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Here’s a look at the most economical SUVs you should buy in 2024.
SUVs aren’t typically known as being cars that are fuel efficient. Their size and weight can mean that many of them guzzle through petrol and diesel, making them expensive to run and operate.
As these cars are super practical and have a lot going for them in various other areas, it can be a bit of a kick in the teeth that they’re so wasteful in their mileage. That said, some fuel-efficient SUVs offer much better ranges and miles per gallon, making them great and attractive options.
If you’re searching for an SUV that offers good size, driving performance and efficiency, these are the best options for you to consider.
These are the top 10 most fuel-efficient SUVs:
Before diving into the top 10 fuel-efficient SUVs, it’s important to clarify the criteria that make an SUV suitable.
Of course, the main factor to consider is its fuel consumption and how many miles you can get per gallon of fuel. A lot of SUVs fall under the 40mpg range, meaning that you’ll be filling up and refuelling often, which can be a pretty hefty expense over time, especially if it’s a diesel car.
When choosing a fuel-efficient SUV, try to stick to options that are over 50mpg, as this will give you a much superior range and allow you to enjoy the efficiency you’re looking for.
Many SUVs with this range are boosted by hybrid technology, where an electric motor can help the car access a few more miles. If you want the best distance output from your car, don’t shy away from hybrid models.
Another thing you should consider when choosing a fuel-efficient SUV is the size and weight of the car. Generally, the heavier the vehicle, the less fuel efficient it will be. That’s why many SUVs go through energy quickly.
To combat this, look for smaller SUVs, which have more compact dimensions that can help things become more economical. Of course, the size you get will depend on your personal requirements. Some people need the space for a large family, while others can sacrifice more legroom for a more efficient experience.
When comparing fuel-efficient cars, always be aware of their fuel type, as this can sway and alter your final decision. As a general rule, diesel cars typically have a better range, meaning they can go further for every full tank. This may sound good, but remember that diesel costs more, so a full tank of diesel will be more expensive than the same-sized tank of petrol.
This means that if you’re getting a fuel-efficient car to save money throughout owning the vehicle, it may be best to go for the petrol option, even if its mileage is slightly worse, because it may still be cheaper.
Finally, when getting a fuel-efficient SUV, you don’t want to focus too hard on getting the most economical option possible. Although this aspect is highly valuable, you shouldn’t negate other aspects of the car.
An SUV with fantastic mileage but poor driving performance, outdated safety features, and insufficient storage or passenger room shouldn’t be considered a good fuel-efficient car.
There’s nothing wrong with going for a car with slightly worse mileage, providing that it’s a better car in other aspects that are important to you. It’s all about balance when buying a fuel-efficient SUV.
With the important factors you need to consider discussed, here’s an overview of the ten best fuel-efficient SUVs.
Like many other modern Puegeots, the 2008 is a stylish and fun SUV with good looks inside and out, making it appeal to those drivers who want to be sensible without looking like they are. The engine on the 2008 is very efficient, offering around 53mpg that you can push even further with careful and considered driving.
It uses a petrol engine, helping it to be cheaper when you eventually have to fill up, making it a great cost-effective car for the family. There’s also the all-electric model that you can opt for if you want to go down the eco-friendly route, although that’s a bit more expensive to buy.
Although an SUV, the car is still a little cramped compared to other options, with the rear seats not being suitable for adults if you’re looking for a comfortable ride. However, if you’re in the front seats, you’ll have a comfortable experience with light steering that gives it a good bit of manoeuvrability.
The gears can feel a little notchy when changing them manually, but you can get an automatic version that completes these changes for you. Suspension is great, though, a trademark for French cars, and it deals with bumps and dodgy roads well, making it suitable for country and rural roads.
It can be tricky to drive due to a massive blindspot in its rear window, making reverse parking and other actions a bit more perilous.
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If you’re looking for a large and comfortable car that can fit up to seven passengers, the SEAT Tarraco is a great option, thanks to it being far more economical than other large SUVs on the market. It offers up to 53mpg, providing that you have the most economical 150bhp diesel engine, which allows you to use this car for cross-country trips without worrying about it guzzling through fuel.
