New? Create an account
Enter your registered email address below to receive password reset instructions.
Please check your inbox and follow the password reset instructions.
Your account is ready to roll! 
Save your favorites and access them
anytime, anywhere, on any device.
Happy exploring!
Shopping cars within 250 mi of your nearest EchoPark.
14001 Karlov Ave
Crestwood, IL 60445
Share this article
Published October 12, 2026
Share this article
The best hybrid SUVs to buy used include the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota Venza, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Kia Sorento Hybrid, and Lexus RX Hybrid.
The Escape Hybrid stands out for gas mileage and value. The RAV4 Hybrid comes with standard all-wheel drive on 2019 through 2025 models. The CR-V Hybrid has a roomy back seat and cargo area. The Highlander and Sorento Hybrids add a third row, and the RX Hybrid has a more premium cabin.
There isn't one best hybrid SUV for every used-car shopper. The right pick depends on your budget, how many seats you need, whether you want all-wheel drive, and how much of your driving is in city traffic.
Hybrid SUVs are popular for a simple reason. They use less gas but still give you the higher seating position and room of an SUV. Buying a used hybrid SUV can lower the upfront cost, and you keep the gas savings.
This guide sticks to standard hybrids, the kind that recharge themselves as you drive. Plug-in hybrid SUVs (PHEVs), which you charge from an outlet, aren't covered here.
We picked these models using reliability ratings from Consumer Reports, J.D. Power, and RepairPal. We also looked at EPA fuel-economy estimates, which are the government's official gas mileage numbers, plus seating and how easy each one is to find used.
Prices and availability vary by location, so check current inventory to see what's near you.
Here's a quick side-by-side of price range, seating, gas mileage, and what each one does best. The mpg numbers are EPA combined estimates, which blend city and highway driving, for the model years in this guide. Gas mileage can shift by model year, trim, and drivetrain (front-wheel or all-wheel drive), so check the EPA rating for the exact vehicle you want.
| Model | Relative used price | Seating | Fuel economy (est. combined mpg) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escape Hybrid | Budget | 5 | 41 | Highest combined mpg in this guide |
| Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | Budget to mid-range | 5 | 40 | Standard AWD on 2019–2025 hybrid models |
| Honda CR-V Hybrid | Budget to mid-range | 5 | 40 | Roomy rear seat and cargo area |
| Toyota Venza | Mid-range | 5 | 39 | Standard AWD and an upscale two-row cabin |
| Kia Sorento Hybrid | Mid-range | 6 | 37 | Six seats across three rows |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid | Mid-range to higher | 7–8 | 36 | Up to eight seats with mid-30s combined mpg |
| Lexus RX Hybrid | Higher | 5 | 36 | Luxury comfort with strong hybrid efficiency |
A hybrid SUV pairs a gas engine with an electric motor and a battery. At low speeds, the SUV can run on electric power alone. The motor also helps the engine when you speed up. That's why hybrids save the most gas in cities and stop-and-go driving, not at steady highway speeds.
Unlike a plug-in hybrid, a standard hybrid never needs to be plugged in. The battery recharges itself when you brake or coast.
Compact hybrid SUVs give you good gas mileage at a fair price, with enough room for everyday life. They're a good fit for commuters and small families.
For a used Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, 2019 through 2025 models are the main generation to look for. They're EPA-rated at about 40 mpg combined, and every one comes with all-wheel drive.
The RAV4 Hybrid is a strong pick if you want good gas mileage, useful cargo room, and standard AWD for extra grip in rain or snow, all without moving up to a bigger SUV.
Shopping for a used Honda CR-V Hybrid? Honda redesigned it for 2023 and added a front-wheel-drive version rated at an EPA-estimated 40 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive versions are rated at 37 mpg. Want AWD for less? The 2020 through 2022 models come with it standard and are rated at 38 mpg combined.
The CR-V Hybrid is one of the roomiest compact hybrids you can buy. The back seat and cargo area feel closer to a midsize SUV. Comparing it with the RAV4 Hybrid? Weigh the CR-V's extra space against the RAV4's standard AWD.
Look at 2020 through 2022 used Ford Escape Hybrid models. Front-wheel-drive versions are rated at an EPA-estimated 44 mpg city and 41 mpg combined, the best gas mileage of any hybrid SUV in this guide. All-wheel-drive versions come in at 40 mpg combined.
These years often cost less than a similar RAV4 Hybrid or CR-V Hybrid, though prices vary with inventory.
Drive in snow or rain? All-wheel drive is available. Our AWD vs. 4WD guide explains what all-wheel drive does and doesn't help with.
Need more room but not a third row? A two-row midsize hybrid SUV sits between compact and three-row models. It's a good fit if you want more space without the extra seats.
Used Toyota Venza models from 2021 through 2024 are EPA-rated at 39 mpg combined, and every one comes with all-wheel drive. The Venza seats five, and its cabin feels quieter and nicer than the price suggests. Toyota stopped making the Venza after 2024, so this generation is what you'll find used.
Need to seat six to eight people? You no longer have to give up hybrid fuel savings to get an SUV with third-row seating.
Consider 2020 and newer used Toyota Highlander Hybrid models. They're rated at an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 35 with all-wheel drive. That's about 12 mpg better than the gas Highlander, which the EPA rates at 24 mpg combined.
It seats up to eight depending on setup. Lots of school runs, errands, and road trips? Few three-row SUVs mix this much seating with mid-30s gas mileage.
