Top 5 Fuel-Efficient Crossover Vehicles

Identifying the five most fuel-efficient crossover vehicles is challenging. Not because they don’t exist—there are plenty of them—but because the crossover category itself is a bit tricky to define. What one person considers a crossover might just as easily be viewed as a small SUV or a compact station wagon. Some brands help by including an "X" in the model name, signaling it as a crossover, but many others do not.

The EPA doesn’t make this task any easier. Although the agency provides fuel efficiency data for every passenger vehicle sold in the U.S. each year, it doesn’t recognize "crossover" as a specific vehicle class. Instead, they categorize vehicles into official classes, such as midsize station wagons and SUVs. Similarly, the website fueleconomy.gov lists cars by market category, like hatchbacks and SUVs, but there's no standalone classification for crossovers.

This leaves the decision up to car manufacturers. With traditional SUVs becoming less popular and gasoline prices climbing, the crossover vehicle serves as a middle ground between rugged off-road trucks and more fuel-efficient city cars. Most crossovers are designed using a car platform, which is lighter and easier to maneuver compared to the heavy, truck-like frame of conventional SUVs.

Now, without further delay, here are the top five crossover vehicles offering the best fuel efficiency—plus a surprising hybrid addition.

5: Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V has been a familiar name in the crossover world, marketed as a small SUV since the 1990s. While it's not designed for off-roading, the crossover category suits it perfectly. The two-wheel-drive version of the CR-V delivers better fuel efficiency than the four-wheel-drive model, earning an EPA rating of 21 mpg (8.9 km/l) city, 28 mpg (11.9 km/l) highway, and 24 mpg (10.2 km/l) combined. Powered by a four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower, it offers space for four passengers and ample cargo room.

The compact size, SUV-like appearance, and excellent fuel economy have made the Honda CR-V the best-selling SUV for four consecutive years. This streak began even before the crossover market had fully taken off. The base model, which offers the best gas mileage, is priced around $21,500 [source: Honda.com].

4: Mini Cooper Countryman

It might sound strange to have such a large car from a brand called Mini, but that's just how eager manufacturers are to enter the crossover market. The Mini Cooper Countryman debuted in 2011 with a longer, taller body than the original Mini Cooper and introduced a first-ever optional four-wheel-drive system. The two-wheel-drive model with a manual transmission earns top marks from the EPA, achieving 28 mpg (11.9 km/l) in the city, 35 mpg (14.9 km/l) on the highway, and 31 mpg (13.2 km/l) combined. This version delivers the best fuel economy of any crossover on this list.

The Countryman has a few unexpected features, such as a rear bench seat that fits three passengers and its distinction as a 2011 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The starting price for the Mini Cooper Countryman is around $22,000, though the cost may rise with additional options that could reduce fuel efficiency [source: MiniUSA.com].

3: Nissan Rogue

While the word "rogue" might evoke images of pirates, outlaws, and anti-heroes, the Nissan Rogue crossover stays on the straight and narrow while delivering excellent fuel efficiency. The two-wheel-drive version of the Rogue boasts an impressive 22 miles per gallon (9.4 km/l) in the city, 28 miles per gallon (11.9 km/l) on the highway, and 25 miles per gallon (10.6 km/l) combined.

One of the reasons the Rogue achieves these solid fuel economy numbers is its use of a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Instead of traditional gear shifts, the CVT uses a belt and pulley system to smoothly transfer the engine's power to the wheels. Nissan was the first automaker to implement CVTs in its passenger cars, and it’s been so successful that many of their models now feature this technology. While a CVT isn’t designed for off-roading or towing, it’s an ideal fit for the crossover segment. Like other crossovers, the Rogue starts at approximately $21,000 [source: NissanUSA.com].

2: Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the only hybrid crossover to make the list of top fuel economy performers. Similar to the Honda CR-V, the Highlander has been around for several years and was initially marketed as a light-duty SUV—until the crossover trend took off. As a hybrid, the Highlander delivers a consistent 28 miles per gallon (11.9 km/l) in the city, 28 mpg (11.9 km/l) on the highway, and 28 mpg (11.9 km/l) combined. While this is impressive, it doesn’t claim the top spot, which goes to the Mini Cooper Countryman.

Like most hybrids, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid combines a gasoline engine and an electric motor. In this case, the engine is a V-6 producing 231 horsepower, with an electric motor adding to the power. Together, the system generates a total of 280 horsepower, making it more powerful than many other crossovers. However, the hybrid's starting price is higher, with the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) set at $37,490 [source: Toyota.com].

1: Toyota RAV-4

Toyota proudly claims two spots on the list of five crossover vehicles with the best fuel economy. The Toyota RAV4, equipped with a four-cylinder engine and two-wheel-drive, achieves 22 miles per gallon (9.4 km/l) in the city, 28 miles per gallon (11.9 km/l) on the highway, and 24 miles per gallon (10.2 km/l) combined. This matches the highway efficiency of its hybrid sibling, the Highlander, although the hybrid performs a bit better in city driving.

Similar to the Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV4 has been around for a while—it first debuted over 15 years ago. Initially seen as a light-duty SUV, the RAV4 found its true home in the crossover category once it gained popularity. Choosing the four-wheel-drive option only reduces its EPA mileage by 1 mpg (0.4 km/l), making it one of the most fuel-efficient four-wheel-drive vehicles in its class. The starting price for the Toyota RAV4 is about $22,000, aligning with other vehicles in its segment [source: Toyota.com].