Consumer Reports’ Best Deals on 10 Fuel-Efficient Cars and SUVs

This week, Consumer Reports analysts updated their tiered selection of fuel-efficient vehicles focused on cars and SUVs for economy in not only the mpg you can expect, but those that have good Overall Scores so that performance and owner satisfaction are not compromised in the name of getting the most miles per gallon.

Furthermore, CR analysts based their new selections on what consumers have reported paying, for the new 2024 models thus far to help provide new car shoppers guidance on what to expect at the car dealerships and where to draw the line on pricing.

“To help CR members, we reviewed the latest transaction data reflecting what people actually paid for 2024 model-year cars in the past month. Then we filtered the list to include only CR Recommended models that are among those with the best fuel economy for their class,” states their latest newsletter.

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“We ranked the vehicles by how good a deal they are, relative to the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, by using the percentage of savings from the sticker price. The top model represents the best deal. Each model is selling for less than MSRP—even if just barely,” stated Consumer Reports. 

The Top Makes Car Shoppers are Choosing Today, Ranges Widely
While typically we find Toyota and Lexus dominating the list in earlier Consumer Report’s “Best Deals on Fuel-Efficient Cars and SUVs,” this new updated list shows that cars shoppers recently are choosing models that range widely over 7 different makes of popular cars.

“In short, these are good models with good fuel economy. We also considered lower-priced electric vehicles. This list highlights models from BMW, Chrysler, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota. There are a variety of cars and SUVs, each representing an efficient choice in their category,” states CR automotive experts in the newsletter.

RECOMMENDED FUEL-EFFICIENT CARS AND SUVS

That said, here is a summary of Consumer Reports latest updated list:

1. Toyota Crown 2024

Price Range:  $40,350 - $53,370

CR MPG:  Overall 42 / City 33 / Hwy 49 mpg

#1 of 1 Large car

Recommended Model: 2024 Toyota Crown Limited AWD
MSRP: $45,950
Average spent under MSRP: $1,976
Average transaction price: $43,974

2. Lexus ES Hybrid 2024

Price Range:  $41,020

CR MPG:  Overall 42 / City 32 / Hwy 52 mpg

#1 of 11 Luxury midsized cars

Recommended Model: 2024 Lexus ES 300h
MSRP: $43,440
Average spent under MSRP: $1,543
Average transaction price: $41,897

3. BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid 2024

Price Range:  $44,550 - $46,550

CR MPG:  Overall 28 / City 19 / Hwy 39 mpg

#1 of 13 Luxury compact cars

Recommended Model: 2024 BMW 330e xDrive Plug-In Hybrid
MSRP: $47,600
Average spent under MSRP: $1,541
Average transaction price: $46,059

4. Lexus UX 2024

Price Range:  $35,540 - $44,370

CR MPG:  Overall 37 / City 32 / Hwy 42 mpg

#2 of 12 Luxury entry-level SUVs

Recommended Model: 2024 Lexus UX 250h AWD
MSRP: $36,940
Average spent under MSRP: $1,198
Average transaction price: $35,742

5. Nissan Altima 2024

Price Range:  $26,370 - $36,070

CR MPG:  Overall 31 / City 20 / Hwy 45 mpg

#7 of 12 Midsized cars

Recommended Model: 2024 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV
MSRP: $27,170
Average spent under MSRP: $678
Average transaction price: $26,492

6. Lexus NX Hybrid 2024

Price Range:  $41,955 - $57,805

CR MPG:  Overall 38 / City 37 / Hwy 39 mpg

#2 of 26 Luxury compact SUVs

Recommended Model: 2024 Lexus NX 350h AWD
MSRP: $43,465
Average spent under MSRP: $966
Average transaction price: $42,499

7. Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid 2024

Price Range:  $39,400 - $59,495

CR MPG:  Overall 27 / City 21 / Hwy 32 mpg

#6 of 6 Minivans 3-row

Recommended Model: 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Touring L
MSRP: $41,560
Average spent under MSRP: $850
Average transaction price: $40,710

8. Mazda 3 2024

Price Range:  $24,170 - $36,650

CR MPG:  Overall 30 / City 20 / Hwy 44 mpg

#4 of 18 Compact cars

Recommended Model: 2024 Mazda 3 2.5 S Select Sport
MSRP: $24,690
Average spent under MSRP: $409
Average transaction price: $24,281

9. Subaru Forester 2024

Price Range:  $27,095 - $37,395

CR MPG:  Overall 28 / City 20 / Hwy 38 mpg

#2 of 31 Compact SUVs

Recommended Model: 2024 Subaru Forester Premium AWD
MSRP: $30,295
Average spent under MSRP: $479
Average transaction price: $29,816

10. Subaru Crosstrek 2024

Price Range:  $25,195 - $32,195

CR MPG:  Overall 29 / City 20 / Hwy 41 mpg

#1 of 11 Subcompact SUVs

Recommended Model: 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium AWD
MSRP: $26,345
Average spent under MSRP: $327
Average transaction price: $26,018

For additional Consumer Reports recommendations, here are a few recent selections for your consideration:

• 7 Best Car Batteries of 2024 Tested and Rated by Consumer Reports
• "You May Spend So Much Repairing These Cars That You Could Have Bought a Newer Model" - Used Cars to Avoid Warns Consumer Reports
• "These Top Models from Honda, Subaru, Toyota, and Others Should Suit All budgets" - 56 Best Used SUVs, Sedans, and Small Cars of 2024

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on  “Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair” website, the Zen Mechanic blog and on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites  and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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