Best Fuel Economy Small & Compact SUVs for 2024

Best Fuel Economy Small & Compact SUVs for 2024

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(iSeeCars) – Small SUVs and crossovers have replaced midsize sedans as the best-selling cars in the U.S. because they offer a combination of spacious interior space, practical cargo space, car-like maneuverability and some of the highest EPA-rated fuel economy ratings available in a traditional front- or all-wheel-drive SUV. And while higher gas prices have forced buyers to reconsider fuel economy when shopping for a new car, shoppers should also consider advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and convenience factors like the infotainment system and automatic parking before making a purchase.

This page lists small and compact SUVs produced by mainstream automakers for the 2022 and 2023 model years. All of these SUVs are powered by traditional engines, though many use turbocharging to improve performance while remaining highly fuel efficient. If you’re looking for fuel efficiency paired with a luxury nameplate, check out our Best Gas Mileage SUVs article, which features models from premium brands like Audi, Buick, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

If lowering your gas bill is truly your top priority, you’ll find the most fuel-efficient SUVs in our list of the best hybrid SUVs with the best fuel economy . That list includes rankings for hybrid models like the Honda CR-V Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, as well as plug-in hybrids like the Toyota RAV4 Prime and Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid. Of course, opting for those more advanced hybrid powertrains requires a higher starting price for the electric motors and battery packs that come standard in every hybrid model. As you dig through that list, you’ll also notice impressive “mpge” numbers, which reflect the increased fuel efficiency that plug-in hybrids are capable of.

If the hybrid option is too expensive for your budget, an alternative and cost-effective way to improve fuel economy is to consider one of the best subcompact SUVs with good fuel economy , such as the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, or Nissan Kicks. While these models don’t offer as much interior space and cargo room, they are surprisingly space-efficient and still offer advanced features like all-wheel drive (AWD) for light off-road adventures and blind-spot monitoring to improve safety on the road. Many of the smaller models on that list, such as the Chevy Trailblazer, come with highly efficient 3-cylinder engines. Other models, such as the Subaru Crosstrek, offer the choice of a standard 4-cylinder engine or an optional plug-in hybrid.

If you’re a traditional SUV buyer looking for a traditional (and quite popular) small or compact SUV, we’ve listed them for you below, ranked by fuel efficiency.

1. Nissan Rogue

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.1/10
    • Reliability: 8.0/10
    • Value retention: 7.9/10
    • Safety: 8.6/10
  • New price (MSRP): $28,850 – $40,630
  • Used price: $16,948 – $31,394
  • MPG: 31 – 33 mpg
  • Freight volume: 31.6 – 36.5 cubic feet

2. Toyota Corolla Cross

  • iSeeCars Score: Available soon
    • Reliability: Available soon
    • Value retention: 8.6/10
    • Safety: 8.0/10
  • New price (MSRP): $23,860 – $29,385
  • Used price: $22,501 – $32,156
  • MPG: 30 – 32 mpg
  • Freight volume: 21.5 – 24.0 cubic feet

3. Volkswagen Taos

  • iSeeCars Score: Available soon
    • Reliability: Available soon
    • Value retention: 7.9/10
    • Safety: 8.0/10
  • New price (MSRP): $23,995 – $33,515
  • Used price: $19,719 – $30,000
  • MPG: 27 – 31 mpg
  • Freight volume: 24.9 – 27.9 cubic feet

4. Honda CR-V

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.9/10
    • Reliability: 9.0/10
    • Value retention: 8.6/10
    • Safety: 9.0/10
  • New price (MSRP): $30,100 – $36,500
  • Used price: $21,400 – $32,997
  • MPG: 29 – 30 mpg
  • Freight volume: 39.3 cubic feet

5.Toyota RAV4

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.8/10
    • Reliability: 8.5/10
    • Value retention: 8.7/10
    • Safety: 9.0/10
  • New price (MSRP): $28,475 – $38,380
  • Used price: $21,909 – $34,599
  • MPG: 28 – 30 mpg
  • Freight volume: 37.5 – 37.6 cubic feet

6. Ford Escape

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.6/10
    • Reliability: 8.2/10
    • Value retention: 7.6/10
    • Safety: 10/10
  • New price (MSRP): $28,000 – $38,460
  • Used price: $15,498 – $32,009
  • MPG: 26 – 30 mpg
  • Freight volume: 37.5 cubic feet

7. Subaru Forester

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.6/10
    • Reliability: 8.3/10
    • Value retention: 8.4/10
    • Safety: 9.0/10
  • New price (MSRP): $29,695 – $39,995
  • Used price: $19,967 – $34,309
  • MPG: 26 – 29 mpg
  • Freight volume: 26.9 – 28.9 cubic feet

8. Chevrolet Equinox

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.6/10
    • Reliability: 8.0/10
    • Value retention: 7.7/10
    • Safety: 10/10
  • New price (MSRP): $26,600 – $33,400
  • Used price: $15,989 – $29,432
  • MPG: 26 – 28 mpg
  • Freight volume: 29.9 cubic feet

9. Subaru Outback

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.5/10
    • Reliability: 8.6/10
    • Value retention: 8.1/10
    • Safety: 9.0/10
  • New price (MSRP): $28,895 – $42,795
  • Used price: $20,189 – $37,333
  • MPG: 23 – 28 mpg
  • Freight volume: 32.6 cubic feet

10. Kia Sportage

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.2/10
    • Reliability: 7.6/10
    • Value retention: 7.9/10
    • Safety: 9.0/10
  • New price (MSRP): $27,190 – $37,990
  • Used price: $15,914 – $32,329
  • MPG: 25 – 28 mpg
  • Freight volume: 39.6 cubic feet

11. Hyundai Tucson

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.1/10
    • Reliability: 7.5/10
    • Value retention: 8.0/10
    • Safety: 8.7/10
  • New price (MSRP): $27,500 – $38,260
  • Used price: $16,450 – $31,760
  • MPG: 25 – 28 mpg
  • Freight volume: 38.7 cubic feet

12. Mitsubishi Outlander

  • iSeeCars Score: 8.1/10
    • Reliability: 8.2/10
    • Value retention: 7.7/10
    • Safety: 8.4/10
  • New price (MSRP): $28,395 – $40,845
  • Used price: $14,994 – $34,042
  • MPG: 26 – 27 mpg
  • Freight volume: 11.7 cubic feet

Selecting a small or compact SUV that offers the best fuel economy is a smart decision for anyone looking to balance fuel efficiency with the versatility and utility of an SUV. The Nissan Rogue, Toyota Corolla Cross, and Volkswagen Taos are among the top contenders, but each model on our list offers a unique blend of performance, reliability, and value. Be sure to consider additional features like safety ratings, cargo space, and total cost of ownership when making your decision.


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This article, Best Fuel Economy Small SUVsoriginally appeared on iSeeCars.com.