Best Fuel Efficient SUVs: Top MPG Picks for Chicago Drivers (2026)
Updated August 2026. EPA estimates vary by trim, drivetrain and wheel configuration.
Whether you’re a driving enthusiast with an unquenchable thirst for adrenaline or you’re simply an individual looking to stretch your fuel budget as far as possible, saving money at the pump is a universally appreciated concept that most drivers can appreciate. Fuel efficiency can play a tremendous role in your vehicle ownership experience, with many of today’s buyers choosing models with high MPG ratings. SUVs of decades past had a reputation for gas-guzzling, lumbering performance capabilities. That’s no longer the case when you look at the current landscape of SUVs available on the market! To help you find the ultimate SUV with superior fuel economy, our team at the Joe Rizza Auto Group has assembled this handy guide. Check out our top picks for the best fuel-efficient SUVs money can buy!
Best Gas, Hybrid, PHEV, and EV SUVs for Efficiency
| Vehicle | Powertrain | Size / Class | EPA-Estimated Efficiency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acura ADX | Gasoline | Compact Luxury SUV | Up to 26 / 31 / 28 MPG (FWD) | City Driving & Urban Commuting |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | Electric | Midsize Electric SUV | Up to 110 Combined MPGe (RWD, Extended Range) | Sport-Focused Efficiency |
| Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring | Plug-In Hybrid Gasoline | Compact Luxury SUV | Up to 76 Combined MPGe | Style & Sophistication |
| GMC HUMMER EV SUV | Electric | Full-Size Electric SUV | Up to 59 / 47 / 53 MPGe (2-Motor Drivetrain) | Off-Road Adventure & Towing |
| Porsche Cayenne Electric | Electric | Midsize Luxury Electric SUV | Coming Soon | Driving Enthusiasts |
Best Fuel-Efficient Compact Luxury SUV – Acura ADX
EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy: Up to 26 / 31 / 28 MPG (FWD)
Key Features
- Standard 1.5-liter turbocharged VTEC engine (190 HP / 179 LB-FT TQ) with sport-tuned continuously variable transmission (CVT) and available advanced all-wheel drive system
- Integrated Dynamics System with up to five distinct driving modes including driver-customizable Individual mode
- Qi-compatible 15W wireless smartphone charger
- 10.2-inch Acura Precision Cockpit™ digital instrument display and 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto™ compatibility
- Available 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system
- Standard AcuraWatch™ suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies
- Optional power tailgate with walk away close & hands free access
Proof that prestige and performance are no longer mutually exclusive, the dynamic Acura ADX is a compact luxury SUV that pushes the limits of efficiency and exhilaration. While its city-sized platform is perfect for exploring urban environments, the ADX is ready to go the distance as well thanks to its standard turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and sport-tuned continuous variable transmission (CVT). This means that in addition to 190 turbocharged horsepower, the Acura ADX lets you experience the freedom and flexibility of up to 31 MPG highway fuel economy to take your travels further than ever before.
Best Fuel-Efficient All-Electric Midsize SUV – Ford Mustang Mach-E
EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy: Up to 115 / 104 / 110 MPGe (RWD, Extended Range)
Key Features
- All-electric powertrain with standard-range (73.0 kWh lithium-ion battery) and extended-range (88.0 kWh battery) options with a targeted maximum range of an EPA-estimated 320 miles
- Available Mach-E GT Performance Upgrade rated for 0-60 MPH in 3.3 seconds (480 horsepower / 700 lb-ft of torque)
- Drainable front trunk storage unit with 4.7 cubic feet and interior cargo capacity of 59.7 cubic feet
- Three unique drive experiences – Whisper, Engage, and Unbridle
- Next-generation SYNC with 15.5-inch touchscreen display
- Charge time – 10% to 80% in approximately 32.3 minutes while charging on a DC fast charging station (standard range)
- Ford mobile charger (included) adds an estimated average range of 22.2 miles per charging hour on a 240V outlet
Best Fuel-Efficient Plug-In Hybrid Luxury SUV – Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring
EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy: Up to 76 Combined MPGe
Key Features
- 2.5L Atkinson-Cycle I-4 Plug-In-Hybrid Engine with 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
- Lincoln Co-Pilot360™ 2.1 safety technologies
- Revel® Audio System with 14-speakers including subwoofers
- Panoramic Vista Roof® with Power Sun Shade
- Available 24-Way Perfect Position Seats
- Standard Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control 2.0
- Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Combining style and sophistication with impressive fuel economy, the dynamic Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring PHEV delivers the best of both worlds. Featuring a cutting-edge plug-in hybrid drivetrain that combines a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a supplemental electric motor – the Corsair PHEV offers the enhanced fuel economy you crave without any of the drawbacks that come from a full-electric powertrain. Drivers can take advantage of up to 28 miles of pure electric range for short trips around town or hit the highway for their next road trip without any need to worry about where and when to charge, thanks to gasoline power under the hood.
