Choosing a large SUV entails considering many factors. From seating capacity to the engine, different things come into play. One thing that you should not ignore, however, is fuel consumption.
If you are looking for a large SUV with the best gas mileage, read on. Despite its size and power, you can find a vehicle with great fuel efficiency.
Top Large SUVs With Best Gas Mileage
Many people hesitate to buy a large SUV because it often means high fuel consumption. If you know what to choose, however, gas mileage should not be an issue. Below are some of the top SUVs that should be on your radar.
2022 Ford Expedition
With a seating capacity of up to eight people, the 2022 Ford Expedition is one of the best large SUVs in the market. It is Ford’s most versatile and largest family SUV. Not to mention, it has a tow rating of 9,300 pounds. Despite being a beast, it is fuel-efficient.
On average, the 2022 Ford Expedition has a fuel consumption of 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. If you want the best in terms of fuel consumption, then choose the EcoBoost engine instead of the V8. The fuel consumption may still be high, but such is notable considering the size and power of the Expedition. If you’re thinking of getting an Expedition, you might want to avoid these Ford Expedition years.
2022 Hyundai Palisade
An upscale three-row SUV, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade is ultra-stylish and family-friendly. From the interior to the exterior, it is reflective of luxury. It also has a ten-year 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which demonstrates how confident the manufacturer is of its quality. Plus, it has been awarded a five-star safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The 2022 Hyundai Palisade is available in different trims, including SE, Limited, and Calligraphy. While they have different features, they share the same numbers in terms of gas mileage. The average city consumption is 19 mpg and 26 mpg for highways. Meanwhile, the combined rating is 22 mpg.
2022 Cadillac XT6
Those who are looking for a luxurious and large SUV will surely not be disappointed with the 2022 Cadillac XT6. It has a 2.0-liter or 3.6-liter V6 engine with a nine-speed transmission. Plus, the SUV features Brembo performance front brakes for highly responsive stopping power. It also has a Smart Towing Trailering System, which has a maximum hauling capacity of 4,000 pounds.
According to the EPA, the 2022 Cadillac XT6 with a standard turbo-four engine has an average fuel consumption of 21 mpg for city driving and 27 mpg for highway driving. The trim with a V6 engine is slightly less efficient with a rating of 19 mpg for city driving and 26 mpg for highway driving.
2022 Audi Q7
Audi markets the Q7 as the most substantial SUV in their lineup. Large and luxurious, it seats seven people and has incredible performance. Looking at the technical specs, the 2022 Audi Q7 has 335 HP, 369 lb-ft of torque, and can go from zero to 60 mph in only 5.6 seconds. Additionally, the SUV packs the most innovative technologies, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
Based on EPA estimates, the Q7 has an average fuel consumption of 20 mpg for city driving, 25 mpg for highway driving, and 22 mpg combined. Before you think that such is low, consider the fact that it has a powerful engine, so it is still efficient compared to many of its competitors.
2022 Nissan Armada
A full-sized eight-seater SUV, the 2022 Nissan Armada is another great option for people who are looking for a luxurious ride while enjoying great fuel economy. It has a V8 engine under the hood that delivers plenty of power on the road, up to 400 HP. It moves with confidence especially because of its commanding appearance, which is sure to turn heads.
Even if the Nissan Armada has incredible on-road performance, it is fuel-efficient. It has 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. Meanwhile, with an all-wheel drive, the numbers are lower by 1 mpg, but still great considering that all of the trims have an automatic transmission and a V8 engine.
2022 Cadillac Escalade
The 2022 Cadillac Escalade pushes the boundaries of innovation. It has a 38-inch curved OLED display, which is one of the most impressive dashboards we have ever seen.
The SUV packs some of the best features within the competitive landscape. For instance, it has Super Cruise, which the company markets as the first true hands-free driving assistance. It also has AKG Studio, promising an immersive audio experience on the road.
In terms of fuel economy, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade has a rating of 14 mpg for the city and 19 mpg for the highway. Meanwhile, it is available in two powertrains. The first has a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 HP. More so, there is also a variant with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline engine.
2022 Dodge Durango
A luxurious and driver-centric SUV, the 2022 Dodge Durango is another great addition to our list. It has a three-row configuration that can seat up to seven people. You can choose from three engine options, including a Hemi V8 engine that delivers up to 475 HP.
The 2022 Dodge Durango is available in various trims with varying mileage. The SRT 392 has the lowest fuel economy, which is approximately 13 mpg for the city, 19 mpg for the highway, and 15 mpg combined.
Meanwhile, RT and RT Plus have a rating of 14 mpg for the city, 22 mpg for the highway, and 17 mpg combined. Lastly, the most fuel-efficient are Citadel, SXT, GT, and GT Plus, which has a consumption of 14 mpg for city, 22 mpg for highway, and 17 mpg combined.
2022 Toyota Highlander
“See where your limits take you”—this is the tagline of the 2022 Toyota Highlander. It speaks of how the large SUV challenges what is conventional and offers the best technologies available in the competitive market.
Aside from the handsome styling, it has sports-tuned suspension, dynamic torque vectoring, and automatic braking, among other notable features.
If you want the best fuel economy, then you should go for the Highlander XLE Hybrid Bronze Edition, which is known for its impressive fuel efficiency.
