Hybrid SUVs with four-wheel drive have only started to appear in the last few years and are still quite rare.
Most hybrid SUVs have all-wheel drive systems that automatically transfer power from front to back (or vice versa) when you need more traction. In tougher off-road situations, these will often send power to the wrong wheel, making it spin endlessly and getting you nowhere.
4WD drivetrains are more robust and can constantly send power to both front and rear wheels, giving you significantly more grip so you can effortlessly crawl out of rough terrain and deep snow/mud.
This article lists all the hybrid SUVs you can buy today that not only have highly capable 4WD systems, but are also able to deliver better fuel economy than ever before.
Table of Contents
1. Toyota Sequoia Hybrid
The Toyota Sequoia received a much needed update for the 2023 model year.
It now sports a twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain that’s capable of producing 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque.
The third generation Sequoia not only has more power, but it can also get up to 22 mpg on the highway compared to the older V8’s measly 17 mpg.
Like before, the Sequoia is basically a three-row SUV version of the Toyota Tundra pickup. Both vehicles now also sit on the same platform as the current generation Lexus LX and Land Cruiser (which was discontinued in the U.S. in 2021).
4WD is standard in the TRD Pro model, but all trim levels have it as an option.
The Sequoia Hybrid’s 4WD system can be set to run in either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive mode. It also has a low-range (4-Lo) mode which increases the torque sent to the wheels, making it easier to crawl over rough terrain.
The TRD Pro model comes with the following off-road upgrades:
- Locking rear differential
- Fox dampers
- Front skid plate
- Forged 18-inch wheels
- 33-inch tires
- Multi-Terrain Select
- Crawl Control
- Downhill Assist Control
- Air suspension with up to 9.1 inch ground clearance
The SR5 and Limited trim levels can be upgraded with the TRD Off-Road package, but it replaces the Fox shocks with Bilstein units and does away with the air suspension.
2. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Plug-in Hybrid
The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe PHEV debuted for the 2022 model year alongside the release of the fifth generation model.
The Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid drivetrain uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and two electric motors that produce a combined output of 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque.
It can go up to 25 miles on a single charge and gets an estimated 24 mpg using the internal combustion engine.
All trim levels of the Grand Cherokee 4xe come with the Quadra-Trac II full-time 4WD system which features a low-range mode.
The midrange Trailhawk comes with the Trail Rated badge and has additional off-road upgrades such as:
- Quadra-Drive II electronic limited slip rear differential
- Quadra-Lift air suspension
- Electronic front sway bar disconnect for additional articulation
- 18-inch wheels fitted with 30.5-inch all-terrain tires
- Tow hooks
- Skid plates
All trim levels except the base model are equipped with the Quadra-Lift air suspension which offers semi-active damping for better on-road handling and increases ground clearance to 10.9 inches making it the best in its class.
The Quadra-Drive II electronic rear LSD is also standard in the top-of-the-line Summit and Summit Reserve models. It’s available in the Overland trim level with the optional Off-Road pack.
The eLSD emulates the functionality of a traditional locking diff, but it doesn’t completely lock even when off-road driving modes are selected. Despite this, the Grand Cherokee 4xe is still a very capable off-roader. The eLSD also gives it better road manners, which complements the fifth gen Grand Cherokee’s upscale interior.
3. Jeep Wrangler 4xe Plug-in Hybrid
The iconic Jeep Wrangler was updated with hybrid powertrain in 2021.
Known as the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, it uses the same hybrid powertrain as the Grand Cherokee 4xe so it’s got a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine coupled with two electric motors.
It also gets 25 miles of range in EV mode and an estimated 24 mpg from the gas engine.
The Wrangler 4xe has the same standard features and options as the regular Wrangler.
The Willys, Sahara and High Altitude trim levels of the Wrangler 4xe come standard with a Selec-Trac 4WD system that can be switched from two-wheel to four-wheel drive mode. It also has a low-range mode.
All trim levels are also fitted with front and rear Dana 44 solid axles, skid plates and tow hooks
The Wrangler Rubicon 4xe is the most off-road capable model and has the following upgrades:
- Full-time Rock-Trac 4WD with 4:1 low-range mode
- Front and rear Tru-Lok locking differential
- Electronic front sway bar disconnect
- 33-inch all-terrain tires
- Upgraded shocks
The Wrangler Willys 4xe is more trail worthy than the Sahara and High Altitude models. It comes standard with Trac-Lok rear limited slip differential, Rubicon shocks and rock rails, and 32-inch mud tires.
Related: 16 Hybrid SUVs with All-Wheel Drive (With Pictures)
4. Range Rover P440e Plug-in Hybrid
The Range Rover set a new milestone when it started offering a more efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain in 2020.
At the time, it was the first SUV to combine a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with a four-wheel drive system that had proper off-road capabilities.
When the fifth generation Range Rover debuted in 2022, the only hybrid option was the 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain in the entry-level models. Fortunately, the Range Rover P440e PHEV was eventually released for the 2023 model year.
The P440e has a much larger battery and promises to deliver up to 51 miles of electric-only range compared to the older P400e model’s 31 miles.
Despite its opulent cabin and 21-inch wheels, the Range Rover hasn’t lost any of its off-road prowess.
Both the mild hybrid P400 and the plug-in hybrid P440e Range Rover come standard with:
- Twin-speed transfer box with low range
- Air suspension with 11.6-inch ground clearance
- All-wheel steering
- Terrain Response 2
- All Terrain Progress Control
- Hill Descent Control
- Hill Launch Assist
- Low Traction Launch
- 35.4-inch wading depth
5. Range Rover Sport Plug-in Hybrid
The smaller and nimbler Range Rover Sport is not as large or opulent as the full-size Range Rover, but few will find it lacking in both luxury and capability.
The Range Rover Sport uses the same hybrid powertrain as its bigger brother and can travel up to 51 miles in EV mode.
It also has similar off-road capabilities such as:
- Twin-speed transfer box with low range
- Air suspension with 11.1-inch ground clearance
- Terrain Response 2
- All Terrain Progress Control
- Hill Descent Control
- Hill Launch Assist
- Low Traction Launch
- 35.4-inch wading depth
It’s worth noting that the Land Rover Defender also has a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain option with similar off-road features as the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. But like other mild hybrid systems, it only makes the start-stop functionality more seamless and doesn’t significantly improve fuel economy.
