Most Efficient SUV's
Below are the top 10 most efficient SUV's according to their city
fuel consumption.
The top positions are dominated by hybrid SUV's but there's also some fairly economical gasoline powered SUV's in the list, which are considerably cheaper. Two wheel drive SUV's tend to have better fuel efficiency than four wheel drive versions since they are lighter and send power to the wheels more efficiently. For any off-road work though 4WD is a necessity and doesn't impact fuel consumption too badly.
The Toyota Highlander hybrid 4WD offers good fuel economy when you consider it has the same consumption as the Escape 4WD but has a much larger more practical engine.
| Efficient Car |
Engine |
City L/100km |
Hwy L/100km |
| FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2WD |
2.5L hybrid |
5.8 |
6.5 |
| FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 4WD |
2.5L hybrid |
6.6 |
7.3 |
| TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 4WD |
3.5L hybrid |
6.6 |
7.3 |
| LEXUS RX 450h AWD |
3.5L hybrid |
6.7 |
7.2 |
| MITSUBISHI RVR 2WD |
2.0L gasoline |
8.4 |
6.6 |
| MITSUBISHI RVR 4WD |
2.0L gasoline |
8.4 |
6.6 |
| JEEP COMPASS 2WD |
2.4L gasoline |
9.0 |
7.0 |
| JEEP PATRIOT 2WD |
2.4L gasoline |
9.0 |
7.0 |
| MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER 2WD |
2.4L gasoline |
9.0 |
7.0 |
| NISSAN ROGUE |
2.5L gasoline |
9.0 |
7.0 |
FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2WD
The Ford Escape Hybrid is the most efficient SUV although it is only two wheel drive. Its also available as a four wheel drive for only a 0.8L/100KM increase in fuel consumption. The Ford Escape Hybrid was
the first ever hybrid SUV to be released.
This SUV is a full hybrid - it can drive on pure electric
power, pure gasoline power, or a combination of both, depending on speed
and performance demands. The Escape can drive solely on electric motors
to 40 mph.
Ford borrowed some of Toyota's patented hybrid technology in order to build the Escape.
This allowed a shorter development time and to jump ahead of the competition.