With fuel prices still averaging well above $4.00 per gallon, hybrids are more popular than ever. And it makes sense: Consumers want to save money at the pump without having to worry about range anxiety.
But hybrid technology isn’t perfect. It often adds to the price of a vehicle, introduces more complexities, and sometimes it simply isn’t for everyone. That doesn’t mean you’re out of options, though.
Several non-hybrid SUVs get an EPA-estimated 30 mpg or more combined. Better yet, many of the most fuel-efficient models are also among the most affordable. Here are 10 of our favorites.
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Kia Seltos
Photo by: Kia
Fuel Economy: 30 MPG Combined / 33 MPG Highway / 28 MPG City
Price: $26,485
The Kia Seltos enters its second generation for 2027 with a full redesign. It gets more interior space, updated technology, and bolder styling inspired by Kia’s larger SUVs, including the Telluride.
The standard naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 147 horsepower and pairs with a continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on the base LX, which achieves an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg city.
Nissan Kicks
Photo by: Nissan
Fuel Economy: 31 MPG Combined (FWD); 30 MPG Combined (AWD)
Price: $24,365
The Nissan Kicks is the brand’s least expensive crossover, powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 141 horsepower. It pairs with a CVT, and front-wheel-drive versions achieve up to 31 mpg combined. Even with all-wheel drive, the Kicks returns up to 30 mpg combined.
For 2027, Nissan adds a rugged Rock Creek trim to the lineup, giving the bite-size crossover a more adventurous look. Most of the upgrades are cosmetic, but the Rock Creek also gets an exclusive off-road driving mode and Hill Descent Control. All-wheel drive is standard.
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Hyundai Kona
Photo by: Hyundai
Fuel Economy: 31 MPG Combined / 35 MPG Highway / 28 MPG City
Price: $27,150
The Hyundai Kona is another compact crossover that can return more than 30 mpg combined, but only with front-wheel drive on the SE and SEL trims. Those models use a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with a CVT.
The SEL Premium swaps the CVT for an eight-speed automatic, which lowers fuel economy. A turbocharged 1.6-liter engine is also available, producing 190 hp, but the extra power comes at the expense of efficiency. With front-wheel drive, the turbo Kona returns 32 mpg highway, 26 mpg city, and 28 mpg combined.
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Hyundai Venue
Photo by: Hyundai
Fuel Economy: 31 MPG Combined / 33 MPG Highway / 29 MPG City
Price: $22,700
The Hyundai Venue is one of the least expensive vehicles on sale today, starting at just $22,700. It uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing 121 hp, paired with Hyundai’s CVT. With front-wheel drive, it returns 29 mpg city, 31 mpg combined, and 33 mpg highway.
Hyundai offers the Venue with just one powertrain, and every model sends power to the front wheels. The entry-level SE comes standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Beyond that, the equipment list is fairly basic, but that’s part of the appeal.
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Volkswagen Taos
Photo by: Volkswagen
Fuel Economy: 30 MPG Combined / 35 MPG Highway / 27 MPG City
Price: $28,025
The Volkswagen Taos packs a punchy 174-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel-drive models return up to 31 mpg combined, 36 mpg highway, and 28 mpg city. All-wheel drive is available, but it comes with a fuel-economy penalty.
The Taos comes standard with features including a heated steering wheel, automatic LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen. Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system lowers combined fuel economy to 28 mpg.
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Nissan Rogue
Photo by: Nissan
Fuel Economy: 30 MPG Combined / 33 MPG Highway / 28 MPG City
Price: $31,265
The Nissan Rogue is one of the few midsize crossovers on this list, offering more passenger and cargo space than the Kicks without giving up much fuel economy. It uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque.
Yes, it has a CVT, but the front-wheel-drive Rogue still returns 30 mpg combined. Nissan is also adding a Rogue Hybrid for 2027 to meet growing demand for electrified vehicles, but the regular gas-powered Rogue will carry on for another year.
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Honda CR-V
Photo by: Honda
Fuel Economy: 30 MPG Combined / 33 MPG Highway / 28 MPG City
Price: $33,070
The Honda CR-V is the other midsize SUV on this list and a direct competitor to the Nissan Rogue. It uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT.
Despite its larger footprint and more powerful engine, the CR-V still returns 30 mpg combined, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg city. All-wheel drive is available on the entry-level LX for $1,500, but it lowers the combined rating to 29 mpg.
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Chevrolet Trax
Photo by: Chevrolet
Fuel Economy: 30 MPG Combined / 32 MPG Highway / 28 MPG City
Price: $23,495
The Chevrolet Trax is one of the most affordable SUVs on the market, with a standard turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder producing 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with a traditional six-speed automatic transmission.
Chevrolet has announced several updates for the 2027 model, including revised electrical architecture, a streamlined trim lineup, and tweaked exterior styling. The updated Trax won’t go on sale until next spring, but it will retain the same powertrain and is expected to deliver similar fuel economy: 30 mpg combined, 32 mpg highway, and 28 mpg city.
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Chevrolet Trailblazer
Photo by: Chevrolet
Fuel Economy: 30 MPG Combined / 31 MPG Highway / 30 MPG City
Price: $25,395
The Chevrolet Trailblazer is a little more practical than the Trax, with a more upright design despite being slightly shorter. It uses a turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder producing 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT.
The Trailblazer returns up to 31 mpg combined, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg city. Like the Trax, an updated model is coming for 2027, bringing features such as a column-mounted shifter and a new Z71 trim. Chevrolet hasn’t revealed all the powertrain details yet, but the 2027 Trailblazer is expected to retain its current engine.
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Toyota Corolla Cross
Photo by: Toyota
Fuel Economy: 32 MPG Combined / 33 MPG Highway / 31 MPG City
Price: $26,930
Toyota might have a lineup packed with hybrids, but buyers who want to avoid electrification still have options. The Corolla Cross is the automaker’s entry-level SUV, powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 169 hp and paired with a CVT.
The front-wheel-drive version returns an impressive 31 mpg city, 32 mpg combined, and 33 mpg highway. Toyota hasn’t released official details for the 2027 model year, but the current-generation Corolla Cross is still relatively fresh, so we don’t expect any major powertrain changes.
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