10 Non-Hybrid SUVs With The Best Fuel Efficiency (2024)

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.

10 2024 Honda CR-V

Average Fuel Economy: 30 MPG

To start the list off, we have a legend of the SUV world, having dominated the compact SUV segment for decades. The Honda CR-V is an icon when it comes to pure reliability and value for money.

Performance And Fuel Economy

The 2024 Honda CR-V goes the way of a small 1.5-liter engine, but its turbocharger ensures that it has enough oomph, both off the line and at highway speeds. While it musters the lowest mpg, its efficiency on the highway is actually better than a lot of the SUVs on this list.

The CR-V is an SUV where its legacy speaks for itself. Over the years, it's gotten a little more expensive than it used to be, but Hondas' brilliantly designed exterior and interior and their great list of standard equipment has earned them a little wiggle room in this department. It stands out as what we believe is the best compact SUV on the market today.

9 2024 Toyota RAV4

Average Fuel Economy: 30 MPG

The only other compact SUV on this list other than the CR-V is the Toyota RAV4. This seems fitting considering that the CR-V and the RAV4 have been battling out for decades trying to claim the spot of most successful compact SUV.

Performance And Fuel Economy

The Toyota RAV4 comes equipped either with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. However, if you’re looking to achieve the best fuel economy, you’ll have to stick to the front-wheel drive model. This compact SUV may not perform excellently in cities compared to others on this list, but its 35 mpg rating on highways means its perfect for those with longer commutes.

The 2024 RAV4 is a no-nonsense, no-fuss SUV and doesn’t try to be fancy. That being said, it does everything you’d expect a small SUV to do with ease and without any complaints. What is impressive about the RAV4, however, is how Toyota managed to achieve its fuel economy with a 2.5-liter engine.

8 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Average Fuel Economy: 31 MPG

Like many of the cars on this list, the Chevrolet Trailblazer is a subcompact SUV. In that segment, it is perhaps one of the most stylish options that you can go with, and it has some surprisingly impressive fuel economy to boot.

Performance And Fuel Economy

The EPA has only published figures for the Trailblazer with the 1.3-liter engine and not the base 1.2-liter. We assume that the smaller engine would do slightly better. However, the 1.3-liter inline three-cylinder handles itself quite well.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer is surprisingly spacious on the inside and offers a great infotainment system for its price. The main downside to this little subcompact is that it comes in a little more expensive than its rivals with a starting MSRP of 23,100 dollars.

7 2024 Hyundai Venue

Average Fuel Economy: 31 MPG

The average price of new cars has been skyrocketing over the last couple of years and it has become harder and harder to find a good quality car without breaking the bank. That’s where Hyundai comes in, saving the day with their excellently priced Venue.

Performance And Fuel Economy

The Hyundai Venue offers excellent fuel economy, which isn’t surprising considering its slightly underpowered engine. As a result, any kind of maneuver that requires any kind of speed whatsoever is going to be a difficult task in the Venue.

On the other hand, though, the Venue is designed to be a cheap run around SUV, and we can forgive it for its lack of power due to the fact that it comes with a ton of standard features, a surprisingly large cabin, and a ton of driver assist tech given its price tag.

6 2024 Kia Seltos

Average Fuel Economy: 31 MPG

Still sitting in the realms of 31 mpg, we move on to Kia’s subcompact offering, the Seltos. Kia has been gaining a ton of attention for its bigger Sportage, Sorento, and Telluride, leaving the Seltos as the overlooked smaller sibling.

Performance And Fuel Economy

To get the best fuel economy out of the Kia Seltos, you’ll have to opt for a front-wheel drive model. The base powertrain may not be the fastest on the market, but if speed isn’t your priority then the chances are you’ll be more than satisfied.

The Seltos comes a little more expensive than some of the other subcompact SUVs on the market. However, Kia has slowly been establishing themselves as a high-quality brand offering luxe features well above the asking price, making the 2024 Seltos a solid sub-compact SUV option.

