Which 2016 Mid-Size SUVs Have the Highest MPG Ratings?
CARS.COM — Midsize SUVs are among the most flexible vehicles out there. They’re able to carry a wide range of cargo and passengers in two-row and three-row configurations. Most of the SUVs on this list are road-oriented crossovers, but a few, like the Land Rover LR4 and Toyota 4Runner, are old-school body-on-frame SUVs that are off-road ready. Some SUVs offer the best of both worlds, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, with its off-road readiness and efficient diesel engine.
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For the 2016 model year, four SUVs have an over-25 combined mpg fuel economy rating and each use alternative fuels: A Toyota hybrid crossover tops the list and the next three are diesels. The top five mid-size SUVs with the best EPA combined fuel economy rating are (ratings shown are city/highway/combined mpg):
- 1. Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 28/28/28 (regular)
- 2. BMW X5, 23/30/26 (diesel)
- 3. Jeep Grand Cherokee, 22/30/25 (diesel)
- 4. Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 22/29/25 (diesel)
- 5. Ford Edge, 21/30/24 (regular)
Check out the list below (sorted alphabetically) to see all the 2016 mid-size SUVs and their EPA-estimated ratings (and fuel types). The figures listed below are the highest-rated mpg configuration for that model. Fuel-economy ratings can vary by trim and powertrain choice. Most are front-wheel drive, but some are rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The luxury SUVs tend to be RWD, but many can be had with AWD standard. Hybrid and plug-in SUVs are not as common on the list, but finding SUVs with turbocharged four-cylinder engines isn’t terribly difficult. Pay attention to vehicle size as well. Some of these SUVs are much bigger than others — the Chevrolet Traverse is a much larger SUV than a Ford Edge, but both are considered to be mid-size SUVs. The variety among SUVs on this list is considerable, as is the gas mileage.
As with any discussion of gas mileage, your real-world results will vary depending on driving style, environmental conditions and the terrain involved. Don’t forget to consider fuel cost as well — fuel-efficient SUVs that get good gas mileage are a great concept, but if the vehicle requires premium fuel, you may not be enjoying the benefits of that fuel efficiency.
- Acura MDX, 20/27/23 (premium)
- BMW X5, 23/30/26 (diesel)
- BMW X5 M, 14/19/16 (premium)
- BMW X6, 18/25/21 (premium)
- BMW X6 M, 14/19/16 (premium)
- Buick Enclave, 15/22/18 (regular)
- Cadillac SRX, 17/24/19 (regular)
- Chevrolet Traverse, 15/22/18 (regular)
- Dodge Journey, 19/26/21 (regular)
- Ford Edge, 21/30/24 (regular)
- Ford Explorer, 19/28/22 (regular)
- Honda Pilot, 20/27/23 (regular)
- Hyundai Santa Fe, 18/25/21 (regular)
- Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, 20/27/23 (regular)
- Infiniti QX70, 17/24/19 (premium)
- Jeep Grand Cherokee, 22/30/25 (diesel)
- Kia Sorento, 21/29/24 (regular)
- Land Rover Discovery Sport, 20/26/22 (premium)
- Land Rover LR4, 15/19/16 (premium)
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 22/29/25 (diesel)
- Lexus GX 460, 15/20/17 (premium)
- Lincoln MKT, 16/24/19 (regular)
- Lincoln MKX, 17/26/21 (regular)
- Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE, 13/17/15 (premium)
- Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, 22/28/24 (premium)
- Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, 22/29/24 (diesel)
- Nissan Murano, 21/28/24 (regular)
- Nissan Pathfinder, 20/27/23 (regular)
- Porsche Cayenne, 20/29/23 (diesel)
- Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid, (N/A)/(N/A)/22 (premium)
- Toyota 4Runner, 17/22/19 (regular)
- Toyota Highlander, 20/25/22 (regular)
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 28/28/28 (regular)
- Volkswagen Touareg, 21/29/24 (diesel)
- Volvo XC90, 22/26/24 (premium)
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