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10. Toyota C-HR

27 City / 31 Highway / 29 Combined

A recent entry in the growing subcompact crossover SUV segment, the dramatically styled Toyota C-HR is tuned a bit sportier than the norm, but still makes our top-10 gas-sippers’ list with its modestly energetic 2.0-liter 144-horsepower four-cylinder engine and gearless CVT automatic transmission. Unlike most crossovers, however, AWD is unavailable to augment the standard front-drive configuration. Expect to pay an average $1,500 annually in fuel costs.

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9. Subaru Crosstrek

27 City / 33 Highway / 29 Combined

Redesigned for 2018, the subcompact Subaru Crosstrek makes the list of most-frugal crossovers even with all-wheel-drive coming standard; it comes capably powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder “boxer” engine and a CVT automatic transmission, but gets just 23/29 mpg when fitted with the standard six-speed manual. The latest edition features improved handling, added available safety features, and an available “X-Mode” for modest off-road use. With the CVT the EPA estimates it will cost an average $1,500 a year to run for 15,000 miles.

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8. Buick Encore

27 City / 33 Highway / 30 Combined

Arguably the most sophisticated subcompact crossover that doesn’t have a German luxury nameplate, the Buick Encore is also the quietest, given its nifty noise cancellation system. Its 1.4-liter turbo-four engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and delivers sufficient, though not exactly exhilarating, acceleration. It’s rated at 26/31 mpg with AWD. The EPA says owners can expect to pay an average $1,450 a year on fuel.

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7. Hyundai Kona

28 City / 32 Highway / 30 Combined

The Hyundai Kona is a subcompact crossover that’s aimed at young urban motorists and comes wrapped in wilder-than-average exterior styling. It gets top fuel economy from its available 1.6-liter 175-horsepower turbo-four and seven-speed automatic transmission, which the EPA says will cost an owner $1,450 a year at the gas pump. This powertrain gets 26/29 mpg with AWD. Meanwhile, the Kona is rated at a just-shy 27/33 mpg with the standard 2.0-liter 147-horsepower four-cylinder that comes with a six-speed automatic.

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6. Honda CR-V

28 City / 34 Highway / 30 Combined

The compact Honda CR-V gets near-identical fuel economy to its smaller showroom sibling, the HR-V, when equipped with its available 1.5-liter turbo-four engine (it’s rated at 26/32 mpg with the 2.4-liter four that comes with the base model); a CVT automatic transmission is standard. The CR-V gets one fewer mpg either way with AWD. Several of the latest accident avoidance systems are included on all but the base version. Annual fuel costs are projected at $1,450 with the 1.5 turbo, and $1,550 with the 2.4-liter engine.

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5. Honda HR-V

28 City / 34 Highway / 31 Combined

The feisty Honda HR-V subcompact crossover is based on the Fit hatchback, but affords a much taller passenger cabin and cargo hold. It comes powered by a fairly lively 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that puts 141-horsepower to the pavement via either a six-speed manual in its base models or a CVT automatic transmission (It gets 27/31 mpg with the CVT and AWD). Notable features include the second-row “magic seat” that can split-fold flat or tumble forward for added stowage space. Average fuel costs are estimated at $1,400 a year.

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4. Mazda CX-3

29 City / 34 Highway / 31 Combined

The comely and curvy Mazda CX-3 may be too cramped inside to suit many buyers, but those without a pressing need to carry cargo or back seat riders will be rewarded with surprisingly tenacious handling. It’s sufficiently capable with its 2.0-liter 146-horsepower four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission, and comes in at two fewer mpg when fitted with AWD. The EPA says the CX-3 will run an average $1,400 annually in fuel costs.

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3. GMC Terrain

28 City / 39 Highway / 32 Combined

As with its near twin, the Chevrolet Equinox, the compact GMC Terrain crossover gets top fuel economy when it packs its available 1.6-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine (a six-speed automatic is standard across the line). It’s rated at 26/30 with the standard 1.5-liter 170-horsepower gas turbo-four and a far less frugal 22/26 with the optional V6-like 2.0-liter version with 252 horses; expect to take a two-mpg hit with AWD. The diesel should cost an owner $1,550 a year to run an average 15,000 miles annually.

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2. Chevrolet Equinox

28 City / 39 Highway / 32 Combined

The pleasantly restyled-for-2018 compact Chevrolet Equinox gets top fuel economy with the available 1.6-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine (it’s included in 3LT and 3LZ versions), though you’ll find most fitted with either the base 1.5-liter 170-horsepower gas turbo-four engine at a still-impressive 26/32 mpg or the optional 2.0-liter 252-horsepower turbo four at 22/29. It’s two mpg lower with AWD. The EPA estimates either the turbodiesel or the 1.5-liter turbo-four with front-drive will cost $1,550 a year to keep running at current diesel fuel prices; it’s $2,100 with the 2.0.

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1. Nissan Kicks

31 City / 36 Highway / 33 Combined

The sporty and expressively-styled Nissan Kicks sort of replaced the Juke in the lineup for 2018, and is another city-kid subcompact SUV. It’s 1.6-liter 125-horsepower four-cylinder engine isn’t the quickest on the road, but paired with Nissan’s ubiquitous CVT automatic, gets class-leading fuel economy, and it’s the least-costly crossover to come standard with a forward auto-braking system for added safety.

However, unlike most other models in its segment, the Kicks is only available as a front-drive model with no AWD system available. The EPA says it will cost an average owner $1,350 a year in fuel costs.

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These 10 non-hybrid or electric SUVs save their owners the most money at the pump.

U.S. motorists are trading in their sedans and coupes for crossovers and SUVs in earnest these days for their added passenger room and cargo space, available all-wheel-drive (AWD) for improved traction over wet or snowy roads, and their taller ride heights that afford easier entry and a more commanding view of the road.

And while today’s crossover SUVs – particularly the compact and subcompact models that dominate the marketplace – are far more fuel-efficient than the behemoth truck-like models that came before them, they still fall short behind same-size passenger cars in that regard. That’s because their taller wagon-like designs aren’t as aerodynamic as small sedans, and they weigh more (especially with AWD), which tends to adversely affect their mpg ratings.

And at that, some are more fuel-frugal than others. With gas prices averaging about 70 cents higher per gallon this summer than they were a year earlier, budget-minded motorists are paying close attention to the differences. For example, the most-efficient conventionally-powered crossover for 2018, the new-for-2018 subcompact Nissan Kicks, gets 33/35 mpg (city/highway), while the larger Dodge Journey with the base four-cylinder engine is rated at 19/25 mpg, which the EPA says would cost an owner an average $3,750 more in fuel costs over five years.

To both help shoppers save money at the pump and minimize their carbon footprints in the process – and without the added expense of a hybrid or plug-in model – we’ve compiled the accompanying slideshow of the 10 most fuel-efficient non-electrified crossover SUVs from the 2018 model year.