Fast facts:
- Consumer Reports is a nonprofit that independently evaluates cars both for overall quality and for emissions.
- Consumer Reports’ “Green Choice” designation is given to the top 20% of vehicles that release the fewest greenhouse gases and harmful pollutants.
- Of the 12 SUVs that received the Green Choice designation in 2025, the top five were all plug-in hybrid models.
- Lexus was the only automaker with more than one model in the top five.
When it comes to the new car market, environmental impact is factoring into more and more shoppers’ purchasing decisions. While emissions and fuel efficiency may not have been top concerns among SUV buyers 20 years ago, they certainly are now, and the auto industry knows it.
Hybrid and all-electric trucks and SUVs are more popular than ever, and over the past decade, many automakers have added hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrain options to some of their most popular models. In fact, some legacy models that debuted as traditional gas vehicles are now available only as hybrids.
Toyota’s popular Sienna minivan, for instance, has been a mainstay in the American car market since its introduction in 1997, but since its 2021 redesign, it has been produced exclusively with a hybrid drivetrain. In terms of SUVs specifically, Toyota’s RAV4 line will include only hybrid models beginning in 2026.
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New SUV shoppers are increasingly seeking out vehicles with low emissions, both to reduce their own environmental impact as a driver and to cash in on the fuel efficiency and savings that come with driving a greener car. But with so many seemingly green options out there, it can be difficult to know which vehicles actually live up to their marketing, both in terms of environmental impact and general quality and reliability.
Luckily, Consumer Reports, a non-profit firm that has been testing products and advocating for consumers since 1936, has developed processes to evaluate both overall vehicle performance and greenhouse gas emissions.
Related: The 10 most reliable car brands in 2025 according to Consumer Reports
What is Consumer Reports & how does it evaluate cars?
Consumer Reports is a research and testing agency that has been advocating for consumer protections and increased product quality for almost 90 years. In addition to testing and reporting on big-ticket consumer staples like refrigerators, washing machines, smartphones, and home electronics, CR evaluates cars — both on and off the road — at its private automotive testing facility in rural Connecticut, which includes a driving course with over six miles of road.
CR buys new cars anonymously and at full price before evaluating them for everything from acceleration and braking to interior comfort, handling, and emergency features. The organization also surveys its millions of members about their own cars and any problems they’ve encountered so it can incorporate owner satisfaction and actual reliability data into its reviews.
Related: Consumer Reports: The product-testing nonprofit explained
What does CR’s “Green Choice” designation mean?
CR’s Green Choice designation is a result of its partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program. Vehicles’ emissions are evaluated, both for greenhouse gases that contribute to climate degradation and for additional pollutants that can be harmful to human health.
Only the 20% of vehicles that produce the least harmful emissions are awarded the Green Choice designation, indicating that they drive cleaner than 80% of new vehicles on the market.
The 5 best new Green Choice SUVs of 2025 according to Consumer Reports
Out of the 12 2025 SUVs that received CR’s Green Choice designation, these five have the highest overall Consumer Reports scores, meaning that in addition to being more environmentally friendly than their peers, they are also safe, reliable, and favored by existing drivers. This makes them excellent choices for shoppers who want an eco-friendly, fuel-efficient SUV that’s reliable enough to serve as both a daily driver and a weekend adventure vehicle.
CR praised the 2025 RX plug-in hybrid for its speed, power, and comfort.
Lexus RX Plug-in Hybrid 2025
- Starting price: $68,730
- Electric range: 37 miles
- Overall MPG: 34
CR lauded the Tucson Plug-in’s handling, responsiveness, and suspension.
Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid 2025
- Starting price: $39,730
- Electric range: 33 miles
- Overall MPG: 31
CR praised the X5 Plug-in for its quiet and comfortable luxury interior.
BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid 2025
- Starting price: $73,800
- Electric range: 39 miles
- Overall MPG: 21
More automotive content:
- The cheapest new car of 2025: Everything you need to know
- The best new cars under $25k based on Consumer Reports data
- The 10 most popular new cars & SUVs of 2025 (so far), according to Consumer Reports
CR’s review of the NX Plug-in Hybrid mentioned the model’s impressive acceleration but also noted that its gas engine can be somewhat loud for a luxury hybrid.
Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid 2025
- Starting price: $61,140
- Electric range: 37 miles
- Overall MPG: 35
CR was impressed by the Sportage’s nimble handling and quiet ride when running exclusively on electric power.
Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid 2025
- Starting price: $39,890
- Electric range: 34 miles
- Overall MPG: 31
Related: The 10 best compact crossover SUVs according to Consumer Reports