10 Non-Hybrid SUVs With The Best Fuel Efficiency

In an era marked by a growing awareness of environmental sustainability and rising fuel costs, the quest for fuel-efficient transportation has become paramount. Amidst this landscape, non-hybrid crossovers and SUVs have emerged as unexpected heroes, offering both versatility and remarkable fuel efficiency. In this exploration, we embark on a journey to discover the most economical and eco-conscious options in the SUV market.

While SUVs have traditionally been associated with gas-guzzling tendencies, recent advancements in technology and engineering have led to a remarkable shift. Today, a new generation of non-hybrid SUVs showcases innovative designs, lightweight materials, and highly efficient engines that prove you don’t need a hybrid powertrain to achieve impressive miles per gallon. This list highlights the most frugal non-hybrid SUVs on sale today.

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The information presented in this article, such as vehicle specs, and fuel economy figures, has been sourced from sites like Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Fueleconomy.gov, and manufacturer sites.

10 2023 Honda HR-V FWD

Combined Fuel Economy: 28 mpg

The HR-V is a B-segment crossover that made its initial debut back in 1998 and since then it’s been through a total of three generations with the second-generation model being the one we picked for our list. The name HR-V stands for “Hi-rider Revolutionary Vehicle”.

Specifications

(Performance and fuel economy info sourced from Car and Driver and Fueleconomy.gov)

The 2023 model comes fitted with a 158 horsepower 2.0-liter inline-four engine that when paired with a standard CVT and the base levels front wheel drive layout helps the car achieve a combined 28 mpg. Apart from offering great fuel economy, the HR-V also holds its own in terms of safety notably receiving the title of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s TOP SAFETY PICK+.

9 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer FWD

Combined Fuel Economy: 30 mpg

Developed by GM Korea, the Trailblazer is a subcompact crossover aimed at emerging markets and it made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2019 as a 2020 model. Powering the base variant is a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine making 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, and is paired with standard CVT.

Specifications

(Performance and fuel economy info sourced from Chevrolet and Fueleconomy.gov)

While the Trailblazer does offer slightly worse fuel economy than the Nissan Kicks, it does feature a more spacious interior with a relatively high roof that allows comfortable seating in the back with a lot of headroom for taller passengers. For onboard entertainment, the base model comes fitted with Chevy’s newest infotainment system that can connect to more than one device at a time and the interior display is a 7.0-inch unit with an 8.0-inch available on higher-level trims.

8 2023 Toyota RAV4

Combined Fuel Economy: 30 mpg

The RAV4 made its debut in 1994 with the XA10 series and it’s widely considered the very first compact crossover ever made. Fast forward to modern times, and the RAV4 is one of the best-selling compact SUVs on sale. Since then the model has gone through a total of five generations with the fifth one debuting at the New York International Auto Show in 2018.

Specifications

(Performance and fuel economy info sourced from Toyota and Fueleconomy.gov)

The model features a number of safety features such as a forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and a lane departure alert with steering assist. In the handling department, the RAV4 strikes a great balance between road grip and comfort with a suspension that’s able to absorb minor bumps and humps while still managing to not feel floaty at high speeds.

All-wheel drive is standard across all trim levels and Toyota has equipped this generation of the model with their “Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD” system which changes the division of torque between the right and left wheels according to driving conditions for added grip on loose surfaces.

7 2023 Honda CR-V

Combined Fuel Economy: 30 mpg

See more : Where Do Hybrid, Electric Cars Sell Best? We Find Out

While the market is filled to the brim with new and exciting models, the 2023 CR-V stands out in the compact SUV segment by ticking all the boxes whether it is power, fuel economy, tech, or handling. The base model comes equipped with a smooth and responsive turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four engine making this the first generation of the CR-V available with a turbo engine.

Specifications

(Performance and fuel economy info sourced from Honda and Fueleconomy.gov)

The new generation also brings with it an overall larger vehicle, which amounts to more space in the cabin. The cabin borrows heavily from what we saw in the 2022 Civic, especially when you consider the honeycomb trim on the dash. The latest CR-V also sees a standard 7.0-inch display on the base model with higher trims being equipped with a 9.0-inch unit with Android Auto / Apple Car Play compatibility and a plethora of tech features.

