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    Reliable and Fuel-Efficient Compact SUVs

    These models—recommended by CR—combine SUV utility and small-car practicality with money-saving fuel economy

    2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid in driveway with palm trees
    Kia Sportage
    Photo: Kia

    The most popular SUVs are compact models, with their attractive combination of small-car efficiency and station wagon utility. With any car, reliability is always a top consideration, and so is fuel economy. The list below has hybrid and conventional SUVs that scored well in Consumer Reports’ road tests, have average or better predicted reliability ratings, and get 28 mpg overall or better.

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    They’re all recommended, too, which means you won’t find any with poor reliability, low owner satisfaction, or missing safety features. We’ve listed them in order of their Overall Score

    Some of these models have our Green Choice designation, which highlights the vehicles with the cleanest emissions.

    Though we tested the all-wheel-drive versions of these, our recommendation extends to the less-expensive two-wheel-drive versions (if offered).

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    We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.