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  • SUVs
  • MY2025

Most Fuel-Efficient Small SUVs of 2025

The most efficient 2025 small SUV is the Kia Niro (FE · 1.6 L · FWD) at 53 MPG combined, 26 MPG above the median small SUV (27 MPG) among the 73 small SUVs ranked. The Kia Niro costs about $1,230 a year to fuel, $1,390 less than the median small SUV ($2,620).

The top 10 run from 53 MPG to 36 MPG. Each model is listed once, with its best qualifying configuration named in the row; models with the same displayed value share a rank.

Best combined

53MPG

Kia Niro

Median model

27MPG

73 models

Top-10 median

39MPG

Models ranked

73

one row per model

Full ranking

Showing the top 50 of 73 models. Every column is sortable.

Most Fuel-Efficient Small SUVs of 2025: top 50 of 73 models
1
Kia Niro
FE · 1.6 L · FWD
Hybrid
535354$1,230+26
2
Kia Sportage
Hybrid · 1.6 L · FWD
Hybrid
434244$1,510+16
3
Toyota Corolla Cross
Hybrid · 2.0 L · AWD
Hybrid
424538$1,560+15
4
Honda CR-V
2.0 L · FWD
Hybrid
404336$1,620+13
5
Toyota RAV4
Hybrid · 2.5 L · AWD
Hybrid
394138$1,660+12
5
Ford Escape
HEV · 2.5 L · FWD
Hybrid
394236$1,670+12
5
Lexus NX
350h · 2.5 L · AWD
Hybrid · Premium fuel
394137$2,060+12
8
Hyundai Tucson
Hybrid Blue · 1.6 L · AWD
Hybrid
383838$1,720+11
8
Mazda CX-50
2.5 L · 4WD
Hybrid
383937$1,730+11
10
Kia Sorento
Hybrid · 1.6 L · FWD
Hybrid
363636$1,810+9
10
Hyundai Santa Fe
Hybrid · 1.6 L · FWD
Hybrid
363635$1,830+9
10
Lexus RX
350h · 2.5 L · AWD
Hybrid · Premium fuel
363734$2,230+9
13
Toyota Highlander
Hybrid LTD/PLAT · 2.5 L · AWD
Hybrid
353534$1,860+8
13
Subaru Forester
Hybrid · 2.5 L · AWD
Hybrid
353534$1,890+8
15
Nissan Kicks
Play · 1.6 L · FWD
Gas
333136$1,970+6
15
Nissan Rogue
1.5 L · FWD
Gas
333037$1,980+6
17
Chevrolet TrailBlazer
1.3 L · FWD
Gas
312933$2,080+4
17
Hyundai Kona
2.0 L · FWD
Gas
312934$2,090+4
17
Kia Seltos
2.0 L · FWD
Gas
312834$2,110+4
17
Volkswagen Taos
1.5 L · FWD
Gas
312836$2,110+4
17
Hyundai Venue
1.6 L · FWD
Gas
312932$2,130+4
22
Lincoln Nautilus
HEV · 2.0 L · Part-time 4WD
Hybrid
303031$2,150+3
22
Buick Encore
GX · 1.3 L · FWD
Gas
302931$2,180+3
24
Subaru Crosstrek
2.0 L · AWD
Gas
292734$2,220+2
24
Volkswagen Tiguan
S · 2.0 L · FWD
Gas
292634$2,250+2
24
Mazda CX-30
2.5 L · 4WD
Gas
292633$2,270+2
24
BMW X3
xDrive30i · 2.0 L · AWD
Hybrid · Premium fuel
292733$2,750+2
28
Subaru Outback
2.5 L · AWD
Gas
282632$2,310+1
28
Mazda CX-5
2.5 L · 4WD
Gas
282630$2,360+1
28
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
GLA250 4matic · 2.0 L · AWD
Hybrid · Premium fuel
282533$2,860+1
28
BMW X1
xDrive28i · 2.0 L · AWD
Gas · Premium fuel
282433$2,910+1
28
BMW X2
xDrive28i · 2.0 L · AWD
Gas · Premium fuel
282433$2,910+1
33
Ford Bronco Sport
1.5 L · Part-time 4WD
Gas
272530$2,3900
33
Mitsubishi Outlander
2.5 L · FWD
Gas
272431$2,4100
33
Jeep Compass
2.0 L · AWD
Gas
272432$2,4300
33
Chevrolet Equinox
1.5 L · FWD
Gas
272628$2,4400
33
GMC Terrain
1.5 L · FWD
Gas
272628$2,4400
33
Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
GLB250 4matic · 2.0 L · AWD
Hybrid · Premium fuel
272433$2,9500
33
Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
GLC300 · 2.0 L · RWD
Hybrid · Premium fuel
272432$2,9500
33
MINI Countryman
S All4 · 2.0 L · AWD
Gas · Premium fuel
272432$2,9700
41
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
1.5 L · FWD
Gas
262528$2,510−1
41
Infiniti QX50
2.0 L · FWD
Gas · Premium fuel
262329$3,090−1
41
Volvo XC40
B5 · 2.0 L · AWD
Hybrid · Premium fuel
262330$3,090−1
41
Cadillac XT4
2.0 L · FWD
Gas · Premium fuel
262429$3,100−1
41
Volvo XC60
B5 · 2.0 L · AWD
Hybrid · Premium fuel
262330$3,100−1
41
Audi Q5
quattro · 2.0 L · AWD
Hybrid · Premium fuel
262329$3,130−1
47
Chevrolet Blazer
2.0 L · FWD
Gas
252229$2,580−2
47
Hyundai Santa Cruz
2.5 L · FWD
Gas
252230$2,610−2
47
Lincoln Corsair
2.0 L · FWD
Gas
252230$2,620−2
47
Infiniti QX55
2.0 L · AWD
Gas · Premium fuel
252228$3,180−2

