Top 12 Most Fuel-Efficient Crossovers and SUVs for 2013

Crossovers and SUVs are known for offering certain benefits. For shoppers who list generous cargo and passenger capacity as their main priorities, this vehicle category is a prime fit. There are many picks within this segment that come armed with another asset: strong fuel economy. In a world in which gas prices seem set on a steady upward trajectory, it's easy to understand the appeal of this kind of frugality.

The 12 picks that follow (our list is longer than the usual 10 due to ties) are the most fuel-efficient crossovers and SUVs for 2013. Our list includes a couple of hybrids, but it's dominated by the compact, gas-only crossovers that have proven to be strong sellers for automakers in recent years.

Note that electric vehicles are excluded from this list. Limited range and a lack of charging stations make electric-only models impractical for many buyers. Most buyers are not likely to cross-shop them with the choices listed below. The fuel efficiency of electric vehicles is evaluated separately in a dedicated list.

Our rankings are based on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) miles-per-gallon ratings for city and highway travel. Each vehicle's placement is determined by its combined fuel economy rating. We used the EPA's combined fuel economy formula: 55 percent of city mpg rating plus 45 percent of highway mpg rating. The rating for each vehicle below is expressed in mpg as a combined/city/highway ratio.

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   1. 2013 Lexus RX 450h — 30/32/28