The most affordable SUVs out there are, frankly, designed to give a sense of what a true AWD SUV looks like, and that’s mostly it. These compact crossovers aren’t quite made to even take light trails, especially the front-wheel-drive models. However, given its compact, lighter form factor, it’s a fun urban runabout.
Add a frugal powertrain and an efficiency-focused transmission, and we have small SUVs that offer 30+ MPG on the highway. This also unlocks its mile-munching side. Here are ten of the most affordable SUVs out there that can easily do 30+ MPG on those long stretches. The most frugal of them all is neither Japanese nor American, but a surprise from Germany.
2026 Volkswagen Taos: $26,500
Highway Gas Mileage: Up To 36 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
28 MPG |
36 MPG |
31 MPG |
$1,450 |
This is the most expensive SUV of the bunch. But the Volkswagen Taos is also the most desirable when it comes to MPG ratings, because it offers the highest in this lot, with a highway rating of 36 MPG. Couple this with its 13.2-gallon fuel tank, and this VW is an easy 350-mile runner.
Powering the most frugal 2026 Taos trim is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The reason for its frugal highway MPG ratings is mostly tied to its efficient TSI engine and well-tuned eight-speed auto gearbox.
2026 Honda HR-V: $26,200
Highway Gas Mileage: Up To 32 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
26 MPG |
32 MPG |
28 MPG |
$1,600 |
Honda offers an urban-ready and well-rounded package with the 2026 Honda HR-V. It is famed for a healthy list of standard features, including driver-assist features. Powering the new HR-V is a peppy yet frugal 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. It produces 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque.
The standard models send power to the front wheels only via a CVT gearbox tuned to eke out efficiency figures. In this guise, it returns a combined 28 MPG, with 26 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. Slap on the available AWD system, and the numbers drop slightly to 25/30/27 MPG for city/highway/combined.
2026 Mazda CX-30: $25,975
Highway Gas Mileage: Up To 31 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
22 MPG |
30 MPG |
25 MPG |
$1,700 |
This is arguably the most beautiful-looking SUV in this bunch. Mazda packs the CX-30 with a 186-horsepower four-cylinder engine that sends power to all four wheels via a six-speed electronically controlled sport automatic transmission. Yup, it comes standard with AWD.
Despite that, the CX-30 still returns 30 MPG on the highway. So, it’s a win-win as we get both spirited dynamics and a frugal powertrain. On a full tank of gas, the 2026 Mazda CX-30 can do up to 343 miles.
2026 Hyundai Kona: $25,350
Highway Gas Mileage: Up To 35 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
28 MPG |
35 MPG |
31 MPG |
$1,450 |
The Hyundai Kona is a well-appointed small SUV. It is one of the most VFM offerings today, for under $26,000. Like every other Hyundai, it looks cool and unique while also maintaining a compact form factor, adding to its nimble, urban-going capabilities. But it also has a highway-ready side, thanks to its frugal powertrain.
The Kona is offered with two engine options—a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder and a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. While the turbo is more powerful, the NA is more efficient. When equipped with the 2.0-liter NA mill and coupled to a FWD drivetrain, the Hyundai Kona offers a maximum of 35 MPG on the highway.
2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer: $24,995
Highway Gas Mileage: Up To 33 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
29 MPG |
33 MPG |
31 MPG |
$1,450 |
Chevrolet has truly delivered on a well-rounded entry-level SUV with the 2026 Trailblazer. It looks sharp, has pleasing proportions, and is a peppy urban runabout, thanks to a standard 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. However, it is the optional 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that offers the highest MPG ratings.
This 155-horsepower mill sends power to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox, helping the Chevy Trailblazer return up to 29 MPG in the city, 33 MPG on the highway, and 31 MPG combined. Furthermore, its 13.2-gallon fuel tank provides up to 409 miles of range. Also, the annual fuel cost for the turbo FWD Trailblazer is the lowest among its trim levels, at $1,450.
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross: $24,935
Highway Gas Mileage: Up To 33 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
31 MPG |
33 MPG |
32 MPG |
$1,400 |
This is a gravely underappreciated SUV that needs your attention. The Corolla Cross looks muscular and cool, and in no way showcases its frugal side to the world. Make a TRD version of it, and this SUV could even be a solid trial runner. Powering the Corolla Cross is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the wheels via a relaxed CVT transmission tuned to eke out as much ‘MPG’ as possible.
While the FWD trims top the list with a highway rating of 33 MPG, the AWD versions are not far behind with 31 MPG on the highway. Furthermore, the average annual fuel cost difference between the two is $100. This Toyota can do a solid 397 miles on a full tank of gas.
2026 Buick Envista: $24,600
Highway Gas Mileage: Up To 32 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
28 MPG |
32 MPG |
30 MPG |
$1,500 |
This is Buick’s take on a frugal, compact SUV with elevated luxury appeal. The top-spec trims can even be outfitted with standard features such as leather upholstery, wireless charging, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Powering the Buick Envista line-up is a standard 1.2-liter flex-fuel-ready turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque.
A six-speed automatic transmission sends power to the wheels. This mill is frugal enough to deliver up to 32 MPG on the highway. The combined fuel rating is 30 MPG. Its sizable 13.2-gallon fuel tank helps this Buick SUV do up to 396 miles on a full tank.
2026 Kia Seltos: $23,690
Highway Gas Mileage: Up To 35 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
28 MPG |
35 MPG |
31 MPG |
$1,450 |
This is a very underrated entry-level SUV that goes unnoticed. For $23,690, even the base Seltos LX trim is loaded with more standard features than most of its rivals. It is offered in two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 1.6-liter turbo four. But it is the former that provides the highest MPG ratings.
The 2.0-liter mill produces 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque that is transmitted to the front wheels via what Kia calls an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). It is their take on a smarter CVT unit. On a full tank of gas, the FWD Kia Seltos can do up to 383 miles.
2026 Nissan Kicks: $22,430
Highway Gas Mileage: Up To 35 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
28 MPG |
35 MPG |
31 MPG |
$1,450 |
The 2026 Nissan Kicks is a rugged-looking compact SUV that cleverly hides its frugal side behind those sharp lines and muscular, arching fenders. Powering the Kicks is a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that produces 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. These are humble figures, worthy of the urban jungle.
But thanks to its relatively comfortable cabin and a very efficient engine, this Nissan can embark on long, uninterrupted journeys of over 350 miles with ease. This is thanks to its EPA-rated highway fuel economy rating of 35 MPG. The AWD trim is not bad either, offering 34 MPG on the highway. The new Nissan Kicks can travel up to 366 miles on a full tank of gas.
2026 Hyundai Venue: $20,550
Highway Gas Mileage: Up To 33 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
29 MPG |
33 MPG |
31 MPG |
$1,450 |
This is the most affordable SUV here that scores high on practicality, urban readiness, and even has the brawn to embark on long, uninterrupted highway runs, thanks to its frugal nature. The 2026 Hyundai Venue‘s most fuel-efficient trim level is the base front-wheel-drive SE, powered by a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine.
It produces humble figures at 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. A relaxed CVT gearbox further enhances its efficiency. Linear power delivery and the CVT’s smooth transition are the primary reasons for its impressive 33 MPG highway fuel economy rating. Furthermore, the Hyundai Venue can travel up to 369 miles on a tankful, despite packing a puny 11.9-gallon tank.
Source: The EPA