Midsize SUVs are larger and heavier than sedans and hatchbacks and they are generally less fuel efficient. However, some models return reasonable consumption figures. This post is about those top-rated fuel-efficient SUVs.
We have checked various midsize SUVs with the best gas mileage, relying on the EPA data and ratings. Our list is according to the combined figures of MPG (miles per gallon) with the highest being the best. We have considered both the gasoline and hybrid models, so that you can pick the finest family vehicle that suits your lifestyle and taste.
Non-Hybrid Midsize SUVs with Best Gas Mileage
1. 2025 Kia Sorento LX
Mid-size SUV buyers who visit a Kia dealership today have a lot of options. The lineup includes the three-row Telluride and the electric EV9, but also features the 2025 Sorento. This model offers three rows of seats, a user-friendly interior, and eye-catching design. It comes standard with a non-turbo four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive and a powerful 281-hp turbocharged four-cylinder available as options. The top X-Pro trim adds enhanced off-road capabilities.
There are also two hybrid versions—one being a plug-in hybrid with up to 32 miles of electric range per charge. The base models are budget-friendly without compromising on essential features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a range of driver-assist technologies.
While the Sorento is impressive, it may not be worth the extra expense for the larger Telluride if you need more space or towing power, as the Sorento’s third row is less spacious and its cargo and towing capacities are lower. However, if you’re looking for a mid-size SUV with a third row for occasional use, the Sorento is a strong contender.
According to the EPA, the Sorento achieves up to 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
Specifications
| Base Price | $33,365 |
| Powertrain | 2.5-liter with 191 hp |
| City Fuel Economy | 23 mpg |
| Highway Fuel Economy | 31 mpg |
| Combined Fuel Economy | 26 mpg |
2. 2024 Lexus RX 350
If other compact luxury crossovers lean toward sportiness, the 2024 Lexus RX embraces a more comfortable and relaxed ride. It comes with a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 275 horsepower. Additionally, three hybrid options are available, each offering extra power.
However, if you appreciate the RX’s smooth ride, refined interior, and enduring luxury—all qualities it’s known for—you won’t be disappointed. The cabin is roomy for both passengers and cargo, but if you need a third row, you’ll have to consider the new TX SUV, which takes over from the RX-L in the Lexus range.
The EPA rates the RX350 at 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway for front-wheel-drive models. The all-wheel-drive RX350 achieves 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. With a J.D. Power reliability score of 83/100, the RX 350 is one of the most dependable utility vehicles on this list.
Specifications
| Base Price | $49,950 |
| Powertrain | 2.5-liter turbo with 275 hp |
| City Fuel Economy | 22 mpg |
| Highway Fuel Economy | 29 mpg |
| Combined Fuel Economy | 25 mpg |
3. 2024 Toyota Highlander LE
Previous versions of the Toyota Highlander have cast a wide net in the mid-size SUV market, offering a range of trims, both standard and hybrid engines, and options for front- or all-wheel drive to attract a broad spectrum of buyers. This 7-seater SUV from Toyota gets a breather with the introduction of the larger 2024 Grand Highlander, which provides more third-row and cargo space.
This allows the Highlander to concentrate on its primary mid-size role, starting with the removal of the base L trim from its crowded lineup—and unfortunately, that’s about all the changes for 2024. It still offers a smooth ride and decent handling, typical of a family-oriented SUV; if it has a daring side, we’ve yet to see it.
The interior is well-appointed, focusing on practical and logical utility features above everything else. The infotainment system is user-friendly, numerous driver-assistance features come standard, and the turbocharged four-cylinder and hybrid engines deliver respectable fuel efficiency. The Limited and Platinum models emulate a Lexus with stylish leather upholstery, a premium JBL sound system, and additional tech enhancements. However, the Highlander leans heavily on practicality over excitement.
That’s the reason it has got a place in our list of the top utility vehicles for seniors thanks to easy ingress and egress functionality. The Highlander has EPA ratings of 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, with the all-wheel-drive model reducing each by 1 mpg.
Specifications
| Base Price | $49,950 |
| Powertrain | 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 265 hp |
| City Fuel Economy | 21 mpg |
| Highway Fuel Economy | 29 mpg |
| Combined Fuel Economy | 25 mpg |
4. 2025 Mazda CX-90 Select
The Mazda CX-90 took over from the CX-9 last year, and with this transition, the brand elevated its mid-size three-row SUV to a more luxurious level. While the CX-90’s upscale direction might echo the approach started with the compact CX-50, its new architecture and inline-six-cylinder engines mark a departure from previous Mazdas.
This fresh platform, inspired by the design of BMWs and Land Rovers, gives the CX-90 a sleek look, featuring a long hood and a rear-set passenger area. The engine comes in a standard turbocharged 3.3-liter version, delivering either 280 or 340 horsepower, or as a plug-in hybrid. For those interested in a similar SUV but who only need seating for five, the nearly identical CX-70 offers the same design and features minus the third-row seats.
