Toyota is a Japanese car manufacturer that has really mastered the art of producing fuel efficient vehicles.
This has transitioned into their SUV production, with their Yaris Cross being a top pick on the market for fuel efficiency.
The Toyota Yaris Cross is a small SUV that was released in 2020, offering strong MPG to motorists across the world.
Arriving in a 116hp hybrid-petrol variant that sees fuel economy of up to 62.8 mpg, the crossover SUV holds fantastic efficiency regarding its fuel consumption.
Even if it’s a smaller SUV, the MPG that the Toyota Yaris Cross holds is as good as it gets within the vehicle segment.
2. Nissan Qashqai
A leading car manufacturer globally,
Nissan produce some of the most reliable mid-range cars on the market.
An undeniable hit for Nissan is their ever-popular
Qashqai, a crossover SUV released globally in 2006.
So popular in fact, it topped the best-selling car list in the UK in 2022, coming second place as the UK’s most popular car the following year.
A contributing factor to the popularity of Nissan’s flagship model is the vehicle’s fuel efficiency, in which it garners up to 54.3 mpg.
Not just known for reliability and external design, the Nissan Qashqai has great fuel efficiency across many variants of its lifespan.
Honda are another car brand making this list that has been manufacturing reliable and fuel efficient cars for many years now.
The Japanese manufacturers have a number of SUVs throughout their model line-up, however, their
HR-V is a popular model that receives great praise for its fuel efficient capabilities.
A small sized SUV that also holds a respectable 106 hp engine, the HR-V offers a safe yet practical drive along with good levels of fuel efficiency.
The Honda HR-V has a solid fuel economy of up to 52.3 mpg, saving motorists money on all journey distances.
A reliable vehicle paired with great fuel economy, the Honda HR-V holds its own in the SUV market for practicality, performance, and fuel economy.
Peugeot have an array of quality vehicles that have been popular choices amongst UK drivers.
Their SUV range is vast, with models like the 2008 and 5008 garnering much praise over the years.
Peugeot’s standout for MPG capabilities is their 3008, a mid-sized SUV that offers great interior room as well as its fuel economy.
The latest
Peugeot 3008 generation offers fuel economy of up to 52.5 mpg as well as steady fuel efficiency performance on motorways.
With the 3008’s popularity for its size and fuel efficiency, Peugeot have prided themselves on the 3008 being a top pick for SUV drivers across the world.
Overall, the SUVs on this list represent some of the best balances of fuel efficiency and practicality currently available.
While none of these vehicles will be mistaken for the greatest fuel efficiency across all vehicle segments, they offer significantly improved MPG compared to many other SUVs in their class.
Remember that real-world fuel economy can vary based on driving habits and conditions.
This list is not exhaustive, and many other fuel-efficient SUVs are available depending on your specific needs and preferences.
FAQs:
Do SUV tyres affect fuel economy?
Yes, quite significantly. Tyres with higher rolling resistance require more energy to keep the vehicle moving, which burns more fuel. For an already heavier vehicle like an SUV, fitting tyres with a good energy efficiency rating can make a noticeable difference to real-world MPG. When replacing tyres on a fuel-efficient SUV, it's worth checking the EU tyre label — tyres are graded from A to E for fuel efficiency, and choosing an A or B-rated tyre is an easy way to protect the economy figures you bought the car for.
Does driving style affect SUV fuel economy as much as it does smaller cars?
If anything, it affects it more. The heavier the vehicle, the more energy is needed to accelerate and decelerate it. Aggressive acceleration and late, heavy braking on an SUV burns considerably more fuel than smooth, progressive driving. Keeping to steady speeds on motorways, anticipating traffic early, and avoiding unnecessary idling can all bring real-world economy much closer to the manufacturer's official figures.
Are diesel SUVs more fuel efficient than petrol or hybrid ones?
Diesel SUVs tend to return strong MPG figures on longer motorway journeys, where their engines operate most efficiently. However, for mixed or urban driving, a petrol hybrid like several of the models featured above will often match or beat a diesel on fuel costs — and without the added expense of AdBlue and diesel particulate filter maintenance. If most of your driving is urban or short trips, a hybrid is generally the better choice for keeping fuel costs down.
Does carrying a full load of passengers or luggage hurt fuel economy in an SUV?
Yes. Extra weight means the engine has to work harder, which increases fuel consumption. SUVs are designed to carry more load than smaller cars, but filling one with seven passengers and a packed boot will still reduce MPG compared to driving solo. Roof boxes and bike racks add aerodynamic drag on top of the weight penalty, so removing them when not in use is a simple way to recover some of that lost efficiency.
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