Yahoo Autos SUVs with the best gas mileage for 2024
Fuel efficiency is an admirable trait for any vehicle, whether you're looking to save money or reduce your carbon footprint. But the most fuel efficient vehicles on the road are usually also the smallest and, especially for growing families who like outdoor activities, not always practical. That's why SUVs and crossovers are so popular. Fortunately, over the past decade, SUVs have greatly reduced consumption and lately, electrification has played a major role. You won't be surprised to hear that the top 5 SUVs with the best gas mileage to buy in 2024 are all plug-in hybrids.
We compiled the top five SUVs with the best gas mileage according to the EPA. This list only includes vehicles with internal combustion engines, which means purely electric vehicles are not included in this list. These plug-ins deliver the lower operating costs of an electric vehicle until the battery is depleted. After the battery is empty, they operate like a conventional hybrid. You can read more about our favorite electric SUVs here.
Using the EPA's current formula for annual fuel costs, we also calculated the break-even point for these PHEVs against their non-plug-in siblings. Using the agency's 15,000-mile annual usage with fuel costing $3.79 per gallon, the results show that not all models will save you money over the course of ownership, but usage can have a significant effect. If you have a short commute and access to chargers, you may rarely ever need to use gasoline, and that can drastically tip the scales in favor of PHEVs.
Top 5 SUVs with the best gas mileage to buy in 2024
2024 Ford Escape PHEV
EV range: 37 miles
EPA combined estimate: 40 mpg
Annual fuel cost: $950
The Ford Escape isn't quick, nor is it very settled on a curvy road, but it is the most fuel efficient SUV according to the EPA. The plug-in version costs over $10,000 more than the base three-cylinder Escape and would take 12 years to recoup that PHEV premium based on the EPA's estimates. The midrange four-cylinder is closer in price to the PHEV and should require 5.1 years to break even and you'll save about $1,250 every year thereafter. The standard hybrid (not plug-in) is around $7,000 cheaper than the PHEV with a smaller difference in annual fuel costs. That results in a break-even cycle of 14 years.
2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime
EV range: 42 miles
EPA combined estimate: 38 mpg
Annual fuel cost: $1,000
The RAV4 Prime is quick, and it is otherwise a fine crossover to drive on a daily basis. If you're hoping to save money compared to its already efficient non-plug-in siblings, you're going to need a lot of patience. In similarly equipped XLE Premium trims, it would take 11.7 years to break even with the conventional four-cylinder engine and a whopping 18.9 years compared to the hybrid model without a plug. It's worth noting that the RAV4 and Escape are less expensive to operate than a few EVs (even if they're limited to the Audi e-tron S, Rivian R1S and Hummer EV).