How this list is built

Every line below is read from the list definition that produced the table.

  • Classes: Small SUVs.
  • Powertrains: Gas, Hybrid, Diesel.
  • Ranked by EPA combined MPG, highest first.
  • One row per model (make and model): the configuration that ranks best in this list is shown, with its trim, engine and drive named in the row.
  • Ties are decided on the displayed value (whole MPG or miles, kWh per 100 miles to one decimal, cost rounded to $10): tied models share a rank, then are ordered by a tie-breaker and by name.
  • Special-purpose vehicles, such as heavy-duty variants, are excluded.
  • Electric vehicles are ranked separately (see the EV rankings): gas, hybrid and diesel MPG is never mixed with MPGe.
  • Annual cost assumes 15,000 miles a year at the EPA rating and the dated national fuel prices stamped below; it is rounded to $10 and all differences use the rounded values.
  • Model years MY2022 to MY2027; a year is listed only when at least 10 models qualify.

Data and period

  • EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026
  • Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. average, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh)
  • 15,000 miles a year, 55% city and 45% highway

Frequently asked questions

Which 2025 small SUV gets the best gas mileage?

The most efficient 2025 small SUV is the Kia Niro (FE · 1.6 L · FWD) at 53 MPG combined, 26 MPG above the median small SUV (27 MPG) among the 73 small SUVs ranked. The Kia Niro costs about $1,230 a year to fuel, $1,390 less than the median small SUV ($2,620).

How much does the Kia Niro cost to fuel per year?

About $1,230 a year at 15,000 miles a year, using the prices stamped at the bottom of this page. The median small SUV in this list costs $2,620 a year.

How many small SUVs are ranked for 2025?

73 models qualify, one row each. The median is 27 MPG, and the top 10 run from 53 MPG to 36 MPG.

How are ties, trims and drivetrains handled?

Each model appears once, with the configuration that ranks best in this list; its trim, engine and drive are named in the row. Models with the same displayed value share a rank (1, 2, 2, 4) and are then ordered by a tie-breaker and by name. See the methodology.

Are electric cars and plug-in hybrids included?

Not in this list. MPG rankings cover gas, hybrid and diesel models only. Electric cars are ranked in EV range and EV efficiency, and plug-in hybrids in electric range.

What does combined MPG mean?

EPA's combined rating blends 55% city and 45% highway driving. It comes from standardized laboratory tests, so your results will differ with driving style, weather and load. See the methodology.

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. average, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 miles a year, 55% city and 45% highway