Hybrids, either as standard or plug-ins, are great for those who want to take fewer trips to the pumps every month. Especially since gas prices continue to be unpredictable, and in some places (looking at you, California and Hawaii) fueling up can nearly bankrupt people.
While much more efficient, reliable, and brag-worthy, hybrid versions of your favorite SUV can be notably more expensive. Thanks to modern technology, many new SUVs can achieve fantastic miles per gallon without sacrificing too much performance.
So, let’s take a look at three new SUVs that have EPA estimates that rival some hybrids.
The Nissan Kicks is an affordable gas-saver
When in the front-wheel drive setup, the Kicks has one of the best mileage estimates for a modern SUV. The 2.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine churns up 122 horsepower and 114 lb-feet of torque. While that’s not anything to write home about, it’s the mileage that’s jaw-dropping.
The Kicks gets 33 miles to the gallon combined and gets around 31 mpg in the city and up to 36 on the highway. No one would ever believe it’s not a hybrid with those numbers.
In addition to being efficient, the Kicks is the most affordable vehicle on the list (and has the best mpg figures, too). The base MSRP is $21,830, making it ideal for college students, first-time drivers, or those living in large cities with a moderate commute.
It also has the second-best cargo space with the second row in use, but the least available space with the seats folded.
Toyota’s Corolla Cross gets hybrid-like miles per gallon
The Corolla Cross can come as a hybrid, though it’s not necessary for most drivers, as it’s rated to get 32 miles per gallon combined. In the city, the front-wheel drive version is rumored to average 31 miles to the gallon, while on the highway it typically achieves around 33 miles to the gallon. It should be noted too, that the AWD version drops the mpg numbers only slightly.
It’s a little more powerful than the Kicks too, thanks to Toyota’s 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine. A little bit of pep comes from 169 horses under the hood, and while it can’t tow anything, it can make driving a little more enjoyable.
It’s similarly priced to the Kicks too, with a starting price of $25,385, making it a wallet-friendly alternative. Plus, it’s a Toyota. You know it’ll last you a good while.
When the rear seats are folded down, the Corolla Cross has the best cargo space of the three, if that matters to you.
Mazda’s CX-5 could be mistaken for a hybrid
The CX-5 makes for an attractive little SUV that can have a gas engine that almost rivals a hybrid powertrain. Combined it’s said to get 29 miles to the gallon, 26 in the city, and 32 on the highway.
It gets the least hybrid-like figures, but that’s due to it having the largest engine of the three, too. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and makes 187 horsepower – the most of the vehicles listed. For a car with that much horsepower, those mpg estimates are pretty impressive.
The Mazda is the biggest one of the trio, so it has the most cargo space with the second row in use, though comes in second to the Corolla when the seats are folded. Price-wise, it’s the most expensive of the three – but that makes sense.
The starting price is $29,990, which is still a great deal when all factors are considered. Additionally, it can be configured with AWD, with the mpg numbers dipping by a gallon or two.
