Every Toyota SUV Ranked From Least To Most Efficient

Should you expect fuel efficiency from your SUV? For some drivers, giving up a few MPG is an acceptable compromise, but Toyota has other ideas. Instead of compromising on an SUV, the Toyota SUV lineup offers many models with impressive efficiency figures to give you the utility you desire and the fuel savings you deserve.

Toyota is the first major automaker to embrace hybrid powertrains and utilize them across most of its lineup. As the most-trusted name in hybrid driving, thanks to the Prius’ longevity, many of the Toyota SUVs on the market today either come standard with hybrid powertrains or offer them as options. This makes the Toyota SUV lineup one of the most efficient across the board, but which SUV has the highest fuel economy rating?

12

Toyota 4Runner

Fuel Economy (Combined): 21 MPG

The dinosaur off-road SUV, the Toyota 4Runner, has been replaced by a modern version, keeping the 4Runner relevant. It continues to be an impressive off-road SUV, but instead of the antiquated V6 and five-speed setup, it’s powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine attached to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This allows the 4Runner to be smoother on the road while returning much better fuel mileage than before, which was 16 city/19 hwy mpg.

Stellar Generational Improvements

The previous 4Runner was getting long in the tooth and should have been replaced much earlier. The 2026 model has no significant changes, thanks to the 2025 generational change that brought the new build, new powertrain, and upgraded styling shared with the Tacoma. The 4Runner can still pull its weight, towing up to 6,000 pounds, but it’s much more comfortable on the road and remains a massively capable off-road SUV, keeping with its heritage.

11

Toyota Sequoia

Fuel Economy (Combined): 22 MPG

Where the 4Runner shares its platform with the Tacoma, the Sequoia shares its platform with the Tundra. The Toyota Sequoia was one of the first Toyota SUVs to receive hybridization, and it’s been a huge success. The Sequoia comes with the iForce MAX hybrid powertrain as standard, featuring a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine and an electric motor. This combination produces 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to the wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission. This full-size Toyota SUV comes standard with RWD but can be had with AWD.

A Big Off-Roader From Toyota

The Sequoia TRD Pro brings real off-road equipment to the conversation, allowing you to take this massive beast out on the trails. The TRD Pro package adds upgraded Fox dampers, a front skid plate, a locking rear differential, and forged 18-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch tires. If this is a little too hardcore for you, the TRD Off-Road package is offered for the SR5, Limited, and Platinum models.

10

Toyota Land Cruiser

Fuel Economy (Combined): 23 MPG

The Toyota Land Cruiser took one year off and returned in 2024 as a completely different SUV. It’s much smaller than its predecessor and has a new hybrid powertrain instead of the V8 that powered it previously. The current powertrain is a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine aided by two electric motors. This engine sends 326 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The new hybrid powertrain, combined with the smaller size, makes the Land Cruiser much more efficient than before.

It’s Still An Off-Roader

Don’t let the new look and size of this Toyota SUV throw you; it’s still a capable off-roader. The modern Land Cruiser is kind of like taking the 4Runner and pushing it beyond its trim levels. The Land Cruiser features a full-time 4WD system, a locking center differential, low-range gearing, crawl control, and hill descent control, which make tackling some of the toughest trails much easier than with the older, much larger version.

9

Toyota Grand Highlander

Fuel Economy (Combined): 24 MPG

The regular Toyota Grand Highlander is anything but ordinary. It might not be the most efficient SUV around, but it has what many drivers desire, especially those looking for a non-hybrid SUV. This Toyota is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, sending power to either the front wheels or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup is good for decent fuel mileage and a 5,000-pound tow rating.

The Grand Highlander Answers The Call

As other midsize SUVs hit the market with room for adults in the third row, Toyota was falling behind with the small, but popular Highlander. This spurned the creation of the Grand Highlander, which gives families what they need: seating for a large family across three rows and generous cargo space. The Grand Highlander is excellent for road trips thanks to its size and comprehensive package of safety and connectivity features.

8

Toyota Highlander

Fuel Economy (Combined): 24 MPG

If a traditional Toyota Highlander is what you’re after, it’s still available as one of the most trusted SUVs in the Toyota lineup. The Highlander, in its non-hybrid form, achieves good fuel efficiency figures thanks to its 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. This system produces 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to all four wheels through an advanced AWD system. The Highlander’s powertrain is quickly becoming a staple of the Toyota SUV lineup.

