Unless a hybrid or EV powertrain sits under the hood, most SUVs don’t quite make it to 30 mpg combined. But they’re getting close. With technologies like direct injection, turbocharging, and CVTs, 2013-model-year SUVs are usually nearly as efficient as similarly sized sedans, and our list includes everything from a rear-drive entry-level luxury crossover to an all-wheel-drive compact cute-ute.

The list below includes the pinnacle 10 most advantageous 2013 SUVs that aren’t powered by a hybrid or an all-electric powertrain. The rankings are in accordance with the EPA combined rating, with ties broken first by best highway mileage, then city mileage.

10. Nissan Juke AWD, 6A – 27 mpg combined, 25/30 mpg:
The Nissan Juke is one in every of just a few all-wheel-drive SUVs that made the list, and it did so due to its small but potent 1.6-liter turbo-four rated at 188 hp and 177 lb-ft. We spent a year with an AWD SL model and most staffers agreed it was a blast to drive. Better yet, its EPA combined rating of 27 mpg is respectable.

9. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport FWD, CVT – 27 mpg combined, 24/31 mpg city/highway:
We recently parted with our long-term 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, though we must always note it was an all-wheel-drive model that achieves 26 mpg combined. Front-drive version squeezes out an additional mpg. The Outlander isn’t probably the most exciting SUV to drive, but not less than its 148-hp 2.0-liter I-4 (mated to a CVT) delivers decent fuel economy.

8. Nissan Juke FWD, 6M – 27 mpg combined, 25/31 mpg:
If you have to live without the all-weather versatility of the Juke AWD and don’t mind rowing your personal gears, consider the FWD model with a six-speed manual. Not just is it cheaper, it’s also more efficient at the highway with a rating of 31 mpg.

7. Mazda CX-5 AWD, 6A – 28 mpg combined, 25/31 mpg:
The CX-5 includes a choice of fuel-saving technologies. Apart from direct injection, the engine includes a sky-high compression ratio of 13:1, and an effective six-speed automatic transmission.

5: Subaru XV Crosstrek AWD, CVT (tied with Encore FWD) – 28 mpg combined, 25/33 mpg:
It may need polarizing looks, however the Impreza-based XV Crosstrek is a reasonably efficient crossover with an EPA combined rating of 28 mpg. It achieves this mileage despite its all-wheel drivetrain and raised ride height, making it ideal for people who seeking all-weather capability with decent fuel economy. During a contemporary test, we found this Subie to be roomy and reasonably comfortable.

5: Buick Encore FWD, 6A (tied with XV Crosstrek CVT) – 28 mpg combined, 25/33 mpg:
The Encore is Buick’s smallest SUV offering thus far, geared toward entry-level buyers who want affordable luxury. Encore drivers gets decent fuel economy in the event that they go with the 2-wheel drive version, which achieves 28 mpg combined.

4. BMW X1 sDrive28 RWD, 8A – 28 mpg combined, 24/34 mpg:
The 2013 X1 sDrive28 is one other BMW to receive the automaker’s new 2.0-liter, turbo-four engine. Here, it’s rated at 240 hp and 260 lb-ft and achieves 28 mpg combined. And with an eight-speed automatic, its gearbox has the foremost cogs on this group of SUVs.

3: Mazda CX-5 FWD, 6A – 29 mpg combined, 26/32 mpg:
For those that would rather leave the shifting duties as much as the CX-5, the automated gearbox sacrifices 3 mpg at the highway compared to the manual. However, both are EPA-rated at 26 mpg within the city and 29 mpg combined.

2: Nissan Juke FWD, CVT – 29 mpg combined, 27/32 mpg:
The Nissan Juke’s combined mileage is truly tied with two variants of the Mazda CX-5 at 29 mpg. While the CVT definitely helps the Juke sip fuel more efficiently, the selectable sport mode is surprisingly good, transforming the pint-sized ‘ute right into a fun canyon carver.

1: Mazda CX-5 FWD, 6M – 29 mpg combined, 26/35 mpg:
The CX-5 is among the most enjoyable-to-drive crossovers we’ve tested in many years and a part of its charm is its six-speed manual. Better yet, this gearbox is more efficient than its automatic counterpart at the highway, because of its EPA rating of 35 mpg.

Honorable Mentions:

Ford Escape FWD, 6A (turbo 1.6L I-4) – 26 mpg combined, 23/33 mpg

Honda CR-V FWD, 5A – 26 mpg combined, 23/31 mpg

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport FWD, 5M – 26 mpg combined, 24/30 mpg

Subaru Outback AWD, CVT (2.5L I-4) – 26 mpg combined, 24/30 mpg

All at 26 mpg combined, 23/30 mpg – Buick Encore AWD/6A, Jeep Compass/Jeep Patriot FWD/5M (2.0L I-4), and Subaru XV Crosstrek AWD/5M.

Source: EPA