Reliable And Fuel-Efficient SUVs From The Last Decade

SUVs are popular for a reason – they’re comfortable, versatile, and some can haul just about anything you need. Whether it is for daily driving, road trips, or family life, an SUV can serve as a real utility tool. Today’s models aren’t just the niche off-roading machines they used to be, so that means that, for everyday use, you are likely to be thinking about the two things that tend to cost the most money: garage visits and gas.

Finding an SUV that blends fuel efficiency and reliability is not the easiest task, but there are many frugal and rock-solid SUV models from the 2010s that strike the balance very well. Below are SUV models from between 2010 and 2019 that are both reliable and sip away at gas.

2014 Subaru Forester

Reliability Rating: 75/100 | Combined MPG Rating: 27 MPG

Subaru

Boasting a price range of $7,800 to $9,300, the 2014 Subaru Forester is available at a low price, it can achieve a combined mpg rating of 27 mpg (24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway), and it has been rated on J.D. Power as 75 out of 100 for reliability. It is an all-around cheap SUV that delivers well. All-wheel drive is fitted as standard, so you get a grippy ride regardless of what model you choose, and there are two engine options for the 2014 Subaru Forester: a 2.5-liter NA flat-four and a 250-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four.

Subaru

To get the highest fuel efficiency from a Forester of this age, though, you will have to find a model fitted with the 170-horsepower/174-pound-foot NA flat-four mated to a CVT. Alongside the high reliability ratings, RepairPal says that it will cost you around $632 a year to maintain, or just less than the current market average of $652 per year.

2010 Ford Escape Hybrid

Reliability Rating: 76/100 | Combined MPG Rating: 32 MPG

CarBuzz

Originally costing north of $30,000 and now costing between $4,900 and $5,800, the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid has depreciated into a very cheap-to-buy and cheap-to-run SUV. Both owners on J.D. Power and Kelley Blue Book (KBB) agree on its dependability, with owners on KBB rating it 4.5 out of 5 for reliability and 4.3 overall. RepairPal also echoes this, saying that it will cost you approximately $600 a year to keep it in road-worthy condition.

Ford

Fuel economy-wise, the nearly 16-year-old Ford Escape Hybrid is somewhat of a dark horse from the start of the last decade; it can muster mpg ratings on the same level as some of the most fuel-efficient SUVs we have today. According to FuelEconomy.gov, the front-wheel-drive, 2.5-liter hybrid inline-four-equipped Ford can achieve 34 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. So, alongside its 67 cubic feet of storage space, you’ve got yourself a cheap, city-friendly SUV.

2019 Kia Niro Hybrid

Reliability Rating: 77/100 | Combined MPG Rating: 50 MPG

Kia

The 2019 Kia Niro Hybrid got things done quietly and efficiently when it was released, and today it does the same. You can pick one up for just under $13,000, and it is the full package when it comes to efficient and frugal SUV driving. RepairPal says that it will cost you only $474 to maintain per year; CarEdge says that over 10 years, it will cost you $8,419 to maintain, and alongside the respectable J.D. Power reliability score, owners on KBB have rated the Kia Niro Hybrid 4.7 out of 5 for reliability.

Kia

There is a plug-in 2019 Niro, but reliability ratings are slightly lower, so to benefit from high reliability and an efficient engine, we’d recommend looking for a 2019 Kia Niro FE. This frugal little SUV comes equipped with a 139-horsepower 1.6-liter inline-four mated to an electric motor and a 1.56 kWh battery. The EPA estimates that the 2019 Niro Hybrid can achieve a whopping 52 mpg in the city and 49 mpg on the highway, giving you a combined rating of 50 mpg, and will save you a ton of money over five years on gas – approximately $3,500.

2015 Mazda CX-5

Reliability Rating: 80/100 | Combined MPG Rating: 29 MPG

Mazda

When the 2015 Mazda CX-5 was released, it brought with it a touch of affordable class to the compact crossover market. As standard, it comes equipped with a small 5.8-inch touchscreen, comfortable seating, well-put-together trim, and a relatively sleek exterior finish, all for the maximum original price of $31,000. Today, prices range from $9,300 to $11,400, and considering it is not so far out of date, we’d say you get a lot for your money. This is especially true ratings-wise; the J.D. Power reliability rating is one thing, but then you have owners on KBB rating it 4.6 out of 5 overall, and 4.7 out of 5 for reliability.

Mazda

RepairPal says that it will cost you a lowly $447 a year to maintain a Mazda CX-5, and thanks to the fuel-sipping 2.0-liter NA inline-four under the hood of the most fuel-efficient flavor (the CX-5 Sport), fuel costs are also kept low. FuelEconomy.gov estimates that the FWD 2015 CX-5, boasting a six-speed manual transmission, can muster 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.

2012 Honda CR-V

Reliability Score: 83/100 | Combined MPG Rating: 26 MPG

Honda

Honda has long been a byword for reliability, and the 2012 Honda CR-V proves that even its 16-year-old models stand up to more modern SUVs. It boasts a very high J.D. Power reliability rating of 83 out of 100; owners on KBB have rated it 4.4 out of 5 for reliability, and RepairPal says that it will only cost you, on average, $407 a year to maintain. The 2012 CR-V is not only cheap to run, but it is also a very useful compact SUV, with 70.9 cubic feet of storage space available, and roomy legroom over both rows (front: 41.3 inches/rear: 38.3 inches).

