The automotive world is rapidly shifting towards electrification, and while electric vehicles (EVs) are grabbing headlines, hybrid technology continues to be a practical and efficient solution for many drivers. Especially for those not yet ready to commit to full EVs or lacking charging infrastructure, Hybrid Small Suvs offer a compelling blend of fuel economy and versatility. These vehicles utilize gas-electric powertrains that recharge on the go through regenerative braking and engine braking, eliminating the need for plugging in. This technology, pioneered a quarter-century ago, has seen significant advancements, making modern hybrids more refined and efficient than ever.
For city dwellers or anyone seeking to reduce their carbon footprint without range anxiety, hybrid small SUVs represent an excellent entry point into electric mobility. They provide substantial fuel savings compared to traditional gasoline vehicles and are perfectly suited for urban environments. Let’s explore some of the top contenders in the hybrid small SUV segment for 2025, focusing on models that blend efficiency with the practicality and style consumers are looking for.
Mazda CX-50 Hybrid: Efficiency Meets Refined Driving
Mazda, known for its “zoom-zoom” driving dynamics, introduces the CX-50 Hybrid for 2025, expanding the appeal of the rugged-looking CX-50 beyond just aesthetics. This new variant integrates Toyota’s highly regarded hybrid powertrain into the CX-50 platform, promising a blend of Mazda’s driving refinement and Toyota’s hybrid expertise. Underneath the CX-50’s distinctive styling lies a powertrain closely mirroring the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, featuring a 2.5-liter inline-four engine producing 219 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. This power flows through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to three electric motors and a standard electric all-wheel-drive system.
While the CX-50 Hybrid boasts more horsepower than the standard gasoline CX-50, it prioritizes fuel efficiency over outright performance, unlike the more performance-oriented CX-50 Turbo or even the sporty Hyundai Tucson Hybrid N-Line. The CX-50 Hybrid achieves an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined, slightly less than the RAV4 Hybrid’s 39 mpg.
Integrating the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) into the Mazda CX-50 involved significant engineering adjustments, along with subtle styling revisions beyond just “Hybrid” badging. The signature CX-50 body cladding is extended, and the roof is made slightly taller to maintain a 7.6-inch ground clearance despite the traction battery being positioned under the rear seat and floor. Although the CX-50 Hybrid is longer than many competitors in the hybrid small SUVs category, its cargo space is slightly reduced to 29.2 cubic feet compared to the standard CX-50’s 31.4 cubic feet, and less than the RAV4 and Tucson Hybrids at 38.7 cubic feet.
The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid truly distinguishes itself with its interior refinement. Mazda has cultivated a subtly upscale cabin ambiance, particularly in higher trim levels, which offer a generous array of premium features. Stepping into the Premium Plus trim reveals two-tone leather seats with meticulous camel-colored stitching, echoed throughout the black accented doors and dashboard.
A rotary controller, a feature often found in luxury vehicles, is standard across all CX-50 models, minimizing fingerprints on the touchscreen and offering an alternative to steering wheel controls. Convenient buttons near the steering column manage memory seats, a front camera for navigating tight spaces, and parking sensor deactivation for car washes. While the expansive panoramic sunroof available on most CX-50 Hybrid trims is a highlight, the interior retains a touch of traditional charm. Analog gauges remain prominent, and the infotainment screen, while functional, has a relatively monochromatic display, enlivened by wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The CX-50 Hybrid offers a blend of near-luxury feel with user-friendly controls, balancing physical buttons with touchscreen functionality. The ride quality and interior quietness are noticeably more refined than many Toyota hybrids, contributing to a more premium driving experience. The CX-50 Hybrid presents a more sophisticated and fuel-conscious personality compared to previous Mazdas, forgoing sporty paddle shifters and turbo engines found in other CX-50 variants.
With a starting MSRP ranging from approximately $34,000 to just over $40,000, the CX-50 Hybrid is positioned above gasoline-only CX-50 models but below the more powerful Turbo versions, placing it in the middle of the CX-50 lineup. This contrasts with the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, which offers a broader spectrum of hybrid options at similar price points, from economical to sporty.
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid: Versatility and Performance in a Hybrid Package
Hyundai takes a broader approach with its popular Tucson model, offering a diverse range of powertrains including gasoline, sporty N-Line, and luxury-focused hybrid trims, along with a plug-in hybrid variant. The Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) caters to those seeking maximum electric driving range – offering 33 miles on electric power – while still providing the assurance of a gasoline engine for longer journeys, making it a versatile option within the hybrid small SUVs category.
The Tucson Hybrid N Line model tested here distinguishes itself with unique 19-inch wheels, black mirror caps, and dual exhaust outlets, in addition to N Line badging. For 2025, all Tucson models feature refreshed front-end styling with updated LED lighting and wheel designs, maintaining its sharper, more contemporary aesthetic compared to more traditionally styled competitors in the hybrid small SUV segment.
