10 Most Fuel-Efficient Midsize SUVs

2019 Kia Sorento profile ・ Photo by Kia

Gas prices have been relatively stable over the past few years, so fuel efficiency has been edged out of the spotlight. But it would be a mistake to buy a new midsize SUV without considering gas mileage, as fuel prices can spike when you’re least prepared, adding hundreds or even thousands to your annual operating costs.

We’ve gathered specs for all of the current crop of midsize SUVs for comparison, and we’re presenting the top 10 here for your consideration. Our source is the Environmental Protection Agency’s FuelEconomy.gov website, the official government publication of such figures. We’re ranking vehicles based on their combined city/highway fuel economy rating. For the purposes of this list, we’re defining a midsize SUV as a three-row crossover (car-based) vehicle, and we’re confining our list to popular (non-premium) brands.

Here’s our list of the 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Midsize SUVs.

10. 2019 Honda Pilot Touring FWD -- 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined

The flagship of the Honda crossover suv lineup, the 2019 Pilot is available with seating for seven or eight. A 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque is connected to the front wheels by a nine-speed automatic transmission in the Touring trim, resulting in the impressive 23 mpg combined fuel economy rating. Lower trim levels get a six-speed automatic and are rated at 22 mpg combined, which shows how an advanced transmission can translate to greater efficiency.

Pilot Touring prices start at $42,520, a big step above the Pilot LX starting price of $31,450, so be sure that you really want the additional features of the upper trim level if budget is an issue. It can take many miles to recoup the price difference in fuel savings.

Photo by Honda

9. 2019 GMC Acadia SL FWD -- 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 mpg combined

Acadia got a much-awaited makeover for 2018, and it returns with minor updates for 2019. One of the most welcome features in the Acadia is its Smart Slide second-row seats, which move easily fore and aft to make getting into the third row simpler. Power comes from a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine that is naturally aspirated (non-turbo), tuned to produce 193 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is available, as is a 3.6-liter V6 engine, but choosing either (or both) comes with a fuel economy penalty.

The 2019 GMC Acadia SL FWD starts at $39,195. Of course, the V6-equipped all-wheel drive Acadia Denali is still a tempting choice, starting at $48,695.

Photo by GMC

8. 2019 Toyota Highlander SE FWD -- 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined

Highlander has been in Toyota’s lineup since 2001, and is now in its third generation of production. Interestingly, it’s the bigger engine choice that delivers the best fuel economy in Highlander. Choose the 3.5-liter V6 engine (295 hp/263 lb-ft of torque) over the 2.7-liter inline four-cylinder engine (185 hp/184 lb-ft of torque) to maximize fuel economy. Part of this efficiency can be attributed to an eight-speed automatic transmission with the V6, as opposed to a six-speed automatic with the four cylinder, and part is due to the V6’s direct gasoline injection and Atkinson Cycle tuning. The direct injection vaporizes fuel before shooting it into the cylinder, squeezing more energy from each droplet of gasoline. The Atkinson Cycle delays the closing of intake valves, which lets the engine use the power of combustion more efficiently. Together, the two technologies balance power and efficiency.

Prices for the V6-equipped 2019 Toyota Highlander SE FWD start at $40,440.

Photo by Toyota

7. 2019 Subaru Ascent -- 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined

All new for 2019, the Subaru Ascent is the biggest vehicle that the company has produced to date, and its first three-row crossover since the Tribeca was discontinued after the 2014 model year. Like all current Subaru models (excluding the rear-wheel-drive-only BRZ), Ascent comes with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Each Ascent uses a turbocharged 2.4-liter horizontally opposed BOXER four-cylinder engine tuned to produce 260 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque, connected to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Ascent has a healthy 8.7 inches of ground clearance, along with technologies to let the vehicle take advantage of that capability in off-road situations, including standard X-Mode and hill descent control. Subaru’s suite of advanced driver assistance features, EyeSight, is standard on all trim levels.

Prices for the 2019 Subaru Ascent start at $31,995.

