10 SUVs that balance fuel economy with good performance

Sedans have generally always had the upper hand when it comes to fuel efficiency. The first generation Honda Civic was one of, and still is, the most fuel-efficient sedans of its time, delivering 40 miles per gallon. In more recent years, cars such as the Toyota Camry hybridToyota Prius, and Honda Accord Hybrids of the world can achieve 45 MPG. Unfortunately, you also have to sacrifice performance for this.

As technology continues to improve, SUVs are quickly overtaking SUVs when it comes to fuel efficiency. Of course, full-size body-on-frame SUVs may never catch up to the fuel economy of a sedan. For example, a 5.3-liter V-8 Tahoe gets 21 MPG on the highway and only 16 MPG in the city.

We have ten SUVs that we think you’ll enjoy driving and will also save you money at the pump. Please note that all vehicles on this list are compact or subcompact. There really aren’t many mid-size cars that can deliver or deliver comparable dynamic driving. Let’s see which is the most fuel efficient.

Mazda CX-5

If we ignore the hybrid borrowed by Toyota, Mazda has a choice of a quartet of powertrains. Some are fuel efficient, others are not. The naturally aspirated version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder inline engine is the more efficient of the two versions. Unfortunately, you’ll be sacrificing quite a bit of performance, but not enough to scare you into buying one of these. All Mazda CX-5s come standard with all-wheel drive and can still offer you driving pleasure thanks to the smaller frame.

Mazda CX-50

The slightly bolder, brasher and certainly larger of the compact Mazda SUVs is the CX-50. The CX-50 has exactly the same powertrain (apart from the new hybrid), powertrain and transmission setup as the CX-5, with the naturally aspirated version coming out on top in terms of fuel economy. The CX-50 has a combined EPA rating of 28 MPG with 25 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. It’s also the more capable of the two. While the 0 to 60 time is a bit slower, it has more cargo space, more towing capacity, but has a surprisingly smaller cargo and passenger compartment.

Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson has long been a staple, not only in the compact SUV segment, but also in the Hyundai range in general. Over the years, Tucson has become more dynamic, more capable and even more powerful. It comes in a hybrid or non-hybrid version. The non-hybrid has almost as impressive fuel economy as the hybrid. The Hyundai Tucson also received an update for 2025 and looks even more dynamic and also offers more technology in the interior.

Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage has had a rocky powertrain history, but overall it’s a great entry into the compact SUV segment. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder does a good job of getting it up to speed and does a good job of continuing to sip fuel. The Come on Sportage has also been slightly updated for the 2026 model year, offering a dynamic, fun driving experience while still saving you money at the pump. Cargo space is also spacious, with a total of 108 cubic feet and 39.6 cubic feet with the seats down.

Subaru Crosstrek

Combined MPG: 29 MPG

Honestly, the Subaru Crosstrek has to be the biggest bang for your buck in the subcompact SUV segment. It comes in so many different styles and capacities and has the largest towing capacity of the bunch for some models: 3,500 pounds. Impressively, aside from the Wilderness, both powertrains deliver the same combined MPG ratings. The Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness sits atop larger all-terrain tires and has a lot more equipment, which makes it harder to get better ratings.

Buick Encore GX

Combined MPG: 30 MPG

The Belly Encore GX recently went on sale with the unveiling of the “GX” to make way for the now entry-level Envista. The GX ostensibly comes with more features, while still maintaining the same kind of fuel economy you’d expect from a subcompact SUV. Like the Trailblazer, the Encore GX has two powertrains; powertrains and one transmission. The less powerful entry has a fuel economy of 27 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway, paired with the front-wheel drive.

Chevrolet pioneer

Combined MPG: 31 MPG

The Chevrolet Trailblazer is an entry that is sometimes overlooked, but it shouldn’t be. It offers the same size as the Chevrolet Trax does that, but with more options. It comes with two different powertrains, powertrains and transmissions. The more powerful of the two is surprisingly the most economical. The more economical of the two powertrains is of course the front-wheel drive version. While it may not emulate the Trailblazer of the past, it still offers plenty of practicality and comfort.

Nissan Kicks

Combined MPG: 31 MPG

The Nissan Kicks is completely new for the 2025 model year and certainly does not disappoint. Even the base model has a lot to offer, including a largely digital instrument cluster and a larger infotainment screen that fits snugly into the dash. Even more impressive is the sheer amount of power and fuel efficiency that the inline three-cylinder engine puts out in this car. Nissan. The latest generation is much larger than the previous generation and also offers up to 60 cubic meters of total storage space.

Toyota Corolla Cross

Combined MPG: 32 MPG

Like the majority of these entries, the Toyota Corolla Cross has a hybrid variant. Also, like these other entries, the Toyota The Corolla Cross’s internal combustion offers tremendous value. Based on one of the most popular sedans, the Corolla Cross packs an SUV punch into the subcompact segment. It comes with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that allows 32 MPG combined with 31 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. What makes it superior to the Corolla is that it looks like a Corolla, but has the space of an SUV.

Nissan villain

Combined MPG: 33 MPG

Previously, the Nissan Rogue was powered by a four-cylinder engine. As we said at the beginning of the article, the technology is only getting better and that is why it is now combined with an incredibly economical 1.5-liter three-cylinder. The Nissan Rogue is now available in several variants, including their more adventurous “Rock-Creek,” which comes with beefier all-terrain tires. The Rogue also offers 105.4 cubic feet of storage space with the seats down and 36.5 cubic feet with the second row up.