In the early 90s, SUVs received heavy criticism for their low fuel economy and high carbon footprint. And for quite some time, many of the most fuel-efficient cars were Japanese. However, as consumer preference and popularity of these practical SUVs spiked, automakers worldwide have since made immense efforts to address sustainability.
As a result, SUV enthusiasts today have the luxury of many fuel-efficient models from which to choose. What's more, oil dependence costs are lower than ever, and you get to save an extra buck on fuel without compromising the excitement that comes with owning an SUV. Thanks to advancing technology and innovative vehicle designs, we now realize that future SUVs can only get more incredible.
10 2021 Mazda CX-5
Interestingly, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 is available in seven unique trims. These trims include Sport, Touring, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, Carbon Edition Turbo, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature. Owing to the varying trim levels, the fuel economy for the CX-5 depends on the drive configuration of choice and turbo availability.
The non-turbo models with FWD offer the best fuel efficiency, estimated at 25mpg city, 31mpg highway, and 28mpg combined. These ratings drop lower in non-turbo models with AWD to an estimated 24mpg city, 30mph highways, and 26mpg combined. FWD models with turbo have an estimated 25mpg combined, while AWD models fitted with turbo offer the lowest efficiency rating at 24mpg combined.
9 2021 Chevrolet Equinox
The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, a slightly lower capacity than the 2.0-liter variant available in the 2020 model. In addition, this engine is paired with an electronically-controlled six-speed automatic transmission with overdrive capability. The Equinox LT and LS trim models debuted in 2021, all fitted with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive.
The Equinox Premier is the top-of-the-line trim, also available with standard all-wheel drive. The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is surprisingly well suited for long trips since AWD models are fitted with a 59-liter gas tank, while models with FWD house a smaller 56-liter gas tank. As a result, the FWD models deliver the best fuel economy ratings at 26mpg city and 31 mpg highway. However, as expected with most AWD options, the efficiency ratings are slightly lower at an estimated 25mpg city and 30mpg highway.
8 2021 GMC Terrain
It's rather disappointing to note that GMC did not make any noticeable exterior changes to the 2021 GMC Terrain. Still, the same near-luxury Denali trim fitted on the Yukon ensures it doesn't lose its handsome styling and presence. Aside from the premium Denali, other Terrain trims include SL, SLE, and SLT. The SUV comes standard with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged unit and an optional 2.0-liter unit upgrade.
Surprisingly, the 2021 GMC Terrain recorded a drop in the city mpg compared to the 2020 model. Across all trims in 2021, the EPA fuel economy ratings stand at 26mpg city, 30mpg highway, and 28mpg combined when fitted with FWD. Estimated efficiency ratings with the AWD option are 25mpg city, 28mpg highway, and 26mpg combined.
7 2022 Hyundai Tucson
Described by MotorTrend as an awkward beauty, the features of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson remain relatively unchanged from the previous model year. However, to much delight, the fuel efficiency is greatly revamped. The SE base model with FWD boasts 26mpg city, 33mpg highway, and 29mpg combined fuel economy estimates.
The EPA rating dips to 24mpg city, 29mpg highway, and 26mpg combined when equipped with AWD. For 2022, Hyundai plans to offer a hybrid model — the entry-level Tucson Hybrid Blue — with a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four and 1.49-kWh battery. Although official ratings are yet to be released, fuel efficiency estimates suggest 38mpg across the board, city/highway/combined.
6 2021 Subaru Forester
Thanks to its generous ground clearance, the 2021 Subaru Forester is a standout SUV with impeccable handling on and off-road. According to reports, Subaru is already set to release the 2022 Forester Wilderness with even better off-roading capabilities. Until then, we can still appreciate the 2021 model, which is arguably Subaru's best-selling vehicle so far.
Unlike most compact SUVs, the Forester comes standard with AWD, automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT), and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine across all the available trims. These trims include Touring, Sport, Premium, and Limited. The estimated fuel economy for all models stands at an impressive 26mpg city, 33mpg highway, and 29mpg combined.