Photo by Subaru

6. 2019 Nissan Pathfinder -- 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined

Pathfinder has been a staple of Nissan’s SUV lineup since 1987, when it was a compact two-row body-on-frame SUV. Pathfinder grew to midsize SUV status in its second generation (1996 – 2004), and transformed into a three-row crossover with unibody frameless construction in 2013. Though it shed some of its ruggedness, Pathfinder still retains solid off-road chops. All Pathfinder models come with a 3.5-liter direct injected V6 (284 hp/259 lb-ft of torque) hooked up to a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available, though it imposes a fuel economy penalty of one mpg. Pathfinder’s 50/50 split-folding third-row seat features a reclining function that improves comfort for taller passengers.

Prices for the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder S 2WD start at $31,230.

Photo by Nissan

5. 2019 Volkswagen Atlas -- 22 mpg city/26 mpg highway/24 mpg combined

Another new nameplate for 2019, the Volkswagen Atlas is a three-row midsize crossover vehicle that replaces the discontinued Touareg at the top of the lineup. A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine (235 hp/258 lb-ft of torque using premium gasoline) delivers the best fuel economy, with an optional 3.6-liter V6 engine available. Front-wheel drive is standard, and VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive is available on V6 models. An eight-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic and Sport modes is standard on all models. Atlas has a big cargo hold, capable of holding 96.8 cubic feet of stuff with the second and third rows folded flat. Standard LED headlamps are a welcome feature on all trim levels.

Prices for the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas S 2.0L Turbo start at $30,895.

Photo by Volkswagen

4. 2019 Mazda CX-9 -- 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway/24 mpg combined

Mazda’s commitment to its SKYACTIV suite of technologies has led to some impressive achievements across its lineup. A holistic approach to engineering and design focused on efficiency and performance, SKYACTIV components include engine, transmission, and chassis. On the latest generation of CX-9, a SKYACTIV-G turbocharged 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder direct-injected gasoline engine provides the motivation with 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque (250 hp when using premium fuel). A SKYACTIV Drive six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is available, but dings fuel economy by two mpg. The 2019 Mazda CX-9 makes a good case for inclusion in the premium crossover class, with elegant exterior and interior design and appointments.

Prices for the CX-9 Sport FWD start at $32,280.

Photo by Mazda

3. 2019 Kia Sorento L -- 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined

Sorento entered Kia’s lineup as a 2002 model, but it was the third-generation’s appearance as a 2015 model that put the midsize crossover on the map. With a striking exterior design, elegant interior, and competitive driving experience, Sorento became a real contender in the class, and not just a value choice. With its 2.4-liter GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine with Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), the naturally aspirated (non-turbo) inline four-cylinder engine produces 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available at a slight fuel economy penalty. Sorento also is available with a 3.3-liter V6 engine that delivers 22 mpg combined. Sorento’s most impressive assets are its good build quality, solid road feel, and wide range of available features, along with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Prices for the 2019 Kia Sorento L start at $25,990.

Photo by Kia

2. 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander -- 25 mpg city/30 mpg highway/27 mpg combined

Mitsubishi is a frequently overlooked brand, but buyers who are looking for a solid value and great fuel economy in a midsize three-row crossover SUV would be wise to seek out the 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander. When you choose the 2.4-liter direct-injected gasoline inline four-cylinder engine (166 hp/162 lb-ft of torque), you get an efficient powerplant connected to a thrifty continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive models achieve the best fuel economy, with just a slight ding (one mpg) for all-wheel drive. There’s a GT model available with a 3.0-liter V6 engine (224 hp/215 lb-ft of torque) if you want more zip and standard all-wheel drive, and you’ll still be rewarded with 22 mpg combined.

Prices for the 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander start at $24,695, and all Outlanders come with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Photo by Mitsubishi

1. 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD -- 29 mpg city/27 mpg highway/28 mpg combined

Toyota's Highlander Hybrid AWD has been the fuel economy leader among midsize three-row crossover SUVs for years. In recent years, Toyota has lowered the price of entry for Highlander Hybrid by offering the SUV in LE trim, so you don’t have to buy a loaded vehicle in order to take advantage of the hybrid technology.

For 2019, Highlander Hybrid AWD will be available in LE (starting at $36,970), XLE (starting at $42,030), and Limited (starting at $45,510) trims. Across the board, you get standard all-wheel drive, a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine working with two electric motors to produce 306 net system hp. Highlander Hybrid is classified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV), and comes with a sealed Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery. The transmission is an electronically controlled CVT (continuously variable automatic), and the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite of advanced driver assistance features is standard.

Photo by Toyota