Fuel is the second biggest running cost after depreciation. We pulled the manufacturer-published fuel figures for every SUV in our database and ranked them. Some of these numbers will surprise you.
Top 15 Most Fuel Efficient SUVs
| SUV | Fuel | Annual Cost* | Type | Price From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | 15.5kWh | $697 | EV | $57,900 |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | 14.7kWh | $662 | EV | $48,300 |
| BYD Atto 3 | 15.3kWh | $689 | EV | $44,381 |
| Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid | 3.8L | $1,083 | HEV | $30,490 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid | 4.3L | $1,226 | HEV | $37,300 |
| Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 4.8L | $1,368 | HEV | $44,560 |
| Honda CR-V Hybrid | 5.3L | $1,511 | HEV | $48,500 |
| Kia Sportage Hybrid | 5.6L | $1,596 | HEV | $46,280 |
| Hyundai Tucson Hybrid | 5.6L | $1,596 | HEV | $48,300 |
| Subaru Forester | 7.4L | $2,109 | Petrol | $39,990 |
| Mazda CX-5 | 7.0L | $1,995 | Petrol | $37,190 |
| Hyundai Kona (petrol) | 6.8L | $1,938 | Petrol | $32,300 |
| Nissan X-Trail e-Power | 5.8L | $1,653 | HEV | $42,190 |
| Kia Seltos (petrol) | 7.4L | $2,109 | Petrol | $30,590 |
| Toyota LandCruiser 300 | 8.9L | $2,470 | Diesel | $89,990 |
*Annual fuel cost calculated at 15,000km/year, petrol $1.90/L, diesel $1.85/L, electricity $0.30/kWh. All fuel figures are manufacturer-published combined cycle.
The Hybrid Sweet Spot
Look at the gap between the cheapest hybrid and cheapest petrol SUV. The Yaris Cross Hybrid uses 3.8L/100km. The cheapest petrol SUV (Kona at 6.8L) uses almost double. That's a $855 per year difference in fuel. Over 5 years, the hybrid saves $4,275, which more than covers the $2-3k hybrid premium.
Toyota dominates the top of this list because their hybrid system (used for 25+ years) is the most efficient in the business. No turbo, no complexity, just a simple Atkinson-cycle engine paired with an electric motor.
EV vs Hybrid: Cost Per Kilometre
| Type | Fuel Cost/km | Annual (15k km) | Saving vs Petrol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol SUV (7.0L) | $0.133 | $1,995 | Baseline |
| Hybrid SUV (4.8L) | $0.091 | $1,368 | $627/yr |
| Electric SUV (15.5kWh) | $0.047 | $697 | $1,298/yr |
An electric SUV costs 65% less to fuel than a petrol SUV. A hybrid sits halfway. Over 5 years, the EV saves $6,490 vs petrol. But the EV costs more upfront, and insurance is higher. Check our full EV vs Hybrid cost comparison for the complete picture.
Don't Trust the Headline Number
Manufacturer fuel figures are tested in a lab, not on real roads. Real-world fuel consumption is typically 10-20% higher than the published number. A car rated at 7.0L/100km probably does closer to 8.0-8.5L in everyday driving, especially if you do a lot of city driving with aircon on.
Hybrids tend to be closer to their lab numbers because they're most efficient in city traffic (where the electric motor does more work). Petrol-only cars tend to be further off because they can't recover energy during braking.
Compare fuel costs for any combination of SUVs using our comparison tool.
Compare these cars yourself
200+ specs, fuel costs, safety ratings, braking distance, and speed vs range calculator.
Disclaimer: All information in this article was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (3 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Specifications, government incentives, and rebates can change without notice. Always verify details with the manufacturer or relevant authority before making a purchase decision. Running cost estimates are based on average Australian driving conditions at 15,000 km/year. All opinions are editorial and independent. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations or rankings.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 3 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!