You will spend a lot of time trying to pin down at least five fuel-efficient crossover vehicles. It's not that they are not there; it's because telling which cars belong to the crossover segment is hard. What you may consider a crossover, another person may term it as a station wagon or small SUV.
Very few manufacturers will put the label X on a model to indicate that it's a crossover. Everyone wants a car that is economical in fuel consumption. Fuel-efficient vehicles are easy to maintain for a long while. The true SUV has become very popular, but crossovers make a fantastic compromise with the rising gasoline prices.
Besides the fuel consumption ratings, you should also examine other car features. Even though most crossovers look the same, there are always some differentiating features from the manufacturers. That is how you narrow down your search.
Crossover cars are a bridge between around town cars and off-road trucks. It's like getting the best of both worlds without spending a fortune. Most of them are easier and lighter to drive than a true off-road vehicle. If you have been looking for such a car, you are lucky. Here are five crossover options worth considering.
Mini Cooper Countryman
The Mini Cooper Countryman is a big car launched as a brand new model in 2011. It shows you how badly most manufacturers want to venture into crossover cars. It had a longer and taller body compared to the original mini cooper.
The model has the best mileage compared to any crossover vehicle. With its manual transmission, it gates the highest EPA marks. The car has a 1.5-liter twin power turbo, 3-cylinder direct-injection engine. In 2011, the Mini Cooper Countryman was picked to be the safest by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIS).
This vehicle possibly has one of the lowest fuel consumption in its category since it can get up to 28 miles per gallon in the city, 33 miles per gallon (highway), and approximately 29 miles per gallon combined. There are so many pleasant surprises with this vehicle that will make you fall in love with it.
The 2011 Nissan rogue
The Rogue shines as one of the best crossover vehicles with excellent handling and acceleration. With its 2.5 liters 4-cylinder engine, The Rogue produces about 170 horsepower. This vehicle has a Continuously Viable Transmission (CVT) that helps it achieve a good mileage number.
It has a belt and a pulley system that transmits the engine's power to its wheels. Although the CVT may not pull trailers through mud, it is still an excellent vehicle for the crossover category. Nissan became the first brand to ever use CVTs on passenger cars.
The Rogue's fuel economy is impressive since it is rated at 25 miles per gallon combined. Its trunk may hold your equipment up to over 26.9 cubic feet. Check out the price on this Nissan Rogue crossover model and see if you can afford it.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the only hybrid and crossover with incredibly low fuel consumption. That’s why it has been featured on this list. The highlander is known as a very light-duty SUV; at least, that is what the manufacturer marketed it as. It was that for a while until the crossover vehicle category became widespread.
The car uses a V-6 gasoline engine with approximately 231 horsepower and an electric motor powered by batteries. When the vehicle uses its two power systems, it can attain up to 280 horsepower, even higher than other crossovers. With a combined 28 miles per gallon, the car won’t be hard to manage.
It has an Electric Vehicle (EV) drive mode that allows it to use both gasoline and electric power, consuming even lesser fuel. Though the machine may cost you a little more, it is still a perfect crossover worth a real chance. It's not top on the list, but it offers consistency, which most drivers appreciate.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-v is one of the oldest vehicles in the crossover category; you have probably encountered it as a small SUV. It has been in the game since the early 90s. It offers a combined 24 miles per gallon, which is quite impressive compared to other crossover models.
The vehicle was not built for off-roading, but the crossover segment suits it quite well. The two-wheel-drive Honda CR-V has better mileage compared to the four-wheel-drive version. Besides the fantastic EPA ratings, the vehicle also has other impressive features worth the price tag.
Its 1.5 liter, four-cylinder engine produces about 180 horsepower and has a spacious room for four adults and a cargo area of about 39.2 cubic feet behind the back seat. The space and comfort it offers make it great for those hectic road trips.
The Honda CR-V has terrific gas mileage, which has made it the best-selling SUV for over three years in a row. The price you get will mainly depend on your dealer. But you can check the official website to know what price range to expect when you go shopping.
Toyota RAV-4
This is another great car from Toyota that needs to be on your radar. The Toyota RAV-4 is recognized as a crossover vehicle with a combined 24 miles per gallon. The car has a 4-cylinder engine with a two-wheel drive. The EPA mileage rating will only drop by 1 mile per gallon if you prefer four-wheel drive. These are the things to consider when you want to purchase the Toyota crossover.
The vehicle was launched around ten and a half years ago; like the Toyota Highlander hybrid, the Toyota RAV-4 is also recognized as a light-duty SUV under the crossover category. Because of the EPA rating, the four-wheel drive is in high demand compared to the RAV-4 with a two-wheel drive.
It has about 37.5 cubic feet of cargo area behind its rear seats and 69.8 cubic feet with its back seats folded down, which is enough for whatever you want to carry. It’s competitively priced; you won’t have to break your back looking for a favorable deal.
Final Thoughts
These are five crossover vehicles with some of the most impressive fuel consumption in the market. They are mostly from recognized world brands that offer amazing models from time to time. If you have been searching for a crossover car worth your money for a long time, this list will help you.
Some are competitively priced within the market range, while others are considered expensive. Whichever you choose, ensure it's within your budget. The car will be a great mix of the SUV and an off-roader. Keep your ears to the ground to see if there are even more impressive fuel-efficient models.
