The Best Hybrid 4x4s on the Road

Posted on Wednesday March 14th, 2018

There are certain parts of the country that make the use of a 4x4 vehicle indispensable. A small town car may be perfect for whizzing to the supermarket and back or tackling a short commute around the city suburbs, but what if you plan on spending time in a more secluded setting? Is your current car capable of driving through extreme weather conditions, and rural roads that could generously be described as ‘rugged’?

However, it’s not quite as simple as exchanging your Mini Cooper for a Jeep; there are other environmental and economic factors to be taken into consideration. 4x4s have a reputation as gas-guzzling behemoths that cost their drivers a small fortune in fuel, as well as spewing unpleasant emissions into the atmosphere.
The solution comes in the form of a hybrid 4x4 – a vehicle that relies upon electricity as much as fossil fuels, and acts as the perfect first step towards eventually embracing to a fully electric vehicle. If you’re interesting in investigating such eco-friendly off-road driving, start your search with one of these five models. These cars are widely considered to be among the best hybrid 4x4s on the road.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Anybody that chooses to pick up the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV will be in good company, as this car alone is responsible for over half the sales of electric vehicles in the UK. That makes it even more prominent on British streets than those of its native Japan, though it's not hard to see why – it's hugely cost-effective for a car of this size, and as a bona fide four-wheel drive the risk of being stuck on the side of the road when leaving the motorway is greatly reduced. With the Outlander undergoing a facelift for a new 2018 model, expect to see more and more of these motors on the road.

Volvo XC90 T8
Anybody looking for a luxurious ride without spending big on a premium brand should be looking to Volvo. This car may not be the cheapest on the market, but it's a genuine pleasure to handle and comes with bags of space. This makes it perfect for an adventurous family that looks to travel across the country with plenty of baggage. If there's a flaw with the XC90 it's that the hybrid efficiency does not match that of some rivals, but very few vehicles can match the vehicle when it comes to sheer driving pleasure.

Audi Q7 e-tron
The Audi Q7 comes with plenty of space around its seven seats, so anybody looking for an eco-friendlier drive that does not compromise on passenger comfort could do far worse - especially for the wholly reasonable RRP. What's more, this is a comparatively fuel-efficient ride too, meaning that you will not have to spend a small fortune on petrol to complement the electronic engine. Where the Q7 falls down again some competitors, however, is in the handling – this one is for experienced SUV-wranglers only. If that applies to you, however, be sure to request a test drive.

Lexus RX
Lexus has long been considered a luxury brand in the world of motoring, and the RX does nothing to change such a standing. This is a hugely striking design that somehow blends sports car aesthetics with SUV functionality, and it certainly handles well enough. Popular though it is, however, the RX is only for those with deep pockets. The basic asking price soon starts to rise when bells and whistles are applied, and it's far from the most fuel-efficient hybrid car on the market – you'll be utilising that electric engine as much as possible. If you can afford it though, the Lexus RX is a great way to ride in style. 

Kia Niro
The Kia Niro is by far the smallest option among our famous five, but it's also the most economical – and eco-friendly. Be aware that the Niro is very much a Small SUV and there's no four-wheel drive mode on the car, which means that it may not be suitable for everybody. If you're able to look past that, however, you will be treated to a reliable, spacious and environmentally friendly vehicle – that is available at a very appealing price, and manages to provide some excellent value when it comes to miles per gallon.