Best Economical SUVs

First on the list is the Lexus UX self-charging hybrid. Executive and efficient, this distinctive-looking compact SUV sits at the luxury end of the market. It uses innovative recharge technology that recovers battery power while you’re driving. This means that it’s always ready to go, so you’ll never have to plug-in midway through running errands. You can reach up to 53 mpg for great fuel economy and the CO2 emissions are really good as well at 137-120 g/km, helping you to save on road tax. Insurance groupings are between 22-26, so your annual premium should be pretty affordable.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine works seamlessly with the electric battery to select the best power source based on your driving, keeping it as efficient as possible. Three trim levels are available including the UX, F Sport and Takumi, with the latter two offering a sports pack, larger alloys and extra internal gadgets. Servicing at a Lexus-authorised dealership also gets you a free hybrid health check.

If you’re looking for style and comfort, the Volvo XC40 certainly delivers. A high-tech interior and panoramic roof offer a high-quality feel. There’s plenty of storage, too, with hooks, large door bins, and hidden compartments making it an ideal choice for families. It’s also economical to run, with petrol engines available across three trim levels (including manual and automatic) as well as mild hybrid options. Buyers can choose between nine XC40 configurations and three trim options: the intuitive Momentum, stylish R-Design and agile Inscription. The last two offer mild-hybrid engines with larger horsepower, faster 0-60 acceleration and still impressive mpg. Models sit firmly in the middle of insurance groupings, with most classified as 23. Our pick for fuel economy and price tag is the T3 three-cylinder petrol engine, as it can achieve up to 40 mpg and has the lowest CO2 emissions in the range at 153 g/km.

This fully electric luxury SUV is engineered for high-performance and efficiency. The iX3 boasts a top-of-the-range lithium-ion battery that’s been specially designed for improved speed of charge and range – on the road, you can get 282 miles from a single charge. The iX3 has an enhanced integrated drive unit that improves the power to weight ratio by 30%. This means you’ll have maximum pulling power when accelerating, and reach 0-60 in 6.8 seconds with its 286 hp. Two trim levels – the Premier Edition and Premier Edition Pro – offer adaptive suspension and premium interior finishes. They also have a large panoramic sunroof and sporty 20-inch rims to complete the look.

Proving that economical SUVs don’t have to be slow off the mark, the Jaguar i-Pace has astonishing acceleration and performance. It’s a fully electric SUV that uses its 696 Nm of instant torque to reach 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. With the battery situated low down in the wheelbase and all-wheel drive traction built-in, its low centre of gravity helps you to harness its supreme power for a thrilling ride. Plus, the 90 kWh battery is specifically designed for sustained power and can achieve up to 290 miles on a single charge.

The i-Pace’s efficiency is enhanced further by an innovative heat pump that harvests air from the outside to use in the heating and ventilation system, reducing the power demand on the battery. You can also improve the aerodynamic performance and your efficiency with an optional electronic air suspension, which lowers the car by 10mm when driving at speed for long periods. The high price tag is definitely at the upper end of the market, but you’ll reap the rewards long-term.

The charging speed of the fully electric Mercedes-Benz EQC makes it a stand-out performer. You can get up to 80% charge using a rapid 110 kW charger in just 40 minutes, making it ideal for modern-day living and everyday driving. If you get it fully charged, your range will be up to 255 miles, meaning it’s got longer journeys covered too. Models include the Sport, AMG Line and AMG Line Premium, and even at its entry-level, you’ll have a whole host of luxurious features. It’s about more than just luxury, though. Mercedes-Benz has placed an equally high focus on sustainability, with 99 components made from renewable materials. Zero emissions mean you’ll benefit from lower road tax and congestion charges in larger cities.

Another all-electric worthy of our best economical SUV list is the Audi E-Tron. For clever and ultra-fast charging, you can use a home energy management system to utilise the E-Tron’s intelligent functions – this way, it will only charge when it’s less expensive to do so, or by using solar electricity when available. You can even control all the charging functionality via an app for complete control at the touch of a button. We’d also recommend the optional connect charging system that doubles the charging power up to 22 kW.

The standard E-Tron variants have two electric motors, while the faster, more powerful E-Tron S, has three. A smooth, instantaneous-feeling power delivers exhilarating acceleration, managing 0-60 in 4.5 seconds in the top-of-the-range S model. Power isn’t the only thing on offer here – you’ll get 223 miles from a full charge, and the all-wheel-drive provides excellent traction for all driving conditions. The most competitively priced Audi E-Tron comes in the form of the E-Tron 50, which has a range of 195 miles with 309 bhp.

Forever popular, the Nissan Qashqai is an affordable and practical family-friendly SUV. The dCi Visia is our favourite model for economy and uses diesel power to deliver up to 75 mpg – the best non-hybrid fuel-powered performer on our list. The 1.5-litre 113 bhp engine won’t win any drag races, but it works well with the manual six gears to get you up to speed in a respectable 12 seconds. When it comes to running costs, the insurance premium is modest, as it’s placed in insurance groups 13-16. Plus, its low CO2 emissions of just 99 g/km will ensure you have lower road tax costs, too.

We’ve selected the Vauxhall Grandland X plug-in hybrid in our list of most economical SUVs as it delivers an excellent 204 mpg – and also sports an electric-only mode with a 30-mile range. This means you’re able to benefit from zero-emission electric driving for short commutes, making it really economical and better for the environment. Two electric motors combine with a 1.6-litre petrol engine, available in either a 225 bhp front-wheel drive or a 300 bhp all-wheel drive set up. You’ll get a full charge in less than two hours if you opt for the 7.4 kW onboard charger, which makes it really convenient for everyday use. Insurance groupings range from 23-30, so premiums won’t be too bad, and emissions are just 29 g/km, which means you’ll benefit from lower road tax, too.

There’s room for all the family in the seven-seater Peugeot 5008. It’s been restyled recently to offer an improved, plush interior and a striking new front end. On top of this, it uses its innovative engine technology to offer a more efficient drive, too. The PureTech engineering applies direct fuel injection to its three cylinders to offer the performance you’d expect from a larger engine – only it’s packed into a smaller, more economical size. Or, choose the BlueHDi diesel for a great fuel economy of up to 61 mpg and reduced CO2 emissions. All engines also use stop-start technology to save on fuel when the car’s not in motion. You’ll find petrol variants in insurance groups as low as 11-14. Plus, its road tax obligations are less than others in its class due to its low CO2 emissions from the clean engine technology.

Last on our list but by no means least is the DS Crossback 7 plug-in hybrid SUV. Its two compact electric motors have been cleverly positioned beneath the rear seats, so you’ll still have a roomy interior and plenty of boot space. You’ll get up to 36 miles on electric-only mode and a combined mpg of 166 – 235 when driving the hybrid. Its 300 bhp means it’s no slouch on performance, while four-wheel drive will give you good traction on the road. Fast charging offers 80% battery power in just one and a half hours, and recharging during braking will help prolong your battery, too. It’s at the upper end of the insurance groupings with a rating of 37, but the 39-30 g/km CO2 will help on road tax costs.

Gas-guzzling family cars are a thing of the past with our selection of economical SUVs. Whether you’re looking for a petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric model, there’s plenty of options to suit your needs and budget.