14) 2020 Toyota C-HR
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,250 | 27/31 mpg | $21,295 | USN Overall Score: 6.6/10
The uniquely styled subcompact 2020 Toyota C-HR is best for those who don’t require an abundance of back seat room and cargo space. That said, it delivers pleasing road manners, agile handling, and a smooth ride over most road surfaces. It comes with many of the latest tech features and safety systems, and is predicted to be a reliable ride. Its passenger cabin is eclectically designed and uses high-quality materials.
On the downside, its sluggish and noisy 144-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine leaves a lot to be desired, and the C-HR is one of the few small crossovers not to offer all-wheel drive as an alternative to front drive.
The vehicle’s exterior treatment is updated a bit for 2020, while the vehicle’s 8-inch touch screen infotainment system adds Android Auto capability in addition to the previously standard Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa smartphone interfaces.
13) 2020 Subaru Crosstrek
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,200 | 27/33 mpg | $22,145 | USN Overall Score: 7.7/10
Coming standard with all-wheel drive, the subcompact 2020 Subaru Crosstrek is one of the better small crossovers on the market, provided you don’t require a model that’s particularly sporty. Still, this conservative crossover affords a cushiony ride and features a particularly spacious cargo area. Its nicely designed passenger cabin is highlighted by an intuitive-to-operate infotainment system.
The Crosstrek’s 152-horsepower four-cylinder engine needs more horses to overcome its languid acceleration, however, and the suspension could be tuned to provide some needed handling prowess.
Subaru made automatic climate control a standard feature for the 2020 Crosstrek. Also, models equipped with the CVT automatic transmission now come with a stop-start function that shuts down the engine while at idle as a fuel-saving measure. It starts back up when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake pedal.
12) 2020 Hyundai Kona
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,200 | 28/32 mpg city/hwy | $20,100 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10
The 2020 Hyundai Kona is one of a growing generation of expressively styled small crossovers, and it’s one of the better entries in its class. It’s also among the most affordable. U.S. News ranks it at the No. 2 spot among subcompact SUVs. The Kona’s interior has an upscale look and feel with user-friendly technology, though rear seat space and cargo room are lacking. It comes standard with some key driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking.
Performance wise, the Kona takes the curves tenaciously, while still maintaining a reasonably comfortable ride. The standard engine is a just sufficient 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder; a livelier choice is the available 175-horsepower turbo-four.
For 2020 the Kona receives an available adaptive cruise control system, with some trims renamed and reconfigured.
11) 2020 Ford Escape
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,200 | 27/33 mpg city/hwy | $24,885 | USN Overall Score: 7.9/10
The compact 2020 Ford Escape is fully redesigned and comes wrapped in sleek exterior styling that’s light years removed from the first generation’s boxy truck-like look. U.S. News ranks it mid-pack among compact crossovers. Its cabin is adequately roomy in both the front and rear, though the Escape gets points off for its lackluster interior materials. On the plus side, its available infotainment system is easily operated and the vehicle offers a full range of driver assistance systems.
The Escape comes standard with a 180-horsepower three-cylinder turbocharged engine that should suffice for most drivers. Those with a need for speed can choose the available 250-horsepower turbo-four engine for added punch. As a bonus, the Escape is fun to drive, with lively handling, while maintaining an agreeable ride. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts busily, however.
10) 2020 Honda HR-V
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,200 | 28/34 mpg city/hwy | $20,820 | USN Overall Score: 7.4/10
The 2020 Honda HR-V is a likeable subcompact crossover SUV that belies its small size with enough rear-seat legroom to suit most adult riders and plenty of cargo space. The HR-V handles quickly and precisely, and maintains its composure over all but the most pockmarked road surfaces. Unfortunately, its 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine comes up short in the acceleration department, and its CVT automatic transmission could be more refined in terms of its power delivery.
The HR-V’s infotainment system is a bit of a mess, with confusing menus that add to the distraction of operating it while driving. It’s priced about average in its class, though you’ll need to trade up to a higher trim level to obtain added active safety features and connectivity features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The HR-V sees no major changes for 2020.
9) 2020 Honda CR-V
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,200 | 28/34 mpg city/hwy | $25,050 | USN Overall Score: 8.7/10
The 2020 Honda CR-V fares much better than its smaller sibling, the HR-V, with U.S. News ranking it the No.1 model among compact SUVs. There’s a lot to like here, including a spacious and nicely finished five-passenger interior that features enough cargo room to handle even the biggest shopping sprees.
While the CR-V’s previous 184-horsepower four-cylinder engine has been dropped from the lineup for 2020, a smaller 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder exceeds it with 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Its CVT automatic transmission operates more smoothly than most, and the CR-V exhibits well-balanced ride and handling qualities.
The exterior gets some modest tweaks for 2020, and the Honda Sensing suite of high-tech safety systems is now standard across the line.