According to the EPA, the CX-90 with the base 280-hp engine is rated at 24 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The 340-hp variant has a city rating of 23 mpg but maintains the 28 mpg highway figure.
Specifications
| Base Price | $39,300 |
| Powertrain | 3.3-liter inline-six engine with a 48-volt hybrid system producing 280 hp |
| City Fuel Economy | 24 mpg |
| Highway Fuel Economy | 28 mpg |
| Combined Fuel Economy | 26 mpg |
Hybrid Midsize SUVs with the Best Gas Mileage
5. 2024 Kia Sorento Hybrid EX
The standard Sorento SUV is a versatile, mid-size three-row, and the Hybrid model shares its strengths while adding fuel-efficient electric powertrains. A 227-horsepower hybrid engine with available all-wheel drive is included, and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model with 261 horsepower, standard all-wheel drive, and 32 miles of electric-only range is also available.
The cabin has three rows, though the third row is more suited for kids or can be folded flat for extra cargo space. There’s plenty of infotainment and driver-assistance tech, but wireless smartphone features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, standard on the base trims, aren’t available on higher trims. We’re informed this will change next year when the Sorento Hybrid undergoes a styling and tech update.
The hybrid Sorento stands out as the most fuel-efficient model in the lineup, with EPA ratings of 39 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. The plug-in hybrid offers a combined rating of 79 MPGe, with city and highway estimates of 35 and 33 mpg, respectively. Apart from its fuel efficiency, the Sorento Hybrid is also our best mid-size SUV for moms for its functionality, practicality, and safety.
Specifications
| Base Price | $38,365 |
| Powertrain | 1.6-liter turbo I-4 plus electric motor (227 hp, 258 lb-ft combined) |
| City Fuel Economy | 39 mpg |
| Highway Fuel Economy | 35 mpg |
| Combined Fuel Economy | 37 mpg |
6. 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE
Not too long ago, hybrid SUVs with a third row were quite uncommon. Back then, the Highlander Hybrid was the standout choice, but now that other manufacturers have embraced hybrid technology, a range of competitive options has emerged, including Toyota’s own Grand Highlander Hybrid.
The normal Highlander Hybrid still holds its ground, however. For starters, it’s significantly cheaper than the Grand Highlander Hybrid. But its interior is less spacious, especially in the third row, so larger families might find it worthwhile to upgrade to the Grand or choose another brand’s hybrid SUV.
Every Highlander Hybrid comes equipped with a 243-hp hybrid system that features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and three electric motors. While acceleration is satisfactory and the ride is oriented towards comfort rather than excitement, the main draw is fuel efficiency, with some models achieving up to 36 mpg according to EPA ratings. Besides, let’s not forget our team listed it at the top of our best luxury SUVs for moms for good reasons.
Specifications
| Base Price | $42,420 |
| Powertrain | 2.5-liter I-4 plus two electric motors (243 hp, 175 lb-ft combined) |
| City Fuel Economy | 36 mpg |
| Highway Fuel Economy | 35 mpg |
| Combined Fuel Economy | 36 mpg |
7. 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SEL
With its new design for 2024, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid embraces a striking look that moves away from the softer curves of its predecessor. The sharply angular exterior encloses a contemporary interior, reminiscent of high-end SUVs like the Land Rover Discovery. It offers three rows of seating for up to seven passengers, though opting for second-row captain’s chairs reduces the capacity to six.
Beneath the hood, it features a hybrid setup with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor; a six-speed automatic transmission comes standard, and buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive. Upon its release in spring 2024, the Santa Fe Hybrid will compete with other mid-size hybrid SUVs such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and the Kia Sorento Hybrid.
The EPA estimates that front-wheel-drive models achieve 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, while all-wheel-drive versions offer 35 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.
Specifications
| Base Price | $38,365 |
| Powertrain | turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor |
| City Fuel Economy | 36 mpg |
| Highway Fuel Economy | 35 mpg |
| Combined Fuel Economy | 36 mpg |
8. 2025 Toyota Crown Signia XLE
Toyota has introduced a new SUV to its lineup, named the Crown Signia. This crossover counterpart to the Crown sedan takes the place of the Venza as Toyota’s mid-size, two-row option. The only powertrain available is a hybrid, delivering 243 horsepower, over 30 mpg, and standard all-wheel drive.
It boasts a more luxurious interior than other Toyota models, featuring higher-quality materials and an elegant design, and it offers more space and capability—including towing—than the Venza. Several premium features can be added as options, and the Crown Signia provides a quiet, comfortable ride, though it’s not particularly sporty.
Despite its upscale nature, the Crown Signia is priced competitively, aimed at rivals like the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Nissan Murano. Although the EPA hasn’t released official ratings for the Crown Signia, Toyota anticipates it will achieve 38 mpg combined, 39 mpg in the city, and 37 mpg on the highway.
Specifications
| Base Price | $45,040 |
| Powertrain | 2.5-liter NA with three electric motors |
| City Fuel Economy | 38 mpg |
| Highway Fuel Economy | 39 mpg |
| Combined Fuel Economy | 37 mpg |
