The best hybrid SUVs of 2020 for less than 35,000 euros

This time we are going to make a selection of what we consider the best buys if you are thinking of purchasing a hybrid SUV during this year 2020. Note that we are talking about “plain” hybrids, so we will not consider vehicles with mild hybrid technology or Mild Hybrid, nor plug-in hybrids. We will dedicate separate articles to those.

We are therefore talking about cars that, as HEV hybrids, have at least two motors (some even three), one of them combustion and the rest electric. The electric motor can assist the combustion engine when accelerating or starting off, but it can also propel the vehicle using only electrical energy during some phases of driving.

This type of technology means that an SUV, normally cars with a large frontal area, more weight and worse aerodynamics than a saloon, does not suffer a penalty in consumption compared with versions that use only combustion engines, especially if they are petrol. And, of course, it grants them the ECO label from the DGT, one of its main selling points for many users.

This would be our selection, trying to make it varied so as to cover a wide range of vehicles in terms of size, price and usage possibilities.

Best hybrid SUVs 2020: Kia Niro 1.6 HEV

Kia has updated the Kia Niro for 2020 with an aesthetic and equipment refresh. Minor changes that update the image of the Korean SUV, with functional details that are welcome, such as the arrival of the electric parking brake or the paddles on the steering wheel. The engine remains the 1.6 GDI naturally aspirated petrol, coupled to an electric motor and with a dual-clutch gearbox. A car with a very pleasant overall operation, capable of using very little fuel in town, and which meets expectations in performance and interior space for motorway and road journeys.

The price of the Kia Niro 1.6 HEV starts from 19,000 euros for the basic version, with all discounts applied, including the one associated with financing. The discount reaches 7,700 euros off the list price. This Concept version already includes 16-inch alloy wheels, electric parking brake, air conditioning and a multimedia system compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Above it are the Drive and Emotion versions, which cost 23,700 and 26,200 euros respectively, in this case with a discount of 5,900 euros.

Let us remember that the Kia Niro is the only SUV in its category offered with three electrified propulsion versions, as it also has the Niro PHEV plug-in hybrid, and the Kia e-Niro with 100% electric propulsion.

• System power: 141 CV
• Combined consumption: 4.8 l/100 km
• Price from: 19,000 euros (with discounts and financing)

Best hybrid SUVs 2020: Hyundai Kona 1.6 Hybrid

From a technical standpoint, the Kona Hybrid is the “first cousin” of the Kia Niro Hybrid. Between the 1.6 GDI engine of 105 CV and the electric motor of 43.5 CV they add up to 141 CV of system power. The lithium-ion battery, self-recharging while driving when the driver brakes or lifts off the accelerator, has a capacity of 1.56 kWh and sits under the seats. The electric motor assists the combustion engine when accelerating or climbing a gradient, or moves the vehicle on its own at low speed.

Compared with other hybrid cars such as those of Toyota, one of the things we like most about the Kona (and the Niro) is the control provided by the dual-clutch gearbox, with paddles integrated into the steering wheel. On price and even on consumption, it can be a very valid alternative to the Hyundai Kona with diesel engine.

The list price of the Kona Hybrid starts from 26,290 euros, but with the 5,100-euro discount you can accumulate it drops to 21,190 euros for the entry-level Klass trim.

You can read the road test of the Hyundai Kona Hybrid here.

• System power: 141 CV
• Combined consumption: 5 l/100 km
• Price from: 21,190 euros (with discounts and financing)

Best hybrid SUVs 2020: Toyota C-HR 180

The Toyota C-HR became a real sales success. On one hand, because of the spectacular and eye-catching design of its bodywork, creating a sporty-looking crossover that caused a sensation. Secondly, because it had no rivals or alternatives among hybrid cars, as the Kia Niro or Hyundai Kona could now be.

The Japanese crossover was updated for 2020, with improvements in design, connectivity, the running gear… and the engines. Now, in addition to the 125H variant, a second engine option is finally available that better matches the sporty look of the car: the 180H, with a 184 CV engine.

The entry version with Active trim is offered only cwith the 125H engine, from 25,300 euros. It remains a very interesting option. But if you are aiming for this car, the version we find most recommendable is the Advance trim with the more powerful engine. With equal equipment, the price of the 125H is 26,660 euros, and the 180H comes to 28,350 euros, including the 750 euros “mandatory” for metallic paint on this version.

All these prices include the respective discounts already applied. The difference in performance, more than in top speed, which goes from 170 to 180 km/h, lies in acceleration and recovery capacity, much superior in the more powerful engine. And consumption does not soar: 5.3 on average WLTP, compared with the 4.8 of the 125H.

You can read the road test of the Toyota C-HR 180 here.

