Subcompact SUVs have exploded in popularity in the past few years, to the point where nearly every major manufacturer now offers one. One of the key appeals of the segment is its value for money, as it's the cheapest way into SUV ownership and most models will cost very little to run. Competition within the segment is fierce, and in some cases, small differences in running costs are enough to persuade buyers to choose one car over its rivals.

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With gas prices on the rise and the war in Ukraine meaning they're unlikely to drop anytime soon, choosing a fuel-efficient SUV has become more important than ever for many buyers. We've compared every subcompact SUV on sale in the US in 2022 and ranked them by fuel efficiency, with a particular focus on urban or "city" mpg figures as that's where many subcompact buyers will spend most of their time. These ten 2022 SUVs are the most efficient in their segment and should still be affordable to run even if gas becomes even more expensive in the near future.

10 Hyundai Kona

Hyundai Kona 2022, Blue
Via Hyundai

Ranking at number 10 is the Hyundai Kona, the first of five South Korean cars on this list. The Kona offers great value for money, with a starting price of around $22,000 and a car-like handling profile that makes it more enjoyable to drive than many of its competitors.

Hyundai Kona 2022, Blue
Via Hyundai

The car's base-spec four-cylinder engine is officially rated at 28 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, which is average for the segment. It's still significantly better than the segment's least efficient model, the ironically-named Ford EcoSport, which can't manage more than 29 mpg on the highway.

9 Subaru Crosstrek

Subaru Crosstrek
Via Subaru

Next up is the Subaru Crosstrek, which gives buyers a surprising amount of all-terrain capability considering its size. It's based on the Impreza hatchback but is slightly roomier, with plenty of space for any outdoor gear its owner might bring.

RELATED: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek

Subaru Crosstrek
Via Subaru

The most efficient gasoline-powered Crosstrek is rated at 28 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, placing marginally above the Kona but only just. A hybrid powertrain is also available for 2022, but the EPA hasn't released its official ratings yet.

8 Honda HR-V

Honda HR-V
Via Honda

It might not be the most exciting of crossovers, but there's little doubt that a Honda HR-V will be anything less than excellent at simply getting passengers from A to B without fuss. The car comes with the same level of finish and quality that Honda buyers have come to expect, meaning it should last for years without needing much in the way of repairs.

Honda HR-V
Via Honda

As well as being cheap to maintain, it should be cheap to run, as its base-spec engine is rated at 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. However, there are doubts over the accuracy of the EPA rating, as Car and Driver claim the HR-V underperformed in their real-world testing.

7 Toyota Corolla Cross

Toyota Corolla Cross
Via Toyota

The Toyota Corolla Cross is hard to fault as a solid all-rounder, with a low starting price and plenty of driver assistance tech as standard. It's not the fastest car in the segment, but given that most of these will end up serving as suburban runabouts, it doesn't need to be.

Toyota Corolla Cross, Blue
Via: Toyota

Its ratings are consistent with the Toyota brand of efficiency, sporting a healthy 29 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. It's worth noting that there's no hybrid option for the Corolla Cross, whereas the hatchback Corolla does offer one. The hybrid Corolla is significantly more efficient, achieving up to 53 mpg on the highway.

6 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Chevrolet Trailblazer
Chevrolet

Squeezing into the sixth place slot is the Chevrolet Trailblazer, with just 1 mpg of extra highway efficiency over the Toyota Corolla Cross. Its city figures are identical, and we suspect that most owners won't notice the difference in consumption between the two models.

Chevrolet Trailblazer Exterior front view
Via Chevrolet

The Trailblazer offers one of the cheapest ways to get into Chevy ownership, and in fact, it's one of the cheapest cars on the market, period. It offers plenty of space and is available with all-wheel drive, but its pricey options list means it's not good value for money in top-spec form.

5 Kia Seltos

Kia Seltos
Via: Kia

Taking fifth is the Kia Seltos, a crossover that comes with a selection of bright paint options and, for some reason, a set of press photos taken in a field full of deer. It's clear that Kia is trying to position the Seltos as a quirky alternative to the usual set of crossovers, but underneath, this is a very typical Kia.

Kia Seltos
Via Kia

That's not a bad thing though, as the company's range of engines is among the most efficient on the market. Buyers can expect figures of up to 29 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with the base-spec engine, or a couple of mpg less with the more powerful turbocharged option.

4 Kia Soul

Red Kia Soul
Kia

Next comes another Kia, this time the unusually-styled Soul. It's just 1 mpg more efficient than the Seltos on the highway and gets an identical rating for its city gas mileage since the two cars share the same engine.

RELATED: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Kia Soul

The rear of the Soul GT Line Turbo
Via Kia

The Soul's looks are really a love-it-or-hate-it proposition, but for those who fall into the former category, it's a great value for money option. It starts at around $20,000, and its boxy shape means it's roomier inside than many of its competitors.

3 Hyundai Venue

The front of the Hyundai Venue
Via Hyundai

The Hyundai Venue is hardly the most popular model in the subcompact segment, but it's one of the most efficient, with a rating of 30 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway. It's one of the cheapest vehicles on sale in the US, with a starting price under $20,000.

The Hyundai Venue on the move
Via Hyundai

However, it does feel a bit cheap to drive, especially at highway speeds where wind noise becomes apparent. Long-distance road trips might be out of the question with the Venue, but it's still a good value option for anyone looking for a cheap city runabout.

2 Nissan Kicks

2022 Nissan Kicks at night
Via Nissan

The Nissan Kicks isn't the most refined of subcompact SUVs to drive, and let's face it, neither is it the best looking. But, one thing that can't be doubted is its efficiency, as it's the most fuel-sipping non-hybrid car in the segment.

2022 Nissan Kicks blue rear 3/4 view
Via Nissan

With economy figures of 31 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, the EPA ratings suggest the Kicks will comfortably beat most of its competition when it comes to keeping fuel costs down. Plus, with a starting price of around $21,000, it's one of the cheapest subcompacts around.

1 Kia Niro

Kia Niro
Via Kia

For ultimate efficiency in the subcompact class, there's only one place to look, and that's the Kia Niro. It's worth noting that the Niro also has an EV version that's technically even more efficient, but we haven't considered electric cars here as their much higher starting price means it's unfair to put them side-by-side with budget gasoline-powered crossovers.

Kia Niro
Via Kia

The hybrid Niro is one of the priciest cars in the segment as it is, with a base MSRP of around $30,000. That's around $3,000 higher than a top-spec Toyota Corolla Cross or Chevy Trailblazer, so buyers will have to consider their options carefully before choosing a hybrid Niro. Still, in terms of pure efficiency, the Niro is streets ahead, with EPA ratings of 53 mpg city and 48 mpg highway.