Shelf order · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Most efficient
Most efficient
sport utility vehicle - 4wd
97 models ranked on the EPA's own combined figure — no manufacturer claims, no road tests, no paid placement. Topped by the Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD at 29 MPG.
Ranked on the test sheet, best first
| # | Model | Combined | Fuel/yr | Per mile | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD | 29 MPG | $1655 | $0.110 | 2005–2011 |
| 2 | Mazda Tribute Hybrid 4WD | 29 MPG | $1655 | $0.110 | 2006–2011 |
| 3 | Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD | 29 MPG | $1655 | $0.110 | 2006–2011 |
| 4 | Subaru Forester AWD | 29 MPG | $1655 | $0.110 | 1998–2026 |
| 5 | Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD | 28 MPG | $1714 | $0.114 | 2006–2013 |
| 6 | Honda CR-V 4WD | 27 MPG | $1778 | $0.119 | 1997–2016 |
| 7 | BMW X5 xDrive35d | 25 MPG | $1920 | $0.128 | 2009–2016 |
| 8 | Nissan Pathfinder 4WD | 23 MPG | $2087 | $0.139 | 1987–2026 |
| 9 | Toyota RAV4 4WD | 22.5 MPG | $2133 | $0.142 | 1996–2012 |
| 10 | Volvo XC90 AWD | 22.5 MPG | $2133 | $0.142 | 2003–2021 |
| 11 | Jeep Patriot 4WD | 22.3 MPG | $2152 | $0.143 | 2007–2017 |
| 12 | Acura RDX 4WD | 22 MPG | $2182 | $0.145 | 2007–2016 |
| 13 | Ford Escape 4WD | 22 MPG | $2182 | $0.145 | 2001–2011 |
| 14 | Hyundai Tucson 4WD | 22 MPG | $2182 | $0.145 | 2005–2014 |
| 15 | Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD | 22 MPG | $2182 | $0.145 | 1993–2026 |
| 16 | Mazda Tribute 4WD | 22 MPG | $2182 | $0.145 | 2001–2011 |
| 17 | Mercury Mariner 4WD | 22 MPG | $2182 | $0.145 | 2005–2011 |
| 18 | Subaru Outback Wagon AWD | 22 MPG | $2182 | $0.145 | 2005–2012 |
| 19 | Acura MDX 4WD | 21.5 MPG | $2233 | $0.149 | 2003–2016 |
| 20 | Honda Pilot 4WD | 21.5 MPG | $2233 | $0.149 | 2003–2016 |
| 21 | Kia Sportage 4WD | 21.5 MPG | $2233 | $0.149 | 1995–2014 |
| 22 | Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 4WD | 21 MPG | $2286 | $0.152 | 2008–2013 |
| 23 | Chevrolet Tracker 4WD Convertible | 21 MPG | $2286 | $0.152 | 1998–2003 |
| 24 | GMC Yukon 1500 Hybrid 4WD | 21 MPG | $2286 | $0.152 | 2008–2013 |
| 25 | Toyota 4Runner 4WD | 21 MPG | $2286 | $0.152 | 1984–2026 |
| 26 | Volvo XC70 AWD | 21 MPG | $2286 | $0.152 | 2003–2016 |
| 27 | Honda Element 4WD | 20.5 MPG | $2341 | $0.156 | 2003–2011 |
| 28 | Kia Sorento 4WD | 20.5 MPG | $2341 | $0.156 | 2003–2014 |
| 29 | Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4matic | 20.5 MPG | $2341 | $0.156 | 2010–2015 |
| 30 | Hyundai Santa Fe 4WD | 20 MPG | $2400 | $0.160 | 2001–2014 |
| 31 | Land Rover LR2 | 20 MPG | $2400 | $0.160 | 2008–2015 |
| 32 | Mercedes-Benz ML350 | 20 MPG | $2400 | $0.160 | 2003–2015 |
| 33 | Suzuki Grand Vitara 4WD | 20 MPG | $2400 | $0.160 | 2001–2013 |
| 34 | Ford Explorer 4WD | 19 MPG | $2526 | $0.168 | 1991–2011 |
| 35 | Lincoln MKX AWD | 19 MPG | $2526 | $0.168 | 2007–2018 |
| 36 | Mazda CX-7 4WD | 19 MPG | $2526 | $0.168 | 2007–2012 |
