Gas prices are high, and they are climbing at the fastest rate they ever have. With some places now demanding $7 a gallon, car owners are desperate to find models they can trade in their gas guzzlers for in exchange for something fuel-efficient, or perhaps they want to ditch fuel altogether and convert to an electric vehicle (EV).
One type of car that is the most practical for consumers is a crossover SUV (or compact SUV), and these are becoming more fuel-efficient with every release. Some have gone full EV and their price tag is well worth it to get away from the gas station. If you are looking for a more fuel-efficient crossover, consider these 2022 SUV options.
10 Kia Niro
The Kia Niro is both fuel-efficient and affordable, with a sticker price starting at around $25,000 for the base trim. Although its engine only registers 139-140 horsepower, its fuel economy is phenomenal thanks to the fact it is a plugin hybrid.
The 2022 Niro gets up to 53 MPG in the city and 48 on the highway. Not only that the National Highway Traffic Safety Association gave the 2022 Niro a 4-star safety rating. The Kia Niro is one of the best options consumers have to beat the gas crisis.
9 Ford Escape
Another plugin hybrid, the Ford Escape starts at a slightly higher price than the Kia Niro, around $27,000, it is also less fuel-efficient, registering 44 MPG in the city and only 37 on the highway.
One does get more engine options with the Escape, however. Buyers can choose between a 1.5L 3-cylinder, a 2L 4-cylinder, or a 2.5L 4-cylinder. It also has a towing capacity up to 3,500 pounds.
8 Toyota RAV4
The RAV4 starts at the same price as the Ford Escape, around $26,500, but it is even less fuel-efficient. This crossover comes in a plethora of trims and specs, with hybrid options offering up to 42 mpg in the city and 38 combined stemming from the fact that they use solely electric power at lower speeds and stop-and-go-traffic. Those are respectable numbers, but in such a turbulent economy buyers likely aren't going to mess with anything that gets less than 30 MPG in the city.
That said, buyers seem happy with this car. It has a 4.6 rating from owners on Carmax.
7 Hyundai Tucson
The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is one of the most affordable crossover EVs on the market, costing $24,950 for the base trim, the SE. The fuel economy is still lacking compared to cars like the Niro, but 26 MPG city and 33 MPG highway is nothing to scoff at.
The Tucson is also incredibly well-reviewed. Owners have been very satisfied with the crossover's “premium cabin” and front-wheel drive is optional for the vehicle.
6 Honda CRV
Another crossover that costs around $26,000 for the initial trim, the Honda CRV gets 28 MPG in the city and 34 on the highway. Those are fair numbers, but with options like the Kia Niro available, Honda will have to step up their game if they want their cars to beat out the competition.
Safety should also be a concern for buyers if they are considering this car. Over 1 million CRVs were investigated recently for an alleged issue with the braking system.
5 Toyota Venza
Well just say it, the Toyota Venza is a phenomenally fuel-efficient car, and it is one of the few that can hold its own against the fuel-efficient Kia Niro. Although starting at a somewhat more expensive price, $32,000, it does get 40 MPG in the city and 37 on the highway.
Although the only engine option is a 2.5L 4-cylinder block that also operates in tandem with the hybrid's 3 other electric motors, it is still one of the smartest choices buyers can make thanks to its fuel economy.
4 Subaru Forester
The Forester has a similar engine to the Toyota Venza, a 2.5 Liter 4-cylinder, but its starts at a lower price of $25,000. Its fuel economy is much lower though, registering 26 MPG for the city and 33 MPG highway.
The car does have some decent towing capacity however, it can pull between 1,500 to 3,000 pounds. Subarus also have a long track record of dependability and minimal repair issues.
3 Tesla Model Y
Needless to say, Tesla has the EV market in a tight grasp, but that is likely to change soon with the entrance of other manufacturers into the EV marketplace.
That said, Tesla is still hard to beat when it comes to the performance of their EVs, especially the Tesla Model Y, one of the company’s best-sellers. The Model Y has a battery range of up to 330 miles, and it runs on a 350 Volt lithium-ion battery. The car is one of the more expensive options, most Teslas are. The 2022 Model Y starts at $59,000 - $60,000.
2 Kia EV6
Another EV is Kia’s EV 6, and the EV9 is looking poised to do well but is still in the concept phase. Still, the EV6 can give Tesla some needed competition thanks to the fact it has a 310-mile battery range.
Kia also has Tesla beat when it comes to cost. The EV6 sticker price starts at approximately $41,000! One should also remember that any Kia purchased will come with the company's world-famous 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. A warranty with that much coverage in such a time of economic uncertainty could go a long way, especially for a car, so buyers should take note.
1 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Ford is causing a stir with their EV lineup, especially thanks to the Mach E which replaced a Tesla as Consumer Reports' favorite EV of 2022.
Its battery range is 300 miles, and Ford is hard at work trying to increase that range for future models. Like the Kia EV6, it is much more affordable than any new Tesla, starting at $43,900.