Not too long ago, it looked like SUVs would never be able to achieve good gas mileage. This left buyers with small cars that aren’t great for the driver much less for any other adults who ride along. Of course, families with growing kids also find it difficult to handle life when their only option is a small car.
Hybrid technology has made it possible for SUVs to have much more earth-friendly and budget-friendly gas mileage. Let’s take a look at how some utility vehicles are bridging the gap and getting gas mileage more like cars than ever before.
Class-Leading Efficiency
Using the fuel calculator on the US Department of Energy website, you can compare the fuel economies of most autos today. In a June 2021 comparison, the Lexus UX Hybrid led its SUV class with 39 miles per gallon combined efficiency. That’s a combined rating that is as much as 20 miles per gallon more than some rivals. It is 7 miles per gallon more than the regular UX.
Remarkably the Lexus NX Hybrid, which is bigger, can also earn 39 mpg with the same combined powertrain. Families definitely can fit into this Lexus SUV which is bigger with more cargo area and more passenger volume.
Power and Efficiency
The RX450h is a different case altogether. The hybrid engine makes the vehicle more efficient, but it also makes it faster with higher horsepower and capability. This is a trend that needs to continue as hybrids and electric cars take over the market.
The less expensive Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid follows a similar path. It has fuel economy in the 30s, and it has higher horsepower than its nonhybrid edition.
Furthermore, the Lexus and Hyundai examples have all-wheel drive. Automakers have discovered that all-weather capability is easier to provide using electric motors, and that is another stroke of good luck for hybrid and electric shoppers. While there still aren’t many SUV hybrids, it is worth it to search certified pre owned cars Scottsdale to find a used hybrid.
Size and Affordability
The Honda CR-V Hybrid is almost as big as the Santa Fe, which boasts 110 cu.ft. of usable passenger space. Sizable and affordable, it can also claim lower ownership costs than the similarly sized and similarly affordable Santa Fe. This is due to a lower MSRP and the better fuel economy of the CR-V’s engine.
The horsepower is 212 compared to the 225 in the Santa Fe. However, the Honda hybrid weighs nearly 400 pounds less. All of these numbers just indicate how important it is for consumers to do the math when looking at the initial and long term costs of a vehicle.
Catching Up to Cars
There’s still a way to go in getting SUVs to catch up to cars. For instance, the Honda Accord Hybrid can earn 48/47 mpg city/highway. This is significantly higher than the CR-V Hybrid with 40/35 mpg fuel economy, but the CR-V is so much roomier.
If you compare the Lexus NX Hybrid to the Lexus ES Hybrid, the margin is a smidge closer. The SUV gets 39 mpg while the sedan earns 44 mpg combined.
Next, look at the Santa Fe’s 34 mpg combined versus the smaller Hyundai Elantra with 54 mpg combined. While the Elantra’s fuel economy is much more favorable, anyone who needs a place for their teens to ride are going to favor the SUV.
All of this goes to show that SUV hybrids are beginning to catch up to their car counterparts. That’s good news for anyone who needs or wants a bigger vehicle.