Honda

All 2012 CR-Vs come equipped with a 185-horsepower/163-pound-foot 2.5-liter inline-four, but to get yourself the most fuel-efficient 2012 Honda CR-V, you’ll have to opt for the front-wheel-drive models. With these, you can get 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, while the four-wheel-drive models knock off 1 mpg overall.

2019 Mazda CX-3

Reliability Rating: 83/100 | Combined MPG Rating: 31 MPG

Mazda

At nearly 7 years old, the 2019 Mazda CX-3 remains up-to-date in the cabin; clean body lines make it still look modern, and it still outperforms other SUVs in terms of striking a balance between fuel efficiency and reliability. Starting prices for the Mazda CX-3 are in the $13,000 to $15,000 ballpark, and with an impressive overall KBB rating of 4.5 out of 5, which includes a 4.7 out of 5 reliability, the CX-3 offers a huge amount of cheap, comfortable, and semi-luxurious crossover usefulness.

Mazda

The engine under the hood is a relatively meek 148-horsepower/146-pound-foot naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four. While speed and power are not the CX-3’s forté, city driving really is. According to FuelEconomy.gov, the FWD 2019 CX-3 can muster 34 mpg on the highway, but maybe more impressively for its weight (just under 3,000 pounds), it can achieve 29 mpg in the city. Combined with its tiny dimensions (168.3 inches long and 69.5 inches wide) and a maximum cargo capacity of 44.5 cubic feet, you’ve got yourself a very handy city SUV.

2016 Honda HR-V

Reliability Rating: 83/100 | Combined MPG Rating: 31 MPG

Honda

Boasting an approximate price range of $11,300 and $13,500, the 10-year-old Honda HR-V holds its own against more modern small SUVs in every way it should: in terms of dependability, versatility, and sipping away at gas. There are no real shocks that the 2016 Honda HR-V makes it to a list of reliable and fuel-efficient SUVs. It is Honda after all. Owners are seemingly pleased with it, giving it a 4.4 out of 5 reliability rating on KBB, and RepairPal is very impressed with it, giving it a 5 out of 5 reliability rating and saying it will only cost you $301 a year to maintain. That makes it one of the cheapest models to keep on the road, period.

Honda

The EPA estimates that the two-wheel-drive HR-V, boasting a CVT, can muster 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway from its 1.8-liter inline-four. Yearly fuel costs are low, and with the EPA-estimated amounts listed below, they say that it could save you up to $1,000 on gas over five years compared to your average modern vehicle.

2016 Buick Encore

Reliability Rating: 84/100 | Combined MPG Rating: 30 MPG

Buick

Today, you can pick up the tiny 2016 Buick Encore compact SUV for between $6,000 and $9,000. There are two turbocharged engine options for the Encore, but choose the less-powerful of the two for the best fuel economy. The most fuel-efficient engine option for the Buick Encore is a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four good for 138 horsepower, mated to an auto box and front-wheel drive layout. Because of its small stature and ease of driving, the Buick solidifies itself as a handy city companion, while the 27 mpg you get in the city also helps.

Buick

J.D. Power reliability ratings are high, and both RepairPal and CarEdge echo these thoughts by saying that it will cost you $466 a year, and just under $9,000 for maintenance over 10 years.

2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Reliability Rating: 88/100 | Combined MPG Rating: 32 MPG

Toyota

Toyota is regarded as one of the most reliable brands producing vehicles, and the RAV4 is one of the most solid small SUVs you can buy. In typical RAV4 fashion, the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has held its value very well and will cost you at least $17,000 for the base trim. However, this isn’t unexpected for a RAV4, and the 18-plate RAV4 Hybrid has been very well received by owners, with 80% of owners recommending it on J.D. Power and giving it a reliability rating of 4.7 out of 5. So, we’d say it is worth the money.

Toyota

This is especially true because of the 194-horsepower 2.5-liter hybrid inline-four under the hood. The 2018 RAV4 Hybrid isn’t exactly fast (0–60 mph in around 8 seconds), but that’s not why you’d buy one; it is very economical. FuelEconomy.gov says that it can achieve 31 mpg on the highway and an exceptionally impressive 34 mpg in the city, potentially saving you $1,000 over five years on gas compared to other modern cars. The used prices may still be a little high, but there are a lot of payoffs to be had.

2016 Chevrolet Equinox

Reliability Rating: 90/100 | Combined MPG Rating: 26 MPG

Chevrolet

As one of the most reliable SUVs of the last decade, the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox is all sorts of useful to own. Maximum cargo capacity measures in at 63.9 cubic feet; front and rear legroom are roomy, at 40.9 inches and 39.9 inches, respectively, and thanks to its high reliability ratings on J.D. Power and easy parts availability, it is only estimated to cost you $537 a year in maintenance. With average used prices ranging from $7,000 to under $10,000, the Equinox is a lot of SUV for its price.

Chevrolet

While a combined mpg rating of 26 may not sound like the most efficient, it in fact means that the Chevrolet Equinox trails the average modern vehicle by 2 mpg overall. The EPA estimates that the 2016 Equinox can achieve a mediocre city mpg rating of 22 mpg, but it does a lot better on the highway, at 31 mpg. To benefit from the most fuel-efficient ride, you’ll have to opt for the 182-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-four instead of the available 301-horsepower V6, but what you lose out on in fun, you make up for in frugality.

Sources: J.D. Power, FuelEconomy.gov, RepairPal, CarEdge, and Kelley Blue Book.