The Tucson Hybrid N Line interior presents a modern, all-digital twin-screen display, moving away from traditional analog gauges. Red stitching accents on the seats, doors, center armrest, and steering wheel, along with sporty pedals and an N-branded steering wheel, clearly signal this Tucson’s performance intentions.
This sporty appearance is backed by a responsive 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, delivering a combined 231 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque when using premium fuel, although it is rated to run on regular gasoline. Paddle shifters enhance driver engagement with the six-speed automatic transmission, offering more control compared to the CVTs found in the Mazda and Lexus.
While not the most fuel-efficient hybrid small SUV, the Tucson Hybrid N Line achieves a respectable 35 mpg combined, only slightly behind the Mazda, while offering significantly more performance and driver engagement, especially when accelerating onto highways. The powertrain also exhibits a level of refinement that surpasses the Mazda and even the Lexus UX300h surprisingly.
Despite its N Line designation, the Tucson Hybrid N Line maintains a comfortable ride, similar to the 2025 Tucson XRT, a new soft-roading trim in the Hyundai lineup. Intriguingly, even with its sporty cues, the Hybrid N Line includes “Baby Mode,” a driver-selectable feature that softens initial acceleration for passenger comfort, highlighting its family-friendly nature alongside its sporty appeal within the hybrid small SUVs market.
The Tucson Hybrid also scores well in practicality, offering more rear-seat room and cargo space than the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, and significantly more space than the smaller Lexus UX300h. Overall, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid N Line balances sporty performance with family-friendly practicality and modern styling, making it a compelling option in the hybrid small SUV category.
Lexus UX300h: Compact Luxury Hybrid with Urban Agility
The Lexus UX300h, updated for 2025 (previously UX250h), presents itself as a luxury option in the hybrid small SUVs segment, though it feels notably smaller and less powerful than the other crossovers in this comparison. Despite the “SUV” designation, the UX300h is classified by fueleconomy.gov as a compact car, while the Mazda and Hyundai are categorized as Small SUV 4WD. The UX300h arguably leans more towards a subcompact crossover or hatchback in size, making it a unique offering in the hybrid small SUVs market.
While the UX300h may not directly compete in size with the Tucson or CX-50, its pricing aligns closely enough to warrant cross-shopping, especially for buyers prioritizing luxury and urban maneuverability in a hybrid package. Its smaller dimensions offer advantages in urban parking and agility. The UX300h’s styling is arguably attractive, particularly in the higher-trim F Sport models, which enhance the base UX’s appearance with unique wheels, grille, a black roof, and dark roof rails. However, the large Lexus grille on its smaller body might be polarizing for some.
The Lexus UX300h’s interior excels in material quality, design, driver comfort, and infotainment, particularly for drivers under six feet tall, where front-seat spaciousness is comparable to its larger rivals. However, rear-seat passenger space and cargo capacity are where the UX300h’s smaller footprint is most evident, with a cargo area of just 17.2 cubic feet—less than half the Tucson’s.
The UX300h’s gauges appear somewhat dated in a digital-centric automotive landscape, although it does offer a color head-up display, a feature not found in the Mazda or Hyundai in this comparison. A larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen, new for most trims, modernizes the interior somewhat, but the abundance of physical buttons throughout the cabin reflects a design approach from a less digitally integrated era – which some buyers may find appealing for its tactile familiarity.
Significant powertrain updates include a shift-by-wire CVT system and the UX300h becoming the first Lexus to utilize a lithium-ion traction battery, differing from the nickel-metal hydride batteries in the Mazda and most Toyota hybrids. Power output is increased to 196 horsepower, and the all-wheel-drive model achieves 42 mpg combined, nearly matching the front-wheel-drive version’s 43 mpg. However, the engine noise remains a notable drawback, described as unrefined for a Lexus, potentially more noticeable due to the larger battery allowing for longer periods of quieter electric driving.
The Lexus UX300h’s primary appeal may lie in its price point. With a starting MSRP of $37,515 for the front-drive model and $43,035 for the F Sport AWD version, it offers a relatively accessible entry into the luxury hybrid small SUVs category. The slight premium buys upscale interior materials and design, but comes at the cost of interior space.
Choosing Your Hybrid Small SUV: Conclusion
Each of these hybrid small SUVs – the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, and Lexus UX300h – presents distinct strengths and weaknesses. However, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid stands out as a well-rounded package. It effectively combines practicality, sporty styling in N-Line trim, and modern interior and exterior design that should remain appealing for years to come. Its blend of features and overall execution positions the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid as a leading contender for those seeking a versatile and forward-looking hybrid small SUV as the automotive market increasingly embraces electrification.
*All mileage claims are EPA estimated.
