Is it time to start shopping for a fuel-efficient SUV? If it's been awhile since you last headed out to visit your local dealerships, you may be pleasantly surprised by the array of economical SUVs available, particularly the hybrid electric (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models. In the past few years, carmakers have made great strides in terms of designing new and efficient SUVs and crossovers, so you can have the benefits of roomy passenger and cargo space without paying more at the pump.
Our expert-curated list of the best SUVs for mpgs will show you the most fuel-efficient SUVs, both hybrid and gas-powered, currently on the market from a variety of classes and brands. This list includes PHEVs, hybrids, and gas-powered SUVs, which use a couple of different types of ratings, so we consulted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for estimated annual fuel costs. That way, you can compare different types of SUVs and determine which provides the best fuel economy based on what you can expect to pay at the pump.
The Best Gas Mileage SUVs of 2024
- Ford Escape Hybrid
- Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid
- Honda CR-V Hybrid
- Hyundai Venue
- Lexus NX Hybrid
- Lexus UX Hybrid
- Nissan Kicks
- Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
(2023 Escape Hybrid pictured)Ford Escape Hybrid
The Ford Escape hybrid powertrain is available on all but the base trim, the Active. Stepping up to the ST-Line trim level, MSRP rises to $33,340 before destination, or just about $4,000 more than the base, gas-powered Escape Active.
The Escape’s hybrid powertrain combines a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, plus a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery. It comes standard with front-wheel drive (FWD) and excellent fuel economy ratings of 42 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 39 mpg combined. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard starting with the ST-Line Select trim level, and matches the fuel economy of the FWD model. The 2024 Escape remains a great way to get a practical SUV at an affordable price.
Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid
Both hybrid versions of the 2024 Escape come powered by a combination of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor, but the PHEV also gets a 14.4-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery pack. Rated for 210 horsepower, the Escape PHEV's powertrain should deliver 37 miles of all-electric range and 40 mpg combined once the battery has been depleted. It’s a great way to get an SUV that looks and feels mainstream but is a lot more efficient than what you’re probably used to.
As of this writing the EPA hadn't yet weighed in on the 2024 Escape PHEV's overall fuel economy rating, but the 2023 model achieved 101 MPGe and we anticipate no change.
Honda CR-V Hybrid
The Honda CR-V is regarded as one of the best values in the compact crossover SUV segment, and it underwent a full redesign in 2023.
The CR-V Hybrid is yet another example of a hybrid crossover that makes more power than the regular gas-powered version upon which it is based. The CR-V Hybrid’s powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and two electric motors. The system is rated for 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque—a considerable improvement over the traditional CR-V’s ratings of 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Not only is it more efficient, but it’s also more interesting to drive. FWD comes standard and AWD is available. According to the EPA, a FWD CR-V Hybrid is good for 43 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, 40 mpg combined, with a budget of $1,350 per year for fuel. AWD adds $100 to fuel costs and shaves mpg figures to 40/34/37.
Hyundai Venue
The Hyundai Venue was introduced for the 2020 model year. Though the brand had just entered the subcompact crossover space with the Hyundai Kona, the Venue managed to carve out a niche as a sub-subcompact model by undercutting the Kona in price and performance. To wit, the Venue’s available with only a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque, paired with FWD, but it comes close to some hybrid SUVs with fuel economy ratings of 29 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined.
The powertrain leaves the Venue’s driving dynamics on the dull side, but for an affordable city-friendly vehicle, it’s a great choice, even if you disagree with the EPA’s classification of the Venue as an SUV and think of it more as an efficient compact hatchback, not an off-road warrior. As you’ve seen from the vehicles we’ve already looked at, there’s no real reason to avoid a hybrid or plug-in hybrid SUV, but the affordable Venue manages to return very good fuel economy with a traditional gas engine.
Lexus NX Hybrid
The Lexus NX is just below the Lexus RX in size. The PHEV model, dubbed the NX 450h+, combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with three electric motors that deliver an AWD layout. When it debuted as the first-ever Lexus vehicle with plug-in capability, it yielded 84 MPGe with an annual fuel cost of around $1,150. When its 36-mile electric range is depleted, the NX 450h+ returns a combined 36 mpg. Although the official 2024 EPA estimates haven’t been published at the time of writing, there are no changes expected.
