Midsize SUV Fuel Economy Report: They Suck Gas

America has gone cuckoo for sport utility vehicles. SUVs and light duty pickup trucks now account for nearly two thirds of the US passenger car market. Right in the middle of that group is the midsize SUV, particularly any vehicle that can carry 7 passengers. That’s great news for car companies. They are adding extra shifts to keep up with demand. But it is awful news for a society that says it wants to reduce carbon emission from its transportation fleet. The dirty little secret is that these vehicles get dreadful fuel economy.

Mercedes G Class gets the prize for the midsize SUV with the worst gas mileage — 13 mpg. Source: Wikipedia

Cars.com has put together a list of all the midsize SUV models sold in the US and what they get for gas mileage. The results should be emblazoned on a Wall of Shame somewhere. Maybe in the lobby at ExxonMobil headquarters?

Eliminating the models that are simply intended to impress the neighbors with how much money is in somebody’s bank account, here’s the list of normal midsize SUV models and what kind of fuel economy you can expect if you buy one. They are listed alphabetically to avoid embarrassing any manufacturer unnecessarily. Diesel powered models are not included.

• Acura MDX: 3.5 liter V-6, nine speed transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 23 mpg
• BMW X6: Turbo 3.0 liter V-6, eight transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 21 mpg
• Cadillac XT5: 3.6 liter V-6, eight speed transmission, 4WD EPA combined rating: 21 mpg
• Dodge Journey: 2.4liter four-cylinder, four speed transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 21 mpg
• Ford Edge: Turbo 2.0 liter four cylinder, six speed transmission, 4WD EPA combined rating: 23 mpg
• Ford Explorer: Turbo 2.3 liter four cylinder, six speed transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 22 mpg
• Honda Pilot: 3.5 liter V-6, nine speed transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 23 mpg
• Hyundai Santa Fe: 3.3 liter V-6, six speed transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 21 mpg
• Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: 2.0 liter four cylinder, six speed transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 23 mpg
• Infiniti QX70: 3.7 liter V-6, seven speed transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 19 mpg
• Jeep Grand Cherokee: 3.o liter V-6, eight speed transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 22 mpg (estimated)
• Kia Sorrento: 2.4liter four-cylinder, six speed transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 24 mpg
• Land Rover Discovery Sport: Turbo 2.0 liter 4 cylinder, nine speed trans, 4WD EPA combined rating: 22 mpg
• Lexus GX 460: 4.6 liter V-8, six speed transmission, 4WD EPA combined rating: 16 mpg
• Lincoln MKT: 3.7 liter V-6, six speed transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 19 mpg
• Lincoln MKX: turbo 2.7 liter V-6, six speed transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 20 mpg
• Mercedes-Benz G Class: Turbo 4.0 liter V-8, seven speed transmission, 4WD EPA combined rating: 13 mpg
• Nissan Murano: 3.5-liter V-6, CVT transmission, 2WD or 4WD EPA combined rating: 24 mpg
• Nissan Pathfinder: 3.5 liter V-6, CVT transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 23 mpg
• Porsche Cayenne: 3.6 liter V-6, eight speed transmission, 4WD EPA combined rating: 20 mpg
• Subaru Outback: 2.5 liter four cylinder, CVT transmission, 4WD EPA combined rating: 28 mpg
• Toyota 4Runner: 4.0 liter V-6, five speed transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 19 mpg (estimated)
• Toyota Highlander: 3.5 liter V-6, eight speed transmission, 2WD or 4WD EPA combined rating: 23 mpg
• Volkswagen Touareg: 3.6 liter V-6, eight speed transmission, 4WD EPA combined rating: 19 mpg
• Volvo XC90: 2.0liter four cylinder, eight speed transmission, 2WD EPA combined rating: 24 mpg

Bear in mind that these vehicles are made by the same car companies who are hopping up and down and crying big fat crocodile tears about how EPA fuel economy standards are pushing them to the brink of extinction. What a bunch of mealy mouthed liars they are. A pox on all their houses.

There are a few bright spots. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a 3.5-liter V-6, CVT, 4WD, and is rated by the EPA at 29 mpg combined — a 25% improvement over the conventional Highlander. The forthcoming Kia Niro Hybrid has an EPA rating of 51 mpg combined. True, it is not a 7 passenger vehicle, but if Kia put its mind to it, it could stretch the Niro, add third row seats, and make a midsize SUV that gets 40 mpg.

The American consumer has to shoulder some of the blame for these embarrassing cars. There is no earthly reason why anyone needs a vehicle that gets less than 30 mpg. As the song by Heart says, “I can’t sell you what you don’t want to buy.” Car buyers have a right to insist manufacturers build cars that are relevant to the world we live in, meaning cars that pollute less and consume fewer fossil fuels.

Americans are like crack cocaine addicts when it comes to the cars they drive. We can’t seem to help ourselves when it comes to buying the biggest, thirstiest cars we can find. The car companies are like drug pushers who keep supplying us with the gas guzzling cars we crave. The fault is not with the EPA or some dichotomy between liberal and conservative political philosophies. Americans keep telling pollsters they care about climate change yet they do little if anything when making car buying decision to support their views.

Ultimately, capitalism reacts to the needs and wants of consumers. It’s time to take responsibility for our own actions and stop blaming others because we make poor choices. Freedom implies an obligation to act responsibly. Now would be a good time to start.

Source: Cars.com