Which Non-Hybrid 2023 Toyota SUV Gets the Best Gas Mileage?
Toyota has 11 crossovers and SUVs in its 2023 lineup, ranging from the top-of-the-line Sequoia Hybrid, which has a starting price of $58,300, to the first-ever Corolla Cross with an MSRP of $22,445.
Pricing aside, with the cost of fuel continuing to rise, having an SUV that gets good gas mileage will save significant money over the length of ownership. While hybrid vehicles will inevitably save more on fuel costs, there are also a few Toyota SUVs that offer impressive fuel economy without being a hybrid. Take a look at these 2023 Toyota non-hybrid SUVs that offer the best gas mileage.
2023 Toyota non-hybrid SUVs
While Toyota continues to add models to its growing hybrid SUV segment, a few non-hybrid options are still worth considering.
The full-size Highlander SUV is receiving a significant update for the 2023 model year. According to MotorTrend, the current generation is getting a much-needed mid-cycle refresh, replacing the old V6 with a more modern, efficient engine. The 2023 Highlander will come equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 265 hp with 310 lb-ft of torque. The estimated fuel economy is 22/29 mpg with a starting price of $36,420. There is also a hybrid variant available that offers an estimated 36/35 mpg.
Celebrating four decades of production for the Toyota 4Runner, the automaker is releasing a new 40th Anniversary special edition with iconic throwback Baja racing stripes. The MSRP is $38,805, and the estimated fuel economy is a gas-guzzling 16/19 mpg.
There is no shortage of hybrid variants in the 2023 Toyota SUV lineup. The RAV4 Hybrid offers an impressive 41/38 mpg, while the RAV4 Prime Plug-In Hybrid has an EPA estimated fuel economy of 38/94 MPGe. The Venza and Sequoia will also be offered as hybrid variants, each providing impressive fuel economy ratings.
The all-electric Toyota bZ4X is the only 2023 all-new model for the automaker and is its first mass-market EV with an estimated driving range of 252 miles.
The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross
The 2023 Toyota non-hybrid SUV that offers the best gas mileage is the Corolla Cross. With a starting MSRP of $22,445, the EPA estimated fuel economy is 31/33 mpg. The small crossover AWD is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque.
Compared to the Toyota RAV4, the Corolla Cross gives more bang for the buck, with a lower starting price, better fuel economy, higher safety ratings, and better maneuverability overall. While Consumer Reports was unimpressed by the engine’s lackluster performance, it did emphasize that the fuel economy in the 2023 Corolla Cross is “just 1 mpg shy of the class-leading Subaru Crosstrek and Honda HR-V.”
The 2023 Corolla Cross will also be available in a hybrid variant capable of 37 mpg combined, which isn’t much better than its combustible engine counterpart.
Runner-ups for the best gas mileage
The runner-up for the Toyota non-hybrid SUV offering the best gas mileage is the popular compact RAV4. The gas-powered variant has an MSRP of $27,575 with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27/35 mpg. A special edition RAV4 hybrid is also being released for the 2023 model year. As one of the best-selling SUVs on the market, according to Edmunds, the RAV4 offers a “roomy interior, comfortable ride and easy-to-use technology features.”
Next in line with superior fuel economy is the subcompact 2023 Toyota C-HR that starts at $24,280 and has an EPA estimated fuel economy of 27/31 mpg. The small SUV features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 144 hp and 139 lb-ft of torque.
