EIGHT USED SUBCOMPACT SUV OPTIONS WITH MONEY-SAVING FUEL EFFICIENCY

No one likes wasting money at the gas pump, pouring all sorts of time and hard-earned cash into the fuel tank of an SUV. As some of you may know, certain SUVs are good for all types of driving purposes, including fuel-efficient daily drivers. If you live in the city and you want to get the best that your money can buy when it comes to gas mileage, and you don’t want to have to pay premiums upfront for a hybrid or electric vehicle, there are some used SUVs for sale right now that might fit into what you’re looking for.

This particular list will give an overview of some of the better smaller-sized SUVs on the market where you can save at the pump and save when it comes to getting an affordable vehicle from the used market. That’s the main focus of this article, aimed at those who want a great SUV that doesn’t break their budget and is also very economical when it comes to gas mileage. That can be difficult to find when it comes to those living in the city because that’s usually where a lot of fuel gets expended. But don’t worry, this list of eight used subcompact SUVs with money-saving gas mileage should be just the thing you need for a great daily driver for the congested traffic of city driving.

#8. The Chevy Trax

One of the more popular subcompacts from GM’s line-up of SUVs is the Chevy Trax. This small utility vehicle has only been around for two generations, but it’s already made an impact thanks to its easy maneuverability, low-maintenance design, and great fuel economy. But above all that, the Trax is extremely affordable, as it’s one of the most affordable subcompact SUVs on the market, making it such a great pick.

If you need a vehicle that can easily maneuver through congested traffic, has great fuel economy, and doesn’t hurt your budget, then the Chevy Trax is the way to go. It’s available in front or all-wheel drive; however, if you want the maximum amount of fuel economy out of the Trax, then it’s best to go with the front-wheel drive configuration if you can find a used one for sale. To give you an idea of the efficiency, a 2020 Trax will get you 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway, making it a valuable commodity in the used market for those seeking an efficient SUV.

#7. The Ford EcoSport

Priced similarly to the Chevy Trax, the Ford EcoSport is another subcompact SUV that’s lightweight and small enough to move through downtown streets and open highways with ease. If you were looking for decent used SUVs for sale, the EcoSport might pop up on the list. It’s a small, affordable SUV for anyone searching the used market for a reliable compact SUV. It also has notable fuel efficiency for city traveling.

There are two powertrains available for the EcoSport before the 2022 model, so keep in mind that if you want the best fuel economy in the city. The 1.0-liter EcoBoost is the one to look for if you’re browsing through used listings since it’s configured in front-wheel drive, while the 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder is all-wheel drive. The EcoBoost will net you up to 27 MPG in the city and up to 29 MPG on the highway. It’s a good little subcompact for basic city driving.

#6. The Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V has been in production for quite some time internationally but only recently made waves in North America when it became available during the 2010s. Due to its affordability, style, and, most importantly, fuel economy, it was a hit. The subcompact, five-door crossover SUV is all about versatility. Even though it’s available in hybrid format, for those who want something reliably gas-powered, the HR-V is available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive.

As is usual with any SUV you want to get the most out of when it comes to gas mileage, the front-wheel drive HR-V is the way to go. It has a continuously variable transmission and a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine available in model years such as 2019 and 2020 and will get you up to 28 MPG in the city and up to 34 MPG on the highway. If you do a lot of urban driving with lane-weaving and cross-traffic travel, the HR-V makes for a good option here.

#5. The Buick Encore GX

The Buick Encore is another fairly new nameplate in the auto industry, first making its debut during the 2013 model year. The Buick Encore GX is slightly larger than the standard Buick Encore, making it a subcompact crossover. However, it’s still competitively priced within its segment, and even though the Buick Encore GX only made its debut nine years ago, you can still find some used models for fairly affordable prices.

The Buick Encore GX offers two different engine options, but if you find a used Encore GX fitted with the 1.3-liter EcoTec turbocharged engine in front-wheel drive, you can get some great gains on the road. The 2020 Encore GX can get you up to 30 MPG in the city and up to 32 MPG on the highway. It’s one of the more reliable subcompacts with that perfect combination of efficiency and affordability.

#4. The Chevy Trailblazer

The Trailblazer is another fairly new subcompact on the market, only having arrived in the 2021 model year. The Trailblazer nameplate for the SUV brand, however, has been around since the late 1990s, but this newest Trailblazer is a subcompact SUV that is styled after the more modern iterations of the Chevy Blazer, which is a midsize SUV. The Trailblazer is basically for those who want something small, extremely stylish, and great when it comes to fuel economy. Even though the Trailblazer is a newer production model, you can still find some used SUVs for sale of this very visually appealing nameplate and quite an affordable price.

Of course, one of the best parts of the Chevy Trailblazer is its great fuel economy. The 2021 Trailblazer has two different engine options, with the 1.3-liter EcoTec being the one you want for the best gas mileage. It will give you up to 29 MPG in the city and up to 33 MPG on the highway. So if you do a mix of city and highway traveling, this is a great efficient SUV option for those who drive through a variety of environments regularly.

#3. The Toyota Corolla Cross

The Corolla Cross is yet another recent model year to the auto industry, with Toyota putting it into production as recently as 2020. The first model year is actually 2022, so finding a used Corolla Cross may be a rare feat for some, but if you can get your hands on one, it’s well worth it, given the low cost of entry, decent cargo capacity, and excellent fuel economy. It’s one of those subcompacts that hit all of the right notes.

The 2022 Cross will net you an impressive 31 MPG in the city and up to 33 MPG on the highway if you can manage to get your hands on one that’s configured in front-wheel drive format. The good news is that there is only one engine option, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, so you don’t have to worry about having to shop around and filter through different engine selections to get the best fuel economy; the Cross simplifies everything.

#2. The Hyundai Kona

The Hyundai Kona is a reliable subcompact SUV, and like many other fuel-efficient used SUVs for sale on this list, it’s also relatively new. The first model year was a 2018 outing, so it’s had a little bit of time to saturate on the market and shouldn’t be too difficult to find on sale. The five-door SUV has a fairly low MSRP, so you can get it even cheaper if you can find one used.

The Kona has two engine options with both front-wheel and all-wheel drive. If you’re shopping used, you will want to go with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder rather than the turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder. For example, the 2019 Kona, with the 2.0-liter engine and front-wheel drive, will net you up to 27 MPG in the city and up to 33 miles to the gallon on the highway. This means if you strictly drive in the city or highway, you’ll get some great fuel gains out of a used Kona model.

#1. The Nissan Kicks

Like most other SUVs on this list, the Nissan Kicks is a nameplate that only came into production during the mid-2010s. This subcompact crossover SUV has been quite popular on the market and has managed to keep shoppers engaged with its sporty exterior styling, great interior features, and extremely low price. In fact, even brand new, the Kicks is rather affordable, so if you’re searching for very low-priced used SUVs for sale, the Kicks is one you can get without putting much pressure on your wallet.

When it comes to fuel economy, the Kicks has some impressive figures. It only has one engine, a 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder, but it nets you up to 31 MPG in the city and up to 36 MPG on the highway. It’s that perfect cross-section of saving you plenty of fuel on the highway and ensuring you don’t run the gas tank dry while commuting throughout the busy city streets.