6 2023 Ford Escape

Combined Fuel Economy: 30 mpg

The fourth generation Escape came out in 2020 and was it’s part of Ford’s bold initiative of removing all hatchbacks and sedans from their lineup. Unlike its predecessors, this generation model is built completely from the ground up as an Escape without sharing any of its bits with older models. It also features a softroader look, better handling, and a 200-pound lighter body.

Specifications

(Performance and fuel economy info sourced from Edmunds and Fueleconomy.gov)

Powering this crossover is an 181 horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, and while more powerful options are available this is the one to pick if you’re looking for the best fuel economy and aren’t willing to spring for the hybrid model.

5 2023 Volkswagen Taos FWD

Combined Fuel Economy: 31 mpg

Initially sold in China under the name Tharu, the Taos made its North American debut in 2020, featuring sharp handling, a comfortable interior, and a relatively large cargo area. The model is Volkswagen’s cheapest and smallest SUV but with 27.9 cubic feet of cargo area behind the rear seats alone, it’s not so little on the inside notably being one of the roomiest vehicles in its class.

Specifications

(Performance and fuel economy info sourced from Edmunds and Fueleconomy.gov)

Another aspect that the Taoes excels at is power which comes from a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder motor producing 158 horsepower placing it on the faster side of the low-price compact crossover market.

4 2023 Hyundai Venue SE

Combined Fuel Economy: 31 mpg

The Venue made its debut at the 2019 New York International Auto Show and it is the smallest and cheapest SUV available in the United States. However, despite its small exterior, the model features ample cabin space to comfortably seat five passengers on short hops around the city.

Specifications

(Performance and fuel economy info sourced from Car and Driver and Fueleconomy.gov)

The model’s compact design also means that in addition to being easy to maneuver, it’s also quite responsive and fun to drive in traffic. The engine fitted to the Venue is a 121 horsepower 1.6-liter inline-four that’s paired with either a standard six-speed manual or an optional CVT.

The model’s lack of power and small size does mean that it’s better suited for shorter routes preferably off the highway but its combined fuel economy of 31 mpg along with its low price tag more than makes up for its lack of excitement.

3 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross FWD

Combined Fuel Economy: 32 mpg

Based on the same platform as the E210 series Corolla, the Corolla Cross is a bigger crossover version of the sedan and it adopts a lot of the popular model’s practicality, reliability, and sensible nature. Positioned between the RAV4 and C-HR the model made its debut in 2021 as the first vehicle built at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama.

Specifications

(Performance and fuel economy info sourced from Toyota and Fueleconomy.gov)

Similar to its sedan counterpart the Corolla Cross is designed as an affordable daily driver packing a generous amount of driver-assist features along with comfortable seating and a spacious interior. Powering the model is a 2.0-liter inline-four that produces 169 horsepower with 150 pound-feet of torque. The motor transmits the power to the vehicle’s front wheels through a standard CVT achieving a combined fuel economy of 32 mpg.

2 2022 Lexus UX 200

Combined Fuel Economy: 32 mpg

The UX standing for “Urban Explorer” is a compact crossover that made its debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show and at the time it was Lexus’s smallest and cheapest SUV before that title was snatched away in 2023 by the Lexus LBX.

Specifications

(Performance and fuel economy info sourced from Motor Trend and Fueleconomy.gov)

The UX’s base variant is called the 200 and despite its low price point, it is unmistakably a Lexus featuring a premium feeling feature-rich interior that puts it comfortably ahead of rivals such as the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Underneath its hood is a 169-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder that powers the car through a CVT transmission achieving a combined fuel economy of 32 mpg.

1 2023 Nissan Kicks

Combined Fuel Economy: 33 mpg

The Kicks is a crossover SUV based on a concept vehicle that Nissan showcased at the São Paulo International Motor Show back in 2014. It made its North American debut in 2018 replacing the aging Juke with a better-looking, feature-packed, economical, and budget-friendly model.

Specifications

(Performance and fuel economy info sourced from Car and Driver and Fueleconomy.gov)

This modestly priced crossover comes fitted with sleek 17-inch wheels, blind-spot monitoring, and a partially digital gauge cluster making it feel way more expensive than it actually is. Powering the 2023 Kicks is a 1.6-liter inline-four producing 122 horsepower which is then transferred to the front wheels through a CVT transmission. While its power won’t be winning you any drag races it is more than enough for hauling people around the city and with a great combined fuel average of 33 mpg the trade-off might be worth it.