Comfortingly Predictable

The Toyota Highlander has been around for 25 years, making it one of the oldest Toyota SUVs. This longevity makes it easy for you to predict everything about the Highlander. It might not be the most fun or exciting SUV to drive, but it’s reliable, predictable, dependable, and stable, making it easy to admire. Sometimes, you simply need the SUV that you already know, and the Highlander is here to give that to you.

7

Toyota Corolla Cross

Fuel Economy (Combined): 32 MPG

Although it took longer than expected to bring the Toyota Corolla Cross to the market, this little SUV fits perfectly in the Toyota lineup. It’s smaller than the RAV4, making it a subcompact SUV built on the Corolla platform. The gas-only version is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 169 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. This power is routed through a CVT to either the front wheels or all four wheels, depending on the configuration. The AWD model loses a little in the fuel economy conversation, dropping two MPG across the board.

Fresh Upgrades For 2026

The Corolla Cross receives some upgrades for the 2026 model, giving it a mid-cycle refresh. It features a new grille pattern that provides a chunkier appearance, adds Cavalry Blue to the color palette, and introduces a new console design. A 10.5-inch infotainment screen is available for drivers seeking a larger dashboard screen. The Corolla Cross has become a popular choice in the subcompact crossover class, and it’s among the most efficient SUVs available.

6

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Fuel Economy (Combined): 35 MPG

When Toyota introduced the Highlander Hybrid, it quickly caught the attention of many experts thanks to its impressive fuel economy. How could a three-row midsize SUV achieve 35 MPG? It’s accomplished by using a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and three hybrid motors. This results in a combined output of 243 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to the wheels through a CVT. Because it has three motors, the Highlander Hybrid has full-time AWD.

A Value Player In The Toyota Lineup

For 2026, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is reduced to only its three core trims, dropping the special models that were part of the mix last year. The XLE trim, which is the base model, could be the right choice for many drivers. It comes with heated front seats, wireless charging, and a powered sunroof. As the most affordable choice, this model makes the Highlander Hybrid more than just an efficiency champion in its class; it’s a real value at $49,590.

5

Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

Fuel Economy (Combined): 36 MPG

The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is offered with two powertrains, giving hybrid drivers a desirable choice. The base setup features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing 245 horsepower, while the Hybrid Max powertrain has a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and one electric motor, producing 362 horsepower. That turbocharger really makes a big difference between these two powertrains. They also use different transmissions: the regular hybrid is mated to a CVT, while the Hybrid Max has a six-speed automatic.

Dramatic Differences

The Hybrid Max powertrain produces 400 lb-ft of torque, which enables it to tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the regular Hybrid is limited to 3,500 pounds. The regular Grand Highlander Hybrid is more efficient, giving it the edge in annual fuel costs. Still, if you want more towing power and more power in general, the Hybrid Max might be the right powertrain for your Grand Highlander.

4

Toyota Crown Signia

Fuel Economy (Combined): 38 MPG

The Toyota Crown Signia takes what was admired about the returned Venza and made it better. The Crown Signia uses a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and three electric motors, providing full-time AWD that gives drivers control at all four wheels. This setup produces 240 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque. This power reaches the wheels via a CVT, which enhances this SUV’s fuel-sipping qualities, but the real benefits are found in the cabin.

As Close To Luxury As You Get

The Crown Signia SUV took what was great about the Crown sedan and made it better. Inside, you’ll see upscale materials, including real leather at higher trim levels, two rows of seats that make it easy to stretch out and get comfortable, and a generous cargo area. The modern tech gives you the most advanced Toyota suite of safety features and two 12.3-inch screens, one for the gauges and one for your infotainment.

3

Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Fuel Economy (Combined): 42 MPG

If you want to maximize the efficiency of your subcompact SUV, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid has you covered. The hybrid model takes the gas-only Corolla Cross powertrain and adds three electric motors, giving it a combined output of 196 horsepower. Because there are three electric motors, this little SUV comes with AWD in every version, which doesn’t detract from the fuel economy figures. This hybrid model also has a slightly sportier suspension than the gas-only model, making it a little more fun to drive.

The SUV Or The Sedan

The Corolla name is a staple of the Toyota lineup, but with an SUV built on the same platform as the compact sedan, choosing the right model can be difficult. If the choice comes down to cargo space, the SUV wins out in a big way. You’ll have 22 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats compared to the 13 cubic feet in the sedan’s trunk. The SUV has more cargo room than the Corolla hatchback, which offers 18 cubic feet, making the Corolla Cross Hybrid the practical choice for carrying cargo among the Corolla-named vehicles.