Top 8 Fuel-Efficient Midsize SUVs Worth Buying In 2025

The mid-size SUV has earned its popularity for good reason: generous cargo space, commanding driving position, people-hauling capability, and available off-road prowess. The tradeoff, however, is typically fuel economy—all that size and versatility comes at a cost at the pump.

Hybrids have helped bridge this gap, but they often carry higher sticker prices and unique maintenance expenses that traditional gasoline models don’t. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of fuel-efficient SUVs that deliver solid economy without the hybrid premium—so you can enjoy the benefits of a mid-size SUV without dreading every trip to the gas station.

8

2025 Kia Telluride

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 22 MPG

The Kia Telluride may land at the bottom of this fuel efficiency list, but it typically sits at the top of nearly every other ranking. It’s the reigning king of the mid-size SUV segment, and that doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon. The Telluride outshines rivals like the Subaru Ascent, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander, though its 22 MPG combined figure is on the thirstier side. What it lacks in efficiency, it makes up for with a spacious, airy cabin, head-turning design, a generous roster of standard features, and one of the best warranties in the business.

The Telluride is also great to drive, with a surprisingly responsive V6 engine. The SUV is easy to park thanks to light steering, but it doesn’t feel floaty going down the road. There are also three rows, unlike some SUVs on this list, which compromise space for fuel savings. We’re also happy to report that the Telluride offers an extremely high-quality interior, and its supportive seats hold up well over long drives and day-to-day commuting alike. If you don’t care too much about serious returns on fuel economy, the Telluride is still one of the best SUVs out there.

7

2025 Hyundai Palisade

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 22 MPG

The Hyundai Palisade edges out its corporate sibling, the Kia Telluride, in fuel economy—likely thanks to more recent styling updates and aerodynamic refinements. Like the Telluride, it ranks among the best SUVs on the market today. Standard features are equally generous, including adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology. Behind the wheel, the Palisade delivers light, responsive steering and impressive maneuverability paired with a smooth, comfortable ride.

With three rows of seating, you do sacrifice some cargo space in the name of passenger capacity, but the Palisade’s refinement may justify that tradeoff for many buyers. Road and wind noise are remarkably subdued, and the engine is so quiet at idle you might not realize it’s running. Generous legroom throughout the cabin makes it an ideal choice for daily commutes and school runs alike.

6

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 23 MPG

If you like the Atlas but don’t need three rows—and want to save a bit on cost and fuel—the Atlas Cross Sport is worth a look. Technically a separate model, it retains everything we appreciate about the full-size Atlas while trimming about five inches in length and two inches in height. Despite the smaller footprint, the Cross Sport doesn’t cut corners on features, and the added maneuverability is a welcome bonus—especially when navigating tight parking spaces.

Like many other VW products, you’ll find the Atlas surprisingly sporty. The SUV feels agile, and the steering is accurate, while the ride is taut and body motions are well-controlled. The transmission isn’t quite as smooth as others, but the interior helps make up for this with solid space inside. That comes in spite of the docked roof, and the seats feel plenty comfortable. However, visibility is a little compromised.

5

2025 Mazda CX-90

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 25 MPG

The Mazda CX-90 feels like it looks: premium to a “T.” The SUV has incredibly sharp handling given its size, and the acceleration matches. This is without a doubt one of the best-driving SUVs on the list. We’re also fans of the SUV’s comfortable ride in spite of its sporty performance. You’ll miss out on third-row space compared to some, and the premium price point certainly isn’t for everyone, though Mazda does much to justify it.

The CX-90’s interior sets a high bar with materials that rival luxury competitors. Every knob, dial, and button feels substantial and satisfying to use—a refreshing commitment to tactile controls in an increasingly digital age. Cheap plastics are virtually absent, and the cabin exudes an old-school sense of craftsmanship reminiscent of luxury SUVs from an era before screens replaced genuine refinement. That said, the powertrain exhibits noticeable hesitation when accelerating, and the compact cargo area may not suit everyone’s needs.

4

2025 Chevrolet Blazer

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 25 MPG

The Chevy Blazer has been reinvented for the modern age. The SUV isn’t the off-road, unkillable truck of yore, but it is much better behaved on the road. The SUV’s a real looker, but beware, it does eat into rear seat space. On top of that, as you’ll see shortly, the SUV’s 25 MPG combined is pretty middle-of-the-road. There’s a lot of other competition in this space that will manage the same while offering more enticing features.

However, the small headroom and trunk space are somewhat offset by the Blazer’s sporty RS trim. In spite of its relatively solid fuel economy, the RS trim gets its own unique suspension and steering system, as well as all-wheel drive, and a torque-vectoring rear diff adds a much more sporty vibe than anything else on this list. It’s an excellent mix of tech, comfort, sporty attitude, and fuel economy as a result.

3

2025 Toyota Highlander

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 25 MPG

The 2025 Toyota Highlander continues its run as a mainstay in the mid-size SUV segment. It offers three rows of seating, which may come as a surprise given its footprint—though the third row is best treated as occasional overflow space rather than everyday accommodations for full-size passengers. That caveat aside, the Highlander embodies much of what makes modern Toyotas so appealing, including solid fuel economy. The base four-cylinder engine feels responsive, while the ride remains composed and quiet. It’s a pleasant vehicle to drive, and for most buyers, that’s exactly what matters.

The Highlander also rides great, and it avoids feeling too squishy, rolling over most anything without much disruption. The SUV also manages to provide appealing tech thanks to Toyota’s latest infotainment system, and there’s a decent run of standard features here, including Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of driver aids. The Highlander is a staple for a reason, and it excels at being just the right SUV for those with a family.​​​​​​​

2

2025 Mazda CX-70

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 25 MPG

If the CX-90 appeals to you, but a third row isn’t necessary, the CX-70 offers essentially the same experience in a more compact package. With the rear seats removed, cargo capacity expands considerably, and the qualities that make the larger Mazda so compelling carry over here as well. The CX-70 delivers an engaging driving experience—one that will satisfy enthusiasts on winding roads—without being harsh or overly aggressive in daily use. Its engine strikes an ideal balance between spirited performance and fuel efficiency.

Plus, the latest in Mazda tech isn’t a total drag. Like the larger Mazda, the CX-70’s interior is a masterclass. The material quality and selection are top-notch, and the SUV has a luxurious interior, despite the fact that it undercuts many traditional German brands and their midsize offerings. Mazda also makes plenty of room for the little things inside, and higher trim levels truly feel no-compromise.

1

2025 Subaru Outback

EPA Combined Fuel Economy: 28 MPG

Shockingly, the SUV with standard all-wheel drive tops our list of the most fuel-efficient ICE SUVs. The Outback still feels like a lifted station wagon, and the big turbocharged engine is surprisingly fuel-efficient in addition to offering plenty of power and quick acceleration. The Outback is also pretty fun to drive, and we love the outdoorsy Wilderness trim (though this suffers in overall MPG). It’s worth pointing out that Subaru recently updated the Outback, remedying our two biggest gripes.

The awkwardly positioned center screen has been replaced, and the suite of driver assistance features has seen notable improvements as well. While the EPA hasn’t released ratings for the latest model, the 2025 version achieves a respectable 28 MPG combined. That solid efficiency is complemented by a roomy interior, confident handling, and strong appeal for buyers with active, outdoor lifestyles.