The best hybrids for cutting your annual fuel costs: Consumer Reports

Hybrid vehicles cost more than their gas-only counterparts, but the extra money often comes back through savings at the pump. How fast that payback happens depends entirely on which model a buyer chooses, with some hybrids breaking even in a single year and others taking twice as long.

Consumer Reports tested a dozen hybrid SUVs and trucks against their gas-only counterparts to calculate the real dollar savings. These six delivered the biggest payoff at the pump.

Credit: Toyota

The Toyota $TM Grand Highlander Hybrid costs $42,260 to start, with prices climbing to about $60,175 for the top trim. Consumer Reports measured 35 mpg overall from the hybrid powertrain, well above the 22 mpg it recorded from the standard four-cylinder version in the same SUV. CR calculated the difference adds up to about $810 a year in fuel savings, even though the Hybrid XLE all-wheel-drive trim runs roughly $1,275 higher than a similar gas-only version. CR pegged the payback period at about two years and found the third row roomier than many rivals offer, with seating for up to eight.

Credit: Lexus

The Lexus NX Hybrid starts around $41,955 and climbs to about $57,805 for the top Premium AWD trim. Consumer Reports measured 38 mpg overall from the hybrid, compared with 25 mpg from the gas-only NX350 it tested. CR found that gap saves drivers about $800 a year on fuel, enough to cover the roughly $900 premium the hybrid commands almost as soon as they buy it. CR liked the hybrid's smooth power delivery around town but noted the gas engine turns rough under hard acceleration, and flagged the NX's narrow cabin and hampered outward visibility as drawbacks.

Credit: Lexus

The Lexus RX Hybrid starts at $52,235 and tops out around $57,045 in Premium trim, and unlike the gas-only RX, it comes with all-wheel drive as standard equipment. Consumer Reports clocked 34 mpg overall from the hybrid and found its sprint to 60 mph lagged the gas-only RX by barely a fraction of a second. That fuel economy saves drivers about $720 a year, enough to offset the $2,875 premium the Premium trim carries over a comparable nonhybrid in about four years. CR found the trade-off showed up in braking distance and engine noise, with the hybrid taking 5 more feet to stop from 60 mph and revving louder under hard acceleration.

Credit: Mazda

The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid starts at $34,750 and reaches about $40,450 in its top trim, positioning it between the 187-horsepower base CX-50 and the pricier 256-horsepower CX-50 Turbo. Consumer Reports measured 37 mpg overall from the hybrid's powertrain, shared with the previous-generation Toyota $TM RAV4, plus a combined 219 horsepower for sportier handling than the base model offers. That fuel economy saves drivers more than $700 a year despite the hybrid costing $3,050 more than a comparable non-turbo, nonhybrid CX-50, a gap that takes just over four years to close. CR noted the Hybrid remains cheaper than the CX-50 Turbo in every configuration, giving buyers extra power without the Turbo's price tag.

Credit: Hyundai

The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid starts at $36,400 and climbs to about $50,500 in its top trim. Consumer Reports measured 34 mpg overall from the hybrid, up from 24 mpg in the nonhybrid Santa Fe it tested, and found the hybrid scored better across the board than the gas-only version. That fuel economy saves drivers about $590 a year, enough to cover the $1,100 the SEL trim costs over a comparable nonhybrid in roughly two years. CR credited the gain to smoother, steadier power delivery than it found in the nonhybrid's turbocharged engine and dual-clutch transmission, which stumbled at low speeds.

Credit: Kia

The Kia Sportage Hybrid starts at $30,490 and reaches about $40,590 in its top trim. Consumer Reports measured 36 mpg overall from the hybrid, compared with 25 mpg from the nonhybrid Sportage, and found the combined 227 horsepower made it quicker and quieter than the gas-only version. That fuel economy saves drivers about $590 a year, enough to cover the $1,300 premium on a Hybrid EX AWD trim in roughly two years. CR also pointed to a plug-in hybrid variant with 34 miles of electric-only range for drivers who want to stretch their savings even further.