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The Kia Telluride is one of the most popular sport utility vehicles to hit the market in the last decade. Thanks to its popularity, the Telluride can also be hard to get ahold of. What are some SUVs with better fuel economy than the Kia Telluride?

The Subaru Forester is an SUV with better fuel economy than the Kia Telluride

SUVs with better fuel economy than the Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride SUV and the Subaru Forester sport utility vehicle | Kia, Subaru

According to the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Fuelconomy.gov, the regular 2022 Kia Telluride FWD (front-wheel drive) had a fuel economy of 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The AWD (all-wheel drive) version gets 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, but the other version is more popular and will be the source of comparison.

According to the EPA estimates, the 2022 Subaru Forester AWD gets 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The Forester’s annual fuel cost is $2,600. Compared to the Kia Telluride’s yearly fuel cost of $3,250, drivers have the potential to save $650. That means the 2022 Forester is one of the SUVs with better fuel economy than the Kia Telluride.

The Mazda CX-5 is another SUV with better fuel economy over the Telluride

The Mazda CX-5 is another option for SUVs with better fuel economy than the Kia Telluride. The 2022 Mazda CX-5 4WD (non-turbo) option gets 24 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg in the city. There is another turbo option, but that version of the CX-5 SUV only gets 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The base trim is the most fuel-efficient SUV in the lineup.

If buyers opt for the 2022 Mazda CX-5 SUV, the estimated annual fuel cost is $2,900. That is still $350 in potential savings over the Kia Telluride.

If you want a smaller option, the Hyundai Kona Limited works

The 2022 Hyundai Kona FWD Limited trim is a sporty new subcompact SUV on the market. It is considerably smaller than the Kia Telluride but also gets better fuel economy. If you don’t need the third row, the Kona is a good option for buyers who might drive a lot. With 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, the Kona gets 32 mpg combined.

The annual fuel cost for the Hyundai Kona Limited is $2,350, a savings of $900 throughout the year. Fueleconomy.gov suggests the tank on this Hyundai SUV will cost around $66 to fill up, making it one of the better SUVs with better fuel economy than the Kia Telluride.

Don’t overlook the Volkswagen Taos SUV

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos is another compact SUV option. There aren’t many options for the Toas, with only the 1.5L Turbo SE trim option the most fuel-efficient. The 2022 Taos gets 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The annual estimated fuel cost for the Volkswagen SUV is $2,400. That is a savings of around $850 per year. The Taos will be a bit smaller than the Telluride, but the fuel savings make it a good option. The SE trim will offer the most value.

There are plenty of SUVs with better fuel economy than the Kia Telluride, but not all of the options are reliable. AAA says that gas prices remain high for now, so fuel economy remains a big issue for buyers. If you are ready to make the switch to electric, check out the list of most popular electric vehicles for 2022.

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Staff Writer

Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.