Ranking of TOP-5 hybrid B-SUVs priced around $30,000: Hyundai Kona, MG ZS, Toyota Yaris Cross…
Several reasons prompted the creation of a new and precisely such a rating of cars. First, mentions-comments about economical hybrids in the previous rating. Second, if the first rating was dedicated to cars with a large range on one tank, which is important for long trips on the highway, then the new rating is dedicated to compact crossover hatchbacks with full-fledged hybrid engines. This is a great option for the city: you can "stretch" in traffic jams on an electric drive, you can accelerate sharply thanks to the electric motor, etc. Third: the price is about $ 30 thousand; but I will allow myself to choose between models quite freely - I specially selected quite interesting examples with certain advantages of each of the cars. Finally, fourth: detailed reviews have already been published for some models from this rating, so it will be possible to compare the declared and real levels of fuel consumption. So: the following cars came together in the new rating: Citroen C4 1.2 Hybrid, Hyundai Kona Hybrid, Jeep Avenger e-Hybrid, MG ZS Hybrid+ and Toyota Yaris Cross HEV.
Citroen C4 1.2 Hybrid: from 1.077 million UAH or $26 thousand – and 4.4 liters per 100 km
Even after the update, the Citroen C 4 is still made in the format of a fairly large cross-hatchback: it is built on the SMR platform for B-class models, but stretched almost to the size of the C-class (length 4.35 m and wheelbase 2.67 m) and raised above the road like that SUV crossover. Even after the update, the Citroen C 4 retained the RNS suspension and the company's Advanced Comfort seats, which promise softness when driving on broken roads. Although there is no talk of difficult off-road, because the drive is only to the front wheels.
However, during the update, not only the exterior and interior of the Citroen C 4 changed, but also one of the possible power units. From now on, instead of the 1.5-liter 130-horsepower turbodiesel, a gasoline-electric 1.2-liter 136-horsepower hybrid with a robotic 6-speed gearbox, inside which an electric motor is built, is offered. The hybrid system is powered by a small 48-volt battery, but it is still enough for short-term driving exclusively on electric power.
As a result, the manufacturer promises us fuel consumption at the level of 4.4 liters per 100 km in the combined cycle. The cost of the hybrid version of the Citroen C 4 starts at 1.077 million UAH or almost $26 thousand; the regular gasoline version of the Citroen C4 will be more affordable by about 70 thousand UAH.
Hyundai Kona Hybrid: from 1.265 million UAH or $30.5 thousand – and 4.5-4.7 liters per 100 km
Also a fairly large-compact car (pardon the pun), which is located at the upper limit of the B - SUV class and is already almost looking into the C - SUV class . Moreover, the second-generation Hyundai Kona crossover successfully transforms its length of 4.35 m and wheelbase of 2.66 m into a fairly spacious interior, which is well thought out in detail. But an even better thought-out hybrid: the combination of a 1.6-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor plus a 6-speed DCT gearbox provide quite good power at the level of 141 hp, as well as maximum smoothness in operation. Plus, I note the wide possibilities of setting driving modes and energy recovery during braking. The type of drive is also only on the front wheels.
The manufacturer claims fuel consumption for the Hyundai Kona Hybrid at 4.5-4.7 liters per 100 km in the combined cycle. My own observations during a test drive of such a car give us a little more both in the city (5.5-6 liters per 100 km) and on the highway (6 liters per 100 km) - that is, the arithmetic average is about 5.8 liters per 100 km, which is 1+ liter more than promised.
The Hyundai Kona SX 2 crossover is currently offered in Ukraine only in this hybrid version (there are no versions with a conventional gasoline engine) or as a fully electric vehicle. The minimum cost of the Hyundai Kona Hybrid car is from 1.265 million UAH or about $30.5 thousand; the fully electric version will be noticeably more expensive.
Jeep Avenger e-Hybrid: from 1.094 million UAH or $26.4 thousand – and 4.9-5.1 liters per 100 km
Another example of a compact car (only 4.08 m long and 2.56 m wheelbase), built on the SMR platform and having a 1.2-liter gasoline-electric hybrid with a robotic gearbox and a 48-volt power system under the hood; drive - to the front wheels. Everything resembles the Citroen C 4, although it is worth noting that in the case of the Jeep Avenger, the hybrid system produces less power - we have only 100 hp. But other Jeep Avenger variants offer much more! For example, the fully electric version is ready to offer 115 kW or 156 hp, which makes it the most powerful in the model line. However, perhaps the most unique option is the Jeep Avenger 4 xe crossover: all the same 1.2-liter hybrid, but already with 136 hp. power, plus all-wheel drive (the only one in this selection!) and original rear suspension. It would be very interesting to get to know and talk about such a Jeep Avenger 4 xe separately; but for now, let's return to the familiar Jeep Avenger with a regular 100-horsepower hybrid.
