To rate cars' mix of performance and fuel economy (the muscle per gallon index), we multiplied the horsepower rating by the city MPG number, then divided by 100.
| Rank | Make | Model | Base MSRP | Engine Type | Horsepower | City MPG | Muscle per gallon index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford | Escape Hybrid | $26,505 | Gas/electric I4 | 155 | 34 | 52.7 |
| 2 | Toyota | RAV4 | $26,820 | Gas V6 | 269 | 19 | 51.1 |
| 3 | BMW | X3 | $38,000 | Gas I6 | 260 | 19 | 49.4 |
| 4 | Mercury | Mariner Hybrid | $28,945 | Gas/electric I4 | 155 | 29 | 45.0 |
| 5 | Subaru | Forester | $26,995 | Turbo gas 4-cyl | 224 | 19 | 42.6 |
| 6 | Pontiac | Torrent | $27,820 | Gas V6 | 264 | 16 | 42.2 |
| 6 | Chevrolet | Equinox | $27,820 | Gas V6 | 264 | 16 | 42.2 |
| 8 | Saturn | Vue | $26,800 | Gas V6 | 257 | 16 | 41.1 |
| 9 | Dodge | Nitro | $24,665 | Gas V6 | 255 | 16 | 40.8 |
| 9 | Acura | RDX | $33,195 | Gas I4 | 240 | 17 | 40.8 |
| 11 | Suzuki | XL7 | $26,299 | Gas V6 | 252 | 16 | 40.3 |
| 12 | Kia | Sorento | $26,195 | Gas V6 | 262 | 15 | 39.3 |
| 13 | Nissan | Xterra | $28,740 | Gas V6 | 261 | 15 | 39.2 |
| 14 | Dodge | Nitro | $19,595 | Gas V6 | 210 | 18 | 37.8 |
| 15 | Mitsubishi | Outlander | $23,870 | Gas V6 | 220 | 17 | 37.4 |
| 16 | Land Rover | LR2 | $33,985 | Gas I6 | 230 | 16 | 36.8 |
| 17 | Jeep | Patriot | $15,475 | Gas I4 | 158 | 23 | 36.3 |
| 17 | Kia | Sorento | $24,195 | Gas V6 | 242 | 15 | 36.3 |
| 19 | Jeep | Compass | $18,225 | Gas I4 | 172 | 21 | 36.1 |
| 20 | Mercury | Mariner | $24,055 | Gas V6 | 200 | 18 | 36.0 |
| 21 | Nissan | Rogue | $20,570 | Gas I4 | 170 | 21 | 35.7 |
| 22 | Toyota | RAV4 | $24,225 | Gas I4 | 166 | 21 | 34.9 |
| 23 | Subaru | Forester | $21,195 | Gas flat 4-cyl | 173 | 20 | 34.6 |
| 24 | Jeep | Patriot | $21,945 | Gas I4 | 172 | 20 | 34.4 |
| 25 | Mazda | Tribute | $26,505 | Gas V6 | 200 | 17 | 34.0 |
| 25 | Ford | Escape | $25,755 | Gas V6 | 200 | 17 | 34.0 |
| 27 | Mitsubishi | Outlander | $19,990 | Gas I4 | 168 | 20 | 33.6 |
| 28 | Saturn | Vue | $24,370 | Gas V6 | 222 | 15 | 33.3 |
| 29 | Honda | CR-V | $26,700 | Gas I4 | 166 | 20 | 33.2 |
| 29 | Jeep | Compass | $22,255 | Gas I4 | 158 | 21 | 33.2 |
| 31 | Saturn | Vue | $21,250 | Gas I4 | 169 | 19 | 32.1 |
| 32 | Jeep | Liberty | $26,125 | Gas V6 | 210 | 15 | 31.5 |
| 32 | Suzuki | Grand Vitara | $23,749 | Gas V6 | 185 | 17 | 31.5 |
| 32 | Pontiac | Torrent | $24,845 | Gas V6 | 185 | 17 | 31.5 |
| 32 | Chevrolet | Equinox | $27,515 | Gas V6 | 185 | 17 | 31.5 |
| 36 | Mercury | Mariner | $21,155 | Gas I4 | 153 | 20 | 30.6 |
| 36 | Ford | Escape | $20,005 | Gas I4 | 153 | 20 | 30.6 |
| 38 | Jeep | Wrangler | $20,795 | Gas V6 | 202 | 15 | 30.3 |
| 39 | Kia | Sportage | $21,395 | Gas V6 | 173 | 17 | 29.4 |
| 39 | Hyundai | Tucson | $22,735 | Gas V6 | 173 | 17 | 29.4 |
| 41 | Mazda | Tribute | $23,075 | Gas I4 | 153 | 19 | 29.1 |
| 42 | Hyundai | Tucson | $17,235 | Gas I4 | 140 | 20 | 28.0 |
| 43 | Saturn | Vue Hybrid | $24,170 | Gas/electric I4 | 172 | 16 | 27.5 |
| 44 | Kia | Sportage | $19,045 | Gas I4 | 140 | 19 | 26.6 |
