Home Best Real MPG: most efficient SUVs bestWhat Car?'s Real MPG tests show what you can really expect from a car. Here, we reveal the top 10 most efficient SUVs we've ever tested...
Published02 November 2023
The official MPG figures published in car sales brochures can tempt you into buying a particular model, but they're often misleading.
Fortunately, What Car?'sReal MPG test tells you what sort of fuel economy you can expect to get in the real world, with our results reflecting what's achievable if you drive gently and stick to speed limits, without resorting to any unrealistically slow acceleration or special 'hypermiling' techniques.
Read on to find out how we calculate your car's Real MPG, or scroll down to see the SUVsthat performed best in our tests.
How we test for a car's Real MPG
We performour Real MPG tests in a laboratory under strictly controlled conditions. That meansyou can rely on them being a true comparison of one model against another, because there is no chance that the weather or traffic conditions can skew the results.
Although the tests are done in a lab, they are realistic because they're based on a route we’ve chosen, which includes town, motorway and rural sections.
All cars undergo a thorough preparation process, including having their tyrepressures tested to match the manufacturer's recommendations.They're keptin a temperature-controlled chamber, too, so that all cars areat the same temperature when tested. During testing, we keep the headlights off, and if they have air-con, it’s set to 21 degrees and the lowest fan setting.
The fuel economy figures are calculated using measurements of the car’s exhaust emissions, and this is turned into ourReal MPG economy figure.
Read more: How we test a car's RealMPG
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1
Toyota Yaris Cross 1.5 hybrid0-62mph: 11.2 sec
MPG/range: 64.2mpg
CO2 emissions: 100g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 460 litres
Insurance group: 11E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Very efficient
- Lofty driving position
- Uncluttered dashboard is easy to use
Weaknesses
- Could be more spacious in the back seats
- Vocal engine when accelerating
- Not as fun to drive as the Ford Puma
Real MPG Average 60.1mpg | Town 103.3mpg | Motorway 45.5mpg | Rural 70.5mpg
The ToyotaYaris Cross is a longer, wider SUV version of the Toyota Yaris small hatchback, competing with the likes of the Ford Puma and Skoda Kamiq. It’s a hybrid, which uses a combination of a 1.5-litre engine and an electric motor to improve economy and performance. It’s not only the most economical SUV we’ve tested – it'sthe thriftiest car, full stop.
Target Price from £23,811
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2
Suzuki Ignis1.2 Dualjet Hybrid0-62mph: 12.7 sec
MPG/range: 56.9mpg
CO2 emissions: 112g/km
Seats: 4
Boot: 260 litres
Insurance group: 21D
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Good fuel economy
- Spacious for a small car
- Generous equipment
Weaknesses
- Ride can be fidgety
- Vague steering
- Poor infotainment system
Real MPG Average59.9mpg | Town51.3mpg | Motorway53.3mpg | Rural74.8mpg
Don't be fooled by its small size, because the tiny Suzuki Ignis is deceptively spacious inside. Even though it's not much bigger than many city cars, it’s roomy enough to accommodate four adults in comfort.Itspeppy 1.2-litre petrol engineuses mild hybrid technology to add some extra oomph at low engine speeds. However, some rivals offer more in the way of driver engagement.
Target Price from £17,475
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3
Renault Kadjar1.5 dCi 110 (2015-2022)Strengths
- Spacious interior
- Bigger boot than sibling Nissan Qashqai
- Quiet petrol engines
Weaknesses
- So-so quality
- Grabby brakes
- Choppy ride on big alloys
Real MPG Average55.2mpg | Town50.0mpg | Motorway48.8mpg | Rural69.1mpg
The Renault Kadjar is no longer on sale new, but the diesel version is worth seeking out if you’re after a frugal secondhand family SUV. Although it sharesits underpinnings with the previous-generation Nissan Qashqai, it beats that model for efficiency. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is a good option because delivers its power smoothly and hasplenty of pull from low revs.
Other plus-points of this family-friendly SUV include a big boot and plenty of standard equipment, even in the lowest trim level. Used prices start from around £8000.
Used car deals
4
Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi 110 (2014-2021)0-62mph: 10.2 sec
MPG/range: 44.1mpg
CO2 emissions: 144g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 479 litres
Insurance group: 12E
Strengths
- Quiet and comfortable
- Sips fuel
- Lots of equipment
Weaknesses
- Poor reliability
- Ride suffers on 19in wheels
- Limited rear visibility
Real MPG Average51.9mpg | Town47.2mpg | Motorway46.4mpg | Rural63.5mpg
The second-generation Nissan Qashqai remains a standout choice in the family SUV market; indeed, it was our overall Car of the Year in 2014. These days, you can pick up a used example for as little as £7000. And you'll be getting a whole lot of SUV for that money, because the Qashqai is comfortable, practical and –if you choose one equipped with this punchy 1.5-litre diesel engine –pleasingly frugal.
