10 Most Fuel-Efficient SUVs And Crossovers Of 2019

Here are 10 non-hybrid SUVs that leave their owners with more cash at the gas station.

Hyundai Kona Lead

Jim Gorzelany

By: Jim Gorzelany

Mar 25, 2019 at 1:00pm ET

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With the price of gasoline creeping back up again, fuel economy will likely be a critical criterion among new-vehicle shoppers. In years past, this might have triggered a boost in small-car sales – but those days are over. SUVs, especially car-based crossovers, are solidly the vehicles of choice among a still-growing number of U.S. motorists. Passenger cars now account for only 30 percent of all vehicles sold, which is down from a 50 percent market share as recently as 2013.

The most-efficient SUVs, of course, are electrified models – either hybrids, plug-in hybrids, or full EVs. The Hyundai Kona Electric leads all comers in this regard, rated at the equivalent of 132 miles per gallon city and 108 miles per gallon highway. Among hybrid-powered SUVs, the new-for-2019 Lexus UX 250h registers an impressive 43 mpg city, 41 highway, and 42 combined.

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Unfortunately, most EVs and hybrids still cost more than conventionally powered models. The aforementioned Kona Electric is $15,150 higher than its gas-powered equivalent (it’s a still-steep $7,650 premium after deducting the $7,500 federal tax credit granted to new-EV buyers). In the case of the Lexus UX, the margin is a more reasonable $2,000. However, with an estimated annual fuel savings of just $200 a year versus the already frugal conventionally-powered version (at 29/37), you’ll have to own the UX 250h for nearly seven years to recover the added up-front cost.

So which are the most fuel-efficient SUVs for 2019 that run solely on regular gasoline? As one might imagine, they’re among the smallest car-based crossovers on the road. You won’t find a big Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition anywhere on this list. However, the Environmental Protection Agency says the cheapest-to-run models of the bunch will save an owner an estimated $1,500 in fuel costs over five years (at 15,000 miles driven annually) compared to the average new vehicle. We’re featuring the 10 top gas-sippers in the above slideshow. Fuel economy is expressed in terms of city/highway miles per gallon, as rated by the EPA.