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SUVs That Stretch Fuel DollarsFord Escape Hybrid, Saturn Vue Green Line Rated Best Among Small, Midsized SUVs |
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February 12, 2007
"With more crossovers, hybrids, and car-based SUVs entering the market, it's now much easier to find an SUV that gets gas mileage similar to a midsized sedan," said Consumer Reports Automotive Editor Rik Paul. "You can save hundreds of dollars a year at the gas pump simply by doing your research before you buy." For consumers concerned about stretching their fuel dollars, some small SUVs tested by CR returned 23-26 mpg overall. That is on par with a typical family sedan. Those models included the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Saturn Vue Green Line, and the Toyota RAV4 (4-cyl.) Small SUV gas-guzzlers, which posted figures as low as 15 miles-per-gallon, include the Kia Sorento LX, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, and the Jeep Liberty Sport. Consumer Reports' overall fuel economy results are calculated by an equally weighted average of city, highway and one-day trip mpg ratings. CR's city mpg tests are stop-and-go driving simulations, which have 18 stops, a total of 4 minutes of idle time, and speeds up to 40 mph. Highway mpg tests are run on a section of highway near CR's testing facility. Two testers make eight 5-mile runs at a constant 65 mph. The tests are run in both directions to limit the effects of wind and grade differences. CR's one-day trip test represents a mixed driving cycle. Five different engineers drive vehicles back-to-back on the same day over a 31-mile route (155 miles total) that includes 26 percent freeway, 11 percent two-lane highway, and 63 percent varied rural roads with corners and mild elevation changes. Here's a quick look at the best and worst in each category from among all the vehicles CR has tested based on overall mpg ratings: Small SUVs
Midsized SUVs
Large SUVs
Pickups
Hatchbacks & Wagons
Minivans
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