CARS.COM — The best compact SUVs are able to fill many roles. They offer good utility and cargo room in a smaller footprint than a traditional SUV, which makes them easier to park and to navigate on narrow city streets. And they also get good fuel economy.
Even though they're nominally SUVs, most of the vehicles listed here (except the Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited) are much more comfortable on the road and in the city than heading off the beaten path.
Related: Eight Guilt-Free SUVs
For the 2016 model year, there are three models that offer more than 30 mpg combined and each one uses alternative fuels. The top two have hybrid electric drivetrains and the third-place model uses diesel. The top five compact SUVs with the best EPA combined fuel economy rating are (ratings shown are city/highway/combined mpg):
1. Lexus NX 300h, 35/31/33
2. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, 34/31/33
3. BMW X3, 27/34/30
4. Mazda CX-5, 26/35/29
5. Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson (tie), 26/33/29
Check out the list below (sorted alphabetically) to see all the 2016 compact SUVs and their EPA-estimated mpg ratings (and fuel types). The figures listed below are the highest-rated mpg configuration for that model. Fuel-economy ratings can vary by trim and powertrain choice.
Audi Q5, 24/31/27 (diesel)
Audi Q5 hybrid, 24/30/26 (premium)
Audi SQ5, 17/24/19 (premium)
BMW X3, 27/34/30 (diesel)
BMW X4, 20/28/23 (premium)
Chevrolet Equinox, 22/32/26 (regular)
Ford Escape, 23/32/26 (regular)
GMC Terrain, 22/32/26 (regular)
Honda CR-V, 26/33/29 (regular)
Hyundai Tucson, 26/33/29 (regular)
Infiniti QX50, 17/24/20 (premium)
Jeep Cherokee, 22/31/25 (regular)
Jeep Compass, 23/30/26 (regular)
Jeep Patriot, 23/30/26 (regular)
Jeep Wrangler, 17/21/18 (regular)
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, 16/21/18 (regular)
Kia Sportage, 21/28/24 (regular)
Lexus NX 200t, 22/28/25 (premium)
Lexus NX 300h, 35/31/33 (regular)
Lincoln MKC, 20/29/23 (regular)
Mazda CX-5, 26/35/29 (regular)
Mitsubishi Outlander, 25/31/27 (regular)
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, 23/29/26 (regular)
Nissan Rogue, 26/33/28 (regular)
Porsche Macan, 17/23/19 (premium)
Subaru Forester, 24/32/27 (regular)
Toyota RAV4, 24/31/26 (regular)
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, 34/31/33 (regular)
Volkswagen Tiguan, 21/26/23 (premium)
Volvo XC60, 23/31/26 (premium)