Used car deals
5
Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi (2016-2021)0-62mph: 9.9 sec
MPG/range: 42.8mpg
CO2 emissions: 149g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 562 litres
Insurance group: 20E
Strengths
- Spacious and practical interior
- Good value for money used
- Neat steering
Weaknesses
- Diesel engine can be noisy
- So-so ride and handling
- No automatic emergency braking on some models
Real MPG Average51.4mpg | Town43.9mpg | Motorway46.0mpg | Rural65.8mpg
TheKia Sportage (2016-2021) makes a great usedbuy because it'spractical andinexpensive to buy, and many are still covered by Kia's seven-year warranty. The most popular diesel-engined Sportage with UK buyers was the 114bhp 1.7-litre – and this is also the most economical choice. That’s great news because it means there are plenty of used examples to choose from. Prices start from £10,500.
Used car deals
6
Volkswagen Taigo 1.0 TSI 950-62mph: 10.4 sec
MPG/range: 52.3mpg
CO2 emissions: 123g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 440 litres
Insurance group: 14E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Comfortable ride
- Surprisingly spacious interior
- Cheap running costs
Weaknesses
- Rivals are more fun to drive
- So-so interior quality
- Reliability could be better
Real MPG Average50.5mpg | Town41.6mpg | Motorway45.8mpg | Rural62.5mpg
If you’re after a coupé SUV that won’t break the bank to buy or own, the Volkswagen Taigo should be on your shopping list. It has a comfy ride, a surprisingly spacious interior and the prospect of low running costs if you choose the lower-powered of its 1.0-litre petrol engines. In our test, the 94bhp Taigo managed 45.8mpg on the motorway and upwards of 62mpg on faster country roads.
Target Price from £24,570
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7
Seat Ateca 1.6 TDI 1150-62mph: 9 sec
MPG/range: 45.6mpg
CO2 emissions: 141g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 510 litres
Insurance group: 18E
Strengths
- Spacious interior
- Class-leading handling
- Boot space pips rivals
- Good value used
Weaknesses
- Some rivals offer more flexible seating
- Interior isn’t that plush
- One or two are more economical
Real MPG Average50.2mpg | Town47.3mpg | Motorway44.1mpg | Rural61.7mpg
The Seat Ateca isn’t just great to drive and attractive to look at, it’s also impressively spacious, well equipped and competitively pricedcompared with its Skoda Karoq andVolkswagen Tiguan rivals. The punchy yet frugal 1.6-litre diesel engine is no longer available in a new Ateca, having been replaced by a 2.0-litre variant as part of a mid-life update, but you can find examples on the used market.
Used car deals
8
Mazda CX-5 2.2d 150 (2012-2017)0-62mph: 10.7 sec
MPG/range: 43.5mpg
CO2 emissions: 146g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 522 litres
Insurance group: 17E
Strengths
- Spacious interior
- Sharp handling
- Good economy from petrol engine
Weaknesses
- Lots of road noise
- Ride firm on Sport models
- Drab interior
Real MPG Average48.3mpg | Town41.6mpg | Motorway43.2mpg | Rural61.4mpg
This model was replaced by a newer Mazda CX-5 in 2017, but as our real-world figures show, the previous-generation car can still be a very frugal choice if you buy used – and the good news there is that prices start from just over £10,000. It's well kitted out and nicely made inside,and there's plenty of space for your family and all of their luggage.It's good to drive, too.
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9
Suzuki Vitara 1.6 petrol0-62mph: 9.5 sec
MPG/range: 53.2mpg
CO2 emissions: 120g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 362 litres
Insurance group: 22A
Strengths
- Good driving manners
- Spacious and practical interior
- Well equipped
- Reliability
Weaknesses
- High emissions on some petrol models
- Diesel engines can be noisy
- Some of the trim feels flimsy
Real MPG Average47.7mpg | Town40.2mpg | Motorway43.6mpg | Rural59.8mpg
Even in the crowded small SUV market, the Suzuki Vitara makes a lot of sense, especially if you stick with the cheaper trim levels, which representthe best value for money. It's spacious and fuel efficient, but rivals have nicer interiors and the infotainment system on entry-level versions is quite basic. The 1.6-litre petrol engine is responsive and economical, but isno longer available from new; it's been replaced by a 1.4-litre mild hybrid unit.
Used car deals
10
Hyundai Kona 1.6 GDi Hybrid0-62mph: 11.2 sec
MPG/range: 60.1mpg
CO2 emissions: 106g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 466 litres
Insurance group: 16E
Strengths
- Decent performance
- Generous kit
- Good infotainment
Weaknesses
- Bumpy ride on 18in wheels
- Not very practical
- Auto braking not standard
Real MPG Average47.4mpg | Town63.7mpg | Motorway39.7mpg | Rural52.0mpg
The previous-generation Kona is available with petrol, hybrid or electric power. The Hybrid version is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor that makes it quicker than the petrol from a standstill. To save on fuel, it can drive on electric power alone at low speeds for short distances. All trim levels offerplentyof standard equipment and an easy-to-use infotainment system.
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