We’ll start this ending with the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, a V6-powered eight-passenger SUV that sips fuel like a compact four-cylinder — and uses even less gas in stop-and-go driving. 


Most Highlander Hybrid trim levels get EPA ratings of 29 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, but the lighter-weight LE model does about 1 mpg better. That’s not as good as the smaller SUVs on our list, or the current-generation Highlander Hybrid. You may also want more cargo space, a roomier third-row seat, and a fancier ambiance. Still, for combining three rows of seats, economical fuel usage, and relative affordability, a used Highlander Hybrid is a leading choice. Expect to pay around $35,000 for a nicely equipped 2018 Highlander Hybrid, compared with nearly $40,000 for a brand-new 2021 model. 

Toyota

Highlander Hybrid

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Many of the used SUVs with the best mpg use alternative powertrains to use less fuel. By contrast, the 2018 Honda CR-V gets impressive results from a plain old gasoline engine: a 190-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which is included on all but the base CR-V trim level this year. 

So equipped, the CR-V achieves an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive and 1 mpg less with all-wheel drive. That’s better mileage than many smaller, less-powerful SUVs, especially considering that the CR-V is unusually spacious for its compact crossover segment. Skipping an alternative-fuel powertrain is a cost savings, too, so you can expect to spend less than $25,000 for a nicely equipped 2018 CR-V today. That compares with around $26,000 for a base 2021 CR-V with no options. 

Honda

CR-V

2018 Honda CR-V

Hybrids achieve their best gas mileage in stop-and-go traffic, but there’s another type of alternative fuel that’s known for its phenomenal efficiency on the open road: diesels. This option wasn’t wildly popular, but the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox (and its mechanical cousin, the 2018 GMC Terrain) were available with a diesel engine that achieved an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive and only about 1 mpg less with AWD. 

The Equinox and Terrain don’t have the most cargo capacity of any compact crossover, but they have smooth rides, agreeable handling, and pleasant cabins. And while few customers wanted to pay $4,000 extra for a new Equinox with a diesel (they started at around $30,000), they’re more affordable on the used market. You should be able to find one below $25,000. 

Chevrolet

Equinox

2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel

Toyota redesigned the RAV4 Hybrid for the 2019 model year, adding a more rugged design, improving its ride and handling, and improving its fuel economy. Still, if you’re looking to spend less, a used 2018 model is the way to go. 

For 2018, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid achieved an EPA-estimated 34 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, and careful drivers could beat those numbers. The vehicle also has a spacious and comfortable interior for a compact crossover, with well-shaped seats and plenty of cargo space. A brand-new RAV4 Hybrid starts at $28,800, while a used 2018 model should cost closer to $26,000, depending on the options.  

RAV4 Hybrid

2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

For our next used SUV with the best mpg, we return to another simple gasoline engine. It’s under the hood of the 2018 Nissan Kicks, and it makes a measly 125 horsepower. 

Still, in a subcompact crossover, that’s not quite as slow as you might fear. Passenger and cargo space are more generous than you might expect at this size, too. The Kicks isn’t a luxury car or performance vehicle. Nor is it a rugged SUV; it doesn’t even have an option for all-wheel drive. But it’s cheap to buy even brand-new (starting at around $20,000), and it’s even less when it’s used. Expect a 2018 Kicks to sell for around $18,000. And the fuel economy? An EPA-estimated 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. 

Nissan

 Kicks

2018 Nissan Kicks

Volvo’s PHEV SUVs are the XC60 T8 and mid-size XC90 T8. They pair their fuel savings with incredible power, making 400 horsepower from a combination of a turbocharged and supercharged gasoline engine and an electric motor. We’re focusing on the XC90 since it’s both roomier and more ec get even more fuel savings than a conventional hybrid, try out a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). With a PHEV, you charge up thonomical, but you might pick the XC60’s lower price. The 2018 XC90 T8 gets an EPA-estimated 19 miles of all-electric range, then 27 mpg after the range is used up. If you’ll be using the gas engine a lot, though, know that you’ll need to spring for premium-grade fuel. And expect to spend $50,000 for one, though that’s still a big discount from a new 2021 XC90 T8, which runs nearly $70,000. 

Volvo

XC90 T8 

2018 Volvo XC90 T8

Another Nissan joins our list of the best used SUVs with great gas mileage. This one is a direct competitor to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, though it was never as popular. Still, the 2018 Nissan Rogue Hybrid edges out its rival with an EPA-estimated 33 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive and 31 mpg city/34 mpg highway with AWD. 

Because it’s less popular, it’s also less expensive. You should find examples in the low $20,000s. The Rogue’s powertrain smoothness and real-world fuel economy have sometimes trailed the RAV4’s, but for several thousand dollars less, it’s tempting anyway. 

 Rogue Hybrid

2018 Nissan Rogue Hybrid

For a more affordable plug-in hybrid SUV, consider the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. It trumps the Volvo’s all-electric range with an estimated 22 miles per charge, then 25 mpg after that range is used up — on inexpensive regular-grade gasoline. More significantly, a 2018 Outlander PHEV costs half the price of an XC90 T8: less than $25,000. 

Now, the Volvo is a gorgeously finished luxury SUV, and the Outlander PHEV is clearly budget-grade. Still, it has plenty of room for five passengers and their cargo, and it keeps fuel expenses low. 

Mitsubishi

Outlander PHEV

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Like the Nissan Kicks, the Kia Niro stretches the definition of an SUV. It’s small, slow, and available only with front-wheel drive. But if you’re willing to stretch the definition a bit to call it a subcompact crossover, the Niro offers two great ways to save on fuel. 