• System power: 184 CV
• Combined consumption: 5.3 l/100 km
• Price from: 28,350 euros (with discounts applied)

Best hybrid SUVs 2020: Subaru XV 2.0 Hybrid

One of the strong entries this year among hybrid SUVs is this Subaru XV Eco Hybrid. It includes the brand’s e-BOXER technology, with a 2.0 petrol boxer engine and an electric motor providing a system power of 150 CV. The CVT gearbox slightly dulls the sensations when you want to take advantage of the XV’s chassis virtues outside the city. But it is a highly recommendable purchase, and one of the SUVs in its category that performs best when you have to leave the tarmac.

You can choose between two trim versions, Sport Plus and Executive Plus, in both cases with 2,000 euros of discount, to which you can add whatever the brand offers depending on financing.

You can read the road test of the Subaru XV Hybrid here.

• System power: 150 CV
• Combined consumption: 7.9 l/100 km
• Price from: 30,500 euros (with discounts applied)

Best hybrid SUVs 2020: Subaru Forester 2.0 Hybrid

Bigger, more capable and more family-oriented than the Subaru XV, in the Japanese manufacturer’s range we find the Subaru Forester Eco Hybrid. In fact, the Forester was the first hybrid from Subaru to go on sale in our market, a few months before the XV, with which it shares technology.

A car to take very seriously for the high quality of finish it offers, for its spacious interior, for how well it behaves off the tarmac thanks to the effectiveness of Subaru’s all-wheel drive, and because it does so without compromising ride comfort or on-road efficiency.

It is available in Sport Plus, Executive and Executive Plus trims, with prices between 32,450 and 36,650 euros, including discounts.

You can read the road test of the Subaru Forester Eco Hybrid here.

• System power: 150 CV
• Combined consumption: 8.1 l/100 km
• Price from: 32,450 euros (with discounts applied)

Best hybrid SUVs 2020: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 220H

I must admit that the RAV4 Hybrid is one of the hybrid cars from Toyota that I have liked most. Except in town, it remains somewhat noisier than similar cars, due to the peculiar operation of the transmission system. But it now runs smoother and offers steering feel in line with the power it announces, something that did not happen in the previous generation. It is spacious, well finished and can be very well equipped.

Toyota offers all-wheel-drive variants of the RAV4, the 440H, which raises the power to 222 CV. It uses a second electric motor on the rear axle, but to provide propulsion on that axle rather than to increase performance. The price for equal trim and equipment is 2,000 euros more. Unless you drive in areas where the weather is habitually adverse, or you frequent ski resorts or are going to venture onto dirt tracks or trails, it is better to opt for the 4×2 and invest the difference in completing the equipment to your taste.

You can check more details on prices and equipment of the RAV4 Hybrid here.

• System power: 218 CV
• Combined consumption: 5.5 l/100 km
• Price from: 33,650 euros (with discounts applied)

Best hybrid SUVs 2020: Lexus UX 250h

If you will not frequently use the car with four occupants and what they might carry as luggage, and you are looking for an exclusive, sporty-looking and rarely seen hybrid SUV, the UX 250h is an alternative. Indeed, its rear seats do not stand out for the space available. And the boot is among the smallest of SUVs of its size, with just 320 litres, almost 40 less in the all-wheel-drive versions, which add a second electric motor on the rear axle.

Its most outstanding feature is the ride comfort it offers and how progressive the thrust of the hybrid system is, with a 150 CV 2.0 engine and a 110 CV electric motor. In town it can really consume very little.

The version with ECO trim has a starting price with discounts applied of 33,000 euros. The top of the range, the Luxury trim with 4×4 drive, reaches 55,500 euros.

You can read the road test of the Lexus UX 250h here.

• System power: 184 CV
• Combined consumption: 5.3 l/100 km
• Price from: 33,900 euros (with discounts applied)

Best hybrid SUVs 2020: Honda CR-V 2.0 Hybrid

One of our favourites if you need a family car for all uses and you are considering a hybrid SUV. It is spacious, comfortable, has good value for money… and a hybrid system that works very well, with one of the lowest consumptions when used in town among cars in its category.

Technically it offers a peculiarity: unlike other hybrid cars, here the electric motor is a powerful motor, with 184 CV. More powerful than the combustion engine, a 2-litre petrol. This is because the CR-V aims for the car to move in electric mode most of the time, with the combustion engine taking charge of self-recharging, in addition to making use of energy recovery.

The price matches everything it offers. And the result is very good, as you can read in our road test of the Honda CR-V Hybrid

• System power: 184 CV
• Combined consumption: 6.9 l/100 km
• Price from: 33,700 euros (with discounts applied)