SUV
Hybrid and diesel SUVs combine the interior space and ride quality of an SUV with fuel-saving capabilities of hybrid cars. Some environmentalists have criticized the hybrid SUV as a misapplication of gas-electric technology. It’s true that hybrid SUVs do not reach the level of fuel efficiency of smaller hybrids in terms of miles-per-gallon. Yet, miles-per-gallon is a non-linear and counter-intuitive form of measurement. An apparently small jump in fuel efficiency—for example, from 14 to 16 mpg—saves as much oil as increasing fuel economy from 35 to 50 mpg, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.
| Name | Combined MPG | Technology | MSRP | Available | |
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Mitsubishi PX-MiEVThis mid-sized SUV plug-in hybrid has triple-threat functionality as a pure electric, a series hybrid, and a parallel hybrid. Result: About 120 mpg. |
120 MPG | Plug-in Hybrid | $0 | 2014 |
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2013 Toyota RAV4 EV ReviewBased on the 2012 RAV4, Toyota says only 2,600 RAV4 EV units will be made, with production halting at the end of 2014. |
76 MPGe | Electric | $49,800 | Now |
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Chevrolet Equinox Fuel CellA fleet of 100 Chevy Equinoxes running on hydrogen have been tested by more than 3,000 thousand real-world drivers. |
43 MPG | Hydrogen | $0 | Concept |
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2012 Ford Escape HybridThe most fuel efficient SUV available. |
32 MPG | Hybrid | $30,500 | Now |
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2007 Mercury Mariner HybridSlightly upscale version of the Ford Escape Hybrid. |
32 MPG | Hybrid | $30,100 | Discontinued |
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2008 Mazda Tribute HybridThe Mazda Tribute Hybrid is basically a re-skinned Ford Escape Hybrid, using the same powertrain and many of the same interior bits. |
32 MPG | Hybrid | $29,900 | Discontinued |
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Saturn Vue Green Line Two-ModeThe Two-Mode Hybrid version of the Saturn Vue is a solid high-efficiency V6 SUV. |
30 MPG | Hybrid | $33,000 | Discontinued |
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2013 Lexus RX 450hUpdated version of the luxury SUV with green stripes. |
30 MPG | Hybrid | $45,900 | Now |
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2013 Lexus RX 450h ReviewThe 2013 Lexus RX 450h is the perfect all-purpose vehicle as an everyday hauler of full-size people and their stuff. |
30 MPG | Hybrid | $46,310 | Now |
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2009 Pontiac VibeOne of the premier “compact crossover” vehicles in the new segment. |
29 MPG | Small Car | $17,400 | Now |
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2012 Toyota Highlander HybridThe Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the most fuel efficient seven-passenger SUV available. |
28 MPG | Hybrid | $38,100 | Now |
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2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Overview |
28 MPG | $40,170 | ||
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2007 Saturn Vue HybridThe Vue Green Line is the low-cost low-benefit hybrid SUV. |
27 MPG | Stop-Start | $24,200 | Discontinued |
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2010 Chevrolet EquinoxSmall gas-powered SUV with the highest highway fuel economy rating. |
26 MPG | $23,200 | Now | |
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2013 Audi Q5 Quattro Hybrid Overview |
26 MPG | $50,900 | Now | |
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2008 Lexus RX 400hEverything a luxury SUV buyer seeks—in a greener package. |
25 MPG | Hybrid | $42,000 | Discontinued |
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2009 BMW X5 xDrive35dHigh-performance, luxury SUV. Now more efficient as a diesel. |
23 MPG | Diesel | $52,000 | Now |
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2009 Mercedes ML 450 HybridThe Mercedes-Benz version of the Two-Mode system combines a 275-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine and two electric motors. |
22 MPG | Hybrid | $55,000 | Now |
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2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRDFollowing the success of the diesel version of the Jeep Liberty in 2005, Jeep now offers their newest diesel powertrain mated to the Grand Cherokee. |
22 MPG | Diesel | $34,400 | Discontinued |
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2013 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid ReviewCombines a direct injection engine and hybrid gas-electric system for maximum benefit. |
22 MPG | Hybrid | $62,000 | Now |
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2012 Audi Q5 HybridIn addition to saving fuel—the Q5’s combined EPA fuel economy could approach 26-27 mpg versus the gasoline model’s 22 mpg—the Q5 Hybrid teems with engineering, technology and performance. |
22 MPG | Hybrid | $35,600 | Now |
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2013 Chevrolet Tahoe HybridThe Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid makes significant strides in improving the fuel economy of the full-size SUV. |
21 MPG | Hybrid | $52,300 | Now |
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2012 Porsche Cayenne S HybridThe Cayenne S Hybrid is about as far away from the earnest nerdiness of the Prius as any Porsche can get. |
21 MPG | Hybrid | $69,000 | Now |
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2009 Mercedes ML 320 BluetecThe most popular Mercedes SUV, available in fuel-efficient clean diesel version. |
21 MPG | Diesel | $48,600 | Now |
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2013 Cadillac Escalade HybridLaunched in August 2008, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid sport-utility vehicle is unquestionably the world’s blingiest hybrid. |
21 MPG | Hybrid | $73,000 | Now |
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2013 GMC Yukon HybridThe sister vehicle of the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. Features same fuel economy in a better appointed package. |
21 MPG | Hybrid | $52,800 | Now |
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Mercedes R320 BluetecA big and heavy luxury station wagon with a clean diesel engine. |
21 MPG | Diesel | $49,100 | Now |
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2010 Audi Q7 TDILuxury seven-passenger clean diesel SUV with ultra-low emissions. |
21 MPG | Diesel | $50,900 | Now |
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2013 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid Overview |
21 MPG | Hybrid | $69,850 | Now |
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2009 Mercedes GL320 BluetecThe biggest, bluntest, and heaviest clean diesel SUV from Mercedes-Benz. |
20 MPG | Diesel | $59,200 | Now |
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2007 Chrysler Aspen HybridA hulking 5.7-liter V8 Hemi hybrid. |
19 MPG | Hybrid | $44,700 | Discontinued |
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2009 Dodge Durango HybridChrysler discontinued its hemi hybrid. |
19 MPG | Hybrid | $44,500 | Discontinued |
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BMW X6 HybridAn SUV that has crossed over into sports car territory. |
18 MPG | Hybrid | $90,000 | Now |
Top News for SUV
White House Proposes Slowing Fuel Efficiency Hikes for Large Pickups, SUVs
In a move designed to win automaker support for a new round Corporate Average Fuel Economy increases that would see