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Identifying the First-Gen Ford MustangSmall SUVs with the Best Gas Mileage
Want to stretch a gallon of gas without sacrificing too much on utility? Look no further than this list of small SUVs with the best gas mileage.
Small SUVs Meet the CAFE Challenge
As Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards have gotten progressively more strenuous, automakers have responded with a plethora of small, highly efficient powertrains. To that point, 8 of the 10 vehicles on this list of small SUVs with the best gas mileage are fitted with 4-cylinder engines displacing two liters or less. The other two options are powered by wee 3-cylinder motors.
Another common thread is the near-universal application of continuously variable transmissions (CVT), which are a popular method for improving gas mileage. While hybrids and plug-in hybrids offer even more miles between gas station stops, today’s list focuses on straight internal combustion as there are so many to choose from. Ranked by Combined MPG figures, the answer to “What is good gas mileage?” is clearly 30 mpg, at least for small SUVs.
*All vehicles below are 2023 model years and front-wheel-drive.
Nissan Kicks: 33 mpg combined
Nissan’s tiniest SUV, the Kicks, also packs a small punch on the wallet with a starting price of just under $22,000. But if you want top marks for gas mileage in small SUV form, the Kicks is it. Granted, you won’t be going very fast as the 1.6L inline-4 makes just 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque, but going slow is a great way to reduce fuel consumption! That sort of price tag means steel wheels and rear drum brakes are standard, but so are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, forward collision mitigation (FCM), and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Toyota Corolla Cross: 32 mpg combined
Up next is Toyota’s relatively new Corolla Cross, a high-riding variant of the automakers’ legendary econobox that starts at about $25,000. More powerful than a Kicks, the Corolla Cross sports a 159-horse 2.0L four-pot that, like the Kicks and nearly every other vehicle on this list, pairs with a CVT to spin the front wheels. Toyota also cheaps out with plastic hubcaps and steelies on base models but adds a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless smartphone connectivity, and adaptive cruise control to the roster of standard equipment.
Hyundai Kona: 32 mg combined
The Hyundai Kona, which we look at more closely here, offers excellent fuel economy, a capable 2.0L inline-4 making 147 horsepower, and a relatively impressive list of standard content for an entry price of $23,475. That includes alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, an 8-inch infotainment display, FCM, a lane-keeping system (LKS), and blind-spot monitoring (BSM) with rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA). Higher-spec models offer a sunroof and 10-inch central screen, but all Konas come with Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty AND three years of complimentary maintenance.
Kia Soul: 31 mpg combined
Corporate cousin to the Kona, Kia’s Soul comes with a distinctive boxy design and base sticker that undercuts the Nissan Kicks by about $700. That squared-off style translates to 62 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats, which is a whopping 27 cubes more than the Corolla Cross can manage. The same 147 hp powertrain found in the Hyundai Kona stirs the Soul and is good for a respectable 8.5-second run to 60 mph in this application. A fully-digital gauge cluster is standard as is a driver attention warning, but you’ll need to move past the base model for speaker grille LEDs that pulse in time with the music.
Kia Seltos: 31 mpg combined
If you’re sensing a theme here, it’s because Hyundai and Kia dominate this group of small SUVs with the best gas mileage. The Seltos shares a nearly identical powertrain with the Soul but costs a bit more with a starting price of $24,665. It just edges the Soul on overall cargo space, which helps it earn a spot on our list of vehicles with the most storage volume. Plus, the Seltos comes with standard alloy wheels and wireless smartphone mirroring. But really what you’re paying for is the more traditional SUV shape – and to avoid the endless hamster jokes forever associated with the Soul.
Hyundai Venue: 31 mpg combined
The fourth, and final, SUV from the Hyundai conglomerate is the tiny Venue. Power drops to 121 hp from a 1.6L inline-4, but so does the price tag. The Venue, one of our favorite subcompact SUVs, is the only vehicle on this list with an entry price under $21,000. And yet, Hyundai fits even the base Venue with handsome alloy wheels – that are an oh-so-cute at 15 inches in diameter – along with heated side mirrors, an 8-inch infotainment screen, FCM, LKS, BSM, RCTA, and wireless Apple and Android integration. Three years of complimentary maintenance and a 10-year powertrain warranty are icing on this pint-sized cake.
Chevy Trailblazer: 31 mpg combined
With the tiny Trax dropped for 2023, the Trailblazer occupies Chevy’s smallest SUV slot. The boxy lines result in a maximum cargo capacity of 54 cubic feet and the $23,395 entry price delivers a well-equipped crossover. That includes a turbocharged 1.2L four-cylinder with 137 hp, 17-inch wheels, a Wi-Fi hotspot, FCM, automatic high beams, and a 6-speaker stereo system. All models come with a complimentary initial service visit and higher-spec trims offer LED fog lights, heated front seats, and cruise control.
Volkswagen Toas: 31 mpg combined
The VW Taos is one the more powerful small SUVs out there with a turbocharged 1.5L inline-4 that churns out 158 horses and 184 torques. That enables a relatively swift 0-to-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds while managing to keep the combined fuel economy figure above 30 mpg. It also has a very spacious interior with up to 66 cubic feet of cargo space and a solid list of included features like LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, FCM, and BSM. Moving up the trim ladder brings active blind-spot assistance and heated front seats, while all models have two years of complimentary maintenance.
Ford Escape: 30 mpg combined
Ford’s Escape is an odd mix of high pricing – it starts at $29,495 – and cut-rate features like the standard steel wheels with hubcaps. It’s also the most powerful small SUV here with 180 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 1.5L three-cylinder engine and the only one, aside from the Taos, to eschew a CVT in favor of an 8-speed automatic. Nonetheless, the Escape delivers excellent fuel economy, nearly the same cargo space as the VW Taos, and a long list of standard advanced driver aids like FCM, LKS, BSM, and RTCA.
Buick Encore GX: 30 mpg combined
Buick also leans to the high side of pricing with its Encore GX which starts at just over $27,000. But for that outlay, you’ll enjoy premium standard features that make daily driving more enjoyable. This includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Active Noise Cancellation, six speakers, and cloth upholstery with leatherette inserts. A tiny boosted 1.2L three-pot delivers 137 hp and if you spend up, even nicer amenities like a navigation system, a head-up display, and automated parking are available.
