Collective Data Reveals That These 10 Hybrid SUVs Were The Least Reliable Models In 2024

New gasoline-electric hybrid car technology typically benefits from fantastic long-term reliability. Despite these vehicles featuring more moving parts than a conventional ICE or EV, they work in tandem to reduce the load on the powertrain while still

returning impressive fuel consumption
without sacrificing performance. Of course, that doesn’t mean that these vehicles are fool-proof, as some examples are subject to some relatively poor reliability ratings.

This isn’t to say that these options are lemons, but they’re not the most dependable examples when looking at the entire segment. Within the hybrid market, it’s undeniable that

crossovers and SUVs are by far the more popular options
, with these being the more popular bodystyle when compared to sedans. Reliability remains a primary motivator for those shopping in the new car market, so these are some options that you may want to steer clear of if you plan to keep it for an extended period.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Consumer Reports, J.D. Power, and the NHTSA. We’ve ranked them models below based on their Consumer Reports predicted reliability scores, from highest to lowest.

10

Toyota Highlander Hybrid – $40,970

Predicted Reliability: 75/100

Consumer Reports gives the Toyota Highlander Hybrid a class-leading 85/100 overall score, including an 86/100 road test score and 75/100 for its predicted reliability. Owner satisfaction also sits at a fairly high 4/5. Realistically, this is a very dependable option, that J.D. Power backs with an 81/100 quality and reliability score.

Performance Specifications

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is one of the most accomplished three-row hybrid SUV options that you can consider in the new car market. It’s only available with the brand’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors that produce a combined 243 horsepower, but it’s available as a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive SUV.

9

Toyota Grand Highlander – $40,970

Predicted Reliability: 69/100

The Grand Highlander range enjoys a very favorable 80/100 overall score from Consumer Reports, which also consists of a 81/100 road test score, 69/100 predicted reliability rating, and 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction score. J.D. Power awards it with a 76/100 quality and reliability score. Again, this is a reasonably dependable option with a powertrain that benefits from an extensive track record. There is one active recall relating to a curtain airbag problem.

Performance Specifications

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is one of very few new vehicle options that’s available with

two different hybrid powertrains
. The hybrid range starts with the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder derivative, but you can also choose the turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder variation. Both of these engines benefit from the support of two permanent-magnet motors.

8

Lexus TX Hybrid – $64,100

Predicted Reliability: 68/100

Consumer Reports issues the Lexus TX Hybrid with an 87/100 overall score, making it the highest-rated hybrid SUV by a fair margin. The ranking also includes a 92/100 road test score, 68/100 predicted reliability rating, and 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction score. J.D. Power backs this with a 81/100 quality and reliability mark.

Performance Specifications

The

Lexus TX
features a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and dual permanent-magnet motor configuration. This produces a combined 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet, affording it up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity. The EPA estimates that it’ll cover 481 miles on a single tank and return a 27 MPG combined fuel consumption estimate.

7

Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid – $51,950

Predicted Reliability: 57/100

Consumer Reports doesn’t issue the

Nautilus
with an overall score, because it has not been subject to a road test as yet. However, it does declare a 57/100 predicted reliability rating and a 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction score. J.D. Power issues the entire Nautilus range with a 75/100 consumer rating and 69/100 quality and reliability score.

Performance Specifications

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid is a relatively new product to the Ford-owned luxury brand, which features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a combined 310 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels via a direct-drive eCVT. This results in a claimed 6.9-second 0-60 MPH time and 126 MPH top speed figures.

6

Kia Sportage Hybrid – $28,590

Predicted Reliability: 56/100

The Kia Sportage earns a 56/100 predicted reliability rating from Consumer Reports, but its 85/100 road test rating helps bring its overall score up to 79/100, making it one of the more favorable hybrid vehicles in its class. The publication also suggests you’ll get to experience a 3/5 owner satisfaction. J.D. Power gives the model a bit more confidence with an 83/100 overall rating.

