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Sunday 3 June 2012

Hybrid SUV Roundup

Hybrid and diesel SUVs combine the interior space and ride quality of an SUV with fuel-saving capabilities of hybrid cars. Some environmentalists have criticized the hybrid SUV as a misapplication of gas-electric technology. It’s true that hybrid SUVs do not reach the level of fuel efficiency of smaller hybrids in terms of miles-per-gallon. Yet, miles-per-gallon is a non-linear and counter-intuitive form of measurement. An apparently small jump in fuel efficiency—for example, from 14 to 16 mpg—saves as much oil as increasing fuel economy from 35 to 50 mpg, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Which are the Best Hybrid or Diesel SUVs? That Depends on Your Needs.

With more than 10 hybrid SUVs currently on the market—and clean diesel models also worth considering— consumers can choose features and pricing best suited to their specific needs:
  • Affordability and Maximum Efficiency: Ford Escape Hybrid
  • V8 Performance and Towing: Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, GMC Yukon Hybrid
  • Seven-Passenger Seating: Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Chevy Tahoe Hybrid
  • Luxury: Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Lexus RX 450h
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid SUV
The V8 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, which achieves the same city fuel economy as a four-cylinder Toyota Camry, can tow up to 6,000 pounds.

The List of Hybrid SUVs

In addition to gas-electric hybrid SUVs, our sortable list also include diesels and conventional small SUV alternatives—as well as plug-in hybrid and hydrogen SUVs in the works.
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Ford Escape HybridThe most fuel efficient SUV available.32 MPGHybrid$30,500Now
2012-Lexus-RX-450h-Thumb.jpgLexus RX 450hUpdated version of the luxury SUV with green stripes.30 MPGHybrid$45,900Now
2012-Toyota-Highlander-Hybrid-Thumb.jpgToyota Highlander HybridThe Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the most fuel efficient seven-passenger SUV available.28 MPGHybrid$38,100Now
equinox-small.jpgChevrolet EquinoxSmall gas-powered SUV with the highest highway fuel economy rating.26 MPG
$23,200Now
bmw-x5-small.jpgBMW X5 xDrive35dHigh-performance, luxury SUV. Now more efficient as a diesel.23 MPGDiesel$52,000Now
2012-Volkswagen-Touareg-Hybrid-Thumb.jpgVolkswagen Touareg Hybrid ReviewCombines a direct injection engine and hybrid gas-electric system for maximum benefit.22 MPGHybrid$62,000Now
ml450-small.jpgMercedes ML 450 HybridThe Mercedes-Benz version of the Two-Mode system combines a 275-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine and two electric motors.22 MPGHybrid$55,000Now
Tahoe-Thumb-1110.jpgChevrolet Tahoe HybridThe Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid makes significant strides in improving the fuel economy of the full-size SUV.21 MPGHybrid$51,600Now
touareg-94.jpgVolkswagen Touareg TDIVW ditched V10. Now, the Touareg TDI comes reasonably priced and reasonably powered by a 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine.21 MPGDiesel$42,800Now
mercedes-ml320-bluetec-smal.jpgMercedes ML 320 BluetecThe most popular Mercedes SUV, available in fuel-efficient clean diesel version.21 MPGDiesel$48,600Now
yukon-small.jpgGMC Yukon HybridThe sister vehicle of the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. Features same fuel economy in a better appointed package.21 MPGHybrid$51,600Now
mercedes-r320-small.jpgMercedes R320 BluetecA big and heavy luxury station wagon with a clean diesel engine.21 MPGDiesel$49,100Now
audi-q7-tdi-94.jpgAudi Q7 TDILuxury seven-passenger clean diesel SUV with ultra-low emissions.21 MPGDiesel$50,900Now
Escalade-Thumb-1025.jpgCadillac Escalade HybridLaunched in August 2008, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid sport-utility vehicle is unquestionably the world’s blingiest hybrid.21 MPGHybrid$73,000Now
cayenne-94.jpgPorsche Cayenne S HybridThe Cayenne S Hybrid is about as far away from the earnest nerdiness of the Prius as any Porsche can get.21 MPGHybrid$69,000Now
mercedes-gl320-small.jpgMercedes GL320 BluetecThe biggest, bluntest, and heaviest clean diesel SUV from Mercedes-Benz.20 MPGDiesel$59,200Now
x6-94.jpgBMW X6 HybridAn SUV that has crossed over into sports car territory.18 MPGHybrid$90,000Now
Audi-Q5-Hybrid-thumb33-0810.jpgAudi Q5 HybridIn addition to saving fuel—the Q5’s combined EPA fuel economy could approach 26-27 mpg versus the gasoline model’s 22 mpg—the Q5 Hybrid teems with engineering, technology and performance.n/aHybridn/a2011
escape-phev-small.jpgFord Escape Plug-in HybridThe proven fuel-efficient SUV hybrid will come with a plug in 2012.n/aPlug-in Hybridn/a2012
px-imiev-small.jpgMitsubishi PX-MiEVThis mid-sized SUV plug-in hybrid has triple-threat functionality as a pure electric, a series hybrid, and a parallel hybrid. Result: About 120 mpg.120 MPGPlug-in Hybridn/aConcept
chevrolet-equinox-small.jpgChevrolet Equinox Fuel CellA fleet of 100 Chevy Equinoxes running on hydrogen have been tested by more than 3,000 thousand real-world drivers.43 MPGHydrogenn/aConcept
q7-small2.jpgAudi Q7 HybridRefined and opulent, and now the hybrid version offers slightly better fuel efficiency.n/aHybridn/aConcept

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