10 BEST SUVS AND MINIVANS FOR HIGHWAY FUEL ECONOMY

Solid, gas-sipping choices for people who like to take long road trips

By Benjamin Preston

Summer driving season is fast approaching, and unfortunately, fuel prices are higher than ever. That said, driving is often cheaper than flying and gives travelers the opportunity to see more of the country. If you’re on the lookout for a new road trip machine for your adventures, you’ll want something that turns in solid highway mileage numbers on top of its other bona fides.

If you road-trip frequently—or simply log lots of highway miles in your car—you may need something spacious with plenty of luggage capacity. That’s why an SUV, or maybe even a minivan, may be a good choice.

Consumer Reports always recommends buying the most fuel-efficient vehicle that will meet your needs and budget. Many cars sold today offer impressive fuel economy, especially in contrast to what you may be trading in.

Below, we spotlight the most fuel-efficient SUVs and minivans that meet the threshold to be Consumer Reports recommended, factoring in road-test performance, reliability, and safety. We highlight the models that shine for highway fuel economy, based on CR’s highway fuel consumption tests. We list highway mpg according to our testing, which is conducted at a steady 65 mph. Note that at speeds of 70 to 75 mph, which are not uncommon on U.S. highways, fuel consumption will most likely be higher.

This list begins with the most efficient SUV, the Lexus UX, and it doesn’t include pure battery-electric SUVs, like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Volkswagen ID.4. Most of the models are hybrids, and many carry CR’s Green Choice designation, which highlights vehicles with the cleanest emissions. 

For maximum fuel savings, consider an EV. Complete test results can be found by clicking through to our model pages.

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Small SUVs

2022 Lexus UX

The UX250h offers all-wheel drive, lots of standard safety features, and hit 42 mpg in CR’s highway fuel economy tests. At 32 mpg, city mileage is good, too, although testers found the diminutive SUV’s interior and cargo areas a bit tight.

2022 Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson Hybrid offers a roomy interior, a good ride and handling, strong braking performance, and 40 mpg highway fuel economy.

2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime

The RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid, and CR’s testers were able to reach about 40 miles of all-electric driving on a fully charged battery. In hybrid mode, using the gas engine, it can get 39 mpg on the highway.

2022 Subaru Crosstrek

The Crosstrek is essentially a raised hatchback, and although there is a hybrid version that is more fuel efficient around town, the traditional gas model gets better highway fuel economy, at 39 mpg.

2022 Subaru Forester

The Forester is a roomy SUV with great outward visibility, plenty of cargo space, and comfortable seating. Along with all-wheel-drive and standard active safety features, it offers 38-mpg highway fuel efficiency.

2022 Honda CR-V

Highway fuel economy on the hybrid and traditional gas versions of the CR-V are the same, at 37 mpg. And although the hybrid version is a bit more expensive, it gets better overall fuel economy when you factor in city driving. Either way, the CR-V is roomy and well-equipped for the price.

Midsized SUVs

2022 Toyota Venza

Size-wise, the Venza sits between the smaller RAV4 and the three-row Highlander. And with an all-wheel-drive, hybrid powertrain, it is capable of reaching 42 mpg on the highway.

2022 Toyota Highlander

The Highlander is a roomy, capable three-row SUV, and its hybrid version offers 41-mpg highway fuel economy. Overall fuel economy is 35 mpg—impressive for a vehicle of this size.

Minivans

2022 Toyota Sienna

Minivans are quite possibly the ultimate road-tripping machines, and the roomy Sienna now offers a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain. Available in standard front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, the model CR tested got an impressive 43 mpg on the highway.

2022 Honda Odyssey

Each year, fewer new vehicles come with V6 engines under the hood. The Odyssey still has one, but it managed to get 33 mpg in CR’s highway fuel efficiency testing. It also offers a roomy, flexible interior and a quiet ride.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.

2022-05-26T20:44:13Z dg43tfdfdgfd