Best-of list
Best Gas Mileage SUVs (2012–2016)
Ranked by EPA combined MPG across 346 model-years of federal data.
Safety and fuel-economy results are ranked from NHTSA and EPA federal data. Owner-complaint lists (raw volume, not exposure-adjusted) remain unpublished until exposure and time-at-risk normalization are available.
- 1
2016 Tesla Model X
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
417
Crash
Not rated
MPG
92
Watch for: suspension complaints
- 2
2016 Mazda CX-3
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
48
Crash
MPG
30
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 3
2016 Buick Encore
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
78
Crash
MPG
29
Watch for: engine complaints
- 4
2016 Chevrolet Trax
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
116
Crash
MPG
29
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 5
2015 Chevrolet Trax
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
94
Crash
MPG
29
Watch for: power train complaints
- 6
2016 Mazda CX-5
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
507
Crash
MPG
29
Watch for: exterior lighting complaints
- 7
2015 Honda CR-V
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
668
Crash
MPG
28.5
Watch for: power train complaints
- 8
2015 Buick Encore
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
123
Crash
MPG
28
Watch for: steering complaints
- 9
2014 Buick Encore
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
60
Crash
MPG
28
Watch for: engine complaints
- 10
2013 Buick Encore
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
52
Crash
MPG
28
Watch for: engine complaints
- 11
2016 Honda CR-V
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
388
Crash
MPG
28
Watch for: unknown or other complaints
- 12
2013 Mazda CX-5
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
194
Crash
MPG
28
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 13
2016 Nissan Rogue
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
536
Crash
MPG
27.5
Watch for: power train complaints
- 14
2016 Hyundai Tucson
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
1,612
Crash
MPG
27
Watch for: power train complaints
- 15
2015 Mazda CX-5
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
133
Crash
MPG
27
Watch for: structure complaints
- 16
2014 Mazda CX-5
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
377
Crash
MPG
27
Watch for: electrical system complaints
- 17
2016 Lexus RX
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
93
Crash
Not rated
MPG
26.5
Watch for: unknown or other complaints
- 18
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
4
Crash
MPG
26
- 19
2015 Mitsubishi Outlander
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
234
Crash
MPG
26
Watch for: power train complaints
- 20
2014 Mitsubishi Outlander
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
45
Crash
MPG
26
Watch for: air bags complaints
- 21
2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
0
Crash
MPG
26
- 22
2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
40
Crash
MPG
26
Watch for: power train complaints
- 23
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
SUVComplaint record
Raw count · not exposure-adjusted
Complaints
67
Crash
MPG
26
Watch for: air bags complaints
- 24
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
SUVComplaint record
Too few reports to rank
Complaints
0
Crash
MPG
26
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Common questions
What is the most fuel-efficient 2012–2016 SUV?
By our reading of the federal data, the 2016 Tesla Model X tops this list. Open its verdict page for the full complaint, recall and crash record before you buy.
How is this ranking put together?
We rank the 24 matching model years by EPA combined fuel economy, using public NHTSA and EPA data. Owner-complaint lists (raw volume, not exposure-adjusted) remain unpublished until exposure and time-at-risk normalization are available.
This list is generated from NHTSA complaint, recall and crash-test data and EPA fuel-economy data; it is not sales-adjusted and updates on scheduled source refreshes.