Performance Specifications

The

Sportage Hybrid
features the group’s turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 261 horsepower, depending on which electrification system you opt for. The most frugal model returns 43 MPG on the combined cycle and covers 589 miles on a single tank.

5

Honda CR-V Hybrid – $34,050

Predicted Reliability: 54/100

Consumer Reports awards the Honda CR-V Hybrid an impressive 84/100 overall score, including a 93/100 road test rating. Unfortunately, its 54/100 predicted reliability rating leaves a lot to be desired, but it does benefit from a more preferable 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction result. It does get a relatively impressive 84/100 quality and reliability score from J.D. Power.

Performance Specifications

Honda’s current

CR-V Hybrid
option is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive systems. The former produces the best efficiency estimates, including a 48 MPG result on the combined cycle and a 560-mile range claim. Upgrading to the all-wheel drive system doesn’t affect consumption, but the range is cut down to around 518 miles. Both models can tow up to 1,000 pounds.

4

Hyundai Tucson Hybrid – $36,950

Predicted Reliability: 53/100

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid earns an impressive 85/100 overall score from Consumer Reports, which includes a 94/100 road test score and 53/100 predicted reliability rating. The review also indicates that you’ll get to experience a 3/5 owner satisfaction. J.D. Power gives the entire Tucson range an 85/100 quality and reliability score.

Performance Specifications

The

Tucson Hybrid
features similar specifications to the aforementioned Sportage, as they are mechanically identical twins. The Tucson suffers from a fractional loss of power, affording it worse performance figures, but it can still achieve an impressive 38 MPG combined fuel consumption figure and tow up to 2,000 pounds.

3

Mazda CX-50 Hybrid – $33,970

Predicted Reliability: 47/100

The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is one of the newest options available in the new hybrid crossover market and benefits from Toyota’s gasoline-electric technologies. Consumer Reports is still conducting a test on the model, but it confirms a 47/100 predicted reliability rating and 3/5 predicted ownership satisfaction score. J.D. Power awards the entire range a 72/100 quality and reliability score.

Performance Specifications

Mazda opts to keep the

CX-50 Hybrid
‘s state-of-tune in line with the current RAV4 Hybrid. The configuration consists of a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder and three permanent-magnet motors that produce a combined 219 horsepower to all four wheels using a direct-drive eCVT system.

2

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid – $36,950

Predicted Reliability: 46/100

The all-new Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid earns an 84/100 score from Consumer Reports, consisting of a 94/100 road test rating and 46/100 predicted reliability score. The 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction result further motivates it as a viable new hybrid vehicle option. J.D. Power’s rating for the new Santa Fe is pending, but the entire Santa Fe range gets a 79/100 score for quality and reliability.

Performance Specifications

The

new-generation Santa Fe
retains the same powertrain, but with a nominal jump in power to 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet. Using this, it enjoys a 36 MPG combined consumption estimate, while the EPA is yet to announce its range capabilities. It only has enough grunt to weigh two 3,500 pounds, which isn’t the most practical figure for its class.

1

Ford Escape Hybrid – $37,960

Predicted Reliability: 43/100

The 2024

Ford Escape Hybrid
sits with a 70/100 overall score from Consumer Reports, which includes an 82/100 road test score, 43/100 predicted reliability score, and 3/5 predicted owner satisfaction rating, making it the least reliable hybrid crossover you can consider this year. Thankfully, it does get an 85/100 quality and reliability score from J.D. Power.

Performance Specifications

The Ford Escape Hybrid is essentially the Maverick’s crossover twin, so it features an identical powertrain, but with the added benefit of an optional all-wheel drive system. As a result, it also produces a combined 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet from the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and parallel permanent-magnet motor positioned within the direct-drive eCVT. It also features a slightly bigger 1.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which affords it an EPA-estimated 558 miles of range and 39 MPG fuel consumption return on the combined cycle.