5 2021 Nissan Rogue
The Rogue has been a great money-maker for Nissan over the past decade. However, the ground-up redesign for the third generation makes it more charming with a more interesting truck-like appearance. The 2021 Nissan Rogue is available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trim levels, all with the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and automatic CVT.
The S trim level with FWD provides the best fuel economy estimates at 27mpg city, 35mpg highway, and 30mpg combined. The same trim with AWD has 26mpg city, 33mpg highway, and 29mpg combined. EPA fuel economy ratings for SV, SL, and Platinum with FWD are 26mpg city, 34mpg highway, and 29mpg combined, while the AWD option for the trims delivers 25mpg city, 32mpg highway, and 28mpg combined.
4 2021 Lexus NX 300h
Lexus has marked some amazing milestones in recent years, and the SUV hybrid powertrain is among the top ones. The 2021 Lexus NX 300h comes with additional standard driver assistance features and a sexier, sportier F Sport Black Line trim that makes it an attractive and fun-to-drive luxury hybrid. In addition, the NX 300h model is now available in base and Luxury trims, all with the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas/electric hybrid with CVT.
Previously, you could only get the NX hybrid and NX F Sport separately. Thus, it's easy to see why the 2021 F Sport hybrid was a welcome surprise for many. However, Lexus announced the F Sport as a Special Edition limited to just 1,000 units. All the NX 300h hybrid models for 2021 come standard with AWD, but they register impressive fuel efficiency regardless. The EPA fuel economy ratings are 33mpg city, 30mpg highway, and 31mpg combined.
3 2021 Honda CR-V
Aside from impeccable versatility, the 2021 Honda CR-V boasts a sophisticated appearance with many active safety features. The SUV is available in several trims, including LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, EX Hybrid, EX-L Hybrid, and Touring Hybrid. Honda did an incredible job with their first turbocharged engine by pairing the 1.5-liter non-hybrid unit to one of the best CVTs available.
On the other hand, all hybrid models feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, two electric motors, and standard AWD. Of all the CR-V trims, the hybrids deliver the best EPA fuel economy at 40mpg city, 35mpg highway, and 38mpg combined. For the standard CR-V, models fitted with FWD offer 28mpg city, 34mpg highway, and 30mpg combined, while the AWD alternative gives 27mpg city, 32mpg highway, and 29mpg combined.
2 2021 Toyota RAV4
Toyota went all out with the 2021 RAV4 by providing a broad range of trims, including LE, XLE, XLE Premium, XSE, Limited, Adventure, TRD Off-Road, LE Hybrid, XLE Premium Hybrid, Prime SE Plug-In Hybrid, and Prime XSE Plug-In Hybrid. From this list, the Prime Plug-In Hybrid models and the XLE Premium Hybrid are newly upgraded trims introduced fresh for 2021.
Across all the RAV4 models available, the hybrid models register the best EPA fuel economy ratings. The LE and XLE Premium hybrids deliver 41mpg city, 38mpg highway, and 40mpg combined. The Prime SE and XSE are the best plug-in SUV models with desirable ratings at an estimated 40mpg city, 36mpg highway, and 38mpg combined. All the non-hybrid RAV4 trims offer a 30mpg combined EPA rating when equipped with FWD and 29mpg combined efficiency with the AWD option.
1 2021 Ford Escape
The 2021 Ford Escape came with the exciting addition of the hybrid powertrain to the SEL and SE trims. Also, Ford extended the availability further by making the hybrid powertrain standard on the top-spec Titanium model. These plug-in hybrid models deliver 44mpg city and 37mpg highway, which is the most efficient fuel economy rating across all offerings.
Among non-hybrid Escape models, the three-cylinder 1.5-liter turbocharged model with FWD gives the highest fuel economy at 27mpg city, 33mpg highway, and 30mpg combined. On the other hand, the AWD option influences a drop in fuel efficiency estimates to 26mpg city, 31mpg highway, and 28mpg combined.