Smart Buying Essentials
Can new Full-Size SUVs help ease the pain at the pump?
Anybody that has ever tried to squeeze a stroller and groceries into the back of a too small SUV knows how inconvenient it is to find room for the stroller, but so little room for the food. Some vehicles were just not meant for multi-tasking as well as others. They were designed to look sporty, but for the most part, can haul either people or stuff--but not both. In response, some newer models have seats that fold flat, power tumble fold, lock and hold upright out of the way, or are built lighter for easier removal and provide immediate expansion of cargo space.
This, however, is where judging the "utility" in a new Sport Utility becomes very important. There is great diversity among the current full-size models as to how many people and how much cargo they can carry at the same time, but universally, they seem to share the same stigma of generally poor gas mileage. And with gas prices reaching an all time high across the U.S., frequent fill ups are becoming more and more painful. Since it's less likely that people will stop taking trips, having children, or going to the grocery store, the need for larger, more capable vehicles will probably continue. As it has been with new safety equipment, improved interior refinements and convenience features, SUVs will continue to evolve as other vehicles have, presumably for the better. Improved fuel efficiency is just one of those areas that the manufacturers should be (and are now) addressing.
If smaller works for you, the best performing Intermediate Utility is the Highlander Hybrid. With an EPA estimated mileage of 33/28 for the 2WD model, it provides just under 11 cubic feet of room behind the third row (for reference that's about the same cargo space as a Honda Civic coupe). Comparatively speaking, the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon 2WD twins deliver the best mileage in the Full-Size utility class and have been identified by IntelliChoice as providing the Lowest Fuel Cost in their class. Both provide about 17 cubic feet of cargo room (note the new Suburban gets the same mileage as the Tahoe and provides a generous 45.8 cubic feet of room behind the third row). The improvement in fuel economy over the previous generation model stems mostly from a new 5.3L V8 that features "displacement on demand" technology, as well as improved aerodynamics and engineering techniques. The aging Toyota Land Cruiser has 20.8 cubic feet with maximum seating, but gets only 13/17 miles per gallon (compared to the Yukon 4WD at 15/21)--a financial difference of more than $2000 over five years. In fact, the Chevy/GMC models expected fuel costs over five years are better (from hundreds to thousands of dollars) than over a dozen Intermediate SUV models.
As of June, the current Full-Size SUV Fuel Economy Leaders are:
2007 GMC Yukon 2WD (16/22--$9459)
2007 Chevrolet Tahoe 2WD (16/22--$9459)
2006 Isuzu Ascender (5-Pass V6) 2WD (16/22--$9459)
2006 GMC Yukon 2WD (16/20--$9952)
2006 GMC Envoy XL 2WD (V8) (16/20--$9952)
2006 Chevrolet Tahoe 2WD (16/20--$9952)
2007 GMC Yukon 4WD (15/21--$9995)
2007 Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD (15/21--$9995)
2007 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 2WD (15/21--$9995)
2006 Isuzu Ascender 4WD (5-Pass V6) (15/21--$9995)
Be careful when comparing vehicles to look not only at their EPA mileage estimates, but their fuel type requirements as well. There are a number of smaller SUVs (including non-luxury models) that require premium fuel. Even if they provide slightly better gas mileage, your overall costs will be higher.
The new GM SUVs may or may not be the wave of the future, but the millions of consumers that really require larger vehicles are here to stay. As IntelliChoice is an Ownership Cost company, fuel costs are just one of the areas we analyze, though we recognize that with gas prices going up, it's important to call attention to this area and provide insights on how new SUV design and technological improvements are starting to positively impact fuel and overall ownership costs.
