North Park Chevrolet Castroville

Apr 15, 2022
Woman walking past a 2022 Toyota RAV4.

A vehicle’s fuel efficiency is always one of the most considered features when shopping for a car. You don’t want to spend extra time and money at the gas pump! So, rather than cut your trips, purchasing a fuel-efficient SUV is the best option. Even used SUVs still offer excellent gas mileage. Before you start searching for “used car dealer near me” online, we’ve done some research for you to help find the best used fuel-efficient SUV for your needs. Whether you’re looking for something compact or an SUV to seat 7 passengers, we have you covered below! 

Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 has long been a popular SUV choice for both the new and used markets. Its incredible reliability and quality keep people coming back year after year. The Toyota RAV4 is also one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs today, and with the launch of the RAV4 Hybrid in 2017, there are even more ways to get a fuel-efficient Toyota RAV4.

Whether you choose the Toyota RAV4 or the RAV4 Hybrid, you still get impressive fuel economy, but the RAV4 Hybrid will offer the best gas mileage. In the 2018 Toyota RAV4, the standard engine estimates 23 MPG (miles per gallon) in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. The 2018 RAV4 Hybrid boasts 34 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. Both the 2020 Rav4 and its hybrid counterpart improve upon these impressive numbers even further, with the Rav4 getting 28 MPG in the city and 35 on the highway. The 2020 Rav4 Hybrid gets 41 MPG in the city and 38 on the highway.

Other features to love about a used Toyota RAV4 (both Hybrid and standard) are its spacious interior, innovative technology, and standard suite of safety features. This versatile SUV can make family life, work life, and adventure life all work beautifully. If you prioritize fuel economy, the RAV4 is an SUV that will exceed your expectations.

Grey 2023 Honda CR-V driving on a rainy day.

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V falls in the same category as the Toyota RAV4, so the competition is fierce, but the CR-V rises to the challenge year after year. It’s made its place as one of the most popular compact SUVs because of its quality, features, and fuel economy. Like the RAV4, the Honda CR-V has a hybrid option that offers extended fuel efficiency.

In 2020, the first Honda CR-V Hybrid was launched with 40 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. Even the standard 2020 Honda CR-V features an impressive fuel economy at 28 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. Going back a few years to the 2017 Honda CR-V you can still get up to 34 MPG fuel efficiency. The 2017 CR-V was also all-new that model year, so it is a great used option that’s budget-friendly without sacrificing innovative features.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

If you thought only small SUVs have suitable fuel efficiency, you haven’t seen the Toyota Highlander Hybrid! With many car brands introducing hybrid options, Toyota focused on a more fuel-efficient, 3-row midsize SUV. When you have a large family, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice fuel economy for space and comfort. 

In the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, you have three rows of seating, standard safety suite, and a performance-driven engine. All-new features were introduced in the 2020 Highlander Hybrid, like a standard V6 engine, offering up to 36 MPG in fuel economy. An earlier model, like the 2018 Highlander Hybrid, offers 30 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. You get the best of both worlds in the Highlander Hybrid—a powerful engine and fuel efficiency.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid provides all the features you love from the Toyota Highlander, like a best-in-class touchscreen in the 2020 model and the Driver Easy Speak System available in the 2018 models and beyond. It’s an ideal family SUV that fits both small and large families, plus the gear that comes with each journey.

Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento is a quality SUV that works beautifully as a used SUV. It also falls in the same category as the Toyota Highlander by offering three rows of seating. The Sorento is another example of a three-row midsize SUV with good fuel efficiency. There are also hybrid and plug-in hybrid options released over the last couple of years, so watch for those models to move into the used car market. Still, the standard Kia Sorento offers a fuel economy that’s hard to rival.

The 2019 and 2020 Kia Sorento estimates up to a 29 MPG average of both city and highway, while the 2018 Sorento is very similar at 28 MPG fuel economy average. There are also a number of features available in the Sorento to make it the ideal family SUV. Upgrades include leather seating, premium audio, heated and ventilated seats, and an advanced infotainment system. There’s a lot to love in the Kia Sorento and the fuel- economy is near the top of the list.

A blue Kia Sorento driving fast.

Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks is the smallest of Nissan SUVs but doesn’t lack features, especially fuel efficiency. If you don’t need a lot of space or drive tight city streets consistently, the Nissan Kicks is a great option. Probably the Kicks’ best feature is its excellent fuel economy. With each model year, you can expect an emphasis on fuel efficiency.

In the 2020 Nissan Kicks it estimates 31 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. In the 2020 Kicks you’ll also find a standard safety feature suite, plus an available premium audio system and infotainment system. The Nissan Kicks engine has been consistent through the years, so even the first year of the Kicks in 2018 boasted an average fuel economy of up to 36 MPG.

Despite its subcompact size, the Nissan Kicks still features a spacious interior that keeps each passenger comfortable. It’s also a versatile SUV for cargo. The rear seats easily fold, giving you a maximum cargo capacity of 53 cubic feet. Whether you choose a used Nissan Kicks for the fuel economy or nimble size, you won’t be disappointed in its abilities!

Subaru Crosstrek

Subaru makes some of the most reliable vehicles in the industry, and they are consistently popular in the market of adventurous drivers. One of the great appeals to the Subaru Crosstrek is it comes standard with all-wheel drive and impressive off-roading capability. Even though the Crosstrek prioritizes ability and performance, it still boasts an excellent fuel economy.

The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek features an estimated 27 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. There’s also a plug-in hybrid option for the 2020 Crosstrek that extends its efficiency to a combined 35 MPG. If you choose to buy an earlier model like the 2017 Crosstrek, it will still yield 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. This just goes to show you that no matter the model you choose for the Crosstrek, you still get the full package of safety, durability, capability, and efficiency. What more could you want in a used SUV?

Which SUV Are You?

With an endless amount of SUVs on the market today, it’s difficult to know which one is best. One of the deciding factors for you could be the SUV’s fuel efficiency. This is a feature that will benefit you for the entire time you own the SUV. Find your used SUV at North Park Chevrolet where we have all the top brands and models that will fit your budget and wish list. We look forward to sending you home in an affordable, fuel-efficient, and dazzling SUV!