What Large SUV Gets the Best Gas Mileage?

Finding a good full-sized SUV can be complicated. 

There are so many factors to take into account like seating, size, and safety ratings. 

But one thing that you really should look at before buying an SUV is the vehicle’s gas mileage. 

A vehicle with a low mpg can cost you a ton of money over the years.

The best large or full-sized SUVs for gas mileage are the Land Rover Range Rover, the Ford Expedition, the GMC Yukon, the Chevy Suburban, and the Chevy Tahoe. These SUVs get a gas mileage from 22 MPG/28 MPG to 15 MPG/20 MPG. Large SUVs in general do not have the best gas mileage.

Each of these SUVs has different gas mileage, but also different sizes, towing capacities, and prices. 

Let’s explore the details below so you can get an accurate idea of what to expect.

Recommended Reading: Our Top Picks — 10 Used SUVs with Best Gas Mileage

What is a Large SUV?

Typically they can do basic off-road driving and can seat 5-8 people. A large SUV would be a full-sized or a standard SUV. 

These two terms are often used synonymously. 

These SUVs are generally about 75.4 inches tall, 208.9 inches long, and 80.2 inches wide. 

Cars get better gas mileage in the city than on the highway, so generally, when you see a car’s MPG (miles per gallon) it shows you two numbers. The first is its MPG in the city and the second is MPG on the highway.

In terms of gas mileage, newer doesn’t always mean better. 

Some 2021 full-sized SUVs with basic trims have a gas mileage as low as 13 MPH in the city. (Source)

2021 Land Rover Range Rover

Our first full-sized SUV is the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover. 

With just the basics, it has a gas mileage of 19 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. 

It has a gas mileage of 22 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway.

However, this car is offered with multiple different engines, including hybrid engines.

But to get this gas mileage you need to get the 3.0-liter 6-cylinder diesel turbo engine with 4 wheel drive. 

The basic Range Rover starting price is $9,200.

Here are the stats for a basic 2021 Land Rover Range Rover.

• Length – 196.9 inches
• Width – 81.6 inches
• Height -73.6 inches
• Towing capacity – 7,716 lbs
• Curb weight – 4,995 lbs

The Range Rover is the smallest in length and weight of all the SUVs we have listed here. It’s 28.8 inches shorter lengthwise than the largest SUV on this list (the Chevy Suburban). That’s more than a two-foot difference! This more compact design will make it easier to park, but you’re looking for legroom, this might not be the best option.

The downside to this car is how expensive it is. 

It is nearly $40,000 more expensive than any of the other SUVs here.

2021 Ford Expedition

Our next full-sized SUV is the 2021 Ford Expedition. 

It gets gas mileage of 17 MPH in the city and 23 MPH on the highway. This SUV can generally fit 8 passengers and has plenty of space for everyone.

Its starting price is $50,595.

Here are some other stats about the 2021 Ford Expedition.

• Length – 210 inches
• Width – 79.9 inches
• Height – 76.6 inches
• Towing capacity – 9,300 lbs
• Curb weight – 5,368 lbs

A fun thing about the Ford Expedition is that you can adapt it to seat 9 passengers, which is a rare feature in modern cars. 

This is accomplished by replacing the two front bucket seats with a row of bench seats.

2021 GMC Yukon

We also have the 2021 GMC Yukon that has a gas mileage of 16 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway 

The starting price for this SUV is $51,000. 

There is a lot of space in this car and it has a cargo volume of 25.5 cubic feet. 

Like the Ford Expedition, the 2021 GMC Yukon normally seats 8 passengers but can be adapted to fit 9 passengers.

These are some other stats about the 2021 GMC Yukon.

• Length – 210 inches
• Width – 81 inches
• Height – 76.5 inches
• Towing Capacity – 7,400 lbs
• Curb weight – 5,544 lbs

(Source)

2021 Chevy Suburban

Next up, we have the 2021 Chevy Suburban.

 Its gas mileage is 15 MPH in the city, but it can do 20 MPG on the highway.

This SUV’s starting price is $52,300. 

Just like some of the other SUVs, this normally seats 8 people but it can be adapted to seat 9.

Here is the basic info about a 2021 Chevy Suburban with rear-wheel drive.

• Length – 225.7 inches
• Width – 81.1 inches
• Height – 75.7 inches
• Towing Capacity – 7,800 lbs
• Curb weight – 5,616 lbs

(Source)

2021 Chevy Tahoe

Finally, we have the 2021 Chevy Tahoe, which also gets gas mileage of 15 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway. 

It also has the lowest starting price of all these SUVs, starting at $49,600. 

This makes it the cheapest SUV on this list.

Its normal passenger limit is 8 but can be adapted to fit 9 passengers.

Finally, here are the specs for the 2021 Chevy Tahoe.

• Length – 210.7 inches
• Width – 81 inches
• Height – 75.8 inches
• Towing Capacity – 7,400 lbs
• Curb weight – 5,473 lbs

(Source)

Worst Large SUV Gas Mileage

If gas mileage is your focus, then be sure to not get these cars. 

They can make you spend a lot of money on gas, and they can require you to fill up your car more often than other cars. 

This can end up costing you more money than necessary in the long run.

The 2021 Infinity QX80 has poor mileage. 

This car gets up to 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. 

It is a large SUV, but when comparing it to some of its competitors listed above, its mileage is bad.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser has bad gas mileage too. 

It gets up to 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway. 

This is a really low number compared to large SUVs that have 18 mpg as the average mileage.

Type of Gas

Some cars run on regular gasoline, while others run on diesel.

These two fuels are not the same and you shouldn’t use diesel in a regular car or regular gas in a diesel car. 

It will not work well for your can and it can cause unwanted problems and strain for your car. 

So understand your car and use the type of gas that it needs.