SUVs with the best gas mileage in California
EPA fuel economy ratings for 2026–2027 models, priced at this week's gas prices in California.
Best gas mileage 32 mpg Nissan Rogue FWD
Its yearly gas cost $2,827 15,000 miles
Regular gas this week $6.03 California average
Typical SUV 24 mpg $3,769 a year
Which SUVs get the best gas mileage?
- The SUV with the best gas mileage (not counting hybrids) for 2026–2027 is the 2026 Nissan Rogue FWD, at 32 mpg combined (29 city, 36 highway).
- At $6.03 a gallon for regular (California average, week of October 19, 2026), it costs about $2,827 a year in gas for 15,000 miles, or 18.8¢ a mile.
- The best hybrid is the 2026 Kia Niro FE at 53 mpg: about $1,707 a year, $1,120 less than the best non-hybrid.
- The typical SUV gets 24 mpg, which costs about $3,769 a year at the same price.
EPA combined ratings; your mileage will vary with driving, weather and load. Models that need premium are priced at $7.48 a gallon (US premium-to-regular ratio). How we calculate.
Yearly gas cost
Yearly gas cost for the most fuel efficient SUVs in California: from $1,707
15,000 miles at $6.03 a gallon for regular ($7.48 for premium). A typical SUV (24 mpg) costs $3,769.
Nissan Rogue FWD 2026 Per year: $2,827
Toyota Corolla Cross 2026 Per year: $2,827
Chevrolet Trailblazer FWD 2026 Per year: $2,918
Hyundai Kona FWD 2027 Per year: $2,918
Hyundai Venue 2027 Per year: $2,918
Volkswagen Taos 2026 Per year: $2,918
Nissan Kicks FWD 2027 Per year: $2,918
Buick Encore GX FWD FFV 2026 Per year: $3,016
Kia Niro FE hybrid Per year: $1,707
Toyota RAV4 hybrid Per year: $2,104
Kia Sportage Hybrid FWD hybrid Per year: $2,154
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid AWD hybrid Per year: $2,154
Lexus NX 350h hybrid Per year: $2,805
Ford Escape AWD HEV hybrid Per year: $2,320
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Blue hybrid Per year: $2,381
Mazda CX-50 4WD hybrid Per year: $2,381
Source: fueleconomy.gov (EPA ratings); EIA weekly gas prices and residential electricity prices. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Per year | |
|---|---|
| Nissan Rogue FWD | $2,827 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | $2,827 |
| Chevrolet Trailblazer FWD | $2,918 |
| Hyundai Kona FWD | $2,918 |
| Hyundai Venue | $2,918 |
| Volkswagen Taos | $2,918 |
| Nissan Kicks FWD | $2,918 |
| Buick Encore GX FWD FFV | $3,016 |
| Kia Niro FE | $1,707 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $2,104 |
| Kia Sportage Hybrid FWD | $2,154 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid AWD | $2,154 |
| Lexus NX 350h | $2,805 |
| Ford Escape AWD HEV | $2,320 |
| Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Blue | $2,381 |
| Mazda CX-50 4WD | $2,381 |
Best gas mileage SUVs (non-hybrid)
| # | Vehicle | MPG combined | City / hwy | Fuel | Per mile | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2026 Nissan Rogue FWD | 32 | 29 / 36 | Regular | 18.8¢ | $2,827 |
| 2 | 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross · FWD | 32 | 31 / 33 | Regular | 18.8¢ | $2,827 |
| 3 | 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer FWD | 31 | 29 / 33 | Regular | 19.5¢ | $2,918 |
| 4 | 2027 Hyundai Kona FWD | 31 | 28 / 35 | Regular | 19.5¢ | $2,918 |
| 5 | 2027 Hyundai Venue · FWD | 31 | 29 / 33 | Regular | 19.5¢ | $2,918 |
| 6 | 2026 Volkswagen Taos · FWD | 31 | 28 / 36 | Regular | 19.5¢ | $2,918 |
| 7 | 2027 Nissan Kicks FWD | 31 | 28 / 35 | Regular | 19.5¢ | $2,918 |
| 8 | 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD FFV | 30 | 30 / 31 | Regular | 20.1¢ | $3,016 |
| 9 | 2026 Buick Encore GX FWD | 30 | 29 / 31 | Regular | 20.1¢ | $3,016 |
| 10 | 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer FWD FFV | 30 | 30 / 31 | Regular | 20.1¢ | $3,016 |
| 11 | 2027 Kia Seltos FWD | 30 | 28 / 33 | Regular | 20.1¢ | $3,016 |
| 12 | 2026 Ford Escape FWD | 30 | 27 / 34 | Regular | 20.1¢ | $3,016 |
| 13 | 2027 Volkswagen Tiguan S · FWD | 29 | 26 / 35 | Regular | 20.8¢ | $3,119 |
| 14 | 2027 Honda CR-V AWD | 29 | 27 / 31 | Regular | 20.8¢ | $3,119 |
| 15 | 2026 Subaru Forester AWD | 29 | 26 / 33 | Regular | 20.8¢ | $3,119 |
| 16 | 2027 Subaru Crosstrek AWD | 29 | 26 / 33 | Regular | 20.8¢ | $3,119 |
| 17 | 2026 Hyundai Tucson FWD | 28 | 25 / 33 | Regular | 21.5¢ | $3,231 |
| 18 | 2027 Kia Sportage FWD | 28 | 25 / 33 | Regular | 21.5¢ | $3,231 |
| 19 | 2027 BMW X1 xDrive28i · AWD | 28 | 25 / 34 | Premium | 26.7¢ | $4,008 |
| 20 | 2027 BMW X2 xDrive28i · AWD | 28 | 24 / 34 | Premium | 26.7¢ | $4,008 |
| 21 | 2027 Chevrolet Equinox FWD | 27 | 25 / 29 | Regular | 22.3¢ | $3,351 |
| 22 | 2026 GMC Terrain FWD | 27 | 26 / 28 | Regular | 22.3¢ | $3,351 |
| 23 | 2027 Subaru Outback AWD | 27 | 25 / 31 | Regular | 22.3¢ | $3,351 |
| 24 | 2026 Mazda CX-30 4WD | 27 | 24 / 31 | Regular | 22.3¢ | $3,351 |
| 25 | 2026 Ford Bronco Sport 4WD | 27 | 25 / 30 | Regular | 22.3¢ | $3,351 |
One row per model; where trims differ, the most efficient trim is shown. official ratings, estimated costs.
