Although SUVs have not been traditionally known for their fuel economy, they have become much more efficient in recent years and they have started to shed the reputation of gas-guzzlers that they used to have for a long time.
Nowadays, there are lots of SUVs with excellent gas mileage on sale, and car buyers who are looking for a versatile, comfortable, spacious vehicle that can haul more passengers and cargo than a sedan or a compact car, but doesn’t come with high fuel expenses, can easily find one at a pretty reasonable price. The following is a list of the 5 most fuel-efficient SUVs for 2015, which includes hybrids and gasoline-powered vehicles, while excluding pure-electric ones.
Lexus NX 300h
The Lexus NX 300h is definitely one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs on the market today. Powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors for a total of 194 horsepower, paired with continuously variable transmission, this hybrid SUV gets 35 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. The base version of the Lexus NX 300h costs $39,720.
Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid
This may not be a very popular vehicle among consumers, but it’s a great choice for car buyers looking for a more affordable and fuel-efficient SUV. At $25,995, the hybrid version of the Crosstrek delivers a fuel economy rated at 30 mpg/city and 34 mpg/highway, which is quite impressive for a vehicle of its size, all thanks to the efficient 2.0-liter Subaru Boxer engine, paired with a hybrid electric drive system.
Mazda CX-5
Powered by a 2.0-liter engine employing Mazda’s Skyactiv technology, the CX-5 is living proof that gasoline-powered SUVs can be just as efficient as hybrids. It returns amazing 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, putting it right there with the most efficient vehicles in the class. On top of that, it offers an amazing performance and incredibly dynamic handling, which makes it more fun to drive than most other SUVs. It comes with a price tag of $21,545.
BMW X3 Diesel
Thanks to the highly efficient 2.0-liter, TwinPower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the 2015 BMW X3 xDrive28d gets great mileage rated at 27 mpg/city and 34 mpg/highway. Its gas mileage is better than its closest competitors, such as the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLK, but it does lag a bit behind when it comes to performance. It can be purchase for about $42,800.
Honda CR-V
The 2015 Honda CR-V might not be able to compete with many SUVs in terms of performance, but it’s definitely right there at the top when it comes to fuel efficiency. Powered by an In-Line 4-Cylinder, direct fuel injection engine, that delivers 185 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, the Honda CR-V gets up to 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. This reliable and spacious SUV starts at $23,445.