Best Gas Milage?

Gen0cide

Gen0cide

Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2015
Location
Kinston, NC
Sooooooooooo . .. . ... yeah.... in addition to the around town family 4x4 that I am currently on a quest for, we have decided it would benefit us greatly if the work commute vehicle also had 4x4 or AWD capabilities. It makes sense for the area we are going to be moving to soon..

I need all of your expert opinions!! What is the best smallish SUV sort of vehicle that has 4x4/AWD capabilities that you think gets the best gas mileage? I understand that I will not be getting the same MPG that the current Mitsubishi gets, but honestly I feel like I'm driving around in a tuna can anyways (not my idea of a great drive). Doesn't need to be huge, or tow anything, just get me to and from work in mountains where we are possibly looking at property well out of the realm of a paved driveway.
Family of 4 on one paycheck so, new is out of the question since a car normal car payment would be beyond our means. I'm assuming with prices how they are that anything less than 5 years old is most likely out of the question.. ..

I know you would much rather be answering this thread than doing what you are supposed to be doing at work anyways! ;P

aaaaaaaaaaand .. .. GO!
 
Most of the small AWD SUVs/crossovers with decent gas mileage are actually 100% FWD that can send a certain percentage of torque rearward (like the CR-V or Mazda CX-5), which is okay but not great when you actually need it. The problem is that so much of the small stuff is based on scaled-up car platforms, complete with transverse FWD layout.

If you want selectable AWD/4WD in a small SUV, the list is also small (I'm not sure if that's even a thing anymore for small SUVs). If you want full time AWD (Forester, Audi, etc), your gas mileage suffers from driveline loss, and your choices are also slim.

My point is that you should do your homework before choosing a vehicle, to make sure that the type of AWD/4WD actually suits your needs if that is a primary buying decision. Not all AWD is created equal, as I'm sure you already know. A CR-V will get better gas mileage than something like a Forester for example, but the Forester will kick the shit out of the CR-V when you actually have some slippery weather.
 
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Toyota Highlander AWD
 
XJ. You can buy it cheap so even though the gas mileage will be worse you'll still come out on top. :lol:

That is actually what I am doing now, about to start DDing a 94 XJ and selling my Tahoe to get rid of a monthly payment. It was an easy decision for me because it was sitting behind the shop already.
 
Fabrik8 said:
Most of the small AWD SUVs/crossovers with decent gas mileage are actually 100% FWD that can send a certain percentage of torque rearward (like the CR-V or Mazda CX-5), which is okay but not great when you actually need it. The problem is that so much of the small stuff is based on scaled-up car platforms, complete with transverse FWD layout.

If you want selectable AWD/4WD in a small SUV, the list is also small (I'm not sure if that's even a thing anymore for small SUVs). If you want full time AWD (Forester, Audi, etc), your gas mileage suffers from driveline loss, and your choices are also slim.

My point is that you should do your homework before choosing a vehicle, to make sure that the type of AWD/4WD actually suits your needs if that is a primary buying decision. Not all AWD is created equal, as I'm sure you already know. A CR-V will get better gas mileage than something like a Forester for example, but the Forester will kick the shit out of the CR-V when you actually have some slippery weather.
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Great points... I'm hoping more for the whole "kick the shit out of the CR-V when you actually have some slippery weather" thing as top priority, but hoping there was something with that kick without the gas guzzle of a full on tank...
 
Blaze said:
XJ. You can buy it cheap so even though the gas mileage will be worse you'll still come out on top. :lol:

That is actually what I am doing now, about to start DDing a 94 XJ and selling my Tahoe to get rid of a monthly payment. It was an easy decision for me because it was sitting behind the shop already.
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This is an interesting idea... the full size family-mobile I'm looking into is the Grand Cherokee, so ... it's funny to think the other option for my work commuter could be the XJ...
 
Fabrik8 said:
Pseudo-AWD. Normally FWD with ability to send 50% torque rearward, at least the more recent ones.
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BS

With all the high tech traction control stuff it works better than my Dodge truck. It has impressed the heck out of me.
 
