SUVs provide vehicles with many characteristics that car buyers love. The high height provides a good view of the road. They also offer lots of passenger space, spacious cargo holds, and often have high safety ratings.
What’s less appealing is the high cost of fuel and the cost of buying a brand new SUV from the showroom. Edmunds experts have found five solutions to lower costs on the used market. Choosing a used hybrid SUV will save you money on the purchase, and the hybrid engine will reduce refueling costs for many miles down the road.
The team at Edmunds has put together five used hybrid SUVs that are practical and easy on your car-buying budget, with prices starting at $25,000.
The Escape Hybrid is the fuel-guzzling cousin of Ford’s popular compact SUV. It will be put into practical use by combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor. Front-wheel drive is standard. All-wheel drive is optional. As for fuel economy, both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models deliver an EPA-estimated 39 mpg combined. Edmunds praised the Escape’s comfortable ride, easy-to-use controls, and everyday practicality.
Highlights: The fourth-generation Escape Hybrid, introduced for the 2020 model year, is a well-rounded driving companion. For 2023, Ford has updated the infotainment system and exterior design. For added peace of mind, it’s worth knowing that the Hybrid always comes standard with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 bundle of driver assistance features.
The Honda CR-V has long been a top choice for SUV buyers looking for reliable transportation at an affordable price. During testing, Edmunds praised the CR-V’s driving improvements with the available hybrid powertrain. Braking and handling are equally refined, but Edmunds said acceleration from 0 to 60 mph took 8.5 seconds. This is one second longer than the non-hybrid model. Fuel economy is good, with an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined city/highway for 2020-2022 models. The spacious interior has good visibility and a spacious cargo area.
Look for it: The hybrid version of the previous generation CR-V ran from 2020 to 2022. Standard equipment included all-wheel drive, a 7-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance features. Honda discontinued the entry-level LX trim for the 2021 model year, so used prices have gone up since then.
Making a styling statement isn’t always at the top of a car buyer’s priority list. Hyundai didn’t get that memo because the Tucson Hybrid’s eye-catching design is accentuated by its sculpted exterior and headlights hidden within the grille pattern. Under the hood is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and electric motor connected to standard all-wheel drive. Fuel economy can be up to 38 mpg combined, depending on trim and model year. Even better, Edmunds says this more lively drivetrain addresses the non-hybrid Tucson’s sluggish acceleration.
Highlights: The redesigned Tucson made waves when it arrived for the 2022 model year. The luxurious interior matched the bold exterior. The cabin was filled with high-quality materials, and standard features included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity. The Tucson also comes with a great warranty, including a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Niro makes a strong case for itself based on its low price point and excellent economy. In addition to the Niro hybrid, there are also plug-in and fully electric versions. Considering its small size, the Niro offers a surprisingly large amount of passenger space and cargo room. The ride is generally smooth, but Edmunds noted that it can become unstable on bumpy roads. Depending on trim and model year, it also adds two great qualities: a best-in-class warranty and EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 53 mpg combined.
Highlights: A redesign for the 2023 model year gives the Niro a futuristic shape and improved cabin quality. Edmunds praised the interior design, but found some audio and climate controls too distracting. The Niro also has front-wheel drive, but there’s no option to add all-wheel drive. Still, its budget-friendly price means you can easily pick up a used version for under $25,000.
The RAV4 Hybrid uses the strong foundation of Toyota’s best-selling SUV and adds superior fuel economy and faster acceleration. Edmunds found that an all-wheel-drive RAV4 Hybrid needs 7.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. That’s one second faster than the non-hybrid version. Fuel economy is excellent, with an EPA-estimated average fuel economy of up to 40 mpg combined, depending on trim and model year. The RAV4 has near-class-leading cargo space, plus a low cargo floor that comes in handy when carrying heavy cargo.
Highlights: The fifth-generation RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid were sold from 2019 to 2025. Other than some technical improvements, such as a larger touchscreen and improved smartphone connectivity, changes were minimal. The RAV4 maintains its resale value, so older used models can easily go for less than $25,000.
Edmunds says
A well-maintained used hybrid SUV is a smart way to save money when it comes to signing a contract and keeping your fuel costs reasonable.
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This story was brought to you by Associated Press According to the automotive website edmunds. Nick Kurczewski is an Edmunds contributor.
