Who You Calling an Oxymoron?
It's almost an oxymoron... best gas mileage? SUV? Say WHAT?!?! Traditionally SUVs have had the stigma of being gas guzzling hogs that emit large amounts of pollution while quickly draining the earth of its natural resources (and it's driver of his money). Despite the knowledge of these vehicles, consumers embraced them for their status and aesthetic appeal. Who isn't impressed with a spiffy new Cadillac Escalade rolling down the road on 22's (inch rims that is)! They're a spectacle, but offer undeniable appeal. Gas prices have always been historically low and fuel costs were seldom in the mind of buyers. Of course, all of that has changed now as more and more people are moving towards smaller, fuel efficient cars than the once beloved SUVs from Hummer, Cadillac, and GMC. Still, there are those who simply NEED an SUV to accommodate their growing family and / or love for off road travel. The following Best SUV Gas Mileage chart is designed to help you find the SUV that offers the most mileage bang for the buck. As you'll see, hybrids are no longer limited to just compact cars. As the fuel crisis continues and oil costs rise, more and more gains in fuel efficiency for SUVs will be made. Make no mistake, there is huge profit in the SUV markets and auto-makers are scrambling to ensure they get that piece of the pie back!
Chart of Best SUV Gas Mileage
| Rank |
Make |
Model |
City MPG |
Highway MPG |
Average MPG |
| 1 |
Ford |
Escape Hybrid FWD |
34 |
30 |
32 |
| 2 |
Mazda |
Tribute Hybrid 2WD |
34 |
30 |
32 |
| 3 |
Mercury |
Mariner Hybrid FWD |
34 |
30 |
32 |
| 4 |
Saturn |
Vue Hybrid 2WD |
25 |
32 |
28 |
| 5 |
Toyota |
Highlander Hybrid 2WD |
27 |
25 |
26 |
| 6 |
Lexus |
RX 400h (Hybrid) |
27 |
24 |
25 |
| 7 |
Jeep |
Compass 2WD |
23 |
28 |
25 |
| 8 |
Jeep |
Patriot 2WD |
23 |
28 |
25 |
| 9 |
Ford |
Escape |
22 |
28 |
25 |
| 10 |
Mazda |
Tribute |
22 |
28 |
25 |
Oh Mileage, to SUV or Not SUV?
With hybrid SUVs making their splash on the market, it's possible that these family-hauling machines may once again grow to prominence in American households. Even with a hybrid engine under the hood, they retain their status and awe-inspiring stance that made people fall in love with them in the first place. Rest assured as technology continues to improve you'll be getting the best SUV gas mileage!