| 37 | Mercedes-Benz GL450 4matic | 19 MPG | $2526 | $0.168 | 2007–2016 |
| 38 | Mercedes-Benz ML350 4matic | 19 MPG | $2526 | $0.168 | 2007–2015 |
| 39 | Saturn Vue AWD | 19 MPG | $2526 | $0.168 | 2002–2010 |
| 40 | Toyota Highlander 4WD | 19 MPG | $2526 | $0.168 | 2001–2013 |
| 41 | Volkswagen Touareg | 19 MPG | $2526 | $0.168 | 2004–2017 |
| 42 | Buick Rendezvous AWD | 18 MPG | $2667 | $0.178 | 2002–2007 |
| 43 | Cadillac SRX AWD | 18 MPG | $2667 | $0.178 | 2004–2016 |
| 44 | Chevrolet Tracker 4WD Hardtop | 18 MPG | $2667 | $0.178 | 1998–2004 |
| 45 | Hyundai Veracruz 4WD | 18 MPG | $2667 | $0.178 | 2007–2012 |
| 46 | Infiniti FX35 AWD | 18 MPG | $2667 | $0.178 | 2003–2012 |
| 47 | Land Rover Range Rover | 18 MPG | $2667 | $0.178 | 1987–2022 |
| 48 | Mercedes-Benz R350 4matic | 18 MPG | $2667 | $0.178 | 2007–2013 |
| 49 | Pontiac Aztek AWD | 18 MPG | $2667 | $0.178 | 2001–2005 |
| 50 | Subaru Tribeca AWD | 18 MPG | $2667 | $0.178 | 2008–2014 |
| 51 | Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 4WD | 17 MPG | $2824 | $0.188 | 2002–2013 |
| 52 | Chevrolet Suburban 1500 4WD | 17 MPG | $2824 | $0.188 | 1992–2013 |
| 53 | Chevrolet Tahoe 1500 4WD | 17 MPG | $2824 | $0.188 | 1995–2013 |
| 54 | Dodge Durango 4WD | 17 MPG | $2824 | $0.188 | 1998–2013 |
| 55 | Dodge Nitro 4WD | 17 MPG | $2824 | $0.188 | 2007–2011 |
| 56 | GMC Yukon 1500 4WD | 17 MPG | $2824 | $0.188 | 1992–2013 |
| 57 | GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WD | 17 MPG | $2824 | $0.188 | 2000–2013 |
| 58 | Isuzu Rodeo 4WD | 17 MPG | $2824 | $0.188 | 1991–2004 |
| 59 | Jeep Liberty 4WD | 17 MPG | $2824 | $0.188 | 2002–2012 |
| 60 | Jeep Liberty/Cherokee 4WD | 17 MPG | $2824 | $0.188 | 2003–2007 |
| 61 | Nissan Xterra 4WD | 17 MPG | $2824 | $0.188 | 2005–2015 |
| 62 | Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 4WD | 17 MPG | $2824 | $0.188 | 2001–2006 |
| 63 | Toyota FJ Cruiser 4WD | 17 MPG | $2824 | $0.188 | 2007–2014 |
| 64 | Honda Passport 4WD | 16.5 MPG | $2909 | $0.194 | 1994–2002 |
| 65 | BMW X5 | 16 MPG | $3000 | $0.200 | 2000–2006 |
| 66 | Chevrolet TrailBlazer 4WD | 16 MPG | $3000 | $0.200 | 2002–2009 |
| 67 | Chevrolet TrailBlazer Ext 4WD | 16 MPG | $3000 | $0.200 | 2002–2007 |
| 68 | GMC Envoy 4WD | 16 MPG | $3000 | $0.200 | 2002–2009 |
| 69 | GMC Envoy XL 4WD | 16 MPG | $3000 | $0.200 | 2002–2007 |
| 70 | Infiniti QX56 4WD | 16 MPG | $3000 | $0.200 | 2004–2013 |
| 71 | Isuzu Ascender 5-passenger 4WD | 16 MPG | $3000 | $0.200 | 2004–2009 |
| 72 | Mercedes-Benz ML550 4matic | 16 MPG | $3000 | $0.200 | 2008–2014 |
| 73 | Nissan Xterra V6 4WD | 15.7 MPG | $3057 | $0.204 | 2000–2004 |
| 74 | Jeep Commander 4WD | 15.5 MPG | $3097 | $0.206 | 2006–2010 |
| 75 | Mercury Mountaineer 4WD | 15.5 MPG | $3097 | $0.206 | 1997–2009 |
| 76 | Cadillac Escalade AWD | 15 MPG | $3200 | $0.213 | 2002–2014 |
| 77 | Chevrolet Blazer 4WD | 15 MPG | $3200 | $0.213 | 1995–2005 |
