The automotive world is rapidly embracing electrification, and while fully electric vehicles (EVs) are garnering significant attention, hybrid technology continues to evolve, offering a practical stepping stone into greener driving. For those not yet ready to commit to a fully electric lifestyle, or who lack convenient charging access, Hybrid Small Suvs provide an excellent blend of fuel efficiency and everyday practicality. These vehicles combine a gasoline engine with electric motors, recuperating energy during deceleration and braking, resulting in impressive fuel economy without the need to plug in. This technology, pioneered decades ago, has matured significantly, offering refined performance and enhanced fuel savings in modern vehicles.
For city dwellers and those prioritizing fuel efficiency, these new and updated hybrid crossovers – often referred to as small SUVs or compact utility vehicles (CUVs) – represent a smart entry point into the electric vehicle landscape. While not zero-emission, they significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions compared to traditional gasoline-powered SUVs. Let’s explore some of the top contenders in the hybrid small SUV segment for 2025.
White Mazda CX-50 Hybrid small SUV showcasing its rugged exterior design
Mazda CX-50 Hybrid: Efficiency Meets Refined Design in a Small SUV
Mazda’s CX-50, already known for its distinctive styling and slightly rugged appeal compared to the popular CX-5, introduces an all-new hybrid variant for 2025: the CX-50 Hybrid. This model integrates Toyota’s highly regarded hybrid powertrain into the CX-50’s unique frame. Sharing components with the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the CX-50 Hybrid boasts a 2.5-liter inline-four engine producing 219 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), three electric motors, and standard electric all-wheel drive, delivers a balanced performance.
While offering more horsepower than the base gasoline CX-50, the hybrid version prioritizes fuel efficiency over outright performance, contrasting with the more powerful CX-50 Turbo. However, unlike some competitors, such as the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid which offers a sporty N-Line variant, the CX-50 Hybrid leans into a more refined and efficient driving experience.
Fuel economy figures for the CX-50 Hybrid are impressive, averaging 38 mpg combined, closely matching the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s 39 mpg. Mazda engineers have invested considerable effort in seamlessly integrating the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) into the CX-50. Beyond hybrid badging, subtle styling enhancements include extended body cladding and a slightly taller roof to maintain a 7.6-inch ground clearance, even with the traction battery positioned beneath the rear seats. Despite being longer than many rivals in the hybrid small SUV category, the CX-50 Hybrid offers 29.2 cubic feet of cargo space, a modest reduction compared to other CX-50 models (31.4 cu-ft) and less than the RAV4 and Tucson Hybrids (38.7 cu-ft).
The CX-50 Hybrid truly distinguishes itself with its interior refinement. Mazda has cultivated a subtly upscale ambiance, particularly in higher trim levels, which are replete with luxury features. Stepping into the Premium Plus trim, the tester was immediately impressed by the two-tone leather seats featuring camel-colored stitching, echoed throughout the doors and dashboard. A rotary controller, a feature typically found in luxury vehicles, is standard across all CX-50 models, minimizing fingerprints on the touchscreen and offering an alternative to the steering wheel controls. Convenient buttons near the steering column provide access to memory seat settings, a camera for navigating tight spaces, and parking sensor deactivation for car washes.
Mazda CX-50 Hybrid interior featuring upscale design and rotary controller in a small SUV
The panoramic sunroof, standard on all but the base CX-50 Hybrid, adds to the airy feel, yet there’s a touch of classic appeal within the cabin. Analog gauges remain, interior LED accent lighting is absent, and the infotainment screen, while functional, is relatively monochromatic unless using wireless CarPlay or Android Auto. This blend of modern features with traditional elements creates a unique near-luxury experience. The ride quality and cabin quietness further enhance this refined feel, surpassing some Toyota hybrids in terms of sound damping. The CX-50 Hybrid presents a more sophisticated and fuel-conscious personality than previous Mazdas, prioritizing efficiency over sportiness, which is reserved for other CX-50 trims.
Priced between $34,000 and $40,000 MSRP, the CX-50 Hybrid positions itself above gasoline-only versions but below the turbocharged models within the CX-50 lineup. This mid-range positioning contrasts with the Hyundai Tucson, which offers a broader spectrum of hybrid options, including both efficient and performance-oriented variants at similar price points.
White Hyundai Tucson Hybrid small SUV with bold styling and distinctive grille
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid: A Versatile Hybrid Small SUV with Diverse Options
Hyundai takes a more expansive approach with its popular Tucson model, offering a wide range of powertrains including gasoline, sporty N Line, and luxurious hybrid trims, as well as a plug-in hybrid Tucson variant. The Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) caters to drivers aiming for maximum electric driving range, offering 33 miles (53 km) of all-electric capability while retaining the security of a gasoline engine for extended journeys or situations where charging isn’t readily available.
The Tucson Hybrid N Line model tested here distinguishes itself with unique 19-inch wheels, black mirror caps, and twin-tip exhaust, in addition to N Line badging. All 2025 Tucson models feature a refreshed front fascia with updated LED lighting and wheel designs, contributing to a sharper overall aesthetic compared to more traditionally styled competitors in the hybrid small SUV segment.
