2016 SUVs With the Best Gas Mileage

Most Fuel-Efficient SUVs of the Year

What vehicles get great gas mileage and have plenty of room for a family? These crossovers are up to the challenge, giving buyers more of what they’re looking for at a variety of price points.

From small SUVs to hybrid SUVs to luxury SUVs, this list has something for everyone. You'll enjoy the versatility of an SUV with the fuel economy of a compact car.

If you're ready to buy, check out our Best Price Program, which can save you thousands.

• Read the 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid Full Review
• See 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid Photos
• See Luxury Midsize SUVs Rankings

2016 RAV4 Hybrid

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid gives buyers a lot of what they’re looking for – excellent cargo space, a comfortable cabin, and good fuel economy. The compact crossover is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors offering 194 net horsepower. The 2016 RAV4 Hybrid achieves 34 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is offered in XLE and Limited trim levels with suggested starting MSRPs of $28,370 and $33,610 respectively. The 2016 model of the RAV4 Hybrid was ranked No. 7 in U.S. News & World Report’s ratings of compact SUVs.

• Read the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Full Review
• See 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

2016 Honda HR-V

Matching coupe-like styling with the versatility of an SUV, the Honda HR-V grades start with a two-wheel drive model. With the optional continuously variable transmission, the base HR-V achieves 34 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg in the city.

The 2016 Honda HR-V is offered in three grades – LX, EX, and EX-L Navi – and a number of powertrains.  It has a starting MSRP of $19,215. The 2016 model was ranked at No. 2 in U.S. News & World Report’s ratings of subcompact SUVs.

• Read the 2016 Honda HR-V Full Review
• See 2016 Honda HR-V Photos
• See Subcompact SUVs Rankings

2016 Audi Q5 Hybrid

The Audi Q5 Hybrid combines power with luxury appointments to give buyers an upscale green vehicle. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter TFSI engine combined with an electric motor, the Q5 Hybrid yields 245 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. The powertrain achieves 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

The 2016 Audi Q5 starts at $52,500 and comes in one trim level, but a number of packages are offered as add-ons. The 2016 Audi Q5 is ranked at No. 4 in U.S. News & World Report’s ratings of luxury compact SUVs.

• Read the 2016 Audi Q5 Full Review
• See 2016 Audi Q5 Photos
• See Luxury Compact SUVs Rankings

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

Good fuel economy and a quiet cabin are two of the highest-touted attributes of the significantly refreshed 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. Despite its lack of power compared to its competitors, Outlander drivers can rest assured that they’re saving on fuel with the crossover’s underpowered engine.

Powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, the Outlander achieves 25 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander is ranked at No. 16 in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of compact SUVs.

• Read the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Full Review
• See 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250

Like it’s development sister, the Infiniti QX30, the Mercedes-Benz GLA offers better fuel economy than the top-ranked crossovers in its class. Its base 208-horsepower inline-four turbo engine is mated to a seven-speed DCT transmission. The GLA250 gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 has a suggested starting MSRP of $32,850. The 2016 model ranks No. 2 in U.S. News & World Report’s ratings of luxury subcompact SUVs. It shares that ranking with the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

• Read the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Full Review
• See 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Photos
• See Luxury Subcompact SUVs Rankings

2016 Lexus RX Hybrid

Compared to other midsize luxury SUVs, the Lexus RX Hybrid offers buyers excellent fuel efficiency along with high-end materials in the cabin, a modern design, and abundant cargo space. Refreshed for 2016, the model features a 3.5-liter V6 engine under the hood that works in combination with two (in front-wheel-drive models) or three (in all-wheel-drive models) electric motors to produce 308 horsepower.

The all-wheel-drive version of the RX 450h F SPORT achieves 31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.  The all-wheel-drive RX 450h hits the same marks. The RX 450h all-wheel drive starts at $53,635. It’s F SPORT variant starts at $57,045. The 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid is ranked at No. 5 in U.S. News & World Report’s ratings of luxury midsize SUVs.

• Read the 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid Full Review
• See 2016 Lexus RX Hybrid Photos
• See Luxury Midsize SUVs Rankings

2016 Nissan Juke NISMO

With a six-speed manual transmission mated to a 1.6-liter turbo engine, the 2016 Nissan Juke NISMO offers a spirited and fuel-efficient ride. Though short on second-row passenger space, the Juke NISMO offers a funky look combined with nimble handling.

The 2016 Nissan Juke NISMO starts at $24,830 and achieves 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. The Juke is ranked No. 7 on U.S. News & World Report’s list of subcompact SUVs.

• Read the 2016 Nissan Juke Full Review
• See 2016 Nissan Juke Photos
• See Subcompact SUVs Rankings

2016 Mazda CX-3

With athletic handling and top-rated fuel economy, the 2016 Mazda CX-3 is a darling of critics. Like many other Mazdas, it has a long list of standard features, though its back seats and cargo area don’t offer very much space.

Under the hood, there’s a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that achieves up to 35 mpg on the highway in front-wheel-drive models. All-wheel-drive models achieve up to 32 mpg on the highway. The 2016 model starts at $19,960 and comes in three trim levels. The 2016 Mazda CX-3 was ranked at the top of U.S. News & World Report’s list of subcompact SUVs.

If you're ready to buy, check out our Best Price Program, which can save you thousands of dollars.

• Read the 2016 Mazda CX-3 Full Review
• See 2016 Mazda CX-3 Photos
• See Subcompact SUVs Rankings