The biggest selling point of the Tarraco is its practicality. Everyone can fit in the car with ample room, and there’s good storage space to hold luggage and more complicated items. It’s also a practical car to drive, offering an excellent driving position that offers a great view of the road ahead, and it also comes with many options for adjusting the wheel and seat positions.
It’s best suited as a long-distance cruiser, which is great because of its economic engine. It’s quiet on the motorway and comfortable and calm. Its size stops you from feeling exposed, and it is also a car with good safety features.
The drawback is that the car’s practicality can make it feel bland. Although spacious, the interior is dull, and it’s not an SUV with a lot of pace, especially as the economical 150bhp will struggle to accelerate. It’s also firm at low speeds, meaning that it shouldn’t be used as a vehicle to hop around town on short distances.
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The Renault Kadjar is a quality SUV, offering a large amount of boot space and interior room for passengers within the cabin. It’s not the most stylish option, with its exterior being pretty simple, but that can appeal to drivers who don’t want something too eccentric.
The Kadjar can offer around 46mpg on its petrol engine, which is a good range, although it is outclassed by a few other SUVs mentioned on this list. That said, being petrol helps keep the costs down, and its large tank means that you’ll only need to refuel occasionally.
The car does struggle to get up to speed, making it slow on the motorway, especially when laden with luggage and people. That said, because of its size and higher driving position, it’s also not fantastic in city settings, as moving around and navigating can be a bit cumbersome. It’s also noisy at top speeds, which affects the ambience and comfort that the cabin would otherwise provide.
The Kadjur is a vehicle fixated on practicality and offers that in abundance. It lacks in the intangibles, leading it to be tame in regards to driving performance.
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The Vauxhall Crossland is a small SUV, meaning it has a decent amount of size for passengers and space while being good in the city and more cramped environments. It’s not a juggernaut to control, and behind the wheel feels similar to a hatchback, making it a fairly easy SUV to drive.
The Crossland offers good fuel economy, providing a minimum of 49mpg when you get the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Although good when compared to many other SUVs, you would expect more from a lighter, small SUV such as the Crossland. Still, it’s cheap to buy and run and is made by a reliable manufacturer.
Like many other SUVs that focus on being practical, the Crossland isn’t the most inspired and is a bit boring to drive. It makes it a safe option for cruising around, but it is one of those cars that can make driving feel more like a chore.
In addition to that, the car isn’t very comfortable over bumps, shaking over the slightest road irregularity, which can lead to a ride that jostles you about. As a trade-off, you get very good rear space and storage room in the boot, and modern options also come with an intuitive and well-equipped infotainment system.
Aside from its good fuel efficiency, it’s an average car that won’t be horrible to drive; it just lacks something that makes it stand out.
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Looks-wise, the Ford Puma doesn’t have the trademark characteristics of an SUV, instead looking like a hatchback with a raised suspension. This means that the driver is closer to the ground when compared to other cars of this category, helping it to offer one of the best, most fun driving experiences of the entire SUV class.
As well as being fun, the Puma also offers a great range, thanks to its mild-hybrid technology that can push the vehicle to 52mpg, both as a diesel or petrol car. If you want to invest in performance, you can also grab the sportier model that offers 155hp, giving it more thrust while only sacrificing 1mpg in range.
The Ford Puma also offers a great-sized boot, helping it to become a practical option in addition to a fun one, although this boot space does eat into the rear seats, which can be a bit tight for a car that’s officially an SUV.
The only other major drawback is that it’s not the most comfortable on the road, with its firm suspension meaning that you feel every crevice and pothole on the road. Plus, although its lower driving position is more fun, it does compromise your view somewhat.
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The Yaris Cross uses a self-charging hybrid engine. It uses that electronic technology to help boost its range to that akin to diesel engines, which typically have greater range than petrol cars. However, because it is petrol, the car runs smoothly and elegantly, proving that the roads underfoot are in good condition.
Things can get bumpy if the roads aren’t in the best shape, suggesting that it’s not the best option for gravel or country roads, but it does handle really well, thanks to a tight turning circle.
The car is one of the more elegant-looking SUVs, sporting sophisticated bodywork that gives it a luxurious appearance. It does offer a large boot, helping it to become practical, although, like a few other SUVs on this list, this boot size does mean that rear seat legroom is at a premium.