Best gas mileage hybrid SUVs
| # | Vehicle | MPG combined | City / hwy | Fuel | Per mile | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2026 Kia Niro FE · FWD | 53 | 53 / 54 | Regular | 11.4¢ | $1,707 |
| 2 | 2026 Toyota RAV4 · FWD | 43 | 47 / 40 | Regular | 14.0¢ | $2,104 |
| 3 | 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid FWD | 42 | 41 / 44 | Regular | 14.4¢ | $2,154 |
| 4 | 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid AWD | 42 | 46 / 39 | Regular | 14.4¢ | $2,154 |
| 5 | 2026 Lexus NX 350h · FWD | 40 | 42 / 38 | Premium | 18.7¢ | $2,805 |
| 6 | 2026 Ford Escape AWD HEV · 4WD | 39 | 42 / 36 | Regular | 15.5¢ | $2,320 |
| 7 | 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Blue · AWD | 38 | 38 / 38 | Regular | 15.9¢ | $2,381 |
| 8 | 2026 Mazda CX-50 4WD | 38 | 39 / 37 | Regular | 15.9¢ | $2,381 |
| 9 | 2027 Kia Sorento Hybrid FWD | 37 | 37 / 36 | Regular | 16.3¢ | $2,445 |
| 10 | 2027 Honda CR-V AWD | 37 | 40 / 34 | Regular | 16.3¢ | $2,445 |
| 11 | 2026 Jeep Cherokee AWD | 37 | 39 / 35 | Regular | 16.3¢ | $2,445 |
| 12 | 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid FWD | 36 | 37 / 36 | Regular | 16.8¢ | $2,513 |
| 13 | 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid AWD | 36 | 36 / 36 | Regular | 16.8¢ | $2,513 |
| 14 | 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid · FWD | 36 | 37 / 34 | Regular | 16.8¢ | $2,513 |
| 15 | 2026 Lexus RX 350h AWD | 36 | 37 / 34 | Premium | 20.8¢ | $3,117 |
| 16 | 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid AWD | 35 | 35 / 34 | Regular | 17.2¢ | $2,585 |
| 17 | 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD LTD/PLAT | 35 | 35 / 34 | Regular | 17.2¢ | $2,585 |
| 18 | 2027 Kia Telluride FE Hybrid · FWD | 35 | 34 / 36 | Regular | 17.2¢ | $2,585 |
| 19 | 2027 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid FWD Blue | 34 | 33 / 35 | Regular | 17.7¢ | $2,661 |
| 20 | 2026 Lincoln Nautilus HEV AWD · 4WD | 30 | 29 / 31 | Regular | 20.1¢ | $3,016 |
| 21 | 2026 BMW X3 xDrive30 · AWD | 29 | 27 / 33 | Premium | 25.8¢ | $3,869 |
| 22 | 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander 2WD · FWD | 28 | 26 / 31 | Regular | 21.5¢ | $3,231 |
| 23 | 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4matic · AWD | 28 | 25 / 33 | Premium | 26.7¢ | $4,008 |
| 24 | 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 · RWD | 27 | 24 / 32 | Premium | 27.7¢ | $4,156 |
| 25 | 2026 Volvo XC40 B4 · FWD | 27 | 25 / 32 | Premium | 27.7¢ | $4,156 |
One row per model; where trims differ, the most efficient trim is shown. official ratings, estimated costs.
More fuel cost rankings
Sources and limits
- Fuel economy: fueleconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), model years 2026–2027, downloaded 2026-10-23. 2027 models are still being added through the year. Plug-in hybrids, diesel and natural-gas vehicles are not included.
- Gas: EIA weekly retail gasoline prices, regular grade, week of October 19, 2026. Premium is priced at 1.24× regular, the US ratio for the week of October 19, 2026.
- Electricity: EIA Electric Power Monthly, average residential price, July 2026.
- Costs assume 15,000 miles a year, the figure fueleconomy.gov uses. They cover fuel or electricity only, not purchase price, insurance or maintenance.