CARS.COM — Mid-size SUVs are America’s favorite type of family vehicle because they offer what many consider the right amount of passenger and cargo room, at least reasonable fuel economy, enough muscle to haul up to eight people or tow a trailer, and the availability of all-wheel traction.
Related: 2017 Mid-Size SUV Driving Ranges
Many mid-size SUVs provide three-row seating — same as minivans but without the married-with-children stigma. Moreover, compared to minivans, there are far more choices among brands and types of engines, with everything from turbocharged four-cylinders to V-8s and hybrids available.
Though mid-size SUVs generally burn more fuel than smaller crossovers, fuel efficiency improvements in recent years mean there are fewer guzzlers today. They also have more space for the fuel tank than smaller SUVs, so several in this category can carry more than 20 gallons, helping to extend their driving range — how far they can go between fuel stops.
The driving range of any vehicle depends on the engine, transmission, choice of two- and four-wheel drive when offered, and your own driving style and mix of city and highway driving. Some mid-size SUVs come only with only one engine and transmission, and some only with standard four- or all-wheel drive, which typically reduces fuel economy. On some mid-size SUVs, though, the 4WD/AWD models have larger fuel tanks than the 2WD models.
The information here lists the estimated driving range for model-year 2016 mid-size SUVs based on the EPA combined city/highway rating for the powertrain configuration (engine, transmission and number of drive wheels) that produces the most miles between fuel stops.
EPA combined ratings are based on 55 percent city driving and 45 percent highway driving, so extended periods of highway driving should increase the range. Conversely, driving mostly in a congested urban area, carrying heavy cargo or frequent hard acceleration could reduce the range. Bear in mind that these are estimates.
Driving Ranges for 2016 Mid-Size SUVs
Acura MDX
Configuration: 3.5-liter V-6, nine-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 23 mpg
Fuel capacity: 19.5 gallons
Driving range: 448 miles
BMW X5
Configuration: Turbo-diesel 3.0-liter V-6, eight-speed automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 25 mpg
Fuel capacity: 22.4 gallons
Driving range: 560 miles
BMW X5 M
Configuration: Turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8, eight-speed automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 16 mpg
Fuel capacity: 22.4 gallons
Driving range: 358 miles
BMW X6
Configuration: Turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6, eight-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 21 mpg
Fuel capacity: 22.4 gallons
Driving range: 470 miles
BMW X6 M
Configuration: Turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8, eight-speed automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 16 mpg
Fuel capacity: 22.4 gallons
Driving range: 358 miles
Cadillac SRX
Configuration: 3.6-liter V-6, six-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 19 mpg
Fuel capacity: 21.0 gallons
Driving range: 399 miles
Dodge Journey
Configuration: 2.4-liter four-cylinder, four-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 21 mpg
Fuel capacity: 20.5 gallons
Driving range: 431 miles
Ford Edge
Configuration: Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, six-speed automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 23 mpg
Fuel capacity: 19.2 gallons
Driving range: 442 miles
Ford Explorer
Configuration: Turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder, six-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 22 mpg
Fuel capacity: 18.6 gallons
Driving range: 409 miles
Honda Pilot
Configuration: 3.5-liter V-6, nine-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 23 mpg
Fuel capacity: 19.5 gallons
Driving range: 449 miles
Hyundai Santa Fe
Configuration: 3.3-liter V-6, six-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 21 mpg
Fuel capacity: 18.8 gallons
Driving range: 395 miles
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Configuration: 2.4-liter four-cylinder, six-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 23 mpg
Fuel capacity: 17.4 gallons
Driving range: 400 miles
Infiniti QX70
Configuration: 3.7-liter V-6, seven-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 19 mpg
Fuel capacity: 23.8 gallons
Driving range: 452 miles
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Configuration: Turbo-diesel 3.0-liter V-6, eight-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 25 mpg
Fuel capacity: 24.6 gallons
Driving range: 615 miles
Kia Sorento
Configuration: 2.4-liter four-cylinder, six-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 24 mpg
Fuel capacity: 18.8 gallons
Driving range: 451 miles
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Configuration: Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, nine-speed automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 22 mpg
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons
Driving range: 407 miles
Land Rover LR4
Configuration: Supercharged 3.0-liter V-6, eight-speed automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 16 mpg
Fuel capacity: 22.8 gallons
Driving range: 365 miles
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Configuration: Turbo-diesel 3.0-liter V-6, eight-speed automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 24 mpg
Fuel capacity: 23.5 gallons
Driving range: 564 miles
Lexus GX 460
Configuration: 4.6-liter V-8, six-speed automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 17 mpg
Fuel capacity: 23.0 gallons
Driving range: 391 miles
Lincoln MKT
Configuration: 3.7-liter V-6, six-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 19 mpg
Fuel capacity: 18.6 gallons
Driving range: 353 miles
Lincoln MKX
Configuration: 3.7-liter or turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6, six-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 20 mpg
Fuel capacity: 18.0 gallons
Driving range: 360 miles
(City/highway/combined ratings are 17/25/20 mpg with the 3.7-liter and 18/26/20 mpg with the 2.7-liter)
Mercedes-AMG GLE
Configuration: Turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8, seven-speed automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 15 mpg
Fuel capacity: 24.6 gallons
Driving range: 369 miles
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Configuration: Turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, seven-speed automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 13 mpg
Fuel capacity: 25.4 gallons
Driving range: 330 miles
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
Configuration: Turbo-diesel 3.0-liter V-6, nine-speed automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 25 mpg
Fuel capacity: 24.6 gallons
Driving range: 615 miles
Nissan Murano Hybrid
Configuration: Supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, continuously variable automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 29 mpg
Fuel capacity: 19.0 gallons
Driving range: 551 miles
Nissan Pathfinder
Configuration: 3.5-liter V-6, continuously variable automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 23 mpg
Fuel capacity: 21.1 gallons
Driving range: 485 miles
Porsche Cayenne
Configuration: 3.6-liter V-6, eight-speed automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 21 mpg
Fuel capacity: 26.4 gallons
Driving range: 554 miles
Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid
Configuration: Supercharged 3.0-liter V-6, eight-speed automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 22 mpg
Fuel capacity: 21.1 gallons
Driving range: 478 miles
Subaru Outback
Configuration: 2.5-liter four-cylinder, continuously variable automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 28 mpg
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons
Driving range: 518 miles
Toyota 4Runner
Configuration: 4.0-liter V-6, five-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 19 mpg
Fuel capacity: 23.0 gallons
Driving range: 437 miles
Toyota Highlander
Configuration: 2.7-liter four-cylinder, six-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 22 mpg
Fuel capacity: 19.2 gallons
Driving range: 422 miles
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Configuration: 3.5-liter V-6, continuously variable automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 28 mpg
Fuel capacity: 17.2 gallons
Driving range: 482 miles
Volkswagen Touareg
Configuration: 3.6-liter V-6, eight-speed automatic transmission, 4WD
EPA combined rating: 19 mpg
Fuel capacity: 26.4 gallons
Driving range: 502 miles
Volvo XC90
Configuration: Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, eight-speed automatic transmission, 2WD
EPA combined rating: 24 mpg
Fuel capacity: 18.8 gallons
Driving range: 451 miles