| 78 | Ford Expedition 4WD FFV | 15 MPG | $3200 | $0.213 | 2010–2014 |
| 79 | GMC Yukon Denali 1500 AWD | 15 MPG | $3200 | $0.213 | 2002–2013 |
| 80 | Hummer H3 4WD | 15 MPG | $3200 | $0.213 | 2006–2010 |
| 81 | Infiniti QX4 4WD | 15 MPG | $3200 | $0.213 | 1997–2003 |
| 82 | Lexus GX 470 | 15 MPG | $3200 | $0.213 | 2003–2009 |
| 83 | Mercedes-Benz GL550 4matic | 15 MPG | $3200 | $0.213 | 2008–2016 |
| 84 | Mercedes-Benz ML320 | 15 MPG | $3200 | $0.213 | 1998–2003 |
| 85 | Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG | 15 MPG | $3200 | $0.213 | 2007–2015 |
| 86 | Mitsubishi Montero Sport 4WD | 15 MPG | $3200 | $0.213 | 1997–2004 |
| 87 | Saab 9-7X AWD | 15 MPG | $3200 | $0.213 | 2005–2009 |
| 88 | Cadillac Escalade ESV AWD | 14 MPG | $3429 | $0.229 | 2003–2014 |
| 89 | Cadillac Escalade Ext AWD | 14 MPG | $3429 | $0.229 | 2002–2013 |
| 90 | GMC Yukon XL 1500 AWD | 14 MPG | $3429 | $0.229 | 2003–2013 |
| 91 | Infiniti FX45 AWD | 14 MPG | $3429 | $0.229 | 2003–2008 |
| 92 | Land Rover LR3 | 14 MPG | $3429 | $0.229 | 2005–2009 |
| 93 | Mercedes-Benz ML500 | 14 MPG | $3429 | $0.229 | 2002–2006 |
| 94 | Lexus LX 470 | 13 MPG | $3692 | $0.246 | 1998–2007 |
| 95 | Mercedes-Benz G500 | 13 MPG | $3692 | $0.246 | 2002–2008 |
| 96 | Land Rover Discovery Series II | 12 MPG | $4000 | $0.267 | 1999–2004 |
| 97 | Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG | 12 MPG | $4000 | $0.267 | 2003–2011 |
Current model-year figures, $3.20/gal fixed JUL 2026, 15,000 miles a year. Electric models are rated in MPGe and are not directly comparable on fuel cost.
SOURCE·US EPA fuel-economy test data·FUEL ASSUMED AT $3.20/GAL FROM JUL 2026·REVIEWED JUL 2026
How this is worked out
- Start from the EPA combined figure for the model year — a laboratory test cycle run to a fixed procedure, not a road result. Where a year sold several engines or drivetrains, the trims are averaged and the trim count is printed beside the row so you can see how much averaging is behind it.
- Fix a pump price. This site keeps one reference price, $3.20 a US gallon, fixed JUL 2026 and printed next to every dollar figure it produces. It is an assumption with a date on it, not a quote — put your own price in.
- Fix an annual distance. Every annual figure on this site uses 15,000 miles a year, roughly the US average. A cost per year with no stated distance is not a number, it is a mood.
- Divide distance by economy for gallons, multiply by price for the year's fuel, divide price by economy for one mile. The per-kilometre line is that last figure divided by 1.609344 — the same money, in the unit most of the world drives in.
- Stop there. No depreciation, no tyres, no insurance, no servicing. This is the fuel line of the ledger and it is labelled as one; depreciation usually dwarfs everything on it.
gallons/yr = miles/yr ÷ MPG fuel $/yr = gallons/yr × $/gal cost $/mi = $/gal ÷ MPG cost $/km = cost $/mi ÷ 1.609344
The full method, the licence note, and what a test figure cannot tell you →