According to the stated specifications, the Jeep Avenger crossover with a 100-horsepower hybrid and front-wheel drive should consume 4.9-5.1 liters per 100 km in the combined cycle. However, such a car has already been the subject of a detailed review, during which my observations gave slightly different figures: in the city on average 7-7.5 liters per 100 km, on the highway on average 4.5-5 liters per 100 km - that is, the arithmetic average is 6 liters per 100 km, which is 1 liter more than promised.
The cost of a Jeep Avenger with a hybrid powertrain starts at UAH 1.094 million or about $26.4 thousand; the fully electric version or the 4x4 version will be more expensive.
MG ZS Hybrid+: from 1.079 million UAH or $26 thousand – and 5.1 liters per 100 km
The debut of the second-generation MG ZS crossover in Ukraine became a rather notable event of the first half of 2025. And although I have not yet managed to get to this car for a full-fledged detailed review, according to the first information, everything looks interesting: considerable dimensions (length 4.43 m and wheelbase 2.61 m), a hybrid power unit in the form of a combination of a 1.6-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor and a special 3-speed gearbox, a fairly high power of 197 hp - this is the highest figure in the selection! Although the drive is only regular front-wheel drive, there are no all-wheel drive versions.
According to the technical specifications, the MG ZS Hybrid + crossover promises an average fuel consumption of 5.1 liters per 100 km - one of the highest figures in this selection. However, given the power and the claimed dynamics of 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds - this is quite expected.
The cost of the MG ZS Hybrid + starts at UAH 1.079 million or about $26 thousand; however, versions with a regular 1.5-liter (aspirated or turbo) gasoline engine will be much more affordable.
Toyota Yaris Cross HEV: from 1.093 million UAH or $26.3 thousand – and 3.8 liters per 100 km
The selection is completed by the compact (4.17-4.2 m depending on the configuration) crossover Toyota Yaris Cross, which was updated about a year ago: the design has changed minimally, but the interior has been significantly updated, new equipment has appeared, etc. But, in addition, a new, more powerful hybrid has appeared! If at the beginning of its career, a 116-horsepower hybrid based on a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor was offered for the Toyota Yaris Cross , then after the update another option was added: still a 1.5-liter engine and an electric motor, but already 130 hp. Plus an electromechanical variator e - CVT and only front-wheel drive. Actually, there are versions of the Toyota Yaris Cross AWD - i with all-wheel drive, but they are not presented for the Ukrainian market; unfortunately…
Interestingly, for two hybrids with different power (116 or 130 hp) the same level of fuel consumption is declared – only 3.8 l per 100 km in the combined cycle; which makes this crossover the most economical in the selection. My observations for the 130-horsepower hybrid crossover Toyota Yaris Cross give 5-6 l per 100 km in the city and about 5 l per 100 when driving on the highway – the arithmetic average is 5.3 l per 100 km, which is 1.5 liters more than promised. In the past, I also had the experience of test driving the Toyota Yaris Cross with a 116-horsepower hybrid and, despite the same passport figures, I would note it as more economical – approximately “minus” 0.5 l per 100 km compared to the 130-horsepower version.
The cost of the Toyota Yaris Cross 116 starts at UAH 1.093 million or $26.3 thousand; the cost of the Toyota Yaris Cross 130 (plus the higher Active trim level) starts at UAH 1.188 million or $28.6 thousand.
Of course, this is far from a complete list of hybrid compact crossovers and cross-hatchbacks. For example, it is worth mentioning the Lexus LBX: I personally really liked it, but it is much more expensive. Also, the new Citroen C 3 and Citroen C 3 Aircross are just now entering the Ukrainian market - and both models will receive a 1.2-liter hybrid. I would also like to note the Honda HR-V crossover with a fairly spacious interior and the KIA Niro, which is offered in a wide variety of versions: HEV (hybrid), PHEV (hybrid with the ability to recharge the battery), EV (fully electric vehicle). Plus the Jeep Compass, which is already in the years and even got a successor, but is still present on the Ukrainian market and can attract with its size. Finally, I will mention the Peugeot 2008 and Peugeot 3008 hybrids, which I will tell you about in detail soon. So be sure - new test drives and car reviews, interesting selections and comparison guides await you further. Don't switch!