How to Compare Hybrid SUVs for the Consumer

A hybrid vehicle, be it an SUV or sedan, is an automobile that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. In 2004 there was only one choice for a hybrid SUV, the Ford Escape. In 2010 there are over 20 hybrid SUVs available.

What Makes a Hybrid a Hybrid

The automotive landscape can be confusing, especially when buying a hybrid vehicle. The most important question that you will have when buying a hybrid SUV is how many miles per gallon does it get and how much better is that than the gasoline version. Keep in mind that most hybrids are more efficient during city driving where they can employ various methods to save fuel--from turning off the engine at red lights to running entirely in electric mode for a limited time under a certain speed.

Gas Mileage

Today's hybrid SUVs can be placed into three different categories: best gas mileage, V8 power, and towing and luxury. The most efficient hybrid SUV is the Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner. Both have a fuel rating of 34 mpg city and 31 highway compared to the gasoline version of 23 city and 28 highway. The best hybrid SUV for V8 power and towing would be the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid/GMC Yukon Hybrid. They are rated at 21 city and 22 highway compared to the gasoline version which is rated at 15 city and 21 highway. Many automakers now offer a luxury hybrid SUV, including Lexus, Mercedes Benz and even Porsche. All of these SUVs get mid-20s mpg.

Websites for Comparison

There are two websites that are extremely helpful for comparing hybrid SUVs: Edmunds.com and Kbb.com. Edmunds.com. has a hybrid category on its website. Click on hybrid and then click on SUV. The website will show all new SUVs (usually from 2009-2011 models). You can compare up to five models at a time and find information on all of the specifications of the vehicles to compare gas mileage. Another useful website is Kbb.com. People often think that Kelly Blue Book is just for finding sales or trade-in prices on pre-owned cars, but the website is actually much more useful. At Kbb.com, click on new cars, and then click on hybrid to view all available hybrids. Since this website does not separate hybrid cars from hybrid SUVs, you will have to sift through all of the cars. One useful feature is that you can search by miles per gallon to find the most efficient hybrid SUV.