Two Things That Usually Trade Against Each Other
Ask for all-wheel drive on a conventional SUV and you accept a fuel economy penalty: a driveshaft running the length of the vehicle, a rear differential, extra weight turning every mile whether you need the traction or not. Ask for better mileage and you're usually pointed toward front-wheel drive. A hybrid AWD SUV largely dissolves that trade. The rear wheels are driven by their own electric motor with no mechanical link to the engine, so the hardware only works when it's needed and adds far less drag the rest of the time. You end up with the most efficient version of the vehicle and the more capable one in the same trim.
What You Notice Driving One
Three things, in our experience. It engages faster than a mechanical system — there's no waiting for a clutch pack to react, so pulling away from a slushy spot feels undramatic rather than tense. It's quiet, since at the speeds where all-wheel drive matters most in the city you're often running on the electric motor anyway. And the fuel economy doesn't collapse in winter the way you might expect from an AWD vehicle, because the system isn't dragging hardware around when the road is dry. Take one out on a wet day and the difference from a conventional AWD crossover is easy to feel.
Choosing by Size
Compact and midsize: the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which comes with electric all-wheel drive as standard; the Honda CR-V Hybrid, the quietest of the group; and the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Kia Sportage Hybrid, both with long warranty coverage and a lot of standard equipment. Three rows: the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the roomier Grand Highlander Hybrid, plus the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and Kia Sorento Hybrid. Availability of all-wheel drive varies by trim within each line, so check the individual listing or ask us to pull it.
The Cost Picture, Honestly
A hybrid costs more up front than the equivalent gas model, and how quickly that comes back depends entirely on your mileage — a heavy city commuter recovers it far faster than someone who drives on weekends. Worth knowing, though: on several of these models all-wheel drive is standard on the hybrid and an extra-cost option on the gas version, which narrows the gap before you've burned a gallon. Tell us roughly how many miles you drive a year and we'll work out where the two actually cross for the specific trims on our lot, rather than quoting you an average.
New, Used, Certified Pre-Owned — and Financing
Remember that all-wheel drive of any kind helps you accelerate, not stop; braking grip comes from your tires. Browse new vehicles, used vehicles or certified pre-owned SUVs. Related: hybrid cars, AWD SUVs, best MPG midsize SUVs. Plaza Auto Mall has been family-owned on Nostrand Avenue since 1975, and our finance team works with all credit situations. Get pre-approved online, estimate your payment, or get an instant cash offer on your current vehicle. Visit us on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, NY 11210, or get directions.
