Do you dream of owning an SUV, but dread the thought of filling it up at the gas station? Filling that up could leave you crying. If you really want this type of car, you need to know which the SUVs with best gas mileage are. Hybrids should be considered when making this comparison, but you need to look at more than just fuel efficiency. When you decide to purchase a hybrid to save on gas over the life of the car, you can expect to pay thousands more up front.
Another factor to consider when looking at cars with the best gas mileage is the size of the vehicle. You may want a small SUV or a large one may be all that will accommodate your family. Don’t automatically assume that a small SUV will always get better gas mileage than a large one. Some of the mid-sized and large SUVs do better in this category than smaller ones. It’s all a matter of knowing which ones are which. When you have this information in hand, you can make an informed decision as to which car is right for you.
When it comes to the 2012 model year, the best gas mileage SUVs are the Chevrolet Equinox and the GMC Terrain while the worst are the Chevrolet Suburban 2500 and the GMC Yukon XL 2500. The Equinox and Terrain get 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The Suburban 2500 and Yukon XL 2500, in contrast, get 10 mpg in the city and 15 on the highway. The average for all vehicles in this class was 17/24 with the range running from 10-32. This information was gathered from the EPA’s 2012 Fuel Economy Guide.
No matter which SUV you ultimately choose, there are ways you can save on gas each and every time you get behind the wheel. Accelerate slowly rather than punching it when a light turns green. Never speed to a red light either. If you let your foot off the gas and gradually slow down, you will save on fuel. The slower you drive, the less gas your vehicle will consume as resistance is less at lower speeds. Don’t let the car run when you are going to be sitting for a few minutes. It is best to turn it off and save on gas. SUVs are great cars, but can be fuel hogs. Keep this advice in mind when you go shopping and when you drive and your fuel costs won’t break the bank.