8) 2020 Toyota RAV4
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,200 | 28/35 mpg city/hwy | $25,950 | USN Overall Score: 8.4/10
U.S. News ranks the 2020 Toyota RAV4 highly among compact crossover SUVs. It’s an ideal ride for small families, singles, and empty nesters alike for its roomy and nicely finished passenger cabin, amenable handling, and its many standard features. These include the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite of advanced driver-assist systems. Though it carries a somewhat steep sticker price in this class, it’s predicted to be eminently reliable over time.
The RAV4 comes adequately powered by a 203-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that, unfortunately, becomes loud and feels unrefined when pushed hard. Unlike some other models in its class there is no turbocharged upgrade.
Android Auto, satellite radio, and a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot are added for 2020, as is a new all-wheel drive TRD model with a specially tuned suspension and specific tires for a bit of added off-road prowess.
7) 2020 Lexus NX Hybrid
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,150 | 33/30 mpg city/hwy | $39,270 | USN Overall Score: 7.4/10
The compact Lexus NX Hybrid combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with no fewer than three electric motors and a self-charging battery pack to channel a decent (though not especially thrilling) 194 horsepower to a CVT automatic transmission. Best of all it does so with class-leading fuel economy. It’s not particularly adept in terms of its handling prowess, however.
The NX Hybrid comes well equipped and features ample interior room with especially comfortable front seats. Unfortunately its infotainment system is both difficult and distracting to operate.
For 2020 the standard Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 batch of driver assist systems now includes lane centering and road sign recognition. That’s in addition to key elements like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and all-speed adaptive cruise control.
6) 2020 Lexus UX
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,100 | 29/37 mpg city/hwy | $32,300 | USN Overall Score: 7.6/10
The distinctively styled subcompact 2020 Lexus UX gets impressive fuel economy in its standard version without the added cost of a hybrid-drive system. A generous features set includes a long list of accident-avoidance safety features that include forward automatic emergency braking. A blind spot monitor is newly available for 2020. You may get frustrated learning to operate the vehicle’s fussy infotainment system without incurring undue distraction, however.
While the UX delivers a smooth and comfortable ride with precise handling, it’s not as fun to drive as some of its rivals. A lot of that has to do with its lackluster 169-horsepower four-cylinder engine that makes it feel sluggish on the uptake; fortunately its CVT automatic transmission operates smoothly.
The Android Auto interface is included for 2020, joining the Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity systems.
5) 2020 Nissan Kicks
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,100 | 31/36 mpg city/hwy | $18,870 | USN Overall Score: 7.8/10
Yet another funky-looking subcompact crossover SUV, the 2020 Nissan Kicks is one of the better examples in a burgeoning field. Aside from its impressive fuel economy, its most noteworthy attributes are a generous number of standard features, a spacious cargo area, and its decidedly affordable sticker price.
Among the Kicks few drawbacks, its 122-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine fares better in city traffic than it does getting up to highway speeds, and it could stand quicker handling and better braking to keep up with its rivals in terms of drivability. All-wheel drive is not available here, however; though its front-drive setup should suffice for all but those living deep within snow country.
The Kicks receives several driver assist systems as standard equipment for 2020, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, and high beam assist.
4) 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Annual Fuel Cost: $1,000 | 36/35 mpg city/hwy | $38,200 | USN Overall Score: 8.1/10
The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid gets the best fuel economy of any gas or hybrid-powered midsize three-row SUV. It’s fully redesigned for 2020, and adds key features like the Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa interfaces. A host of the latest accident avoidance safety features are also newly standard.
Combined, its four-cylinder engine and dual electric motors send the equivalent of 243 horsepower to the pavement via a CVT automatic transmission. It’s peppy around town, but less so when trying to muster passing speeds on the highway. The suspension is tuned to soak up bumps and highway imperfections nicely.
Its negatives are nitpicks, but not necessarily deal breakers. As with many SUVs in this size class, the rearmost row is short on legroom, and it’s not a particularly crisp-handling vehicle. The sticker price is also rather steep.
3) 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Annual Fuel Cost: $750 | 41/38 mpg city/hwy | $28,350 | USN Overall Score: 8.4/10
The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is U.S. News’ top-ranked model among hybrid and electric SUVs, and was awarded our 2020 Best Hybrid or Electric SUV for the Money award.
Its fuel economy is inarguably frugal, and the RAV4 hybrid backs it up with lively acceleration. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors combine to produce the perky equivalent of 219 horsepower. It rides smoothly over most road surfaces. All-wheel drive is standard.
Like its gasoline-only companion, the RAV4 Hybrid offers a spacious and upscale-looking interior with a generously roomy cargo hold. Android Auto is added to the vehicle’s connectivity features for 2020.
