I don't think hybrids are the way to go. They have the components of both a pure gas and a pure electric vehicle with only a minimal gain in gas mileage as far as I can see.

If I were looking for an SUV these days I would buy a Subaru Forester or the larger Subaru Outback pure gas SUV, depending on size preference. They will get near 30 mpg, are all wheel drive, assembled in Indiana and are listed as the most reliable vehicles in the most recent survey. I really like the Subaru drive train and vehicle quality. No plastic fenders as far as I know.

The difference in price between identical hybrid and pure gas vehicles will pay for the difference in mileage for quite some time.