Base-level models can achieve a fantastic 64mpg, making it one of the most efficient cars on this list and a worthy contender as the best fuel-efficient SUV, although be aware that if you get the top-of-the-range Excel trim, it makes the car heavier due to larger wheels, which drop the miles per gallon to 57.
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If you’re looking for a stylistically different SUV, then the Volkswagen Taigo is an excellent pick that will make you stand out. This is because the body shape combines the essence of a coupe with a small SUV, allowing it to retain some charming looks that are not normally found in the SUV class.
Although coupes typically offer cramped roofs, the Taigo still provides a good amount of space for its size, with the interior being comfortable and spacious; critical components that make a good SUV.
The Tagio offers low running costs, making it an economical option. This is because it uses a petrol engine that can give you between 45.8 and 62mpg depending on the roads and speeds that you’re driving at.
Taking elements from a coupe, the Taigo isn’t as boxy as many other SUVs and is pretty slender and long. This should make it feel tougher to control and steer, but it surprisingly feels pretty compact on the road and isn’t that tough to drive.
It’s great in town and can nip into tight openings, and the suspension can take bumps and dips in its stride. It’s equally as good on motorways, offering good views and lane assist to make these longer trips a doddle.
Unfortunately, much like many larger SUV cars, it is not that fun to be behind due to its smaller engine which makes it somewhat economical. It can handle many types of road situations, but it’s not that exhilarating.
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The Kia Sportage offers excellent value for money, being cheap to run and not the most expensive to buy while also being spacious for the entire family. The rear seats provide plenty of legroom and head height, and it is easy to fit a child seat if needed, thanks to the wide doors. It’s a very tech-forward car with plenty of interesting and helpful technology on board that can make it more intuitive and safer.
The quality of the build is also something worth shouting about, especially the interior cabin, which feels luxurious and well put together. For the most part, the car is comfortable, offering a good amount of legroom and nice seats, although the ride can be a bit firm, which means that any potholes or bumps in the road can jostle passengers about.
The Sportage is a doddle to drive, offering good visibility and light, responsive steering that makes manoeuvres a breeze. It can handle twisty roads really well but does so sensibly: there’s very little fun to be had with the Kia Sportage.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the Sportage isn’t class-leading, but it’s not far behind, offering 51.4mpg if you’re not driving with fuel efficiency in mind. If you’re trying to get the most out of it, you may be able to get a few more miles, making it a good economical option and an excellent family car.
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The Qashqai is a well-revered car and has picked up various accolades over the years, and was many outlets’ car of the year back in 2014. Almost a decade on, the SUV still holds up as a fantastic option, especially as you can get it cheap on the second-hand market.
The Qashqai is a pretty frugal choice, offering a good 51.9mpg that can be larger if you drive carefully and calmly. Although that mileage isn’t as good as many others on this list, it’s worth considering because you get that range with a punchy and fast 1.5-litre engine, allowing the Qashqai to be useful on the motorway and accelerate at a pace that puts other SUVs to shame.
It’s a very comfortable car, with much room for passengers and boot space. It also drives well on bumpy roads, making it ideal for rural life in the country, and it also handles super well for a car of this size.
There are not many negatives against the Qashqai, making it the standout choice of SUV if you’re happy to sacrifice a little bit of fuel economy compared to the rest on this list. Although it controls well, it could be more exhilarating to drive. It doesn’t seem laboured; it’s just that you don’t get any sense of pace or feedback, which can make it relaxing but dull over long distances.
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The Suzuki Ignis is like the Tardis or Mary Poppins bag; it doesn’t look very big compared to other SUVs but has a lot more space inside than it should. This is all down to the clever design on Suzuki’s part, allowing the car to be practical to sit in and store items while also being easy to drive, especially on city roads.
Most people getting an SUV aren’t looking for driving performance; however, the Ignis is particularly lacklustre, only offering 83hp. This may mean it struggles to keep up on the motorway, but this lack of power won’t be missed in the city, where it excels.
The Ignis can average around 58mps, and you can also get a four-wheel drive option that still offers a respectable 52mpg, making it a fantastic option if you’re looking to save money.
Although the Ignis can fit a whole family inside its small frame, there’s no doubt that other options will be comfier. It’s a light car, so it can be pretty agile for an SUV, making it work well in tight spaces. If you’re looking for an SUV that can be used for short hops around town, then the Ignis is the option to go for.
