Top Ten: Most Fuel Efficient Crossovers

So you want a high-up driving position and high safety levels. Perhaps you want a roomy back seat for the kids or baby but also want room for them to grow. Maybe, just maybe, you want to venture off road. Regardless of why you want a Crossover Utility Vehicle, or cute-ute, gas mileage probably figures pretty highly on your list of a CUVs benefits. We take a look at the generally excellent mileage figures of the most popular cute-utes on the market today, and see how they stack up.

Fuel Economy: 31 mpg Hwy, 34 mpg City

Alongside its sister models Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner, which push out nearly identical gas mileages, the Escape Hybrid's combined nearly 32mpg gives it our highest rating for a CUV. Look out for an even more fuel efficiency -- from a larger, more powerful engine -- in all 2009 model platforms. The EPA's green rating for this one is off the charts.

Fuel Economy: 32 mpg Hwy, 25 mpg City

Refurbished inside and with a dramatically reworked outer shell, a lot of work also has been done under the hood of the latest Green Line. Its new engine that pushes 28mpg combined is a four-cylinder, but look out in the near future for the Green Line 2, an inline six mated to electric motors jointly developed with BMW that'll push out much the same mileage.

Fuel Economy: 28 mpg Hwy, 23 mpg City

Jeep surprised everybody with its Patriot, which frequently challenges for the mantle of cheapest car to run. Its recently developed four-cylinder 2.4-liter engine has enough grunt to satisfy most drivers. Many, however, will comment on its small fuel tank -- which isn't too big an issue at nearly 25mpg combined. Continuous Variable Transmission on the automatic variant optimizes gas consumption.

Fuel Economy: 25 mpg Hwy, 20 mpg City

Solid and comfortable if not the most inspiring of vehicles, the Kia makes sure that run to the grocery store doesn't take a bite of your wallet. It's a low-price leader in its class in terms of sticker price and running costs and its 23mpg combined will attract first-time buyers or those with kids. Rated highly by the EPA for low pollution levels and greenhouse gas emissions.

Fuel Economy: 27 mpg Hwy, 21 mpg City

I took this to from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and loved not only its nearly 24mpg combined but its rugged feel and utilitarian style and handling. I could also pull off and explore a couple rough Mojave tracks. The RAV4 continues Toyota's trademark high levels of customer satisfaction and retention, and low gas consumption from its 2.0-liter four cylinder powertrain.

Fuel Economy: 27 mpg Hwy, 22 mpg City

This Nissan CUV is a cheekily fun number whose performance figures are right up there in its class at nearly 25mpg combined. Its 2.4 liter four-cylinder pushes out 170hp and won't disappoint the heavy footed crowd on longer trips or on hilly urban streets. Fantastic EPA rating on pollutant emission.

Fuel Economy: 25 mpg Hwy, 20 mpg City

Drivers may opt for the V6 over the wheezy 140hp four-cylinder but they won't get a huge bump in power nor benefit from the 2.0-liter base model's gas consumption of about 23mpg combined. Some buyers will like the Tuscon's somewhat retro looks that date to the age when cute-utes were a lot cuter than they are now. Solid EPA rating on pollutants.

Fuel Economy: 25 mpg Hwy, 20 mpg City

Stylish but perhaps still to break clear of its competitors in a crowded segment, the Outlander boasts solid fuel figures at 23mpg courtesy of its 2.4-liter engine, which feels like it should push out more power than its 168hp suggests. Its adjustable Continuous Variable Transition is calibrated to find the optimal gear for fuel consumption. Good EPA ratings.

Fuel Economy: 27 mpg Hwy, 20 mpg City

The ultimate mom-mobile -- OK, so my mom has one ÔøΩ of the past few years has morphed into a stylish buy for young professionals looking for better consumption. The ever-reliable CRV, a class leader in many ways, gets nearly 24mpg combined thanks to its 2.4 liter that pushes out 168hp and is rated highly by the EPA on pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.

Fuel Economy: 24 mpg Hwy, 18 mpg City

This brand-new Rabbit-based CUV is surprising in shape and form and also answers questions about the Rabbit's fuel efficiency with a combined 23mpg, or about average for its class. All new shape and concept could appeal to new buyers or those wanting a change from Japanese dominance of the sector, or some solid German engineering, for which they'll pay a premium in the sector.

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