The lesser of two evils: Fuel-saving (gasp) SUVs

It’s hard to argue that SUVs can be environmentally friendly. However, there are SUVs and then there are SUVs… There are the big, bulky behemoths that usually have lousy mpg ratings, but then we have newer offerings and crossovers that are finally scoring some improvements in their behavior which, in this case, refers to mileage. In part, these mprovements have arrived because of the switch to unibody construction instead of the traditional body-on-frame.

By Xavier.Navarro@weblogsinc.com
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It’s hard to argue that SUVs can be environmentally friendly. However, there are SUVs and then there are SUVs… There are the big, bulky behemoths that usually have lousy mpg ratings, but then we have newer offerings and crossovers that are finally scoring some improvements in their behavior which, in this case, refers to mileage. In part, these mprovements have arrived because of the switch to unibody construction instead of the traditional body-on-frame.

So here’s a list (from our friends at Auto-News) that shows the best fuel- (and money-) saving SUVs (well, mostly CUVs) that you can buy in Europe. Most of the models are also available in the United States, albeit without diesel options. Most of the models have Diesel Particulate Filters (RPF) as standard, although the source doesn’t publish CO2 emission figures.

Continue reading for the list

l/100 km

MPG

Engine size

HP

0 to 60 mph (s)

Price (EUR)

Chevrolet Captiva 2.0 D LS 4WD 5-Seats RPF

7.4

31.98

2.0 l

150

10.6

29,300

Land Rover Freelander Td4 E RPF

7.3

32.42

2.2 l

151

11.7

30,900

Peugeot 4007 HDi FAP 155 Tendance

7.2

32.87

2.2 l

156

9.9

31,900

Citroen C-Crosser 2.2 HDi FAP Tendance

7.2

32.87

2.2 l

156

9.9

33,590

KIA Sportage 2.0 CRDi LX 4WD RPF

7.1

33.33

2.0 l

140

12

27,150

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi GLS 2WD RPF

7.0

33.81

2.2 l

155

11.3

31,790

Hyundai Tucson 2.0 CRDi VGT GLS 2WD RPF

7.0

33.81

2.0 l

140

11.1

25,290

Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 DI-D Inform RPF

6.9

34.3

2.0 l

140

10.8

28,990

Toyota RAV4 2.2 D-4D 4×4 RPF

6.6

35.86

2.2 l

136

10.5

28,520

Jeep Compass 2.0 CRD Sport

6.5

36.41

2.0 l

140

11

26,390

Honda CR-V 2.2i-CTDi Comfort RPF

6.5

36.41

2.2 l

140

10.3

29,400

BMW X3 2.0d RPF

6.5

36.41

2.0 l

177

8.9

37,900

Suzuki Jimny 1.5 DDiS Club

6.1

38.79

1.5 l

86

17

16,500

Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi visia 4×2

5.4

43.82

1.5 l

106

12.2

21,140

And here’s a pic of the winner (also known as the Rogue in the US):