Fuel and electricity prices swing SUV ownership costs by thousands of dollars every year, and the gap between the cheapest and priciest models can be enormous. Electric, hybrid and even a few gas-only SUVs post some of the lowest running costs tracked in recent industry fuel studies. Here are ten SUVs that cost the least to keep fueled or charged each year.
1. Mercedes-Benz EQB: The Cheapest Vehicle to Fuel in the Study
The Mercedes-Benz EQB posted an annual fuel cost of just $533 as of April 2026, one of the lowest figures recorded for any vehicle in the iSeeCars study, gasoline or electric. The compact three-row electric SUV pairs a modest battery pack with an efficient motor, keeping its per-mile electricity draw well below most household vehicle budgets.
The savings depend on reliable access to charging, since owners without a home outlet or a workplace charger typically pay more at public fast-charging stations. Shoppers weighing the EQB against a gas-powered rival should factor in the higher upfront price before counting on the fuel savings alone.
2. Mazda MX-30: Cheap to Keep Charged
The Mazda MX-30 carried an annual fuel cost of $559 as of April 2026, ranking among the cheapest electric SUVs to keep charged in the iSeeCars study. Its small battery pack limits range but also limits how much electricity the SUV draws over a year of typical driving.
The tradeoff shows up at longer distances, where the MX-30’s shorter range means more frequent charging stops than larger electric SUVs need. Buyers who mostly drive around town see the low running cost without feeling the range limitation as often as a highway commuter would.
3. Audi Q4 e-tron: A Premium Badge, a Modest Bill
The Audi Q4 e-tron’s April 2026 annual fuel cost came in at $578, among the lowest of any SUV tracked in the iSeeCars study despite its luxury positioning. The electric crossover’s efficient powertrain keeps electricity costs low even though its sticker price sits well above many gas-powered competitors.
The low running cost narrows some of the gap between the Q4 e-tron’s purchase price and cheaper rivals over years of ownership. Owners still need consistent charging access to realize those savings, since public fast charging costs more per mile than charging at home.
4. Lincoln Corsair: Far Below the Gas-SUV Average
The gas-powered Lincoln Corsair posted an annual fuel cost of $1,130, well below the $2,161 national average for gas SUVs that same month. That gap makes the compact luxury SUV one of the more fuel-efficient traditional gas models in the iSeeCars study, not just among electric or hybrid competitors.
The Corsair’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine and modest curb weight help it beat larger, heavier SUVs at the pump. Drivers cross-shopping gas-only luxury SUVs can use that gap against the national average as a rough gauge of long-term fuel savings.
5. Kia Sorento: A Hybrid That Costs Little Per Mile
The Kia Sorento Hybrid costs $2,876 per 1,000 miles driven annually, placing it among the least expensive hybrid SUVs to run in the cost-per-mile analysis. The three-row SUV pairs a gas engine with an electric motor to stretch fuel further than its conventional gas trim.
That per-mile figure makes the Sorento Hybrid a practical pick for families who log high annual mileage on school runs and road trips. The hybrid system adds cost at purchase, so the fuel savings mainly pay off for drivers who keep the SUV for several years.
6. Kia Niro: One of the Cheapest Hybrids to Drive
The Kia Niro costs $2,670 per 1,000 miles driven annually in the cost-per-mile analysis, undercutting the Sorento Hybrid and most other hybrid SUVs in the study. The compact crossover’s lighter body and smaller engine help it stretch every gallon further than larger hybrid SUVs.
Its smaller cabin trades some cargo and passenger room for that lower running cost, a tradeoff commuters and small families tend to accept more easily than larger households. Drivers who mostly handle daily commuting rather than hauling gear get the most benefit from the Niro’s efficiency.
7. Toyota RAV4: A Best-Seller That’s Cheap to Fuel
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid runs $2,793 per 1,000 miles driven a year, a figure that helps explain why it remains one of the best-selling hybrid SUVs on the market. Its combination of all-wheel drive and hybrid efficiency keeps running costs down without sacrificing capability.
The RAV4 Hybrid’s widespread availability also means resale values and parts supply stay strong, which keeps long-term ownership costs low beyond just fuel. Shoppers comparing hybrid SUVs often use the RAV4 as the baseline other models are measured against.
8. Ford Escape: The Least Expensive Hybrid Per Mile
The Ford Escape Hybrid runs $2,395 per 1,000 miles driven annually, one of the least expensive figures recorded in the study. The compact SUV’s smaller hybrid powertrain and lighter build translate directly into some of the lowest per-mile running costs among hybrid SUVs tracked.
That low figure makes the Escape Hybrid a strong option for drivers focused purely on minimizing fuel spending rather than towing capacity or interior space. Owners comparing compact hybrid SUVs can use the $2,395 figure as a benchmark against pricier rivals.
9. Toyota Highlander: Efficient Enough to Seat Three Rows
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is rated 35 mpg combined, among the most efficient three-row SUVs on the market and cheap to fuel to match. That rating stands out because three-row SUVs typically carry heavier curb weights and larger engines that push fuel costs higher.
Families who need seating for up to eight get that efficiency without stepping down to a smaller two-row hybrid SUV. The Highlander Hybrid shows that a large, practical family vehicle doesn’t have to come with a large annual fuel bill.
10. Toyota Crown Signia: 38 MPG in a Crossover Body
The Toyota Crown Signia is rated 38 mpg combined, one of the most fuel-efficient crossovers currently on sale. The standard hybrid powertrain, shared with other Toyota hybrid models, gives the Crown Signia a fuel-economy edge over most gas-only midsize crossovers.
That efficiency comes without a plug-in option, so owners never need to seek out a charging station to see the savings. The Crown Signia’s mpg rating puts it ahead of many hybrid SUVs on this list, let alone the gas-only competition it is cross-shopped against.
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