With the current state of world pollution figures, political unrest, and the ever-decreasing amount of oil in the Earth’s crust, most of the automotive industry has embraced the idea of internal combustion alternatives. Many manufacturers have either hybridized their existing models or ditched the dinosaur-juice engines completely.
This has opened the field to new innovations in how cars – or more specifically, hybrid and electric SUVs – are designed and built. Rivian has already showcased what can be done when there is no driveshaft taking up space underneath a pickup truck. Tesla is still showcasing their ability to remain relevant – even when the market has become flooded with equally innovative vehicles and gadgets. BMW has also joined the party with their controversial styling and amazing driving dynamics. In the hybrid section of the segment, Range Rover has fitted their new Sport hybrid with a 6-cylinder and offers more efficiency. Jeep fitted their Grand Cherokee and Wrangler models with a hybrid setup – both of which are continuing to dominate the off-road trails, even in electric only mode.
While the internal combustion engine is still preferred by many, the age of hybridization and electrification is already upon us and the 2022-2023 model years offer some pretty amazing choices in terms of SUVs. Here are ten of the coolest ones currently on the market.
10 Lexus NX
The Lexus NX is currently in its second generation and is better than ever. The model range consists of only 4-cylinder engines mated to hybrid drivetrains, producing pretty good performance for the model. The top-of-the-line hybrid is the NX450h+, featuring the same engine used in the Toyota Camry Hybrid and equivalent Lexus ES Hybrid.
The NX450h+ produces a healthy 304 hp from its 2.4-liter inline-4 hybrid, sending power through an electronic CVT gearbox to all four wheels. The NX has the new generation of Lexus design language and is a fantastic option for any smaller family – even at the high price.
9 GMC Hummer EV SUV
The Hummer name was recently revived in the form of the GMC Hummer EV, showcasing a ridiculously terrible KWh usage rate – just like the older Hummer models of the 2000s. In addition to the absolutely ridiculous size, the Hummer EV weighs in at 9,000 lbs – trumping most other commercial passenger cars and electric vehicles in the process.
The huge 246.8 KWh battery pack itself weighs more than an entire Chevrolet Cruze. The Hummer EV is currently available in both pickup and SUV body styles, adding to the practicality of the vehicle. In addition to the multitude of gadgets and technology, the Hummer EV features a crabwalk function for off-roading and a launch mode called ‘Watts To Freedom’. Very funny.
8 Range Rover Sport P400e
With the last generation of Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, the British marque introduced their P400e trim level. This trim includes a turbocharged 4-cylinder mated to an electric motor, creating a 400 hp hybrid drivetrain. While it worked fine, some found the engine to be a bit noisy when it kicks in.
For the new generations of Range Rover, JLR ditched the 4-cylinder for a smoother and quieter turbocharged inline-6 mated to an electric motor. The combined power increased to 440 hp and the trim changed to the P440e. It is a fantastic alternative to the normal inline-6 trims and even the V8 – and it is certainly more fuel efficient than the latter.
7 BMW iX3
The BMW X3 is currently in its third generation and BMW has just introduced the all-electric iX3 model to most of the world. Where other automakers design and build specific platforms for their electric vehicles, BMW simply uses existing models and modify them to fit electric motors.
In the case of the iX3, the vehicle currently only has one electric motor mounted on the rear axle, meaning it is only rear-wheel-drive. The iX3 boasts around 280 hp and the 80 KWh battery results in an official range of around 280 miles. While this will only improve, it is not a bad first attempt from the German brand.
6 Toyota RAV4 Prime
The Toyota RAV4 Prime is the top-of-the-line trim within the RAV4 line-up and is only available with a hybrid powertrain. The Prime is offered in XE and XSE trims, the former of which adds all-wheel-drive to the list of options.
The RAV4 Prime is a great option for anyone wanting a well-built, reliable and premium-feeling crossover – one which is currently the best-selling model within its segment. For those wanting something more exciting, Japanese Mitsouka Motors can make the RAV4 look like a Chevy K5 Blazer.
5 Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is the brand’s current smallest crossover and is one of the best-selling models in its segment. The current line-up of trims only includes the Long Range AWD and the Performance, as the base RWD model was discontinued.
Both the available trims have dual motors, with the Long Range claiming an official range of around 330 miles, while the more powerful Performance only gets to 300 miles. An interesting fact is that the Performance model loses the third-row seats, turning the seven-seater into a five-seater.
4 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
The new generation Jeep Grand Cherokee was launched in 2021 and is a complete redesign from the WK2 generation. The current Grand Cherokee features all the engines from the previous generation – bar the 6.2-liter Hellcat V8.
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As a bonus, Stellantis added the 2.0-liter turbo-4 hybrid ‘4xe’ trim to the lineup, the same used in the current Wrangler 4xe. This model produces a combined 375 hp and boasts an electric-only range of around 25 miles. The electric motor can also be used during off-roading for a substantial torque boost.
3 BMW iX
The BMW iX is the brand’s first bespoke electric SUV, designed specifically to compete against the likes of the Tesla Model X, Audi e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQC. The iX’s current lineup consists of the xDrive40 and xDrive50, boasting between 230 and 390 miles of range. The lower trim produces 320 hp, with the higher tier making an impressive 516 hp.
BMW have introduced the M60 trim in 2022, featuring 350 miles of range and producing 610 hp and an astonishing 811 lb.ft of torque. The iX’s styling may be controversial, but there is no denying it has fantastic driving dynamics.
2 Volvo XC90 T8
The Volvo XC90 is one of the brand’s most successful models. Originally introduced in 2002, the family-orientated SUV is currently only in its second generation – mostly due to its extreme success. The newer XC90 is only available with 2.0-liter engines, either turbocharged, twincharged or hybridized.
The top spec XC90 T8 trim is a highly efficient hybrid which produced a combined 402 hp and 472 lb.ft. Volvo kept updating the T8 and the 2023 model will have an 18.8 KWh battery, as opposed to the 9.2 KWh it was launched with. The best part about the XC90 is that due to the packaging, the battery doesn’t impede on passenger space at all.
1 Rivian R1S
The Rivian R1S is the newest addition to the electric SUV segment. Based on the R1T pickup truck, the R1S is the more luxurious SUV version, but doesn’t sacrifice practicality. The R1S’s styling is extremely similar to the pickup but has a more rounded and elegant design.
The R1S currently has the same 135 kWh battery pack as the pickup, with the same quad-motor setup delivering around 320 miles of range. The vehicle weighs in at over 7,000 lbs, but luckily has the same 835 hp as the R1T Launch Edition. The R1S is a fantastic-looking and capable electric SUV, but unfortunately got rid of the pickup’s signature feature – the Gear Tunnel. Still, it will humiliate many super SUVs in a drag race.