As car buyers look for alternatives to fully electric vehicles that are still eco-friendly, plug-in hybrids are emerging as a popular choice — offering some electric range, but also strong fuel mileage when operating on fossil fuels.

Many automakers, including Kia, are now offering PHEV offerings among their SUV lineups, and I recently tested the 2025 Sorento plug-in hybrid (specifically a SX-Prestige AWD model).

The Sorento falls between the Sportage and Telluride in the Kia SUV lineup, and is a three-row SUV option that is smaller than the popular Telluride. It comes in gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.

Updates have been made to both the inside and outside of the Sorento PHEV for 2025, and tech improvements are made, making this one of the stronger plug-in hybrid options for buyers in this segment to consider.

Read on for my full take on the Sorento PHEV and who might want to pick one up.

In the EV landscape, one area with a limited number of offerings to date is the three-row SUV. You have a few choices, but it’s not the smorgasbord of options you get with smaller EVs.

One brand not afraid to compete in this large EV category is Kia, which offers the Kia EV9, a three-row SUV that aims to deliver power, roominess and versatility, strong range and charging, and sharp design.

I recently tested a 2026 Kia EV9 GT-Line model, and can safely say that Kia has succeeded on all counts — arguably offering the best option in the category.

Competitors exist that each have their own strengths (including Hyundai Ioniq 9, Rivian R1S and Volvo EX90), but as an overall package it’s hard to top the EV9.

Read on for my full review of this fun and family-focused offering from Kia, which is now in its third year of production, and features new updates for 2026 such as compatibility with Tesla chargers.

If you like the styling of the classy Range Rover, but don't want to pay the extravagant prices required for the full-size model, the two-row Range Rover Sport is aimed squarely at you.

With a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version available, which extends range and will help limit time at the gas station, the Range Rover Sport aims to court those seeking not just an upscale SUV, but one with green credentials.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2025 Range Rover Sport PHEV, which battles an increasing number of luxurious vehicles (from the likes of Porsche, BMW, Lexus, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Audi) entering the space of plug-in power, and I’m back with a full report.

Among the Subaru lineup, the Forester SUV consistently ranks as a top seller each year — in large part due to its utility and off-road friendly design.

For 2025, something brand new has come to the Forester lineup to bring in even more interest — a hybrid offering.

This was missing in past years — as many rivals had a hybrid version to offer buyers who wanted better fuel mileage — and now will be an enticing offer to many Subaru fans who want that improved fuel economy.

Boasting higher horsepower numbers than the non-hybrid version, and roughly 40 percent better fuel economy, it should have a positive impact on the Forester’s popularity.

I recently tested a 2025 Forester hybrid (Touring trim level), and I’m back with a full report on this new offering from Subaru — which will face off against hybrid SUV offerings from Toyota, Honda, Kia, Hyundai and more.

Volkswagen’s lineup of SUVs are a bit unique among the competitors in the non-luxury SUV segment, as they bring a bit of European flair to battle the long list of Asian and U.S. entries in the segment.

I recently spent some time with one of these VW SUVs, the all-new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan, which gets a full redesign for the new model year.

The Tiguan is VW’s most popular vehicle in the U.S., edging out the larger Atlas, so maintaining interest in this vehicle is critical for the brand in this country. 

Both the exterior and interior have been updated, and they added new technology setups and a more powerful engine. The Tiguan now comes standard with two rows across the board and no three-row option available, as it was in 2024 and prior years.

Read on to learn more about how the Tiguan holds up against other leading compact SUVs including the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Ford Escape, and Toyota RAV4.