Fuel economy used to be the enemy of utility. If you wanted space, ground clearance, or all-wheel drive, you accepted that your fuel bill would look like a small mortgage. Over the last decade, that equation has quietly changed. Between smarter engines, lighter platforms, hybrids that didn’t feel like science projects, and even a brief diesel renaissance, SUVs learned how to sip instead of chug.
This list looks back at the most fuel-efficient SUVs and crossover-shaped vehicles sold between 2010 and 2019, ranked from lowest to highest average MPG. These are not theoretical best cases or modern redesigns. These are the vehicles that actually delivered strong fuel economy when gas prices, emissions rules, and buyer expectations were very different from today.
The models on this list have been researched extensively, and all data provided is accurate as of the time and date of publishing. Models are listed in ascending order from least to most fuel efficient.
Volkswagen Touareg TDI (2012–2016)
Average Fuel Economy: 22 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
20 MPG |
29 MPG |
22 MPG |
$2,052/YR |
The Touareg TDI sits at the bottom of this list, but context matters. This was a midsize luxury SUV with real towing capacity, a plush interior, and a torque-rich diesel V6 that made highway miles disappear. Compared to gas-powered rivals of the time, its fuel efficiency was legitimately impressive. Where it lost ground was in city driving. Weight and size work against efficiency when stop-and-go traffic dominates. Still, long-distance second-gen Touareg drivers regularly saw highway numbers that embarrassed gasoline competitors.
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Chevrolet Equinox (2010–2017)
Average Fuel Economy: 25 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
22 MPG |
32 MPG |
25 MPG |
$1,700/YR |
The second-generation Equinox wasn’t revolutionary, but it was competent. As the decade progressed, four-cylinder engines became more refined, lighter, and more efficient, and the 2010–2016 Equinox benefited from that steady progress. Later models with even smaller turbocharged engines delivered respectable highway numbers, especially for buyers who stuck with front-wheel drive. It wasn’t exciting, but it was efficient enough to matter to families watching fuel costs.
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Subaru Crosstrek (2013–2017)
Average Fuel Economy: 26 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
26 MPG |
34 MPG |
26 MPG |
$1,634/YR |
Standard all-wheel drive usually comes with a fuel economy penalty. The first-generation Crosstrek minimized that hit better than most. Lightweight and modest power worked in its favor, even if outright performance was never the goal. Drivers bought Crosstreks for snow, trails, and rainy road trips. Daily usability is the Subaru Crosstrek’s milieu. The fact that it still managed respectable MPG made it stand out in a segment where AWD often meant low-mid 20s MPG combined.
What Does MPG Really Mean? (And What’s Considered ‘Good’)
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Honda CR-V (2012–2016)
Average Fuel Economy: 27 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
26 MPG |
33 MPG |
27 MPG |
$1,590 |
The fourth-generation Honda CR-V was a masterclass in incremental improvement. Honda focused on weight reduction, efficient packaging, and drivetrain refinement rather than flashy tech. When the 2015 CR-V got a facelift, MPG got even better. The result was one of the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid compact SUVs of the era. Owners routinely beat EPA numbers, especially on the highway, and reliability kept operating costs low beyond fuel alone. It wasn’t thrilling, but it was dependable, efficient, and extremely well-rounded.
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Mazda CX-5 (2013–2016)
Average Fuel Economy: 28 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
26 MPG |
33 MPG |
28 MPG |
$1,550/YR |
Mazda’s Skyactiv strategy paid off early with the first-generation CX-5. It delivered efficiency without sacrificing driving enjoyment, something few competitors managed at the time. Lightweight construction and high-compression engines helped the (2013–2016) CX-5 achieve class-leading highway MPG while still feeling responsive and composed. This was efficiency that didn’t feel like punishment. For enthusiasts who still cared about how an SUV drove, the CX-5 was proof that smart engineering mattered.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid (2011–2013)
Average Fuel Economy: 28 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
28 MPG |
28 MPG |
28 MPG |
$1,550/YR |
A three-row SUV showing up this high on an efficiency list was shocking when the Toyota Highlander Hybrid arrived. It redefined expectations for family vehicles. Although it’s fair to point out that the Highlander certainly wasn’t the roomiest three-row in the lot. That said, Toyota’s hybrid system delivered smooth, predictable power while dramatically reducing fuel consumption compared to V6-only rivals. For large(ish) families, this meant fewer compromises at the pump. The 2011 Highlander Hybrid made efficiency mainstream in a segment that desperately needed it.
What Does MPG Really Mean? (And What’s Considered ‘Good’)
Have you ever wondered what MPG means? We are taking a look at what exactly it is, what it means, how it is calculated, and how to improve MPG ratings
Lexus RX 450h (2010–2015)
Average Fuel Economy: 29 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
30 MPG |
28 MPG |
29 MPG |
$1,480/YR |
Luxury SUVs weren’t supposed to be efficient in the early 2010s. The RX Hybrid changed that perception. It delivered comfort, quietness, and refinement while posting fuel economy numbers that matched or beat those of smaller crossovers. Lexus’ reliability helped reinforce that hybrids weren’t fragile experiments. For buyers who wanted efficiency without sacrificing a premium feel, the 2010 Lexus RX hybrid stood alone for years.
Ford Escape Hybrid (2010–2012)
Average Fuel Economy: 33 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
34 MPG |
31 MPG |
33 MPG |
$1,400/YR |
The second-generation Ford Escape Hybrid was a true pioneer. Long before hybrids became fashionable, the 2010–2012 Ford Escapes were racking up miles in taxi fleets and proving their durability. And fuel economy was excellent for the time, especially in city driving, where the hybrid system shone. Owners valued them for their simplicity and long-term savings. This was efficiency with real-world credibility.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2016–2018)
Average Fuel Economy: 33 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
34 MPG |
31 MPG |
33 MPG |
$1,400/YR |
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid normalized efficient SUVs that weren’t a total drag. It didn’t feel niche, experimental, or compromised. It simply worked. With available AWD and strong real-world MPG, it became the default recommendation for buyers who wanted practicality without high fuel costs. Reliability and resale value sealed the deal. This was the point where hybrids stopped being “alternatives” and became the smart choice. The 2016–2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid marked a major step forward in the RAV4’s journey of many tiny steps forward.
What Does MPG Really Mean? (And What’s Considered ‘Good’)
Have you ever wondered what MPG means? We are taking a look at what exactly it is, what it means, how it is calculated, and how to improve MPG ratings
Toyota Prius v (2012–2017)
Average Fuel Economy: 41 MPG
|
City |
Highway |
Combined |
Avg Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
43 MPG |
39 MPG |
41 MPG |
$1,260/YR |
Call it a crossover, a cold hatch, or an SUV-adjacent vehicle, the Toyota Prius v earns its place here. Hell, so many crossovers on this list have as much to do with SUVs as the Prius. I digress. Nothing else from the decade matched its combination of cargo space and fuel economy. It delivered Prius efficiency with real utility, making it a favorite for families and commuters alike. It wasn’t exciting, but it was unbeatable in its mission. Efficiency didn’t get better than the 2012–2017 Prius v during the decade.
Sources: Edmunds and KBB