5 2024 Hyundai Kona

Average Fuel Economy: 31 MPG

Hyundai made the list for a second time with the 2024 Kona. The Kona comes a little more expensive than the cheaper Venue but offers tons more features and a much more premium feel on the inside and outside. All in all, it fills the perfect spot in the stable of Hyundai SUVs.

Performance And Fuel Economy

The Kona has a little more oomph than the smaller Venue. However, it still struggles a little bit to get up to speed compared to some of its competitors. If you’re looking to get the best fuel economy without going hybrid, the front-wheel drive model is for you.

The Kona was completely redesigned for the 2024 model year and has a new look. The small crossover is used to stirring up controversy and its new facade has people debating once again. In our opinion, the Kona is pretty stylish and its exciting to see a different design on the roads. The interior matches the exterior in that it's modern and comfortable and comes with all the extra comforts we’ve come to expect from Hyundai.

4 2024 Volkswagen Taos

Average Fuel Economy: 31 MPG

Volkswagen is a German brand known for its sensibility and its reliability and the Volkswagen Taos is no exception. It delivers great value for money and excellent fuel economy.

Performance And Fuel Economy

Unlike a lot of the other SUVs on this list, the Taos opts for forced induction with a turbocharged inline-four. This results in excellent highway fuel efficiency. It also means that passing other cars at highway speeds is not something that you’re going to have any trouble with.

The VW Taos shouldn't be dismissed, taking everything we like about the Golf and everything we like about the Tiguan and blending it together to fill the space in between. Its roomy interior, particularly in the cargo area, means that you get that extra bit of practicality without having to sacrifice fuel efficiency or performance.

3 2024 Kia Soul

Average Fuel Economy: 31 MPG

The Kia Soul is perhaps one of the most divisive car designs of this decade. However, if you’re like us, the design grows on you, and you start to love how quirky it is.

Performance And Fuel Economy

(Specs sourced from Kia and the EPA)

The Kia Soul has changed a lot over its lifetime and in a couple of ways, it hasn’t been for the better. The powertrain has lost its turbocharger and all-wheel drive is not an option. Despite this, though, it still remains a really attractive option with its striking looks and its great economy.

The Soul enters the 2024 model year with very few changes, but it just received an expected 2023 makeover. One of the biggest draws for the Kia Soul outside its looks is its value for money. Kia offers tons of features on the Soul and it does so for less money than some of its rivals, like the Jeep Renegade and the Chevrolet Trax.

2 2024 Corolla Cross

Average Fuel Economy: 32 MPG

The Corolla Cross is essentially the bridge between the Corolla hatchback and the RAV4 SUV. If you’re in the market for a Corolla but want a bit more room and ground clearance, then the 2024 Corolla Cross exists for you.

Performance And Fuel Economy

The 2024 Corolla Cross features a four-cylinder engine that pairs with a CVT to achieve its excellent fuel economy. Once again, if you’re looking for the best gas-mileage stick with the front-wheel drive. The Corolla Cross works especially well if you’re someone who only makes small trips, with its city gas rating being higher than most.

Nearly doubling the cargo space that you get in the Corolla sedan, the Corolla Cross definitely brings in some extra utility. On top of this you get the classic peace of mind that comes with driving a Toyota thanks to its generous warranties and its excellent reliability ratings.

1 2024 Nissan Kicks

Average Fuel Economy: 33 MPG

At an incredibly impressive average of 33 mpg, the most efficient SUV on our list is the Nissan Kicks. This affordable SUV is perfect for anyone wanting an affordable new car that offers that little bit of extra room on the inside.

Performance And Fuel Economy

Whether you often take long trips or your daily commute is through crowded streets, the Nissan Kicks is going to offer you excellent gas mileage. It comes in front-wheel drive only and pairs its 1.6-liter engine with a CVT.

The Nissan Kicks may not be the most well-equipped SUV in its segment, but its brilliantly low starting price point means that it can still compete with top performers. You’ll have to surrender any sense of urgency, as the Kicks is painfully slow, but if you can live with that, you’re going to be paying a lot less when you stop at the gas pump.