TireKick

Best-of list

Best Gas Mileage SUVs (2012–2016)

Ranked by EPA combined MPG across 346 model-years of federal data.

Ranked from NHTSA and EPA federal data — not adjusted for sales volume.

  1. 1

    2016 Tesla Model X

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 18% of peers

    Complaints

    417

    Crash

    Not rated

    MPG

    92

    Watch for: suspension complaints

  2. 2

    2016 Mazda CX-3

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 66% of peers

    Complaints

    48

    Crash

    MPG

    30

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  3. 3

    2016 Buick Encore

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 60% of peers

    Complaints

    77

    Crash

    MPG

    29

    Watch for: engine complaints

  4. 4

    2015 Chevrolet Trax

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 59% of peers

    Complaints

    94

    Crash

    MPG

    29

    Watch for: power train complaints

  5. 5

    2016 Chevrolet Trax

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 46% of peers

    Complaints

    116

    Crash

    MPG

    29

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  6. 6

    2016 Mazda CX-5

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 13% of peers

    Complaints

    507

    Crash

    MPG

    29

    Watch for: exterior lighting complaints

  7. 7

    2015 Honda CR-V

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 10% of peers

    Complaints

    668

    Crash

    MPG

    28.5

    Watch for: power train complaints

  8. 8

    2013 Buick Encore

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 67% of peers

    Complaints

    52

    Crash

    MPG

    28

    Watch for: engine complaints

  9. 9

    2014 Buick Encore

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 60% of peers

    Complaints

    60

    Crash

    MPG

    28

    Watch for: engine complaints

  10. 10

    2015 Buick Encore

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 47% of peers

    Complaints

    123

    Crash

    MPG

    28

    Watch for: steering complaints

  11. 11

    2013 Mazda CX-5

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 35% of peers

    Complaints

    194

    Crash

    MPG

    28

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  12. 12

    2016 Honda CR-V

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 21% of peers

    Complaints

    388

    Crash

    MPG

    28

    Watch for: unknown or other complaints

  13. 13

    2016 Nissan Rogue

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 10% of peers

    Complaints

    536

    Crash

    MPG

    27.5

    Watch for: power train complaints

  14. 14

    2015 Mazda CX-5

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 43% of peers

    Complaints

    133

    Crash

    MPG

    27

    Watch for: structure complaints

  15. 15

    2014 Mazda CX-5

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 26% of peers

    Complaints

    377

    Crash

    MPG

    27

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  16. 16

    2016 Hyundai Tucson

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 3% of peers

    Complaints

    1,612

    Crash

    MPG

    27

    Watch for: power train complaints

  17. 17

    2016 Lexus RX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 54% of peers

    Complaints

    92

    Crash

    Not rated

    MPG

    26.5

    Watch for: unknown or other complaints

  18. 18

    2015 Mitsubishi Outlander

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    2

    Crash

    MPG

    26

  19. 19

    2016 Mitsubishi Outlander

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Too few reports to rank

    Complaints

    4

    Crash

    MPG

    26

  20. 20

    2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 67% of peers

    Complaints

    35

    Crash

    MPG

    26

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  21. 21

    2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 61% of peers

    Complaints

    67

    Crash

    MPG

    26

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  22. 22

    2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 51% of peers

    Complaints

    85

    Crash

    MPG

    26

    Watch for: power train complaints

  23. 23

    2014 Toyota RAV4

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 38% of peers

    Complaints

    204

    Crash

    MPG

    26

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  24. 24

    2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Quieter than 34% of peers

    Complaints

    231

    Crash

    MPG

    26

    Watch for: power train complaints

Related searches

Fewest Reported Complaints: Used SUVsBest Gas Mileage Used SUVsFewest Reported Complaints: AWD Used SUVsHighest NHTSA Overall Ratings: Used SUVsSUVs With Fewer Complaints and 4+ Star RatingsUsed SUVs With Fewer Complaints and 4+ Star Ratings

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. Figures are not adjusted for sales volume and update on scheduled source refreshes.

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.