SUVs remain hotter than ever, with more models hitting the market seemingly every day. And as more offerings flood the market, fuel efficiency has become even more of a selling point, with consumers paying ever more attention to which SUVs and crossovers get the best gas mileage. Additionally, automakers have been under increasing regulatory pressure to improve the overall fuel efficiency of their SUV lineups as a whole, and as a result have made big strides in the mpg department.
So whether they’re powered by a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or regular gasoline powertrain, today’s SUVs get far better gas mileage than they did just a few years ago. To give you a sense of what’s out there, we’ve rounded up the newest SUVs and crossovers on the market today with the best mpg ratings. (Note: All numbers are EPA combined estimates, with mpg-e denoting the miles per gallon equivalent for plug-in hybrid models. And yes, we know the Honda CR-V hybrid is coming, but it’s not on sale yet and hasn’t been EPA rated. Next year.)
Hyundai‘s new Venue is just making it to the U.S. market, but the cute subcompact crossover arrives with good fuel economy, delivering 32 mpg combined. The entry-level Venue crossover should be a popular seller for those who want good looks, fewer trips to the gas station, and tremendous value.
2020 Volvo XC90 PHEV — 55 mpg-e
The Volvo XC90 is one of our favorite luxury SUVs, boasting great power, nice looks, and plenty of amenities at a relatively attainable price. Besides that, the plug-in hybrid SUV is also one of the most fuel efficient SUVs going, delivering 55 mpg-e with AWD. The XC90 is the only real three-row crossover that made this best gas mileage SUVs list.
2020 Volvo XC60 PHEV — 57 mpg-e
With impressive technology that delivers good fuel economy for almost the same amount of power as the 2.0-liter turbo and supercharged engine, the 2020 Volvo XC60 shines on many fronts already. Making things even better, the XC60 PHEV is rated at 57 mpg-e combined, and the EPA estimates you’ll be spending about $1,500 a year in fuel, to boot.
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV — 74 mpg-e
Although you don’t really see many Mitsubishi models ranking highly on any best-of lists, the Outlander PHEV makes the cut here as one of the most efficient SUVs available thanks to its 74 mpg-e rating. The EPA says you’ll spend about $1,200 per year in gas. That’s not a lot and is especially impressive given how much car you’re getting in the interior and cargo space departments.
We like the idea of more power, less gas. And that’s exactly what the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid delivers. Available only with AWD, the RAV4 Hybrid delivers 40 mpg combined and is one of the most fuel efficient SUVs on the market. And let’s not forget about the upcoming RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, which will boast 302 hp and a Toyota-estimated 90 mpg-e combined.
With Ford making the 2020 Escape more carlike in order to leave room for the new off-road Bronco models that are in the offing, the hybrid crossover delivers 41 and 40 mpg combined in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, respectively. Regardless of which traction option you choose, the Escape Hybrid offers fantastic mpg for a compact crossover.
The Lexus UX 250h entry-level SUV is not only a looker, it’s also one of the most fuel efficient SUVs you can get today. With 42 mpg combined, this small, FWD crossover will set you back about $900 for a year’s worth of gas. But if you live in or near snowy places, the 2020 Lexus UX 250h AWD can be another option that delivers good fuel economy (39 mpg combined).
With 90 mpg-e and 35 mpg combined, the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is one of the most fuel efficient crossovers you can buy today. And like every Subaru, AWD is standard. According to the EPA, you’ll be spending roughly $950 a year in gas. Not only does the Crosstrek Hybrid get excellent fuel economy, it’s also a pretty fun SUV to drive.
Whether you’re looking for a plug-in hybrid or regular hybrid, the Kia Niro is the most fuel efficient SUV out there. The crossover is available in different variants that can deliver up to 105 mpg-e for the plug-in hybrid model, or up to 50 mpg combined for the regular hybrid.
