Even though gas prices have fallen over the last few weeks, they remain historically high. This is causing car shoppers to make fuel economy more of a priority. SUVs aren’t really known for fuel economy, but those powered by a hybrid engine get jaw-dropping miles per gallon (MPG).
Automotive publisher Edmunds.com has ranked the 2022 SUVs with the best MPG, and the Ford Escape Hybrid came out on top with a combined city/highway 41 MPG. With a starting price of $28,030, the Escape is also the least expensive of the high-mileage SUVs.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid impressed the experts at Edmunds with its combined 40 MPG rating. It also has a consumer-friendly sticker price, starting at $29,075.
The 2022 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid also clocks in at a combined 40 MPG. When pure battery power is factored into the equation, it gets the equivalent of 105 MPG. This vehicle, like some others that make the list, has the advantage of being able to charge the battery by plugging it into a power source instead of just relying on gasoline. However, it’s a bit pricier than its hybrid cousin, starting at $33,075.
Honda CR-V Hybrid boosts MPG over the gas-powered model
The Honda CRV Hybrid doesn’t quite hit 40 MPG, but it comes close. “Honda took one of our favorite SUVs on sale today and upped the efficiency with the CR-V Hybrid,” the Edmunds editors said.
The EPA estimates that the CR-V Hybrid will get 38 combined MPG, while the standard CR-V gets 29 MPG. Prices start at $31,610.
The sticker price rises significantly when you buy the next SUV on the list, the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid. Like the Escape plug-in, it gives owners a full-electric option. But unlike the Ford plug-in, the starting price is just under $40,000. It provides a combined 38 MPG and the equivalent of 94 MPG.
The Hyundai Tucson also comes as a plug-in hybrid, delivering a combined 38 MPG and the equivalent of 80 MPG. A fully-charged battery provides 33 miles of range and a 261 horsepower engine that gets you the rest of the way. The price starts at $34,900.
Rounding out the list is the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid. It’s one of the smaller crossover SUVs and may be closer to a hatchback. It gets 35 MPG, or the equivalent of 90 MPG. Prices start at $35,845.