Back in the day (ten years ago), few cars could get over 25 mpg. Maybe you could find a Honda that could reach 30 mpg, but that number was incredible. With more hybrids available today, 29 mpg is what’s expected, and even a large SUV can achieve it. Right now, it's not uncommon to see a sedan able to go above 40 mpg if not run on electricity and doesn’t need any gas at all.
Sure there are. There are still some holdouts that haven’t made the leap to hybrids yet. Still, if you were to look, it’s pretty hard to find a car that doesn’t have a hybrid option. Some gas-powered vehicles are still desirable for one reason or another, or people haven’t been wholly convinced to make the switch. Still, it’s getting harder and harder to make an excuse, and manufacturers of vehicles that don’t currently have a hybrid are saying they’re in the works and coming soon. Even then, you can probably find a different model, both more and less expensive, that are hybrids, so there are fewer excuses not to buy one.
So here are five desirable cars that only run on gas and the five hybrids we’d rather have.
10 Gas-Powered: 2022 Mazda CX-30
Mazda has always thought of itself as making reasonably priced vehicles that are fun to drive. That includes SUVs as well as sedans and coupes. The CX-30 is their version of a compact SUV that, as Naohito Saga, its program manager, says, is targeted to drivers who are still single or are married and starting a family.
The 2.5L Skyactive I4 has plenty of pep for a car of its size and was named a top safety pick by the IIHS. Won the 2020 Red Dot Design Award in the Passenger Car category, thanks to the stylish exterior and well-appointed interior. There are plenty of standard features for its price class, and its driving dynamics won’t thrill but are above standard for a small SUV.
9 Gas-Powered: 2022 Genesis GV80
You’ve probably seen and know plenty about Genesis and its high quality. The GV80 continues this trend with a uniquely beautiful exterior. There are three rows, or if you’d prefer, captain's seats behind the driver that cuts its passengers down to four.
If you were put inside with your eyes closed and then opened then, You’d swear you were in an SUV that cost much, much more. The materials used are all top-level but don’t make it feel cluttered or overly complicated to use. It can reach 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds, which is impressive for a vehicle of its size. You will have to sacrifice fuel efficiency to get this kind of performance from a vehicle of its size. The GV80 only gets 16 mpg.
8 Gas-Powered: 2022 Ford Bronco
The Ford Bronco has legendary status among SUVs. After disappearing for years, it came back with much fanfare among Ford loyalists that had been missing it. It is a direct competitor of the Jeep Wrangler for buyers looking for off-road fun.
It’s the real deal thanks to its rugged trail abilities and a terrain management system called, The G.O.A.T., which goes over any terrain. For those worried that it may have lost some of the original Bronco’s spirit, the updated version still has a removable roof and doors that can be unhinged for a different type of driving experience.
7 Gas-Powered: 2022 BMW X4 M40i
If you’re looking for something a little sportier, BMW is never a bad place to look. They’ve been building SUVs, or as they call them, SAVs, for 23 years and have expanded their offerings to 7 different options, from the smallest X1 to the largest, the X7. In the middle is the X4 with a modern, upscale look that comes in two- and 4-door options.
Now in its second generation, the X4 is a terrific choice for a buyer looking for the size of an SUV without giving up a sense of youth and fun. Three engine options are available, from the xDrive 30i to the xDrive M40i and all the way to the high-performance X4 M. It’s a little on the pricier side, but for the comfort and ability you get, it’s worth a look.
6 Gas-Powered: 2022 Aston Martin DBX 707
Sometimes an SUV is merely a shape. It will never go off-road, take kids to the soccer game, and probably won’t go on long road trips. For some people, this is just what they want, and for those to whom money is no object, there is the Aston Martin DBX 707. At this price point, and not at the next level with the Rolls Royce Cullinan, Bentley Bentayga, and Maybach GLS 600, there are currently three options, the Lamborghini Urus and the Aston Martin DBX. Soon there will also be a Ferrari SUV, but right now, you have two options.
If the debate is DBX or Urus, the Lamborghini is the right way to go, but when Aston Martin added the 707 trim, it became the one to buy. Thanks to its AMG-sourced engine, better looks, and a more comfortable ride, there are few reasons not to choose the DBX 707 over the Urus. This is it if you want speed, exclusivity, and true extravagance.
5 Hybrid: 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Since its introduction in 1995, the RAV4 has never been the quickest or the best-looking SUV. Still, its consistency, quality, and price have made it a perennial favorite among critics and buyers alike. Its low maintenance costs and outstanding fuel efficiency have kept it a best seller for nearly 25 years.
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Now Toyota is offering the RAV4 with two more options, a gas hybrid, and a plug-in version. The Gas Hybrid now gets 40 mpg, and the plug-in version has 302 hp and the second-highest 0-60 mph time in the Toyota lineup, behind only the Supra GR.
4 Hybrid: 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
Historically, Hyundai vehicles have always been looked down on or ignored entirely. They had a reputation as being bare-boned, low-quality, and low-priced cars. Now because of relationships with Kia and Genesis, they’re taken a major step forward to the point where the 2022 Tucson has become a darling of critics.
Thanks to Tucson being offered with a traditional gas engine, a hybrid, and a fully electric version, it has grabbed the attention of buyers looking for an affordable hybrid that can still offer the functionality of an SUV. It still won’t be winning any drag races, but with a price tag under $30,000, it’s a great entry point into the future of the SUV.
3 Hybrid: 2022 Lexus RX 450h
Debuting in 1998, the Lexus RX was one of the first SUVs made by a luxury car brand. Since then, it has become their best-selling vehicle. In 2010 Lexus was in discussion with Tesla about the possibility of creating an all-electric car, but that never came to be.
Today’s model comes as both gas-powered and hybrid with three trim levels. The base model, the F-Sport, and the Black Line Special edition all make 308 hp but differ by available options. They’re all AWD with a combined fuel use estimate of 30 mpg. Like all Lexuses, they have a very comfortable ride, a full suite of features, and athletic styling.
2 Hybrid: 2022 Volvo XC90 Recharge
It may be a surprise to see a Volvo on this list, but when it comes to large electric hybrids, Volvo are the best. Volvo is making a big push toward going all-electric, but until they do, their Hybrids are a great stepping stone on the way. The 2022 XC90 T8 has an exciting powertrain. Not only does it have an electric motor, but it also has a turbocharger AND a supercharger.
All of that engineering is good for 450 hp, and the electric motor can take you 30 miles without the assistance of the gasoline engine. The XC90 can also carry seven passengers in a minimalist Scandinavian cabin. There is no option for leather as Volvo has stopped using animal hide, which emphasizes its commitment to a cleaner and more conscientious future. Beyond that, you’ll find all the luxuries you would get on any high-end SUV, like a high-quality air filtering system, a Bowers and Wilkins stereo, and a panoramic roof that can tilt open.
1 Hybrid: 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid
If you want to be green but also want others to be green with envy, go with the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid. It’s so fast that saying its full name will take you longer than it takes the SUV to reach 60 mph. Its V8 alone has 541 hp, but throw in the extra power from the motor, adding up to 670 hp. It will even get up to 83 mph with its electric motor alone.
It has the same styling as other Cayennes, but its brightly colored brake calipers let those in the know that this one is special. There aren’t many options to add one because it comes loaded with nearly everything you’d want. It may have slightly less power than you get from the Aston Martin, but you’ll feel better about yourself for driving it.