I bought a 2006 Subaru Impreza as a winter beater this year, It gets about 26mpg, and will kick the crap out of the CRV in snow.... if it's your commuter, and you don't NEED an suv, it's hard to beat most of the Subaru cars for true awd....
 
drkelly said:
BS

With all the high tech traction control stuff it works better than my Dodge truck. It has impressed the heck out of me.
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Call BS if you want, but that's how the AWD works on those cars. ;)

zuke said:
I bought a 2006 Subaru Impreza as a winter beater this year, It gets about 26mpg, and will kick the crap out of the CRV in snow.... if it's your commuter, and you don't NEED an suv, it's hard to beat most of the Subaru cars for true awd....
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I have one of those for the wife, an '06 wagon. Also have a WRX for my fun car. I've got rid of the other Subarus. There are probably more Subarus in my extended family than all other makes combined I think.
 
There are a couple options that meet your needs in my opinion. Challenge will be what your budget is.
07-10 VW Touareg TDI
07-08 Grand Cherokee CRD
BMW X5D

You can find the Touaregs and JGC's in the $10-15k range, loaded, with 100k miles or less. Not sure about the X5D, as I've never looked in to them. My mom bought a TDI Touareg on my advice 6 months ago and absolutely loves it. She is averaging 27mpg with mixed city/highway driving, though its a 2012, which get a little better mpg, but are a lot more expensive.
 
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Fabrik8 said:
Call BS if you want, but that's how the AWD works on those cars. ;)

.
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You make it sound as if the AWD system in it is sub par and the OP should not consider it. I would rather drive it in the mountains in a snow storm than my Dodge. All the traction control stuff on it makes it drive unbelievable in the snow. Keep driving your rainbow cars.
 
The Kia Sportage with the turbo is fun to drive.
Unless first the engine and then the turbo blow up like mine did.....
Lemon law worked though!
 
Probably the best bang for the buck would be some sort of Gubaru. Never had one and never will but I know they go really well up here in the mountains. You might get lucky and find one with a rainbow sticker on it to boot.
 
I'm kinda shocked nobody has brought up the new Jeep/Fiat Renegade. My understanding is it's actually a pretty capable 4wd vehicle when the roads get rough, but looks like it should get around 26-28mpg combined. Also, I'll throw in a vote for Subaru. Mileage isn't the best typically, but damn near unstoppable in the snow.
 
Subaru, but make sure to replace the timing components with the belt.(I've seen idlers grenade, take out the belt and half the valves) Oh and if it develops a coolant leak, don't just keep topping it up... Fix it.(aluminum heads & aluminum block=warpage) Other than that they are as reliable as can be.
 
My wife has a 13 CRV, which is probably newer than you're looking, but it is AWD and has done exceptionally well in the ice and snow we have had since we got it. It is also the only thing that hasn't got stuck in my soupy ass yard. She gets about 26mpg with it.

Duane
 
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a_kelley said:
Subaru, but make sure to replace the timing components with the belt.(I've seen idlers grenade, take out the belt and half the valves) Oh and if it develops a coolant leak, don't just keep topping it up... Fix it.(aluminum heads & aluminum block=warpage) Other than that they are as reliable as can be.
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Gates timing belt kit without the water pump, and Aisin water pump. Stock thermostat. Replace the accessory belt idler too, they're cheap.

Speaking of Subarus, mine suddenly greeted me with it's first CEL this morning. It's 12 model years old, so it's doing well, but I want to see WTF it is very badly.
 
I am soaking in all the suggestions.... :)

Thanks for the info!!
 
Honestly IMHO best bang for the buck is going to be as @Blaze said and be an XJ. Cant beat them really, cheap buy in, uber reliable, easy to work on + low cost easily obtainable parts = cheap upkeep/repairs and the knowledge base here is almost unbelievable. Now if it just wasn't for that being a jeep thing, then again at least it doesn't have the rainbow/Hillary supporter stigma attached to it that some of the nominations on here have...................:shaking:
 
Fabrik8 said:
Gates timing belt kit without the water pump, and Aisin water pump. Stock thermostat. Replace the accessory belt idler too, they're cheap.

Speaking of Subarus, mine suddenly greeted me with it's first CEL this morning. It's 12 model years old, so it's doing well, but I want to see WTF it is very badly.
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My 06 threw a Cel last month, Was the upstream 02 sensor, I'd bet that on yours too, they're about that age :)
 
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