The 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Small SUVs - Subaru Has Two Of The Top Models

Maybe you aren’t ready to pull the trigger and buy a new all-electric vehicle or even a hybrid model just yet. It’s still an excellent time to buy a gas model while waiting because fuel efficiency is up on small SUVs. If having all-wheel-drive is important to you, the 2021 Subaru Forester and 2021 Subaru Crosstrek are the number one and two most fuel-efficient small SUVs according to Consumer Reports.

Having an SUV with all-wheel-drive usually means you have to sacrifice fuel economy, but it’s not valid with the Forester and Crosstrek. Subaru uses direct injection on its four-cylinder Boxer engines for efficiency, and the automaker also uses the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) automatic, which also contributes to getting better mileage.

Consumer Reports recently ranked small SUVs and found the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek and Honda HR-V LX tie for number one.

In CR testing, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek and Honda HR-V LX get 29 combined mpg and 20/39 city/highway mpg. But the HR-V LX tested is front-wheel-drive, not all-wheel-drive. Consumer Reports tested the Subaru Crosstrek with the 2.0-liter engine, and it comes standard with all-wheel-drive.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek with the larger 2.5-liter Boxer engine comes with 30 more horsepower and gets an EPA estimated fuel mileage of 27/34 city/highway mpg and 29 combined mpg. The 2021 Crosstrek with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine gets an EPA estimated 28/33 mpg and 30 combined mpg.

photo credit: Competition Subaru

The 2021 Subaru Forester, also with standard all-wheel-drive, is the number two small SUV in fuel mileage with 28 combined mpg and 20/38 city/highway mpg. The Honda CR-V EX is number three with 28/20/37.

They are followed by the Mazda CX-3 (28/20/36), Kia Seltos S (28/20/35), Toyota RAV4 XLE (27/19/38), Mazda CX-30 Preferred (27/18/37), Mercedes-Benz GLA (27/17/40), and Nissan Rogue Sport SV (26/19/34).

What is the price of the 2021 Subaru Forester?

The 2021 Forester comes in five trim levels, and the base trim has an MSRP of $25,845, Premium ($28,845), Sport ($30,445), Limited ($32,445), and Touring ($35,945). Pricing includes $1,050 destination.

What is the price of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?

The 2021 Crosstrek subcompact SUV comes in five trim levels for customers and gets a small price increase. The base trim is priced from $23,295, Premium ($24,345), all-new Sport ($27,545), Limited ($29,045). Prices include destination and delivery ($1,050).

If you are shopping for a fuel-efficient small SUV, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek and 2021 Subaru Forester are the top two small SUVs in fuel efficiency. They also come standard with all-wheel-drive for all-weather control.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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