Even crossovers and SUVs aren’t exempt from the recent surge in popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles. In fact, the crossover craze and the electric vehicle craze are two of the most popular phenomena in the auto industry. It’s no wonder, then, that there are plenty of great electric and hybrid SUVs in 2018. But MY 2018 has more or less already revealed all of its cards to us. MY 2019, on the other hand, is still holding a few aces up its sleeve in that regard. We’ve already written about the best hybrid cars 2019 will have to offer, but most of them don’t belong to the omnipresent crossover and SUV segment. This is something we’ll aim to correct in this particular article. The absolute best hybrid SUV 2019 has in store might be hidden among the following 10 models.
If you prefer you can jump forward to our list best Hybrid SUVs for 2020.
Land Rover Range Rover P400e
The upcoming 2019 Land Rover Range Rover P400e is proof that even badges and nameplates with historically significant off-road emphasis are capable of evolving into eco-minded vehicles. The Land Rover lineup has been top-notch both in terms of luxury and power offerings in recent years; two ideas which lend themselves to the hybrid-electric philosophy. That’s one of the reasons why this British automaker’s move doesn’t come as a surprise. The fourth generation Range Rover is determined to leave its successor with a legacy, it would seem.
The upcoming 2019 Land Rover Range Rover P400e plug-in hybrid will be powered by a 4-cylinder engine. The 2.0l turbocharged unit should be capable of making 296 hp on its own. Thanks to a 114-horsepower electric motor and a 13.1 kWh battery pack, the net output should climb to a total of 398 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque. With that much power, the 60 mph threshold should be attainable within 6.4 seconds. Fuel economy figures and starting price have yet to be disclosed, and we wouldn’t expect the P400e to be strikingly efficient or even terribly affordable. It should be able to offer the best fuel economy within the range, though.
Hyundai Kona EV
The upcoming Hyundai Kona is an all-new subcompact crossover from the South Korean automaker. This subcompact crossover enters the low end of the market and starts with a price tag of only $20,385 for base models. A fully stacked Kona, on the other hand, will cost $29,585. Hitting dealerships on March 1, the small crossover isn’t technically a MY 2019 vehicle. Then again, it didn’t exactly make the cut for the MY 2018 lineup either. The all-electric version of the car, on the other hand, is scheduled for MY 2019. The Koreans still haven’t disclosed too many details about the Kona EV, but we can most likely count on 210 miles of range from a 64 kWh battery pack.
The vibrant little crossover comes with some bright paint options and is aimed at younger buyers. Despite being rather affordable, the Kona should still manage to offer an abundance of both safety and convenience gear. A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and a rearview camera are all part of the standard equipment package. An optional 8-inch touchscreen, 8-speaker premium sound system, and blind spot monitors should further raise this cute little SUV’s appeal. Contrary to affordable gasoline-powered models, EVs likely won’t be offered for much less than $40,000.
Tesla Model X
Tesla’s second most popular vehicle most likely won’t be due for a substantial makeover in the near future. It won’t remain unchanged throughout three years since its inception either. Just like the Model S, the California-based manufacturer’s crossover, too, is set for numerous software updates, battery pack revisions, and even a few possible body panel changes. Tesla has conducted similar revisions on their bread and butter Model S as well.
The Tesla Model X will likely remain one of the best electric SUVs on the market regardless of what the company decides to do with it. With a combined 532 horsepower and 713 lb-ft of torque, it’ll also remain one of the most powerful offerings in the SUV segment as a whole as well. Especially in short bursts where it needs only 3.3 seconds in order to get 60 mph from a standstill. You’ll still need to splash around $10,000 just to unlock ludicrous mode – not to mention the base price which is currently just shy of the $80,000 mark. Like the Model S, the new Model X is set to discard its smaller battery packs in favor of those that’ll enable longer range. The new 100 kWh pack is currently worth 289 miles, though this figure will only grow as time passes.
