Shopping for a new SUV can be a chore. There’s a lot to consider. Two or three rows? Small, medium, midsize, large? Hybrid or traditional powertrain?
When searching for a new SUV, buyers will often compare their fuel efficiency. The models on this list have the best combined gas mileage of any SUVs on the market today.
The list consists of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and hybrids. No plug-in hyrbids or all-electric models were considered. Scroll down to see all 20.
Click here to learn more about fuel efficiency.
2020 Ford EcoSport
Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company
27 mpg in the city/29 mpg on the highway
Most consider the Ford EcoSport to be underpowered for the American market but, that helps with its fuel efficiency. It comes standard with a 123-horsepower turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine.
2020 Nissan Rogue Sport
Photo courtesy of Nissan North America
25 mpg in the city/32 mpg on the highway
The 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport is celebrating just its third year in the U.S. As an international offering, it doesn’t have the type of horsepower that will excite speedy U.S. drivers, but makes sense for markets with lower speed limits. It gets its power from a 141-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that is paired with a continuously variable transmission.
2020 Mazda CX-30
Photo courtesy of Mazda North American Operations
25 mpg in the city/33 mpg on the highway
The 2020 Mazda CX-30 is the newest member of the Japanese automaker’s family. The model comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with an automatic transmission. The model is most fuel-efficient as a front-wheel drive crossover. All-wheel drive is available and when equipped it’s competent off-road.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
24 mpg in the city/34 mpg in the city
In its last year before a complete redesign, the Mercedes-Benz GLA continues to return good fuel economy numbers. It is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and achieves 208 horsepower.
2020 Toyota CH-R
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.
27 mpg in the city/31 mpg on the highway
The front-wheel drive 2020 Toyota CH-R is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 144 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque.
2020 Mini Cooper Countryman
Photo courtesy of MINI
26 mpg in the city/33 mpg on the highway
With its unmistakable Mini looks, the 2020 Cooper Countryman is instantly recognizable as being from the House that Cooper Built. The model’s most fuel efficient engine is its standard turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder that produces 134 horsepower.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek
Photo courtesy of Subaru of America Inc.
27 mpg in the city/33 mpg on the highway
The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek is known for its competence. Despite having standard all-wheel drive, the model is one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs out there. It gets its power from a 152-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The Crosstrek comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission. Upgrade to the continuously variable transmission for more fuel efficiency.
2020 Hyundai Kona
Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
27 mpg in the city/33 mpg on the highway
The two power plants buyers can get in the 2020 Hyundai Kona have nearly the same fuel economy numbers. The car comes standard with a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder that is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can choose to upgrade to a 175-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
2020 Toyota RAV4
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.
26 mpg in the city/35 mpg on the highway
Even without its hybrid powertrain, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 is fuel-efficient. It comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The SUV’s powertrain is complete with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
2020 Honda HR-V
American Honda Motor Co., Inc
28 mpg in the city/34 mpg on the highway
The front-wheel drive version of the 2020 Honda HR-V is most fuel-efficient. Each HR-V is powered by a 141 horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that is paired with continuously variable automatic transmission.
2020 Mazda CX-3
Photo courtesy of Mazda North American Operations
29 mpg in the city/34 mpg on the highway
The 2020 Mazda CX-3 has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under its hood. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and achieves 148 horsepower.
2020 Hyundai Venue
30 mpg in the city/34 mpg on the highway/32 combined
The 2020 Hyundai Venue is the newest model inn the automaker’s lineup and it’s one of the most fuel-efficient. The zippy Venue has a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that achieves 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. It comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission but is more fuel-efficient with a continuously variable transmission.
2020 Lexus UX
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.
29 mpg in the city/37 mpg on the highway
The 2020 Lexus UX is nearly as fuel efficient as the UX Hybrid. It gets down the road thanks to a 169-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
2020 Nissan Kicks
Photo courtesy of Nissan North America
31 mpg in the city/36 mpg on the highway
The Nissan Kicks has had the next-gen version of its engine (shared with the Versa) installed for the 2020 model year. Its better off the line now but still has just 122-horsepower coming from its four-cylinder power plant. The engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission.
2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
36 mpg in the city/35 mpg on the highway
The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is paired with two electric mothers and a battery pack. A continuously variable transmission completes the powertrain. It comes standard with front-wheel drive.
2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid
Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Co., Inc
35 mpg in the city/40 mpg on the highway
New for the 2020 model year, the 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that is paired with a four-cylinder engine that produces 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque.
2020 Lexus UX Hybrid
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.
38 mpg in the city/41 mpg on the highway
The 2020 Lexus UX Hybrid has more horsepower than its non-hybrid counterpart. It has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood and two electric motors that are good for 181 horsepower combined.
2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.
41 mpg in the city/38 mpg on the highway
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is designed to be peppier and more fuel-efficient than that non-Hybrid RAV4. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors that together produce 219 horsepower. A continuously variable transmission rounds out its powertrain.
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company
44 mpg in the city/37 mpg on the highway
The 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid edges out much of the SUV field as one of the most fuel-efficient SUV out there. Completely redesigned for the new model year, the Escape Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and electric motor that combine to produce 198 horsepower.
2020 Kia Niro
Photo courtesy of Kia Motors
52 mpg in the city/49 mpg on the highway
The Kia Niro’s powertrain wasn’t designed to blow anyone’s doors off. It’s made up of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that is paired with an electric motor. A six-speed dual-clutch transmission completes the powertrain, which achieves 139 horsepower.
