TireKick

Best-of list

Best Gas Mileage SUVs (30+ mpg, 2012–2016)

Ranked by EPA combined MPG across 13 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 Owner-complaint lists (raw volume, not exposure-adjusted) remain unpublished until exposure and time-at-risk normalization are available.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. 1

    2016 Tesla Model X

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Raw count · not exposure-adjusted

    Complaints

    417

    Crash

    Not rated

    MPG

    92

    Watch for: suspension complaints

  2. 2

    2016 Mazda CX-3

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Raw count · not exposure-adjusted

    Complaints

    48

    Crash

    MPG

    30

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  3. 3

    2016 Buick Encore

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Raw count · not exposure-adjusted

    Complaints

    78

    Crash

    MPG

    29

    Watch for: engine complaints

  4. 4

    2016 Hyundai Tucson

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Raw count · not exposure-adjusted

    Complaints

    1,612

    Crash

    MPG

    27

    Watch for: power train complaints

  5. 5

    2016 Lexus RX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Raw count · not exposure-adjusted

    Complaints

    93

    Crash

    Not rated

    MPG

    26.5

    Watch for: unknown or other complaints

  6. 6

    2013 Toyota RAV4

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Raw count · not exposure-adjusted

    Complaints

    260

    Crash

    MPG

    25.5

    Watch for: electrical system complaints

  7. 7

    2016 Lexus NX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Raw count · not exposure-adjusted

    Complaints

    17

    Crash

    Not rated

    MPG

    25

    Watch for: air bags complaints

  8. 8

    2015 Lexus NX

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Raw count · not exposure-adjusted

    Complaints

    26

    Crash

    Not rated

    MPG

    25

    Watch for: unknown or other complaints

  9. 9

    2016 BMW X3

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Raw count · not exposure-adjusted

    Complaints

    82

    Crash

    MPG

    24

    Watch for: engine and engine cooling complaints

  10. 10

    2015 BMW X3

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Raw count · not exposure-adjusted

    Complaints

    105

    Crash

    Not rated

    MPG

    24

    Watch for: engine complaints

  11. 11

    2012 Ford Escape

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Raw count · not exposure-adjusted

    Complaints

    613

    Crash

    MPG

    23

    Watch for: steering complaints

  12. 12

    2015 Hyundai Tucson

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Raw count · not exposure-adjusted

    Complaints

    225

    Crash

    MPG

    23

    Watch for: engine complaints

  13. 13

    2012 Toyota RAV4

    SUV

    Complaint record

    Raw count · not exposure-adjusted

    Complaints

    266

    Crash

    MPG

    23

    Watch for: vehicle speed control complaints

Related searches

Best Gas Mileage Used SUVsHighest NHTSA Overall Ratings: Used SUVsBest Gas Mileage SUVs (2019–2025)Best Gas Mileage SUVs (2020–2025)Highest NHTSA Overall Ratings: SUVs (2019–2025)Best Gas Mileage SUVs (2018–2022)

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 13 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.