The used Kia Sorento Hybrid came out for the 2021 model year. It seats six across three rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard.
It's rated at an EPA-estimated 37 mpg combined with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive became available in 2022 and drops that to 35 mpg.
One thing to check on a used Sorento Hybrid is how much warranty is left. Kia splits its coverage into separate pieces: basic coverage, powertrain coverage (the engine, transmission, and other parts that make the car go), and hybrid battery coverage. Each one has its own rules about what carries over to a second owner. Before you buy, check what's left using the VIN, the vehicle's 17-character ID number, and the date the car was first sold.
A used luxury hybrid SUV can be a good value. Luxury SUVs tend to lose value quickly in their first few years, which brings the price down for you, and you still get the comfort and gas savings. Lexus has built hybrid SUVs for many years, so used RX Hybrid models cover a wide range of years and prices.
Look for 2023 and newer used Lexus RX Hybrid models, badged RX 350h. They're EPA-rated at 36 mpg combined, with all-wheel drive standard.
Care more about comfort than squeezing out every mile per gallon? Earlier RX 450h models from 2016 through 2022 get about 29 to 30 mpg combined and usually cost less.
New hybrid SUVs often cost more than their gas-only versions, but that gap can shrink as both get older. Whether a used hybrid saves you money comes down to a few things: the price difference, how much you drive, gas prices where you live, and how much better the hybrid's mpg is. Run those numbers for the exact model year, since a hybrid doesn't always pay for itself.
Working within a budget? EchoPark can help before you shop. Get a trade-in offer on your current car to lower what you finance,1 or apply for financing online so you know your numbers before you visit.
Check battery coverage, maintenance history, and the vehicle history report before anything else. These matter more for cost and peace of mind than trim level or paint color. EchoPark's vehicle listings include details about features, mileage, and vehicle history, so you can compare options before you visit.
Buying a used hybrid SUV at EchoPark starts with browsing inventory online. EchoPark cars are listed with no-haggle Transparent Pricing that's typically up to $3,000 less than the competition, so you can skip the back-and-forth.
Most EchoPark vehicles go through a 190-point quality inspection and road test before sale. Each listing includes a full vehicle history report, so you can see its background before you visit an Experience Center.
Once you find a hybrid SUV that fits, you can apply for financing online through EchoPark's network of financing companies, including Ally, Wells Fargo, and select credit unions.
When you're ready, an Experience Guide will walk you through a test drive and the rest of the purchase. Experience Guides are paid on salary, not commission, so there's no pressure to add anything you don't want.
If you change your mind after driving home, you're covered by EchoPark's 7-day Happiness Guarantee. Return the vehicle in the same condition within 7 days or 250 miles, whichever comes first, for a refund of the purchase price.2
Browse EchoPark's current selection of used hybrid SUVs to compare models, mileage, and pricing in your area.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid are two of the most reliable used hybrid SUVs, based on ratings from sources like Consumer Reports, J.D. Power, and RepairPal. Reliability still varies by year and how the vehicle was cared for, so check the ratings for the exact year and review the vehicle history report.
Our Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV4 comparison covers the gas and hybrid versions of both.
It depends on the model, year, mileage, and condition. Compact hybrids like the Escape Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid usually cost the least in this guide. Three-row and luxury models like the Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX Hybrid cost the most. Check current inventory for prices on the model you want.
The Ford Escape Hybrid gets the best gas mileage in this guide, at up to about 41 mpg combined. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid can reach about 40 mpg combined, depending on model year and drivetrain.
Yes, hybrid SUVs work well for long road trips. They save the most gas in cities and stop-and-go driving, though, so the highway advantage over a gas model is often smaller. Cargo space and seating can also differ between hybrid and gas versions, so compare the exact year and trim if space matters.
Not necessarily. Remaining hybrid battery coverage depends on the manufacturer, model year, original in-service date, mileage, and sometimes state. Check the warranty guide for the exact vehicle before you buy.
EchoPark also offers optional protection plans, including a customizable vehicle service contract, which helps pay for certain covered repairs.3 Some vehicles don't qualify, and coverage can vary on vehicles older than five years. Ask your Experience Guide what's available for the vehicle you want.
Buying used can be a better value when the lower price outweighs the perks of the newest model year. A lightly used hybrid still has its gas savings and core features, and the first owner already took the biggest drop in value. Compare used pricing, new-car deals, and remaining warranty coverage before deciding. Most EchoPark vehicles go through a 190-point quality inspection and road test before sale.
The Ford Escape Hybrid is the budget pick in this guide. Older RAV4 Hybrid, CR-V Hybrid, and Venza models can also fit smaller budgets depending on year, mileage, and condition. Shopping to a set price? Check current inventory to see what's near you.
Yes. You can test drive a used hybrid SUV at any EchoPark Experience Center after picking a vehicle online or in store. An Experience Guide will walk you through the test drive and the rest of the process, with no sales pressure.
1 Offer is valid for 7 days or 500 miles, whichever comes first. Get an extra $500 when you sell your car to EchoPark within 48 hours of receiving your offer. Car must be in the same condition as when the offer was made.
2 Return the vehicle to EchoPark in the same condition within 7 days or 250 miles, whichever comes first, for a refund of the purchase price.
3 Coverage options vary by car and may be limited for vehicles older than 5 years. Some cars may not be eligible for vehicle service contracts and/or personalized coverage based on age, mileage, or condition. Deductible options include $100 and $250.