It has an EPA rating of 36 mpg for city, 35 mpg for highway, and 36 mpg combined. Despite being efficient, it has great performance features, such as electronic on-demand all-wheel drive.
2022 GMC Yukon
Those who want to experience the epitome of GMC performance should consider the 2022 Yukon as their next SUV. It has premium wheels and a bold grille, which will turn heads on the road.
It also has a Prograde Trailering System with a maximum capacity of 8,400 pounds. Another great feature is the GMC infotainment system with Google built-in for unsurpassed connectivity.
Despite being large and powerful, the 2022 GMC Yukon has excellent fuel economy. According to EPA ratings, it runs 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Combined, the fuel economy is rated as 22 mpg.
2022 Chevy Tahoe
With a seating capacity of seven to eight people, this full-sized SUV is impossible to ignore. It is available in six different trims with varying specs, so you can pick one that suits your budget and preference. The most affordable is the Tahoe LS, which features a 10-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels, and an option for either a 5.3-liter V8 or 3.0 Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine.
The fuel economy of the 2022 Chevy Tahoe differs depending on the specific model. Two of the most efficient are the 2WD LS and LT. According to EPA ratings, these models have an average consumption of 15 mpg for city driving and 20 mpg for highway driving.
2022 BMW X7
Marketed as a sports activity vehicle instead of a conventional sports utility vehicle, the BMW X7 is available in generous configurations for a comfortable on-road experience.
Aside from the expansive space, it also has a two-axle air suspension to promote driving comfort. Plus, it has heated front seats with optional ventilation and massage features.
For the X7 xDrive40i, the estimated fuel economy is 19 mpg for city driving and 24 mpg for highway driving. On the other hand, the BMW x7M5i has an average consumption of 15 mpg for city driving and 21 mpg for highway driving.
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan
This stylish and versatile SUV has some of the most innovative technologies in the market but remains driver-friendly. One of the most advanced features is the digital cockpit with a high-resolution display and state-of-the-art navigation. It also has great features that will let you stay connected even on the road.
As for its fuel efficiency, the SUV has a rating of 23 mpg for city and 30 mpg for highway. If you are using all-wheel drive, however, the ratings drop by 1 mpg. Despite having great gas mileage, it has incredible power. The latter is made possible by the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is capable of delivering 184 HP.
2022 Mercedes Benz GLS
A posh and powerful large SUV, the Mercedes Benz GLS is another great addition to this list. It combines the most luxurious interior and exterior features with best-in-class performance. Among other features, it is exceptional because of the inline-six turbocharged engine with 362 HP. There is also a 48-volt hybrid system, which makes it fuel-efficient.
According to EPA rating, the 2022 Mercedes Benz GLS has an average consumption of 19 mpg for city driving and 23 mpg for highway driving. It may not be as high as other large SUVs, but it is still decent considering the power that you can expect from this vehicle.
2022 Volkswagen Atlas
From its spacious three-row interior to precise handling, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is another notable large SUV with impeccable fuel economy. It has 96.8 cubic feet of cabin space when the interior seat is folded down. To ensure your comfort, the SUV has three-zone automatic climate control. We also love the sleek touchscreen navigation display.
More than the modern features, the Volkswagen Atlas is excellent because of its gas mileage. According to EPA ratings, the most efficient option is the one with a four-cylinder engine, which runs 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
2022 Lincoln Navigator
The 2022 Lincoln Navigator is packed with the latest technologies that set it apart from the competition. One of the most notable features is Activeglide, which will let you operate the vehicle hands-free. It also has adaptive road suspension with road preview, which prepares the suspension for challenging terrain conditions.
With a V6 engine under the hood, the power of the SUV is incredible. It can go from zero to 60mph in only 5.9 seconds. It has 450 HP and a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Even with all its great features, the Lincoln Navigator has a great fuel economy, which is approximately 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
How to Improve Gas Mileage of a Large SUV
Aside from choosing the right make and model, below are other things that can help in improving a large SUV’s gas mileage:
- Take it easy on the pedal. Whether you are braking or accelerating, any force on the pedal can increase the fuel consumption by up to 30%. Be more sensible when driving and do not act like you are always in a race.
- If your SUV has cruise control, take advantage of such a feature. Nonetheless, this can improve gas mileage only if you do it under the right conditions. You should never use it when driving on hilly terrain.
- Always check the tire pressure. This is important not just for safety but also for fuel economy. Under-inflated tires will inevitably increase your gas consumption as it makes it more difficult for the SUV to run.
- Remove the clutter in your SUV, especially the heavy ones. Even if it has generous cabin space, it does not mean that you can just fill it with anything, even if you do not need them. The higher the weight is, the more effort the engine has to exert, which also makes the SUV consume more gas.
- Watch your speed. Keep it consistent, especially if you are driving on the highway. Any significant change, especially during acceleration, can make your SUV use more gas, hurting its fuel efficiency.
Conclusion
Large SUVs often get a bad reputation in terms of fuel economy. It makes sense since they have big and powerful engines, which typically consume a lot of gas. Nonetheless, the models above prove that there are still many large SUVs that can deliver great efficiency as proven by their gas mileage.