Best Fuel-Efficient Full-Size SUV – GMC HUMMER EV SUV
EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy: Up to 59 / 47 / 53 MPGe (2-Motor Drivetrain)
Key Features
- Choice of 2- or 3-motor all-electric drivetrain with 570 horsepower and 7,400 lb-ft of torque or 830 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque
- 800V DC charging up to 300 kW, adds 100 miles of range in 12 minutes
- Up to 319 miles of range
- CRABWALK™ diagonal maneuverability
- Air suspension able to lift ground clearance by up to 6 inches
- Available ULTRAVISION including underbody cameras
- Super Cruise™ hands-free driving
- Available Extreme Off-Road Package
- Infinity Roof with modular removable panels
Easily one of the most recognizable American SUVs of all time, the GMC HUMMER EV SUV combines the unmistakable on-road presence of a full-size SUV with a remarkably efficient all-electric powertrain. Buyers will have their choice of 2-motor or 3-motor drivetrains, producing up to an astounding 830 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque. Packed with plenty of GMC-first features, the HUMMER EV SUV is available with CRABWALK™ diagonal maneuverability and a specialized air suspension that helps you perform both on and off the pavement. Fuel-conscious SUV shoppers will be delighted to learn that you can travel up to an impressive 319 miles using solely electric power behind the wheel of the GMC HUMMER EV SUV.
Best Fuel-Efficient All-Electric Luxury SUV – Porsche Cayenne Electric
EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy: Coming Soon
Key Features
- Standard dual-motor electric drivetrain producing 435 horsepower and 615 lb-ft of torque, or available Turbo model with 1,139 horsepower and 1,106 lb-ft of torque
- Towing capacity of 7,716 pounds
- Matrix Design LED Headlights
- Adaptive Air Suspension incl. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
- Extended Ambient and Communication Lighting
- Soft Close Doors
- Porsche Wireless Charging System
Often credited with kickstarting the performance-focused SUV segment singlehandedly, the Porsche Cayenne name is coveted among driving enthusiasts. These same enthusiasts can now experience the same track-tested engineering and high-octane thrills that have made the model a tremendous success. However, the Cayenne Electric ups the ante with a cutting-edge all-electric drivetrain featuring wireless charging capabilities, something the world has never seen before. Whether you prioritize maximum efficiency or maximum exhilaration, the Cayenne Electric is a refreshing new way to experience the precision and passion that’s synonymous with the Porsche brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Freezing temperatures can take a toll on fuel economy in a few different ways. Regardless of drivetrain type, most drivers find themselves cranking up the heat in order to stay warm during their daily drive. The HVAC system of your vehicle uses additional fuel (or electricity in the case of EVs) to keep you warm and toasty during the winter months. Hybrid/PHEV/EV models can also suffer from reduced range capacity in freezing temps.
Conventional MPG stands for “miles per gallon” and refers to the fuel economy of a gasoline or diesel-powered vehicle. It’s calculated easily by determining how far a given vehicle can travel using just one gallon of fuel. MPGe stands for “miles per gallon equivalent” and is used for calculating the energy use of electrified vehicles. MPGe uses a specialized formula that determines how much an electrified vehicle uses to generate the equivalent amount of a gallon of unleaded gasoline.
SUVs have certainly come a long way from the early days of the gas-guzzling reputation that they were known for. As you’ve seen with the selections listed above, SUVs can now offer outstanding fuel economy figures including zero-emission options made possible by EV drivetrains. In general, we would consider an SUV model that delivers MPG ratings higher than 30 to be outstanding fuel economy.
In the vast majority of cases, SUVs equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) do have slightly worse MPG fuel economy ratings compared to two-wheel drive models (FWD or RWD). Since all four wheels receive power for enhanced control and traction, extra fuel is required to power them.