SUV’s are great and super convenient especially for families, but there is no doubt that they are hard on the wallet due to their tendency to guzzle gas. Keeping this in mind we set out to find some great options for those of our readers that wanted all the great features of an SUV just without the dismal fuel economy.
We think you will be pretty pleased to see that there are in fact many sport utility vehicles that have surprisingly good gas mileage. Take a look at our choices for SUV’s with the best gas mileage.
Mercedes Benz M Class
We know that a Mercedes Benz M Class wouldn’t traditionally be your first thought when wondering which SUV’s get the best gas mileage, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that the M Class has some of the best fuel economy out there for a vehicle of its size. It gets roughly 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. This is pretty good considering the 3.5L engine with V 6 cylinders that it is hiding under the hood. This strong and fuel efficient engine hosts a 7 speed automatic transmission and 302 horsepower with 6500 rpm. That’s a lot of power considering that it doesn’t suck up gas like other vehicles with similar specs.
The Mercedes Benz M Class also offers a serene and smooth ride. This is an SUV with an all-wheel drive train that makes it a safe option and a nice driving vehicle. This is due in large part to the double wishbone front suspension and front and rear stabilizer bar.
The M Class is a luxury crossover 4 door SUV that comfortably accommodates 5 passengers. There is rich interior with very roomy back seats. The rear seats are collapsible to allow for more cargo space if need be. As if the M class being one of SUV’s with the best gas mileage wasn’t enough of a draw, there are some other really great features to add to its appeal. There is a great video monitor for an added safety feature when reversing as well as excellent 100 watt stereo output, 8 total speakers and speed sensitive volume control.
Volkswagen Toureg
The Volkswagen Toureg is another SUV with the best gas mileage. It has a powerful and fuel efficient engine that helps it achieve fuel economy of 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The 6.0L engine with V 6 turbo cylinders is fantastic and made even better by the 8 speed shiftable automatic transmission with 280 horsepower at 6200 rpm’s.
The Toureg is a fantastic all wheel drive train vehicle that drives as smooth as glass with its double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. The 18 inch alloy wheels certainly don’t hurt either. They provide the driver a sense of confidence when handling.
The interior of this vehicle is very classy and sharp looking. The Volkswagen Toureg is a roomy 4 door SUV that comfortably seats 5 passengers with plenty of spare room for cargo. Some extra features that increase the appeal are the Sirius XM satellite radio, radio data system, Bluetooth wireless data link for hands-free phone and the variable intermittent rain sensing wipers.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a fantastic urban crossover SUV with awesome fuel economy of 25 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. The fuel gas mileage is aided by the 2.0L engine inline 4 cylinders since the inline feature is very easy on the gas tank. The 5 speed manual continuously variable transmission and 148 horsepower at 6000 rpm provide the Outlander with a little extra power too.
This is a very smooth and quiet driving SUV with its front and rear stabilizer bar along with the multi-link suspension. The four wheel suspension and alloy wheels help with the nice drive too. The Outlander has very safe crash test ratings which make it the perfect family vehicle in our opinion as well.
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a comfortable 4 door SUV capable of seating 5 passengers. The spacious rear seats are collapsible for extra room to haul cargo. We love the added bonus features like Bluetooth wireless data link for hands free phone use and standard voice activated electronics interface too.
GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain is a rather large SUV that has really amazing fuel economy for its size. The Terrain is able to get about 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The powerful 2.4L engine with an inline 4 cylinder and 6 speed shiftable automatic transmission with 182 horsepower at 6700 rpm’s are an amazing addition.
As if the fuel economy alone isn’t enough of a reason to love the GMC Terrain we have to love what a comfortable highway ride it provides. The quiet drive with little outside noise heard is due in large part to the front wheel drive train as well as the MacPherson strut front suspension with multi-link rear suspension. The Terrain also has some very high crash test ratings in its corner too.
The GMC Terrain has a really spacious backseat with collapsible seats. This 4 door SUV can easily and comfortably seat 5 passengers with ease. It also has great features such as built in hands free calling with Bluetooth technology, a turn by turn installed navigation system and roadside assistance and 80 watts stereo output with 6 total speakers.
Jeep Patriot
We love the Jeep Patriot for its shockingly good gas mileage considering that Jeeps are usually notorious gas hogs. This SUV has a fuel economy of 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. It has a pretty fuel conscious 2.0L engine with 4 inline cylinders and 5 speed manual transmission to help it along.
The Patriot drives nicely on the highway and is relatively quiet. The front wheel drive and four wheel independent suspensions are largely responsible for its great drivability. This isn’t really a car to go off roading in, but it is a good SUV for commuting.
This 4 door SUV seats 4 passengers with a middle seat for one additional person, but it is a little cramped when adding that 5th person a d there isn’t a ton of leg room either. It definitely a comfortable and simple vehicle without a ton of bells and whistles, but its lack of high tech options is well made up for by it being an SUV with the best gas mileage.