2) 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Annual Fuel Cost: $900 | 44/37 mpg city/hwy | $28,255 | USN Overall Score: N/A
Ford brings back the Escape Hybrid for 2020 after an eight-year absence, and it gets the best fuel economy in city driving among our list of gas-sipping SUVs. The Escape Hybrid was not ranked as of this writing because it had not yet been evaluated for its crashworthiness. Its critics’ rating, however, is a stalwart 7.9 out of 10.
While the vehicle’s interior is sufficiently spacious and quiet, it could use some better quality materials for a richer look and feel. The infotainment system is intuitive to operate and includes a wide variety of functions.
The Escape Hybrid’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine is augmented by an electric motor to produce a net 198 horsepower, which is sufficient to get the vehicle up to speed without much fuss. It drives much like the standard-issue Escape, with and modestly playful steering and a pliant ride over most surfaces. A generous list of standard driver assist systems includes Curve Control, which helps safely manage the vehicle’s speed when approaching a curve.
1) 2020 Lexus UX Hybrid
Annual Fuel Cost: $850 | 43/41 mpg city/hwy | $34,350 | USN Overall Score: 7.5/10
The luxury automaker’s smallest gas/electric-powered model, the 2020 Lexus UX Hybrid gets the best fuel economy among non-plug-in SUVs sold in the U.S. It affords a reasonably roomy cabin, though some interior materials are on the cheap side, and there’s little in the way of cargo space. The UX comes packed with all the requisite bells and whistles, including the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 aggregate of high-tech safety systems. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and more.
A four-cylinder gas engine and dual electric motors combine to generate 181 horsepower, which should be enough for most drivers, though it’s less than with some other hybrids. It’s tuned to deliver a well-cushioned ride with reasonably energetic handling abilities. As with some other Lexus models, the UX’s infotainment system can be difficult and distracting to operate, though it does come with most of the latest connectivity features.
The Android Auto smartphone interface is made standard for 2020, with blind spot monitoring newly available.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Admittedly, most of the crossover SUVs presented here are either compact or subcompact models and aren’t built to venture away from paved roads. If you require a larger three-row SUV and/or one that comes with three rows of seats for kids and carpooling – or instead favor a sedan, coupe, or pickup truck you’ll want to consult our new car rankings. And whether you’re buying or leasing a vehicle it pays – literally – to check our new car deals page as part of the shopping process to see what’s being offered in terms of automakers’ cash-back rebates, cut-rate financing programs, and lease deals, updated monthly.
Finally, don’t take a step onto a showroom floor without first visiting our Best Price Program page to obtain pre-negotiated prices from auto dealerships within a set distance from where you live. How valuable is this service? The average shoppers saves in excess of $3,000 by participating in the Best Price Program.
14 Most Fuel-Efficient SUVs in 2020
- 2020 Lexus UX Hybrid
- 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
- 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
- 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- 2020 Nissan Kicks
- 2020 Lexus UX
- 2020 Lexus NX Hybrid
- 2020 Toyota RAV4
- 2020 Honda CR-V
- 2020 Honda HR-V
- 2020 Ford Escape
- 2020 Hyundai Kona
- 2020 Subaru Crosstrek
- 2020 Toyota C-HR
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Practical, Passenger-Friendly SUVs That Don’t Guzzle Gas
America is having a full-tilt love affair with sport-utility vehicles these days, and it’s easy to see why. Given their taller stance and upright rooflines, SUVs are generally easier to enter and exit than sedans, and because they sit higher off the ground they afford a see-over-traffic view of the road. Their basic “two box” designs afford more interior room than a same-size passenger car. Their generous cargo capacities make them ideal for growing families or anyone else who makes regular trips to the warehouse store or antique mall.
Particularly popular are car-based crossover models that deliver more-easygoing road manners than the larger and more rugged truck-derived SUVs. Most offer all-wheel drive as an optional alternative to front-wheel drive for added traction over wet or snowy roads. What’s more, crossover SUVs deliver superior fuel economy over their truck-based counterparts, especially in gas/electric hybrid-powered models that are exceptionally frugal.
Here we’re counting down the 14 most fuel efficient SUVs – all are crossovers – for the 2020 model year in both gas-only and hybrid configurations. They’re ranked in ascending order according to the EPA’s annual fuel cost calculations, which assume 15,000 annual miles in combined city/highway driving is the national average (as of this writing) fuel costs. We’re providing the EPA’s city/highway fuel economy estimates, along with other pertinent information that includes pricing and U.S. News overall scores for comparison.
But take note that there are more energy efficient SUVs out there, namely full electric and plug-in hybrid models that we’re not considering here. You can, however, find out all about them in our SUV rankings. Also, take note that U.S. News scores are updated constantly as new data comes in, so the scores mentioned in this article may not match those in our rankings and reviews.