Volvo XC60 T8 eAWD
By winning the 2018 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year award, the Volvo XC60 has positioned itself among the best crossovers currently available in the U.S. The compact luxury crossover has only recently received the new Volvo design that’s been successfully promoted in its larger XC90 sibling. Needless to say, the second generation XC60 is a much better-looking vehicle because of it. Whether it’s also a better performer, is a dilemma that will be settled in the near future.
As is usually the case, the top spot within the XC60 range is reserved for a hybrid model. The T8 eAWD starts from just under $53,000 and offers as much as 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque. Power comes courtesy of its 2.0L turbocharged and supercharged 4-cylinder engine and an 87-horsepower electric motor. Despite sporting only a marginally-better combined economy (26 mpg over 24 mpg) than an entry-level conventional model, the T8 eAWD offers up to 4 mpg more in the city. As always, the Swedish brand sets an example when it comes to safety equipment. Even the entry-level XC60 hybrid is offered with a number of active electronic safety systems, but in order to fully immerse oneself into what this crossover is, you’d have to order an optional package or two. That’s the price of having the best hybrid SUV 2019 is bringing to the market. Well, one of the best hybrid SUVs anyway.
Audi e-tron Quattro
The German automaker’s bold and ambitious plan of introducing no fewer than 8 new crossovers and SUVs by 2020 needs to start from somewhere. It would seem that the upcoming e-tron Quattro all-electric SUV is more than happy to provide that foundation. Scheduled to appear in time for MY 2019, the e-tron Quattro promises around 300 miles of all-electric range. The German automaker is already accepting orders in some European markets like Norway, and when it finally arrives, the e-tron Quattro’s price will likely be in the $80,000 range.
The all-electric crossover that was first presented at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show will be powered by three electric motors and a 95 kWh battery pack. This setup should be good enough for 429 net horsepower. Since the Volkswagen Group is planning on producing a number of global volume all-electric models, I wouldn’t exclude at least one more battery capacity to be offered under the Audi badge. In terms of size, the e-tron Quattro slots between the Q5 and Q7, but Audi has already dismissed the possibility of it donning the Q6 moniker. Moreover, the electric SUV is going to share the upcoming A8 sedan’s interior arrangement which means it’ll be equal to the flagship Q7 SUV in terms of refinement. More info will likely follow soon.
Porsche Cayenne Hybrid
Don’t fix what ain’t broken. It’s as simple as that for the German automaker whose second best-selling vehicle (behind the smaller Macan) is entering its third generation. The redesigned 2019 Porsche Cayenne’s styling will remain mostly intact. Then again, Porsche has been known for its lazy design department for decades. The new car will, however, shed some 150 pounds despite offering more content, passenger space, and being a tad longer, lower, and wider. It’ll also offer staggered-size wheels and tires for the first time.
The initial 2019 Cayennes will all be conventional internal-combustion-only-powered models. Hybrids are scheduled to appear later on, but not that far down the road. Two hybrid iterations are in the works; the S E-Hybrid and more powerful Turbo S E-Hybrid. The former draws power from the 2.9L V6 mill and an electric motor for the net output of some 460 horsepower. The latter relies on the Panamera’s 4.0L V8 and electric gear for a total of 680 ponies. An 8-speed ZF automatic is mandatory regardless of the Cayenne of choice. Both Porsche Cayenne hybrids should easily command a high starting price that’s either very close to or well north of $100,000.
Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid
Being the only dedicated subcompact hybrid vehicle on the market, the Kia Niro deserves to be in consideration for the best hybrid SUV 2019 is bringing our way. This affordable crossover started out as a conventional hybrid, but the plug-in version soon ensued. Both versions sport the same 1.6L inline-four engine and an electric motor. Moreover, both models generate the same 139 net horsepower. However, the plug-in model comes with the 60-hp electric motor while the conventional hybrid boasts a 43-hp unit. Thanks to an 8.9 kWh battery pack below the rear bench, the plug-in hybrid Kia Niro allows up to 26 miles of all-electric range. It’s rated at 105 MPGe according to the EPA. This makes it the most efficient hybrid SUV 2019 will have to offer.
