Best SUVs for Fuel Economy 2024

SUVs have taken off in popularity in the past decade or two, with various car manufacturers embracing the production of larger vehicles.

These larger vehicles have a lot of upside – boot space, interior room, and powerful performance to name a few.

However, one slight downside to SUVs compared to passenger cars is their fuel economy.

With SUVs/4x4s tending to be the some of the largest and heaviest vehicles, their miles per gallon (MPG) will tend to be lower.

This is through these vehicle types exerting more force on road surfaces due to being heavier vehicles, thus leading to increased rolling resistance.

Even if they aren’t known for their fuel economy, there are still many fuel efficient SUVs out there, which will be covered in this article today.

Best Fuel Efficient SUVs:

1. Toyota Yaris Cross

2. Nissan Qashqai

3. Toyota Rav4

4. Kia Niro

5. Honda HR-V

6. Peugeot 3008

1. Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota are a Japanese car manufacturer that has really mastered the art of producing fuel efficient vehicles.

This has transitioned into their SUV production, with their Yaris Cross being a top pick on the market for fuel efficiency.

The Toyota Yaris Cross is a small SUV that was released in 2020, offering strong MPG to motorists across the world.

Arriving in a 116hp hybrid-petrol variant that sees fuel economy of up to 62.8 mpg, the crossover SUV holds fantastic efficiency regarding its fuel consumption.

Even if it’s a smaller SUV, the MPG that the Toyota Yaris Cross holds is as good as it gets within the vehicle segment.

2. Nissan Qashqai

A leading car manufacturer globally, Nissan produce some of the most reliable mid-range cars on the market.

An undeniable hit for Nissan is their ever-popular Qashqai, a crossover SUV released globally in 2006.

So popular in fact, it topped the best-selling car list in the UK in 2022, coming second place as the UK’s most popular car the following year.

A contributing factor to the popularity of Nissan’s flagship model is the vehicle’s fuel efficiency, in which it garners up to 54.3 mpg.

Not just known for reliability and external design, the Nissan Qashqai has great fuel efficiency across many variants of its lifespan.

3. Toyota Rav4

The second Toyota vehicle on this list is their Rav4, a mid-sized SUV first manufactured by Toyota back in 1994.

A popular vehicle amongst SUV enthusiasts, the Rav4 offers space and practicality for families of all sizes.

The practicality and interior space are not the only factors that make the SUV a great choice – it also offers efficient fuel economy.

Recent generation of Rav4 sees the mid-sized crossover have a fuel economy of up to 50 mpg through its 2.5-litre petrol engine.

An excellent performing car with great fuel efficiency, the Rav4 is a safe option for those looking to save money on their ventures.

4. Kia Niro

Much like Toyota and Nissan, Kia have been manufacturing reliable mid-range vehicles for a number of years.

A recent success for Kia in their SUV model line-up is their Niro, first produced by the South Korean manufacturers in 2016.

The Kia Niro has become a popular vehicle within the SUV segment, providing solid performance capabilities.

A mid-sized SUV that is both reliable and fuel efficient, the Kia Niro holds a fuel economy of up to a staggering 64.2 mpg.

Given the size of the vehicle, the Kia Niro holds a fantastic fuel economy performance and stands tall amongst many of its competitors.

5. Honda HR-V

Honda are another car brand making this list that has been manufacturing reliable and fuel efficient cars for many years now.

The Japanese manufacturers have a number of SUVs throughout their model line-up, however, their HR-V is a popular model that receives great praise for its fuel efficient capabilities.

A small sized SUV that also holds a respectable 106 hp engine, the HR-V offers a safe yet practical drive along with good levels of fuel efficiency.

The Honda HR-V has a solid fuel economy of up to 52.3 mpg, saving motorists money on all journey distances.

 A reliable vehicle paired with great fuel economy, the Honda HR-V holds its own in the SUV market for practicality, performance, and fuel economy.

6. Peugeot 3008

Peugeot have an array of quality vehicles that have been popular choices amongst UK drivers.

Their SUV range is vast, with models like the 2008 and 5008 garnering much praise over the years.

Peugeot’s standout for MPG capabilities is their 3008, a mid-sized SUV that offers great interior room as well as its fuel economy.

The latest Peugeot 3008 generation offers fuel economy of up to 52.5 mpg as well as steady fuel efficiency performance on motorways.

With the 3008’s popularity for its size and fuel efficiency, Peugeot have prided themselves on the 3008 being a top pick for SUV drivers across the world.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the SUVs on this list represent some of the best balances of fuel efficiency and practicality currently available.

While none of these vehicles will be mistaken for the greatest fuel efficiency across all vehicle segments, they offer significantly improved MPG compared to many other SUVs in their class.

Remember that real-world fuel economy can vary based on driving habits and conditions.

This list is not exhaustive, and many other fuel-efficient SUVs are available depending on your specific needs and preferences.