2023 SUVs with The Best Gas Mileage
Which SUV Gets the Best Gas Mileage?
All differences aside, and without counting plug-in hybrids, with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 44 mpg highway, the most fuel-efficient SUV is the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. But right behind it is the 2023 Lexus UX Hybrid, achieving up to 43 mpg city via a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine combined with Lexus Hybrid Drive.
And in the 38 to 41 mpg range, which is still
very good gas mileage for an SUV, there's a handful of popular vehicles: 2023
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (41 mpg city), 2023 Lexus NX 350h (41 mpg city), 2023 Toyota Venza (40 mpg city), and 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid (38 mpg city/hwy/combined).
With continuous improvements to engine design
and hybrid technologies, the list of most fuel-efficient SUVs grows each year,
and offers lots of variety with unique body styles and increasing levels of
luxury.
Plug-in Hybrid SUVs with the Best Fuel Efficiency
With the support of a battery and dedicated electric motors, a plug-in hybrid SUV can extend the overall driving range of a full tank of gas thanks to its ability to travel a few dozen miles on just electric power. And when the gas engine is active, the electric motor assists with extra torque to further lessen fuel consumption while cruising.
For the 2023 model year, the plug-in hybrid SUV with the best fuel efficiency is the Toyota RAV4 Prime SE with an EPA-estimated rating of 94 mpg-e. And even without the all-electric performance, the RAV4 Prime's core powertrain is still very efficient, offering up to 40 mpg city.
Other fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid SUVs include the Lexus NX 450h+ AWD (84 mpg-e), the 2023 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring (78 mpg-e), and the 2023 Mini Countryman SE (73 mpg-e).
Which SUV Brands Have the Best Gas Mileage?
While SUVs offer a lot of passenger room and cargo space, the trade off can often be less than ideal fuel consumption since it takes a lot of effort to move a large, heavy vehicle. That said, there are many brands that are excelling at lightweight manufacturing and efficient designs so that we can enjoy the comfort and versatility of an SUV while conserving gasoline.
Here's a short list of the brands with SUVs that have the best gas mileage (31 mpg or 49 mpg-e and higher), all of which are available at AutoNation USA used car dealerships nationwide:
Tips for Optimizing Fuel Efficiency in SUVs
Many modern SUVs already employ lots of engineering strategies to optimize fuel consumption, like engine start/stop technology, gas-free coasting, and smaller, more powerful engines, to name a few.
But there are also some things that you as a driver can do to help maximize your SUV's gas mileage. First, try to be gentler on the gas pedal, especially when you're accelerating from a stopped position. Launching quickly from a standstill requires a lot of torque, which in turn, consumes more fuel. Hybrid and plug-in Hybrid SUVs do their best to use electric motors first for these low-rpm scenarios, but if you press the gas pedal far enough, the engine will be called upon to produce more power, and burn more gasoline.
Knowing that hard accelerations are a detriment to fuel economy, it also makes sense to maintain a steady speed for as long as possible. You can do this by using cruise control, not following the car in front so closely, and not braking aggressively.
Another helpful tip is to let off the gas pedal and start coasting earlier when you know you're approaching a red light. There's really no reason to continue accelerating to a stop light, so ease up on the pedal from further away, and let the vehicle coast to a lower speed before gently applying the brakes.
And one of the easiest things to do is make sure your SUV's tires are properly inflated. Underinflated tires have a higher rolling resistance on the road, and require more power from the engine to maintain speed. Tires that are underinflated by 10 psi could reduce fuel efficiency by up to 10%. Check your tire pressure regularly, especially when the seasons change as air expands when hot, and contracts when cold.
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Displayed MPG is based on applicable EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition (hybrid models only) and other factors.
*AZ - Taxes, title, registration fees, government fees, and $799 dealer services fee is not included in price.
CO - Taxes, registration fees, and government fees are not included in price. Dealer delivery and handling fee of $799 included in price.
FL - Sales tax or other taxes, tag, title, registration fees, government fees, tag agency/electronic filing fee and $995 dealer service fee are not included in quoted price.
GA - Dealer service fee of $899 included in quoted price. Sales tax or other taxes, tag, registration fees, and government fees are not included in quoted price.
MO - Taxes, title, registration fees, government fees, and $604.47 dealer document fee are not included in price.
NC - Taxes, title, registration fees, government fees, $149 electronic filing fee and up to $899 dealer administrative fee are not included in price.
NM - Sales tax or other taxes, tag, title, registration fees, government fees, and $799 Dealer Service Transfer Fee are not included in quoted price.
NV - Taxes, title, registration fees, government fees, and $799 dealer document fee are not included in price.
SC - SC Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF), tags, title, or any other applicable taxes and fees and are not included in quoted price. Price includes $599 Closing Fee. IMF is to be paid at the time of titling and registering a newly purchased vehicle unless an exemption applies. The IMF is 5% of purchase price, not to exceed $500. In addition to the IMF, there are fees associated with titling and registering the vehicle, as well as property taxes.
TX - Taxes, license, title, registration fees, government fees, and up to $225 dealer documentary fee are not included in price.