Modern digital cockpit of the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid small SUV with dual screens and sporty accents
Inside, the Tucson Hybrid N Line presents a modern, all-digital twin-screen display, departing from conventional analog gauges. Red stitching accents adorn the seats, doors, center armrest, and steering wheel, complemented by sporty pedals and an N-branded steering wheel, clearly signaling this Tucson’s performance intentions.
This sporty ambiance is backed by a responsive 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, delivering a combined output of 231 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque when using premium fuel, although it’s designed to run on regular gasoline as well. Paddle shifters provide manual control over the six-speed automatic transmission for a more engaging driving experience, a feature absent in the CVT-equipped Mazda and Lexus.
While not the most fuel-efficient hybrid small SUV in its class, the Tucson Hybrid N Line achieves a respectable 35 mpg combined. This slight decrease in fuel economy is offset by significantly enhanced driving enjoyment and a greater sense of power when accelerating. The powertrain also exhibits a more refined character than the Mazda and, surprisingly, even the Lexus.
Despite its N Line designation, the Tucson Hybrid N Line’s ride and handling are not overly firm. It closely resembles the ride quality of the 2025 Tucson XRT, a new soft-roading trim available across the Hyundai lineup. Intriguingly, despite its sporty cues, the Hybrid N Line includes “Baby Mode,” a driver-selectable setting that softens initial acceleration, designed to soothe infants or mitigate motion sickness in passengers.
The Tucson Hybrid also excels in practicality, offering more rear-seat legroom and cargo space than the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, and considerably more space in all dimensions compared to the smaller Lexus UX300h. Overall, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid N Line emerges as a well-rounded hybrid small SUV, combining performance, practicality, and modern styling in a family-friendly package.
Orange Lexus UX300h luxury hybrid small SUV emphasizing its compact size
Lexus UX300h: A Luxury Hybrid Small SUV Balancing Price and Urban Agility
The Lexus UX300h, updated for 2025 (formerly UX250h), presents itself as a smaller, arguably less powerful, and surprisingly less refined option compared to the mainstream hybrid crossovers in this comparison. Despite these points, it maintains a competitive price point within the luxury hybrid small SUV segment. The UX300h continues to be offered in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.
However, its classification as a CUV or SUV is debatable. The official fueleconomy.gov website categorizes the UX300h as a compact car, while the Mazda and Hyundai models are classified as Small SUV 4WD. The UX 300h’s dimensions more closely resemble a subcompact crossover or hatchback than a true compact SUV. While driver space is comparable to its rivals, the UX300h appears significantly smaller when parked alongside the Tucson and CX-50. Although not direct competitors in terms of size, their overlapping price ranges make them worthy of cross-shopping consideration.
The Lexus UX300h’s smaller footprint might be advantageous for urban dwellers seeking parking ease. Its styling is generally appealing, particularly in the higher-trim F Sport models tested, which enhance the base UX’s appearance with unique wheels, grille, black roof, and dark roof rails. However, the oversized Lexus grille on its smaller body may not appeal to all tastes.
Lexus UX300h interior focusing on driver comfort and infotainment in a hybrid small SUV
The UX300h’s interior excels in material quality, design, driver comfort, and infotainment, especially for drivers under six feet tall, offering comparable front-seat space to the other models. However, rear passenger and cargo space are where the UX300h suffers most due to its smaller dimensions, offering a mere 17.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity, less than half of the Tucson Hybrid’s.
The UX300h’s gauges appear somewhat dated in a predominantly digital automotive landscape, though it does offer a color head-up display, a feature not found in the Mazda or Hyundai models in this comparison. A larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen is now standard on all but base models, modernizing the interior somewhat, but the abundance of physical buttons throughout the cabin reflects a design philosophy from a less digitally-centric era – which some may find comforting.
Significant drivetrain updates include a shift-by-wire CVT system in this fifth-generation hybrid system. The UX300h also becomes the first Lexus to utilize a lithium-ion traction battery, unlike the nickel-metal hydride batteries in the Mazda and most Toyota hybrids. Power output has increased to 196 hp, and all-wheel drive models achieve 42 mpg combined, closely matching the front-wheel drive model’s 43 mpg. However, the engine’s noticeable noise and harshness, uncharacteristic of Lexus vehicles, remains an area for improvement. The larger battery, ironically, may accentuate this engine noise by allowing longer periods of electric-only driving, thus making the gasoline engine engagement more noticeable when it kicks in.
The Lexus UX300h’s primary strength lies in its price point. With a starting MSRP of $37,515 for the front-wheel drive model and $43,035 for the F Sport AWD version (before destination charges and taxes), it offers a relatively affordable entry into the luxury hybrid small SUV market. While you gain upscale interior materials and design, you compromise on interior space compared to larger competitors.
Hybrid Small SUV Comparison: Conclusion
Ultimately, each of these hybrid crossovers presents a unique blend of strengths and weaknesses. However, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid stands out as a compelling overall package among these three contenders. It effectively balances practicality and sporty appeal within a modern and stylish design, both inside and out. This combination of attributes positions the Tucson Hybrid to remain contemporary and appealing for years to come, even as the automotive landscape increasingly shifts towards full electrification. Its well-rounded nature makes it a top recommendation in the hybrid small SUV category for buyers seeking a versatile and future-proof vehicle.
*All mileage claims are EPA estimated.