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Traditionally, SUVs haven't been the most fuel-efficient class of cars. This is because they're heavy and large, meaning they would have needed a larger engine and more fuel to work.
However, as the above list illustrates, SUVs can be fuel efficient. Some have ranges that can compare and even outperform some more traditionally efficient car types, such as hatchbacks and small city models.
MPG stands for miles per gallon and is a unit of measurement that determines how many miles your car can travel before it uses up a gallon of fuel. Comparing cars' MPG is a great way to quickly assess their fuel efficiency and how long you can expect the car to last before refuelling.
In addition to MPG, another great metric is the range of a car. This number illustrates how far you can drive before the tank is empty and is a unit of measurement that has gotten more relevance as it allows you to compare traditionally fueled cars with electric vehicles.
Various factors make a car fuel efficient; however, its weight and engine size are the most significant contributors to a fuel-efficient car. A lot of the more efficient SUVs have smaller engines, so they are pretty weak compared to other options, but this allows them to give you good mileage.
Another thing to think about is the aerodynamics of the car, as a fuel-efficient car that can cut through wind resistance and create the least drag possible. SUVs are typically bulky and tall, which is why most struggle when it comes to fuel efficiency. However, some have been cleverly designed to minimize this factor.
How you drive plays a massive part in your car's fuel efficiency. If you break heavily and accelerate sharply, you'll burn more fuel, as the car will exert more energy to complete these tasks.
If you want to get the most range from your car, try to cruise around at a more controlled and gentle pace, being smooth as you accelerate and break. Driving like this can help you get an extra five miles per gallon, depending on where you're driving.
As the years go by, more and more cars are adopting hybrid technology, which can be used to help provide a boost in range. This is because these hybrid cars can generate extra energy as you drive and brake and then be used to help give you a few more miles.
This hybrid technology is what's behind many petrol cars being able to get a mileage similar to or even greater than diesel options. It will surely have a major influence as laws and bans on new full petrol and diesel cars are introduced in the coming years.
SUVs that offer good mileage compared to their competitors will be cheaper to run, as they'll require less refuelling, helping you save a fair bit of money over the years.
An SUV with ten more miles to the gallon than another option may cost £600 less to run, saving you around £3,000 after five years of ownership, which is a significant bit of cash.
The only downside is that SUVs with good fuel efficiency will likely cost more to buy, as this good fuel economy is considered a desirable perk that increases the car's value. That said, you should still save money throughout owning the vehicle, making it a good and worthwhile investment.
As an efficient SUV will likely have a smaller and thus less powerful engine, it will be slower in terms of performance. This means that it may not be able to accelerate as quickly as other SUVs and may also have a lower top speed, which may be an issue if you're performing a lot of motorway drives.
As an SUV with good fuel efficiency will use less fuel, it will also be good for the environment, as less gas and pollution are produced compared to a car with worse fuel efficiency.
It also means that as you're using less fuel, the demand for these finite energy sources is reduced, which also benefits the environment.
Of course, you'll have a more positive environmental impact if you get a smaller car with even better fuel efficiency. However, if you need the practicality of an SUV, you're still having a positive impact by choosing an efficient option over one that isn't.
If you're more interested in saving money and want a practical car that can be used to transport a family, then getting a fuel-efficient SUV is perfect for you. If you live where there's a lot of space, and don't need to drive around town too much, then this vehicle size suits you to a tee.
That said, if you're not transporting an entire family often and don't need the space and practicality offered by an SUV, you may be better suited to getting a smaller car that can provide you with even better fuel efficiency.
Plus, if you value the driving experience and want to enjoy and have a bit of fuel behind the wheel, then an SUV, especially one with a weaker, more efficient engine, will not be suitable for you, as they're dull and pretty boring to drive in general, although there are exceptions.
The heavier you make a car, the less efficient it will be, as it will need more revs and energy to get the car moving. This means that if the car is fully loaded with passengers and luggage, you will experience a drop-off in mileage.
This can be up to a 15% drop off, which is noticeable if you're completing a long-distance trip, as suddenly, a 50mpg car becomes a 42.5mpg vehicle.