The plug-in hybrid Niro won’t be the last in the line of fuel-efficient Niros. The South Korean automaker is planning on introducing the Niro EV as well, sometime during the MY 2019. The Niro EV Concept boasts a 201-horsepower electric motor and a 64 kWh battery pack for a 238-mile range. Knowing how the hybrid Niro concept boasted a more powerful powertrain than the production model, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Niro EV take the same approach. When it arrives, the production EV model should command the price of at least $35,000. The 2019 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid, on the other hand, should cost less than the $27,900 that it commands right now.
Mercedes-Benz GLE 550e
When the still-running third-generation GLE Class debuted in late 2011, the intermediate lineup of luxury crossover SUVs still identified themselves as the M Class. MY 2019 is about to bring some much-needed changes for the GLE, and plenty of them. The all-new model will be the first Mercedes-Benz built atop the new MHA platform which should underpin the next GLS as well. It should be lighter and more nimble, and above all else, more technologically advanced.
Initially, the Germans will likely only offer conventional gasoline models, with a hybrid lurking around the corner. The GLE 550e plug-in hybrid currently makes 436 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque thanks to a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 mill and an electric motor. 21 mpg combined isn’t exactly leading the class in fuel economy, but the GLE 550e offers up to 19 miles of electric range as well. Charging the battery in only two hours is another perk of this urban plug-in hybrid Merc. By the time the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE 550e makes its debut, all of the aforementioned figures will receive a bump. How big of an increase remains to be seen, but we’ll know as soon as they roll off the Tuscaloosa, Alabama factory lines.
BMW X5 xDrive40e
Despite being dubbed an SUV, the BMW X5 has always lacked the off-road capability of the Range Rover, for example. The Bavarian automaker’s first-ever luxury SUV has been on the market for nearly twenty years. This speaks volumes about its popularity among the luxury SUV and crossover buyers, despite its shortcomings. The 2019 BMW X5 brings about a much-needed overhaul. The fourth-generation X5 will likely start off with a limited set of models, but the importance of hybrid vehicles in this modern day and age is undeniable, hence the xDrive40e will likely be one of them.
The redesigned X5 will resemble the Concept X7 presented at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show. It’ll sit more upright and feature a higher grille. Other than that and a new interior, it’s business as usual for the mid-size SUV. The X5 xDrive40e plug-in hybrid currently offers 15 all-electric miles and a fuel economy of 24 mpg combined or 56 MPGe as rated by the EPA. The 2.0L twin turbo 4-cylinder engine, electric motor, and lithium-ion battery pack powertrain will likely carry over into the next generation.
The new net horsepower output will likely surpass the current one which rests at 308 hp. A larger electric unit and correspondingly increased battery capacity might be in the works too. If that turns out to be true, both the fuel economy and the all-electric range of the new BMW X5 plug-in hybrid will be increased.
Jaguar I-Pace
As you’ve been able to see from the above stated, the Tesla Model X is in for some extremely tough competition in the near future. The Audi will be the first Tesla competitor in the all-electric crossover segment, and the Jaguar will follow in their footsteps. The British automaker’s very first SUV, the F-Pace, didn’t even have enough time to settle in before they’re already launching an all-electric crossover. The 2019 Jaguar I-Pace should be able to offer between 200 and 300 miles of range thanks to dual 197-hp electric motors and a large 90 kWh battery pack.
The U.S. pre-order of the I-Pace is likely to begin in March 2018 with first deliveries coming toward the end of the year. It seems that the entry-level model might be available from below the $80,000 mark, which will put the British EV in a healthy spot compared to its Audi e-tron Quattro and Tesla Model X rivals. The top-of-the-line I-Pace will likely start from around $100,000, on the other hand, and it should include most of the F-Pace’s tech and convenience options. The Jaguar I-Pace is currently undergoing final testing, and more info should soon follow. The Jag might just become the best hybrid SUV 2019 is bringing to the market.
