Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient SUVs and Crossovers of 2009

There was a time when you couldn't purchase an SUV without committing to hefty financial outlays at the pump, but those days are long behind us. Currently, shoppers in this segment have a respectable array of fuel-efficient choices.

The following 10 vehicles are the most gas-frugal SUVs and crossovers on the market. We calculated our rankings using the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) miles-per-gallon ratings for city and highway travel. Specifically, we used the EPA's combined fuel economy formula: 55 percent of city mpg rating plus 45 percent of highway mpg rating. The fuel-efficiency rating of each pick is expressed in mpg as a city/highway ratio. All ratings apply to base models equipped with a manual transmission, except where indicated otherwise with an asterisk.

Each model was allowed only one appearance on the list. The exceptions are the Mazda Tribute and the Ford Escape, which are available both in hybrid and gas-powered versions.

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   1. 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid — 34/31* (tie)