Gas-chugging SUVs and crossovers have taken a backseat as prices at the pump continue to rise. For those needing a bigger vehicle to get their family or gear around town, Cars.com identified the SUVs and crossovers that offer the best bang for a consumer's buck based upon each vehicle's sticker price and estimated lifetime fuel cost.

To help consumers select the most cost-effective SUVs and crossovers with respect to fuel economy, the experts at Cars.com identified the top 10 vehicles in these segments that deliver the best bang for the buck based on base sticker price and estimated lifetime fuel cost. The 2008 Jeep Patriot tops the list with a base price of $16,485 and average fuel economy of 28 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in the city.

The list was compiled by combining each car's base sticker price (as of 8/24/08) with a fuel cost estimate based on the car's EPA-estimated gas mileage. Fuel costs assume that the car is driven 15,000 miles per year, 55 percent in the city and 45 percent on the highway; that the cost of regular unleaded gasoline is $4 a gallon; and that the car is owned for eight years.

Best Bang for Your Buck SUVs/Crossovers

All cars listed are two-wheel drive.

Vehicle

MPG
(city/hwy)

Base Sticker

Lifetime Fuel

Sticker &
Lifetime Fuel

1. Jeep Patriot

23/28

$16,485

$19,193

$35,678

2. Jeep Compass

23/28

$17,475

$19,193

$36,668

3. Kia Sportage

20/25

$16,050

$21,840

$37,890

4. Ford Escape

22/28

$19,140

$19,714

$38,854

5. Mazda Tribute

22/28

$19,240

$19,714

$38,954

6. Hyundai Tucson

20/25

$17,420

$21,840

$39,260

7. Nissan Rogue(a)

22/27

$19,430

$20,000

$39,430

8. Mazda Tribute Hybrid(a)

34/30

$25,310

$15,153

$40,463

9. Honda Element(a)

20/25

$19,780

$21,840

$41,620

10. Mitsubishi Outlander(a)

20/25

$19,990

$21,840

$41,830

(a) Denotes automatic transmission