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2008's most fuel-efficient SUVs
Fuel-efficient cars by body style
- Best overall
- Sedans
- SUVs
- Trucks
Choosing a new SUV? Weigh the impact your choice will have on your wallet and on the planet. The following SUVs are ranked by city miles per gallon (MPG), followed by highway MPG based on the Environmental Protection Agency's Fuel Economy Guide for the 2008 model year. (For details of the testing, see the notes below.)
| Rank | Model | MPG: city/hwy | Annual fuel cost * | Carbon footprint (tons/yr of CO2) |
Additional info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (tie) |
Ford Escape Hybrid |
34/30 | $1916 | 5.7 tons | FWD, 4 cylinder, 2.3 liter, Automatic (CVT), HEV, Regular gas |
| 1 (tie) |
Mazda Tribute Hybrid |
34/30 | $1916 | 5.7 tons | 2WD, 4 cylinder, 2.3 liter, Automatic (CVT), HEV, Regular gas |
| 1 (tie) |
Mercury Mariner Hybrid |
34/30 | $1916 | 5.7 tons | FWD, 4 cylinder, 2.3 liter, Automatic (CVT), HEV, Regular gas |
| 4 |
Toyota Highlander Hybrid |
27/25 | $2356 | 7.1 tons | 4WD, 6 cylinder, 3.3 liter, Automatic (CVT), HEV, Regular gas |
| 5 |
Lexus RX400h |
27/24 | $2586 | 7.3 tons | 2WD, 6 cylinder, 3.3 liter, Automatic (CVT), HEV, Premium gas |
| 6 (tie) |
Jeep Compass |
23/28 | $2448 | 7.3 tons | 2WD, 4 cylinder, 2.4 liter, Manual (5), Regular gas |
| 6 (tie) |
Jeep Patriot |
23/28 | $2448 | 7.3 tons | 2WD, 4 cylinder, 2.4 liter, Manual (5), Regular gas |
| 8 |
Chevrolet HHR |
22/30 | $2448 | 7.3 tons | FWD, 4 cyl, 2.2 liter, Automatic (4), Regular gas |
| 9 (tie) |
Ford Escape |
22/28 | $2552 | 7.7 tons | FWD, 4 cylinder, 2.3 liter, Manual (5), Regular gas |
| 9 (tie) |
Mazda Tribute |
22/28 | $2552 | 7.7 tons | FWD, 4 cylinder, 2.3 liter, Manual (5), Regular gas |
Related link:
2006-2007 Fuel-efficiency guide
Notes:
* Annual fuel cost is based on an assumption of cars driven 15,000 miles annually, 54 percent on the highway, 46 percent in the city, and a fuel price of $4.08 per gallon. Visit the EPA's Web site to calculate annual fuel costs using a different fuel price or annual miles for a specific vehicle.
This year, the EPA has changed the way it estimates MPG to more accurately reflect real driving conditions. Estimates reflect the effects of: faster speeds and acceleration; air conditioner use; and colder outside temperatures. The tests lower MPG estimates for most vehicles compared to previous years. Miles per gallon will vary for models with different vehicle specifications. Driving habits will also affect MPG.
Each model is allowed to appear on the list only once, except the Honda Civic, which appears on the list twice because of its availability in both regular gasoline and gasoline-electric hybrid versions.
2 Comments
By Warthog on November 16, 2008 3:39 PM
EPA fuel stds are a joke. I drive a 2007 non-hybrid Escape and the best it has ever gotten on the highway was 16.8 MPG. The dealer said the car was running according to their standards and that was the mileage to be expected. Like I said, it's a joke. We've been building cars for 100 years and that's the best we can do? There is obviously collusion between the 'Big 3' auto makers and the oil companies to burn as much gas as possible within gov't requirements.
I had a cousin who bought a 1956 Ford Crown Victoria, a relatively big car with a V8 engine and a 4-bbl carb. He was amazed that he got 55 MPG. Ford told him it was an 'experimental' carburetor and wanted it back. It undoubtedly ended up on a back shelf in their R&D dept.
By Jane Keller Watson on November 18, 2008 9:40 AM
Note to readers:
We have now posted the EPA's updated list of 2009's most fuel-efficient SUVs.
-- Jane Keller Watson
NWautos senior editor