks to the under-floor battery. Lincoln will also offer numerous features and most of them are offered as standard. Tech such as Phone As a Key system or new Lincoln Co-Pilot360 system are standard as well.

The 2021 Corsair will deploy a dual-powertrain technology. This system works with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a single electric motor. On top of that, electronic AWD setup and battery pack are available too. The total output delivers 266 horsepower. Lincoln promised 25 miles of all-electric driving range and new PowerSplit CVT transmission is available.

The ride is very smooth, and driving manners are superb. What we like about the new Corsair are its driving modes. Normal, Excite, Conserve, Slippery and Preserve EV are just some of them. A Pure EV mode is the most interesting as it will automatically switch between the all-electric and hybrid modes.

When it comes to pricing details, the new 2021 Corsair should start at $50,000. Remember, the base trim level starts $37,000. However, Lincoln offers plug-in hybrid powertrain only in its Grand Touring trim level. So, besides the hybrid, you’ll get more equipment and better comfort.

Learn more about new 2021 Lincoln Corsair HERE

2021 Ford Explorer

Hybrid Compact Suvs

Explorer SUV is our next model on the list. The forthcoming 2021 Ford Explorer will go on sale at some point in 2020, most likely in the second half. This SUV will suffer some serious exterior and interior changes. However, the biggest change is its platform that will be able to accommodate hybrid drivetrain.

For 2021, Blue Oval will introduce refreshed exterior design. Explorer will get additional cosmetic upgrades, and the vehicle’s dimensions are changed thanks to the new architecture. The same platform underpins the Lincoln Aviator model that also offers a hybrid version. Ford will also provide the more modern and sharper look with new headlights and a wider grille.

As for the performance, Explorer Hybrid will deploy a 3.3-liter V6 and an electric motor. This combination will produce 318 horsepower, and we can say that Explorer is a quick SUV. The transition from electric to gasoline powertrain is jarring but it isn’t such a big issue. This model will provide a 500-mile range with its 18-gallon gas tank. Still, Explorer is rated at 27 mpg combined and you can buy SUVs with better fuel efficiency. On the other hand, we put Explorer on this list for its reliability, high level of comfort and pleasant ride. The price of the 2021 model will start at $52,000.

Read our full review of 2021 Ford Explorer HERE

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

This is the brand-new model that was introduced less than a month ago. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime will go on sale next summer and it will represent the first plug-in hybrid RAV4 model ever. Toyota offers promising performance figures and superb ride quality. This model will deploy a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, just like the base trim level. However, the base RAV4 is producing 176 hp. On the other hand, RAV4 Prime delivers 302 horsepower thanks to the new electric motors.

This crossover will offer a standard AWD configuration, and it will provide 39 all-electric miles on a full charge. Furthermore, a lithium-ion battery is rated at 90 MPGe. We are still waiting to see full specifications but we are convinced that this model will become an instant hit. The 2021 RAV4 Prime will go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and it is the second-quickest model behind Toyota Supra.

As you probably know, RAV4 is the company’s best-selling model. The crossover managed almost 325,000 sold units this September. On the other hand, only 63,000 sold units were hybrids. Now, RAV4 Prime will surely conquer the RAV4 Hybrid version, and it will compete against the new Honda CR-V and Ford Escape. The price is not available at the moment, but have in mind the RAV4 Hybrid starts at $28,500. That means the Prime variant will cost slightly over $30,000.

Find out more about 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime on the following link HERE

2021 Nissan X-Trail

Hybrid Compact Suv 2020

If you are looking for a mid-size hybrid SUV, then the 2021 Nissan X-Trail is the model for you. This SUV is also known as Nissan Rogue in the United States. So far, we don’t know much about the 2021 model, besides the available spy shots and a hybrid powertrain. That should be enough, even that we can’t wait for Nissan to release full details. The spy photos are showing a closer connection with the U.S. Rogue model, now more than ever before. Nissan spoke about the plan to equal Rogue and X-Trail and the only difference will be a powertrain.

Speaking of which, markets in Japan will get new diesel and new gasoline engines. Still, the highlight of the 2021 model is its hybrid variant. And just like the Rogue, X-Trail SUV will deploy the very same hybrid system. That includes a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a single electric motor. This mix should produce almost 180 horses, and it will arrive with the standard XTronic automatic transmission. On top of that, X-Trail Hybrid will deliver 48 mpg in Japan and Rogue will deliver the same figures in the United States.

As for the pricing details, this SUV will start at $25,000, which makes X-Trail a very affordable SUV. When it comes to the release date, this model will hit the dealerships in Asia later in 2020. Additionally, Nissan Rogue will go on sale in the United States at the beginning of 2021.

Hybrid Compact Suv Comparison

Read full 2021 Nissan X-Trail review HERE