The first is with a standard gas-electric hybrid, which gets an estimated 51 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway in its most popular trim levels. But you could also get the Niro as a PHEV, where its all-electric range is a generous 26 miles. Plus, you get 46 mpg once that range is used up. The standard Niro hybrid should be available below $20,000, while the PHEV is a couple thousand dollars more. If you want to stretch your budget further, you can consider the fully electric Niro EV that debuted for 2019; you should be able to get it for less than $30,000 (compared with $40,000 for a brand-new one), and it travels an EPA-estimated 239 miles per charge. 

Niro Plug-In Hybrid

2018 Kia Niro

For maximum efficiency in a 2018-model SUV, you can’t beat the Tesla Model X. This mid-size luxury electric crossover blends style, performance, technology, and efficiency, along with greater convenience and longer ranges than most electric vehicles. 

The 2018 Model X traveled an EPA-estimated 239 to 295 miles per electric charge, depending on the powertrain selected, and it could reach 60 mph in as little as 3 seconds. There’s even a third-row seat and futuristic “falcon wing” doors. And you get access to Tesla’s proprietary Supercharger network for fast-charging stations. Of course, all this comes at a steep price: Expect to spend at least $70,000 for a used 2018 Model X. For most of the Tesla experience at a lower price (minus the falcon wings and a bit of interior room), a brand-new Tesla Model Y compact SUV is available for as little as $40,000. 

Tesla

Model X

2018 Tesla Model X

10 Used SUVs With the Best MPG

Gas Mileage is one of the most important factors when shopping for a used car. We've crunched the numbers to find 10 of the best fuel economy used cars on the market.

Best Fuel Economy Used Cars

Best Gas Mileage Used Cars - Good Fuel Economy Used Cars

Acura

Alfa Romeo

AM General

Aston Martin

Audi

Bentley

Buick

Cadillac

Chrysler

Dodge

Ferrari

FIAT

Fisker

Ford

Genesis

HUMMER

Hyundai

INFINITI

Isuzu

Jaguar

Jeep

Karma

Lamborghini

Land Rover

Lexus

Lincoln

Lordstown

Lotus

Lucid

Maserati

Maybach

Mazda

McLaren

Mercedes-Benz

Mercury

MINI

Oldsmobile

Panoz

Plymouth

Polestar

Pontiac

Porsche

Rivian

Rolls-Royce

Saab

Saturn

Scion

smart

Subaru

Suzuki

Volkswagen

Best Used Sedans With Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)

10 Best Used AWD SUVs

10 Best Used AWD Cars

Pretty much everyone likes the idea of great gas mileage. But many of the auto industry’s most efficient vehicles rely on expensive technology like hybrid or electric powertrains. 

10 Best Used Sports Cars With Good Gas Mileage

Pretty much everyone likes the idea of great gas mileage. But many of the auto industry’s most efficient vehicles rely on expensive technology like hybrid or electric powertrains. 

Fortunately, you can potentially save money by purchasing a used fuel-sipper. For today’s article, we’ve rounded up 10 used cars that get 40 mpg or more, all from the 2018 model year. They include hybrids and electric vehicles, along with a couple cars with economical gasoline engines. They include easy-to-drive small hatchbacks, family-friendly mid-size cars, and even a couple of fuel-sipping luxury models. Read on to learn about our selections and decide which used car with great gas mileage you’d like to take home. 

10 Best Used Cars That Get 40 MPG

When you’re buying a used vehicle, you’re often looking to save some money. But remember that there’s more to a vehicle than its purchase price. There are also operating expenses, and a big one can be gasoline. 

That’s why we’ve identified 10 used SUVs with the best gas mileage. We chose models from the 2018 model year, and we sort them in ascending order of fuel efficiency. We left out a couple of models to maximize the variety of choices, but that means that whatever size or price of late-model SUV you want, you should have an option on our list.

Hatchbacks are a great option for those who want a little more flexibility when it comes cargo-carrying abilities. They make it possible to store large, bulky items that wouldn’t stand a chance of fitting in even the largest of trunks.

There are lots of hatchback options, from compact cars to hybrids to electric options. If the prices of new models are too high, then there are plenty of great used hatchbacks to choose from. Here are the 10 best used hatchbacks under $10,000.

10 Best Used Hatchbacks Under $10,000

There are lots of used sedans out there, which can make choosing the right one for you something of a challenge. This list of the best used sedans under $10,000 includes something for everyone.

Whether you’re looking for fuel efficiency, luxury, or a reliable family car, there’s a sedan on this list that’s perfect for you. The one thing they all have in common is that they're very budget-friendly. 

10 Best Used Sedans Under $10,000

To help you with your search for a used car that offers reliability, style, and safety, but at a price that you can afford, UsedCars.com has put together this list of the best used cars for under $10,000. Thanks to ever-rising standards in reliability, safety, and engineering, the average lifecycle for all cars continues to increase. This is great news for the used car buyer with a limited budget.  Here are our top 4 cars.

Best Used Cars Under $10,000

A minivan is a perfectly designed vehicle for a large family. With its small nose and low floor, it puts nearly all of its considerable footprint into a roomy passenger cabin. That means there’s three adult-friendly rows of seats along with a useful amount of cargo capacity. 

But most brand-new minivans cost $30,000 or more. When your budget is tighter, though, don’t despair. You can still find a used minivan for less than $10,000. For today’s article, we’ve rounded up the 10 best minivans under $10,000. We’ll discuss their pros and cons, and how far back in time you’ll likely need to go if you want a decent van at this low price. We’d also encourage you to prepare for some repair costs; minivans under $10,000 are cheap for a reason, and most either have less-savory reliability reputations or are older vehicles in worse condition and with high mileage.

Best Used Minivans Under $10,000

10 Used SUVs With the Best MPG

More Best Cars Lists

10 Best Used Cars That Get 40 MPG

10 Best Used Sports Cars With Good Gas Mileage