Transportation

The 15 Most Fuel Efficient SUVs Are Electrified, But They’re Not All Electric


With sport-utility vehicle sales still going gangbusters – nearly half of all new vehicles leaving dealers’ lots in the U.S. are now SUVs – there’s growing concern about the adverse effect on fuel economy and the environment. On the plus side, most models sold are car-based crossover models that are far more efficient and with lower tailpipe emissions than the larger and heavier truck-based models that largely preceded them.

In fact, some current SUVs are among the cleanest and most efficient vehicles offered in the U.S. and they’re not necessarily limited to the smallest models in production. But there is a catch. The best performers require electricity to some or full extent to achieve their stellar performance in this regard. They’re either hybrids, plug-in hybrids, or zero-emissions electric vehicles.

For the technologically uninitiated, a hybrid vehicle packs a conventional gasoline engine that’s assisted by an electric motor and a self-charging battery pack to save fuel. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) employs a larger battery that enables it to drive for a certain number of miles solely on battery power, after which it then operates like a standard hybrid. However, the battery must be charged via the power grid to enable electric-only operation. Both types of hybrids are limited in terms of range only by the amount of fuel in the tank.

A full electric vehicle (EV) is, of course, just that. A large battery pack that usually sits underneath the passenger compartment powers one or more electric motors. An EV has a finite range it can traverse on a charge, which can vary according to ambient temperature, vehicle speed, and other factors. Charging can be accomplished at home via a wall outlet (with a 240-volt line recommended) or on the road via a public charging station (DC fast charging can bring a typical EV up to an 80 percent charge in 45 minutes or less).

We’re counting down the 15 most energy-efficient SUVs below in ascending order, based on fuel economy ratings provided by the Environmental Protection Agency. The hybrids are ranked according to their city/highway miles per gallon estimates, just like any other vehicle. It’s a bit different for full electric and plug-in hybrid models, however. EVs are rated according to a miles-per-gallon electric equivalent figure, called “MPGe,” for city and highway driving. Plug-in hybrids note both the MPGe figure for when it’s running on battery power and the conventional rating for when it’s operating in gas/electric hybrid mode; these figures for PHEVs are cited for combined city/highway driving.

Though they phased out for Tesla vehicles at the end of 2019, all the other full-electric SUVs on our list remain eligible for the one-time $7,500 federal income tax credit granted to electric vehicle buyers. If you choose to lease, rather than buy an EV outright, the credit is typically wrapped into the terms of the contract, with the leasing company being the owner of record. Several states offer their own financial incentives to help sweeten the deals even further.

And unlike standard hybrids, PHEVs are eligible for one-time federal tax credits, with the amount based on the vehicle’s battery capacity, usually in the $4,000-$5,000 range. This combined with lower ongoing operating costs can help absorb the higher sticker prices plug-in models command over their standard hybrid equivalents.

Here’s a look at the 15 most energy efficient SUVs in the U.S.:

15. Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid 57 MPGe/27 MPG

The five-seat Volvo XC60 plug-in hybrid crossover SUV is capable of running solely on battery power for an estimated 19 miles with a full charge when it’s rated at 57 MPGe. After that the electric motor augments a four-cylinder gasoline engine to realize 27 MPG with the equivalent of 298 lively horsepower. Buyers of the 2020 edition can take advantage of a generous one-time $5,419 federal tax credit on next year’s returns.

14. Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid 55 MPGe/27 MPG

Volvo’s plush flagship luxury midsize SUV runs for the first 18 miles on electricity, when it’s rated at 55 MPGe, after which it operates in hybrid mode and gets an estimated 27 mpg in city/highway use. It comes with three rows of seats and a long list of safety features, and treats enthusiastic drivers to a combined 400 horsepower. As with the above XC60, buyers of the 2020 XC90 PHEV are eligible for a $5,419 federal tax credit.

13. Toyota Highlander Hybrid 36/35 MPG

Available with either front drive or all-wheel drive, the midsize Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes with three rows of seats (though it’s a tight fit all the way in the back), and an expansive cargo hold. A four-cylinder gas engine is teamed with an electric motor and self-charging battery pack to produce an energetic 243 combined horsepower.

12. Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid 74 MPGe/25 MPG

The PHEV version of the compact Mitsubishi Outlander crossover can run for the first 22 miles on a charge on electric power, when it ‘s estimated at a commanding 74 MPGe. Its efficiency favors those with short commutes, as it gets a less impressive 25 MPG in city/highway driving when running on combined gas/electric propulsion. Buyers get a $5,386 federal PHEV tax credit.

11. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 41/38 MPG

A solid compact SUV, overall, the RAV4 Hybrid is a lively performer, with its gas engine and electric motor combining to put a net 219 horsepower to the pavement while delivering stellar fuel economy. A plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime is coming for 2021.

10. Ford Escape Hybrid 44/37 MPG

Ford hasn’t sold a gas/electric hybrid-powered version of the compact Escape SUV for the last eight years, but brought it back with the vehicle’s sleek 2020 redesign. A 2.5-liter gasoline engine is assisted by an electric motor to realize the equivalent of 198 horsepower.

9. Lexus UX 250h 43/41 MPH

The subcompact Lexus UX 250h gas/electric hybrid comes wrapped in distinctive styling and gets impressive fuel economy without the need for a costly plug-in system. It comes nicely configured with many important driver-assist features standard.Its four-cylinder hybrid/electric powertrain produces a net 169 horsepower.

8. Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid 90 MPGe/35 MPG

The plug-in hybrid version of Subaru’s popular subcompact Crosstrek is able to operate on battery power for the first 17 miles when charged up, after which it’s rated at 35 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The gas/electric system channels 143 horsepower to all four wheels. Buyers are eligible for a one-time federal tax credit of $4,502.

7. Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid 105 MPGe/46 MPG

The plug-in hybrid version of the subcompact Kia Niro SUV can run for the first 26 miles solely on electricity with a full charge, which it gets an estimated 105 MPGe in combined city/highway driving. Afterwards in hybrid mode it achieves a projected 46 mpg. It’s eligible for a one-time federal tax credit of $4,543. These figures are for the 2019 model, as they’re not yet been posted for 2020.

6. Audi e-tron 74/73 MPGe

Sales have yet to ramp up for Audi’s costly full-electric e-Tron, but it remains one of the more luxury-oriented and conventionally cast battery-driven SUVs on the market. Its estimated average of 204 miles could be better, but that’s more than enough for one’s daily commute. Note that this is for the still-available 2019 version, as 2020 specs have yet to be released. A sleeker coupe-like Sportback version will soon be joining the line.

5. Jaguar i-Pace 80/72 MPGe

The Jaguar i-Pace is one of the most enjoyable vehicles to drive of any kind, thanks to its lusty dual-motor electric powertrain that generates 394 horsepower and an instantaneous 512 pound-feet of torque. It can run for an estimated average 234 miles on a charge, and can reach 60 mph in a brisk 4.5 seconds, with both stats more than sufficient for just about anyone. It remains eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit.

4. Tesla Model X 99/93 MPGe

This rating is for the Model X’s Long Range Plus version, which is now the base model; a 105/98 MPGe Standard Range trim is no longer offered. Coming with distinctive gull-wing doors, the large Model X is still plenty quick, with the Long Range Plus able to hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, and maintain a class-leading 351-mile range on a charge. The Performance model can make the sprint in a mere 2.7 ticks, but with slightly diminished efficiency at 90/98 MPGe, and a range of “just” 305 miles.

3. 2019 Kia Niro Electric 123/102 MPGe

The Kia Niro Electric is a pert and perky subcompact SUV that can go the distance at a projected 239 miles on a charge. With availability limited to select states, it’s priced in the sweet spot among battery-powered models, and is downright cheap to run at the EPA’s estimate of $400 driven annually for 15,000 miles. It also qualifies for the $7,500 one-time federal tax credit. These numbers are for the 2019 version, as the 2020 has yet to be released.

2. Hyundai Kona Electric 132/108 MPGe

The Hyundai Kona Electric’s city driving rating is the best among SUVs for 2020, though it comes in second in overall efficiency by a single MPGe in combined city/highway driving. Sharing engineering with the Kia Niro Electric, it’s affordable and delivers a generous operating range, estimated at 258 miles on a charge. Availability is limited to certain states, and it remains eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit.

1. Tesla Model Y: 129/112 MPGe

With the first deliveries expected in March, the full-electric Tesla Model Y will be the most efficient SUV ever built. The EPA projects the dual-motor all-wheel-drive Performance version will, on average, travel for 315 miles on a charge. This is second among electric SUVs to its big brother, the Model X. At that, Tesla claims a 0-60 mph in a sudden 3.5 seconds. Though the rating doesn’t mention it specifically, Tesla’s website indicates the same 315-mile range for the slightly slower (4.8 seconds to 60 mph) Long Range version. A base Standard Range model is expected – though not until sometime in 2021 – with an estimated 230-mile operating range.



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