The NX Hybrid is essentially an upscale Toyota RAV4 Prime, but the NX stands out thanks to its top-notch interior quality. Its 46.9 cubic feet of cargo space is below average, even for a compact luxury SUV. The all-new infotainment system is bright and shiny, but it has a steep learning curve. An available F Sport trim adds a bit more agility, but the ride is still comfort-focused.
Lexus UX Hybrid
The Lexus UX Hybrid is a peppy subcompact crossover with sporty looks and engaging, if not exactly exciting, driving dynamics. It’s on the expensive side for what it is, but it’s hard to argue with its fuel economy estimates. The UX Hybrid comes in one trim, the 250h, and it's powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, two electric motors, and a battery pack. The combination is paired with the choice of FWD or AWD, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and it is rated for 181 horsepower. It’s quick off the line thanks to the electric motors but is otherwise comfortable rather than actually sporty. The EPA says the UX Hybrid AWD is good for 41 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, and 39 mpg combined, with an estimated $1,400 per year fuel cost. FWD models are good for 41/43/42, and save $100 per year in fuel.
The UX Hybrid is stylish, but it’s basically an up-fitted Toyota C-HR, a model which has since been discontinued. That makes the price tag a little harder to swallow. Inside the small SUV, it’s a bit tight and not quite as nice as veteran Lexus owners might expect.
Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks is another SUV with a regular gas engine that’s efficient enough to hang with its hybrid rivals. This subcompact SUV slots in below the Nissan Rogue and Rogue Sport in size, but it features the same family-friendly design and value-oriented pricing structure as the other members of the brand.
The Kicks comes standard with a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder that makes 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. Though AWD is a common option in crossovers, you won’t find it here, as the Kicks is one of a number of new entrants to the class that comes in FWD only. On the downside, that sacrifices some potential utility, but on the upside, the Kicks lands great EPA fuel economy ratings without employing hybrid technology that would inevitably increase its starting price. According to the EPA, the Kicks is good for returns of 31 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined, or about $1,650 per year in gas.
Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
The all-new Grand Highlander, while sounding like a stretched version of the regular Highlander, is actually an entirely different car, larger in almost all dimensions. Most notably, the second- and third-row seats can comfortably fit full-sized adults, while the cargo space behind the third row is also more generous.
The Grand Highlander Hybrid is actually available with two different hybrid powertrains. A 2.5-liter hybrid delivers exceptional fuel economy, and the 2.4-liter turbo Hybrid Max, which as you guessed it, delivers significantly more power. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine combined with two electric motors is rated at 245 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. With standard FWD, the Grand Highlander Hybrid delivers an EPA-rated fuel economy of 36 mpg combined. Annual fuel cost is estimated to be $1,500. Adding AWD drops that EPA figure by two mpg and adds $100 to the annual fuel cost.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The Toyota Highlander is consistently a great choice in its class, offering full-size capacity in a midsize SUV shell, but if you have more money to spend, the Highlander Hybrid is an even better choice. The Highlander Hybrid looks good and will help keep every member of your family safe and comfortable, and it’s one of the most efficient three-row SUVs on the market.
The Highlander Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, rated at 243 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. With standard FWD, the Highlander Hybrid checks in at manufacturer-estimated fuel economy of 36 mpg combined. With the AWD option, we expect that figure to drop by one mile.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a more efficient—and more powerful—version of the brand’s popular and long-running compact SUV model. It’s comfortable to drive, comes with a list of standard safety features, and offers good space for passengers and cargo. The RAV4 Hybrid gets a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with two electric motors—one on each axle—and a third electric motor that functions as a starter and generator. It’s rated at a combined 219 horsepower, which is a 16-hp boost over the regular RAV4. That, too, makes the RAV4 Hybrid worth a look if the base RAV4 has been on your radar.
For most trims, the 2024 RAV4 Hybrid is rated for an impressive 41 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, 39 mpg combined, despite coming standard with AWD. If you’re looking for even more efficiency out of a RAV4, check out the 2024 RAV4 Prime, which adds plug-in hybrid technology to the mix.