Hybrid SUVs are the hot item these days and for good reason. Many drivers love the space and road feel of SUVs. More than ever before, SUVs dominate our roads. However, along with its popularity is the fear of rising gasoline prices. Thanks to the advances that hybrid technology has given in recent years, hybrid SUVs are stealing the spotlight. Consumer Reports chose the 2023 Lexus NX Hybrid as its best hybrid SUV. It even surpassed the hugely popular Toyota RAV4 Prime.
The 2023 Lexus NX Hybrid is the best hybrid SUV, according to Consumer Reports
Hybrids used to be a segment cursed with loud, ugly, slow things that stole the joy of almost everyone who saw them, let alone drove them. That is no longer the case. There are hybrid Ferraris, trucks and even F1 cars. Hybrid is one of the best ways we have yet to convince to move a vehicle.
From all the great buzz of these days, Consumer Reports just released its list of the best hybrid SUVs, and the 2023 Lexus NX Hybrid took the top spot. This surprised some, given the enormous popularity and specs of the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime.
Consumer Reports ranked the best hybrid SUVs by comparing their “Overall Score,” which takes into account test drive performance, owner satisfaction, predicted reliability and safety. It is worth mentioning that overall CR scores may change over time as new information, such as reliability data, becomes available.
What makes the 2023 Lexus NX Hybrid the best hybrid SUV?
The 2023 Lexus NX Hybrid received massive updates below the surface, though the new model looks almost identical to the old one.
CR testers noted that the NX is responsive in corners and has a firm but still comfortable touch. The 2023 Lexus NX Hybrid also has two hybrid engine options, a 240-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a 304-hp 2.5-liter. Both hybrid engines are paired with a CVT. Between these super-efficient engines and the Lexus NX’s smaller size, it averages 38 mpg.
One of the main reasons the NX is rated so highly is its Toyota lineage. The NX is said to be reliable, rugged and satisfying. One of the only downsides is its hefty starting price of $56,555. This is where the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime can almost sneak in.
How much does the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime cost?
Starting at $42,340, the RAV4 Prime is a strong contender for the Lexus NX. The RAV4’s secret weapon is its PHEV engine that offers up to 40 miles of range on electric power alone. After expending that mileage, the gasoline engine kicks in. This means that it is fully charged; the 2023 RAV4 Prime can get 74 mpge. The RAV4 Prime is very well equipped, incredibly efficient, and more economical. So why is it ranked lower than the Lexus NX? reliability.
Consumer Reports gave it a lower predicted reliability score than the Lexus NX. This proves to be a dagger for the RAV4 Prime.
For now, the 2023 Lexus NX Hybrid is the best hybrid SUV, according to Consumer Reports. But, somehow, I doubt it will ever be as popular as the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime.