True, it would be best to shy away from the behemoth-sized SUVs, such as the Lincoln Nagivator, Cadillac Escalade, and Hummer H2, but chances are you’ve already figured that out. (Pictured are several HUMMERs.) Instead, seek out the smaller SUVs, especially those with the magic word “hybrid” in their names.

Consumer Reports recently tested a selection of SUVs to compare their fuel efficiency, and found that there are a number of SUVs that get gas mileage equivalent to a midsized sedan (between 23 and 26 mpg overall). These champs include the Ford Escape Hybrid (26 mpg), the Saturn Vue Green Line (24 mpg), and the 4-cylinder-equipped Toyota RAV4 (23 mpg).

On the other hand, just because a vehicle isn’t huge doesn’t mean that it will daintily sip gas, either: the Kia Sorento LX, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, and the Jeep Liberty Sport all got a measly 15 mpg.

Consumer Reports’ fuel-efficiency tests are done differently than the standard EPA tests (they average out a city-driving test, a highway-driving test, and a one-day-trip test that blends the two modes), so the CR figures may look low to someone who’s already been comparing window stickers. However, the magazine’s numbers may reflect reality better than the official figures the government hands out.

The best midsize SUVs include the Lexus RX400h, 23 mpg; Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited, 22 mpg; BMW X3 3.0si, 19 mpg; Nissan Murano SL, 19 mpg; and the Toyota Highlander Limited (V6), 19mpg. For pickups, the most economical include the Toyota Tacoma (V6), 17 mpg; Chevrolet Colorado LS (5-cyl.), 16 mpg; Honda Ridgeline RTS, 15 mpg; Nissan Frontier LE (V6), 15mpg. The most fuel-efficient minivans were the Toyota Sienna XLE and the Honda Odyssey EX, both of which attained 19 mpg.

It was in the hatchbacks and wagons category where the best overall mileage figures were to be found, with the Toyota Prius getting 44 mpg; the Toyota Yaris with manual transmission, 34 mpg; and the stick-shift equipped Honda Fit Sport, with 34 mpg.

Via: Consumer Affairs