SUV Gas Mileage

A Thorough Breakdown Of SUV Gas Mileage Factors

There are many excellent models of SUV available in today’s competitive market. With gas prices expected to rise in the future, SUV gas mileage becomes one of the primary concerns for consumers looking to purchase a vehicle. Many different factors can reduce or maximize an engine’s ability to optimize fuel. SUV MPG depends on the amount of space available, interior additions, hybrid alternate energy technology, and the performance of the suspension system. When considering a vehicle with available cargo space and a generous seating capacity, the SUV is the most logical conclusion.

With Great Power Comes Less Than Great SUV Gas Mileage

Ultimately, designers consider the vehicle’s total weight when determining how large the engine will need to be. As larger motors require more fuel, it has been up to the innovators of the industry to find ways to shed pounds and shave corners in an attempt to add those precious miles to an SUV MPG rating. As a rule, SUVs with seating for eight and the larger SUV’s will have poor fuel consumption; consumers should consider this before making a decision. Some unique SUVs that have emerged in recent years are the Crossovers. These vehicles are capable of seating roughly the same number of people as their larger cousins, admittedly less comfortably, but with a smaller, more compact power train. If space and seating are of the utmost important to the customer, they can expect to sacrifice in the form of SUV gas mileage.

The Role of the Hybrid in Increasing SUV Gas Mileage

Many SUV reviews applaud the role of hybrid engineering in reducing dependency on precious natural resources, and for good reason. Alternate energy drives such as solar and electric work to supplement the power demanded of the motor. It is common for such drives to initiate during preprogrammed intervals. In some electric-drive hybrids, the SUV ratings for mileage are astounding because the combustion engine only works half of the time. The powerful thrust of an internal combustion engine is needed for accelerating from a stop, or during passing, however, after roughly thirty miles per hour, the alternate engine can provide the energy to keep the momentum constant.

There is another revolutionary way of conserving fuel by turning of unused cylinders. While this method does not fall into the category of alternate energy, it certainly qualifies as hybrid technology. In this case, the motor is equipped with either six or eight cylinders that operate together when the demand for power is made by the driver. When the vehicle’s computer recognizes that the throttle is being idle or remaining at a constant such as during highway driving, the motor will shut down a fraction or half of the cylinders available. This reduces the fuel consumption and increases the SUV fuel economy. This technology has made it possible to engineer an SUV that has the capacity of a large vehicle, but the versatility of being a daily driver.

A popular consumer reporting company recently released its preliminary report regarding SUVs in various price ranges that received the best SUV gas mileage. While each of these included on their SUV gas mileage list have their individual merits that make them better suited for different buyers, these were categorized according to most fuel efficient SUV to the least fuel efficient. It is important to note that the top three performing vehicles on the list in the SUV gas mileage category are all utilizing some form of hybrid technology.

SUV Gas Mileage - Ford Escape Hybrid

From best mileage to worst, below is a list of the current SUVs and their city/highway MPG:

• Ford Escape Hybrid- 31/34
• Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited- 23/29
• Lexus RX 450h- 22/31
• Mini Countryman S- 19/33
• Nissan Juke- 18/31
• Subaru Forester 2.5X (MT)- 18/30
• Volkswagen Touareg- 17/31
• Mitsubishi Outlander- 18/28
• Toyota RAV-4 (4-cylinder)- 16/29
• Nissan Rogue SL- 17/27
• Mitsubishi Outlander LS (V4)- 16/30
• Kia Sportage LX- 16/30
• Hyundai Tucson GLS- 16-26

There are many other aspects of the new SUVs that add value to the consumer. The features and packages that cater to specific needs and services are crucial to demanding customers. In many SUVs space is of major concern, both for the transport of goods and supplies and that of people. Cargo room and interior amenities are improving with each new model as engineers discover new space-saving designs and utilize popular technology to improve ride quality.

SUV gas mileage is becoming a more important consideration for buyers that are looking for ways to save money. If the fuel economy is the primary concern, SUV reviews are the best way to glean information about the various models. In-depth research is vital to the buying process, saving consumers thousands of dollars, and more importantly the nauseating feeling known as buyer’s remorse. The most economical SUVs on the market in recent years have optimized the use of current technology to bring consumers what they demand.

SUV Gas Mileage – Ford Escape Hybrid Review Video