10 Best Large Hybrid SUVs in Australia

By Alexi Falson on 25 Aug 2023
image for 10 Best Large Hybrid SUVs in Australia With more vehicle segments picking up fuel-efficient hybrid tech, there’s a growing list of large hybrid SUVs offering Australian buyers significant cost benefits of making the switch.

While they might command a price premium over their non-hybrid siblings in the range, the cost-benefit of a large hybrid SUV begins to pay dividends when you begin stacking up those endless fuel bills.

Join us as we take a closer look at 10 of the best large hybrid SUVs on sale here in Australia to help you with your hunt for a fuel-efficient and family-friendly large SUV package.

In no particular order, we’ve mapped out ten of our favourite large hybrid SUVs currently on sale here in Australia, which includes both mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUV packages.

Kia Sorento Hybrid & Plug-in Hybrid

2023 kia sorento hybrid

Kia’s seven-seat family hero has been updated with a choice of two fuel-efficient engines, with a hybrid and range-topping plug-in hybrid both offering significant fuel savings over the standard Sorento.

Sitting at the top of the range, the Sorento in hybrid and PHEV form comes exceptionally well-equipped, and comes with one of Australia’s leading warranties.

  • Seats: 7
  • Fuel Economy: 5.3-5.8L/100km (hybrid) 1.6L/100km (PHEV)
  • Electric Driving Range: 68km (PHEV)
  • Boot Space: 179-608L
  • Warranty: Seven-year/unlimited kilometre
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Volvo XC90 Recharge

2023 volvo xc90 hybrid

For buyers looking for a slice of premium European motoring for up to seven people, the XC90 Recharge is not only fuel-efficient, it’s massively powerful thanks to a turbo- and supercharged four-cylinder engine producing an immense 340kW/709Nm.

Inside, the XC90’s cabin is stunning, with more than enough space for a large family, while Volvo’s interior designs continue to shine in terms of quality and a sleek, minimal style.

  • Seats: 7
  • Fuel Economy: 1.8L/100km
  • Electric Driving Range: 77km (PHEV)
  • Boot Space: 709L
  • Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Toyota Kluger Hybrid

2023 toyota kluger hybrid

Toyota is one of the most influential brands in the world of hybrid engines, pioneering the technology long before its rivals and offering a range of sedans, hatchbacks and now SUV packages with hybrid engines.

Thankfully for buyers, Toyota doesn’t reserve its hybrid engine tech for its most expensive range-toppers, in fact, it’s offering hybrid engines across each of the three Kluger variants - making for one of the most accessible large hybrid SUVs on sale today.

  • Seats: 7
  • Fuel Economy: 5.6L/100km
  • Electric Driving Range: N/A
  • Boot Space: 241-552L
  • Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

2023 hyundai santa fe hybrid

While it took some time to get the ball rolling, Hyundai now has a pair of hybrid Santa Fe variants for buyers that love the well-equipped and hugely practical seven-seat layout.

The Santa Fe hybrid comes powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an electric motor producing a combined 169kW/350Nm that offers huge fuel savings over its V6 petrol siblings.

  • Seats: 7
  • Fuel Economy: 6.0L/100km
  • Electric Driving Range: N/A
  • Boot Space: 130-782L
  • Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Nissan X-Trail e-Power

2023 nissan x-trail e-power hybrid

Nissan’s redesigned and massively updated X-Trail range has been one of the biggest releases in the SUV segment, and the headline act, the e-Power hybrid makes for one mighty impressive addition to Australia’s large hybrid SUV segment.

The X-Trail hybrid features a turbocharged three-cylinder engine that provides power for a pair of electric motors that drive the wheels for very impressive responsiveness, and efficient driving figures.

  • Seats: 7
  • Fuel Economy: 6.1L/100km
  • Electric Driving Range: N/A
  • Boot Space: 465L
  • Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid

2023 mazda cx-90 azami hybrid

Mazda’s latest flagship SUV range, the CX-90, features a range of mild-hybrid V6 engines, as well as a plug-in hybrid range-topper that is set to arrive in early 2024.

The CX-90 showcases a new design language for the company and overhauled interiors over the already-impressive packaging from the company well-known for its quality cabins. V6 petrol and diesels remain the only option for now, until the CX-90 PHEV debuts early next year.

  • Seats: 7
  • Fuel Economy: 5.4L/100km (D50e)
  • Electric Driving Range: N/A
  • Boot Space: 608L
  • Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Plug-in Hybrid

2023 jeep grand cherokee hybrid

Jeep has just added one of the most sophisticated and fuel-efficient members of its lineup to date, with the introduction of the Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid.

Power comes supplied by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with two electric motors delivering a combined 280kW/637Nm, making it one of the most powerful Grand Cherokees on sale and by far the most efficient.

  • Seats: 5
  • Fuel Economy: 3.2L/100km
  • Electric Driving Range: 52km
  • Boot Space: 1067L
  • Warranty: Five-year/100,000km
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid

2023 mitsubishi outlander aspire phev

While it might be officially classed as a mid-size SUV package, the latest-generation Outlander has seen its platform stretch and its interior designs made so practical that it matches what’s on offer in a number of large SUV packages.

Amongst the long list of updates was the addition of a plug-in hybrid unit carried over from the Eclipse-Cross PHEV and a larger battery pack that makes it one of the best value plug-in hybrids currently on the market.

  • Seats: 5-7
  • Fuel Economy: 1.5L/100km
  • Electric Driving Range: 84km
  • Boot Space: 191-494L
  • Warranty: Five-year/100,000km (up to 10-year/200,000km)
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

BMW X5 xDrive45e PHEV

2023 bmw x5 phev

Rounding out our list of the best large hybrid SUVs in Australia is the Bavarian hero: the large, premium and - in its latest plug-in hybrid form - the fuel-efficient X5.

BMW has updated its engine lineup for the X5 with a PHEV variant known as the xDrive45e which upholds BMW’s reputation for exciting driver’s cars with its combined 290kW/600Nm power and torque outputs.

  • Seats: 5-7
  • Fuel Economy: 2.3L/100km
  • Electric Driving Range: 88km
  • Boot Space: 500L
  • Warranty: Five-year/unlimited kilometre
  • ANCAP Safety Rating: PHEV is unrated; standard X5 retains a five-star rating

Request a Quote

If you’re on the hunt for a hybrid or plug-in hybrid for your next car, be sure to reach out to one of our automotive specialists who can help find you the best possible price.

AF

Alexi Falson

Alexi is an automotive journalist and road tester hailing from Byron Bay. He has an affection for both cars and motorbikes, a great admiration for the simplicity of old-school engineering, and a fascination of new technology making its way to modern cars. When he's not road testing, you'll find him surfing, hiking or helping people find their dream cars.

Have any questions? Call us on 1300 719 925

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