10 DEPENDABLE SUVS WITH GREAT GAS MILEAGE FOR LONG COMMUTES

It's no secret that Americans love to drive, and drive long distances. If you know anything about driving in America, you know about “the great American road trip” and, of course, Route 66. Historically, it was President Dwight D. Eisenhower commissioning the Federal Aid Highway Act, which helped create the network of highways that we know and love today.

To get back to the topic at hand, some of the most important factors in buying a brand new, or even used, car are the dependability factor and the overall fuel economy. Unless you live in New York City, San Francisco, or Boston, you need a car to get to work or anywhere.

Gone are the days of non-fuel-efficient SUVs, either. As technology gets better and better, so does the fuel economy of modern SUVs. We are going to go over the ten best SUVs you can buy to be fuel-efficient and have a dependable set of wheels for the foreseeable future.

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In compiling this article, we have cross-referenced information about vehicle reliability, maintenance, and pricing from sources like J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, RepairPal, CarEdge, and Consumer Reports to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible. Please note that we have ranked the following models based on least reliable to most reliable.

2025 Volkswagen Taos

Reliability Score: 79/100 | MPG: Up to 28 city / 36 highway

The Volkswagen Taos' redesign was a long time coming for the 2025 model year. It borrows styling from the all-electric ID.4 on the front end. It does still look quintessentially Volkswagen on the interior, with just a touch more panache.

Reliability

Although it may be the lowest score on our list, it scored 80 and above on everything except dealership experience. Quality and reliability scored 80 out of 100 for this newest generation. As it is a new generation, there has not been a crash test conducted yet.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $676 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,496 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 0

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

Reliability Score: 80/100 | MPG: Up to 31 city / 33 highway

The Toyota Corolla Cross is a good option for those wanting the frugality of a Corolla with the capability of an SUV. Helping give up above 30 miles per gallon is the standard naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 169 horsepower. It can also tow an impressive 1,500 pounds.

Reliability

From a reliability standpoint, it's just as frugal to purchase as it is to own. The highest score it was given was for resale value. Everything else scored in the high 70s for reliability, driving experience, and dealership experience.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $362 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,420 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 0

2025 Mazda CX-5

Reliability Score: 82/100 | MPG: Up to 26 city / 31 highway

According to fueleconomy.gov, a Mazda CX-5 has a fuel range between 398 and 475 miles, depending on what sort of driving you are doing. We chose the base model engine as it performs better in the fuel economy department. The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder does 27 miles per gallon on the highway but will give you more thrills.

Reliability

Albeit slightly more expensive to own, Mazdas are still reasonable to do maintenance on. It shows in the J.D. Power score too. The 2025 CX-5 scored 82 out of 100 for reliability and 81 out of 100 for driving experience.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $447 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,698 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 0
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2025 Honda HR-V

Reliability Score: 82/100 | MPG: Up to 26 city / 32 highway

The HR-V is the lesser-known Honda SUV as the market is mostly dominated by the CR-V. The HR-V has immense value with a starting price of $26,795 and an impressive non-hybrid fuel economy. Helping the HR-V along is a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that outputs 158 horsepower.

Reliability

Spoiler alert, the HR-V is factually the cheapest vehicle to maintain on this list. It also scored high in the reliability department, with J.D. Power receiving an 82 out of 100. NHTSA also awarded it a five-star safety rating.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $301 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,226 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 0

2025 Ford Escape

Reliability Score: 82/100 | MPG: Up to 27 city / 34 highway

The Ford Escape packs a versatile punch. It comes with three different powertrains, including a hybrid. The front-wheel drive non-hybrid, however, packs an even more impressive fuel economy punch. It's powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that offers 163 horsepower.

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Reliability

So far, it is one of the few vehicles on this list to come with a recall for the 2025 model year. Contact your local Ford dealer to help fix the panel covering that covers the airbags. According to NHTSA, they were manufactured incorrectly.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $600 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,100 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 1

2025 Hyundai Kona

Reliability Score: 83/100 | MPG: Up to 28 city / 34 highway

The Hyundai Kona was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Not much has changed for 2025 except for some repositioning of trims and features in said trims. Giving the Kona its impressive fuel economy is the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that outputs 147 horsepower.

Reliability

Thankfully, no recalls were made for this new model year. This generation Kona did receive IIHS' Top Safety Pick+ for 2024 in the small SUV category. The only marginal scores it received pertained to the headlights and seat belt's latch ease of use, scoring "acceptable."

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $468 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,212 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 0
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2025 Kia Seltos

Reliability Score: 83/100 | MPG: Up to 29 city / 35 highway

Even though Kia gave the Seltos a slight refresh for the 2024 model year, it still has its unique exterior styling beyond the competition. The biggest change was made to the interior. It matches all modern Kia's with an updated steering wheel and infotainment system. It offers incredible highway fuel economy and equally impressive city fuel consumption.

Reliability

No recalls for the Seltos this year. Although it might not have scored a “top safety pick” from IIHS, it did decent in the crash safety test. From a consumer rating standpoint, it scored 87 out of 100 on J.D. Power for reliability and everybody seems to enjoy driving it, with an 84 out of 100 for driving experience.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $474 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,442 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 0

2023 Nissan Rogue

Reliability Score: 84/100 | MPG: Up to 30 city / 37 highway

The Nissan Rogue offers incredible versatility. It can be an A to B machine that gives you unheard-of gas mileage on the highway, or it can be an off-roader with the newest Rock Creed edition. It comes with an impressive turbocharged three-cylinder that outputs 201 horsepower.

Reliability

There were no ratings for the 2024 or 2025 model years, but this generation has scored consistently high on J.D. Power. The 2023 model year has had four recalls. This mostly pertains to the seats and seat belts. Not to mention, the airbag's inflator module may inflate improperly.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $467 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,668 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 4

2025 Subaru Crosstrek

Reliability Score: 85/100 | MPG: Up to 27 city / 34 highway

The Subaru Crosstrek is quite possibly the most dynamic of the bunch. It offers capabilities like no other in the subcompact market. It comes with two powertrains, both in a “flat-four” shape. One is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, while the more powerful/capable one is a 2.5-liter that outputs 182 horsepower. It can tow an impressive 3,500 pounds maximum.

Reliability

No recalls have been made for the 2025 model. It did win top safety pick for the 2024 model year in the small car category. It scored incredibly high on J.D. Power in almost every category except the driving experience. It has the highest score at resale value of 92 out of 100.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $492 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,210 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 0
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2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Reliability Score: 85/100 | MPG: Up to 29 city / 31 highway

The Chevrolet Trailblazer is a dynamic little sport utility vehicle that comes in many different styles and abilities. It comes with two three-cylinder engines in either 1.2 or 1.3 liters, a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive drivetrain, and either a nine-speed automatic or CVT. It was refreshed for the 2024 model year and has since received similar interior styling like the rest of Chevrolet's lineup, including a single-panel LED screen.

Reliability

Gone are the days when American cars should be looked at as unreliable. J.D. Power awarded the Trailblazer 86 out of 100 in terms of quality and reliability. It also got an 86 for driving experience. We can bet that it's for all-wheel drive with a larger engine. NHTSA also awarded it with a five out of five crash test rating.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $524 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,369 (CarEdge)
  • Total Recalls: 0

2025-01-14T06:31:56Z