Choosing The Best Gas Mileage SUV
No one denies that SUVs are cool, but getting the best gas mileage SUV will save you a lot of money if you intend to drive that rig very much. SUVs come in a range of sizes, from small 4-cylinder models to full-sized 8-cylinder models. For the best fuel economy, look to the smaller vehicles, and consider a hybrid model.
The Jeep Patriot, has a manufacturers' suggested retail base price of $15,000 to $23,000. It has been rated to have a gas mpg of 23 city and 28 on the highway. Critics say that it is not a true SUV, but simply a crossover between a small car and a Jeep.
One feature that greatly improves the fuel economy of an SUV is a CVT transmission. CVT stands for "continuously variable transmission." It allows the vehicle to change gear ratios easily through a wide range, which greatly improves gas mileage. Many of the best SUVs have this sort of transmission.
For instance, the Ford Escape is an SUV that comes in both front wheel and four-wheel drive versions. The front wheel drive version gets 34 mpg in city driving and 30 on the highway, and the four-wheel drive gets a little less. The lowest base price for a 2008 model is just above $18,000. The Escape has come to be one of the most desired small sport utility vehicles on the market. The Ford Escape is a hybrid, which means that while it runs primarily on a gasoline combustion engine, it also makes and uses electricity efficiently. This is why it gets better mileage in city driving than on the highway. The Toyota Highlander is another SUV that gets good fuel economy, getting 25 mpg city, and 27 mpg in highway driving. It seats seven people. The hybrid version has been classified as a "SULEV" which stands for super ultra low emission vehicle. For an SUV that impacts the environment less than others, the hybrid Toyota Highlander is a good pick. Another compact SUV known for good gas mileage is the Saturn Vue. This vehicle made its debut in 2002 and is still well-rated. Its fuel economy figure for highway driving is consistently in the mid to high twenties. The Vue XE FWD has a 169 horsepower, 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine. The all-wheel drive model has a more powerful 222 horsepower 3.5 liter V-6 engine. The price range for the Saturn VUE is from $21,250 to $29,300. Finally, a 4WD SUV Hybrid that is worth mentioning as being good on fuel economy is the Mazda Tribute Hybrid. It is rated at 29 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. At a price of $25,310 to $29,570, this 2008 SUV is only available in California and in limited quantities. The compact electric motor can run the car at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour without relying on the gasoline engine. The battery recharges with every push of the brake.
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