Fuel-efficient crossovers and frame SUVs

When choosing a car, future owners pay attention not only to functionality, but also to operating costs. That is why SUVs with high ground clearance, increased reliability and low fuel consumption are popular in both the primary and secondary market segments.

Today, many car manufacturers offer a wide range of options that combine attractive features. Indicators such as fuel efficiency depend on a number of factors:

• Engine type - gasoline or diesel.
• Engine displacement.
• Construction - frame or load-bearing body.
• Weight, number of seats.
• Transmission type.
• Additional technical solutions.

Rating of economical and reliable frame SUVs

Many drivers are convinced that an off-road vehicle with a frame cannot be economical - a strong but heavy construction requires a powerful engine with a good appetite. However, modern technology has significantly reduced this figure. Of course, an SUV with a frame is not the most economical in terms of fuel costs, but today we can talk about quite acceptable solutions.

To make the rating as correct as possible, petrol and diesel models have been separated. This is due to the fact that diesel engines are initially more economical, but more difficult to maintain and more demanding on fuel, which reduces their attractiveness in the eyes of domestic drivers.

Diesel

Jeep Cherokee

The integrated-frame Jeep Cherokee SUV was developed for the US market, but despite controversial design decisions, it performed so well that it became popular in the European market as well. The luxurious interior, leather, soft plastics and multimedia provide unsurpassed comfort.

The 2014 Cherokee was developed with the help of Fiat. However, this did not affect the technical characteristics of the car. Ground clearance of 220 mm and large approach, exit and ramp angles allow you to feel confident in the wild.

All automatic and manual transmissions have reduction gears and are characterized by increased reliability.

Of all the engines, the diesel 2.0 MultiJet with 170 hp is the most economical. With it, the car accelerates to 192 km / h and the dynamics to 100 in 10,3 seconds. In this case, the average fuel consumption:

• 6,5 liters in the city;
• 5,8 liters on average;
• 5,3 liters on the highway.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

The popular Japanese frame SUV Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is designed for off-road driving. Memorable appearance, comfortable interior and spaciousness make it popular among a huge army of fans around the world.

In 2015, another version of this car appeared, with a traditionally reliable suspension and a ground clearance of 218 mm. Thanks to modern electronics, the car feels great on the track, and when driving off-road it is able to overcome almost any surface.

Another innovation was the 2.4 hp 181 diesel engine, equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger. Thanks to this drive, the car accelerates to 181 km / h with a very modest consumption of diesel fuel:

• 8,7 liters in the city;
• 7,4 liters on average;
• freeway 6,7 l.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

When considering which modern SUV is the most reliable, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado immediately comes to mind, now even more economical thanks to a 2,8-liter diesel. This frame SUV is very popular all over the world, and the domestic market is no exception.

The body and interior of the car combine strength, comfort and manufacturability, the frame design provides high mobility.

Numerous electronic assistants help you navigate the urban environment and stay safe on the track when cornering at high speed. Ground clearance of 215mm with short overhangs improves off-road capability.

Diesel 2.8 1GD-FTV with a capacity of 177 hp, a six-speed manual gearbox and all-wheel drive accelerate the car to the first hundred in 12,1 seconds, and the top speed is 175 km/h. These are rather modest numbers, but it all pays off with low fuel consumption per 100 km for such a large car:

• 8,6 liters in the urban cycle;
• 7,2 liters on average;
• 6,5 liters on the motorway.

Gasoline

Suzuki Jimny

The Suzuki Jimny is one of the most fuel-efficient gas SUV options out there. Despite its small size, this is a real off-road conqueror with a ground clearance of 210 mm, which, combined with a short chassis and small overhangs, allows it to overcome the most difficult obstacles. The 2018 model year car received an angular, brutal body design and updated interior trim.

The car's interior has been updated with new media and the shift lever is back in place, removing the buttons as it was in previous generations. For compactness, you have to pay with a trunk capacity of only 87 liters, but with the rear row seats folded down, it can be increased to 377 liters.

The main feature of the Suzuki Jimny is its 1,5 naturally aspirated petrol engine, from which it was possible to extract 102 hp. It is aggregated with a five-speed manual transmission and an ALLGRIP PRO all-wheel drive system with a reduction gear, consuming the following amount of gasoline per 100 km:

• 7,7 liters in the city;
• an average of 6,8 liters;
• freeway 6,2 liters.

Great wall haval h3

Chinese automakers are actively developing and offering new models with improved technical characteristics. Great Wall Haval H3 is one such model. Despite mediocre specifications, this frame SUV is still popular due to its good value for money.

Positive reviews were received for its rather comfortable and roomy interior, with a large trunk. The suspension is characterized by excessive roll, but at the same time quite springy and very elastic, the rear-wheel drive has the ability to be rigidly connected to the front axle, which, with a ground clearance of 180 mm, provides decent cross-country ability.

The most economical version of the Haval H3 is equipped with a 2.0 hp 122 petrol engine. It accelerates the car to 160 km / h paired with a five-speed manual transmission, while fuel consumption is:

• 13,5 liters in city mode;
• 9,8 liters on average;
• 8,5 liters on the open road.

Mercedes G-Class

The premium SUV Mercedes G-Class or the famous "cube" offers comfort and increased power, but there are modifications with excellent fuel economy. Rigid frame construction with a ground clearance of 235 mm provides excellent cross-country ability. The interior is traditionally made of expensive materials and saturated with electronics.

The standard version is equipped with a seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. This allows the car to feel confident on the road.

In a wide range of gasoline engines, the most economical is the 4.0 V8-cylinder engine with 422 hp. With it, the car accelerates to 210 km / h and reaches a maximum speed of 5,9 seconds. With such indicators, this engine has a very modest fuel consumption:

• 14,5 liters in the city;
• 12,3 liters on average;
• in the domestic cycle - 11 liters.

The most economical crossovers

Today, SUVs are becoming more and more popular due to their versatility. They differ from classic SUVs in that their main load-bearing element is the body, not the frame. However, the use of modern steel and composite materials made it possible to achieve sufficient body rigidity to feel confident off-road.

One of the advantages of crossovers over ramps is their reduced weight, resulting in significant fuel savings…. Consider the most successful models in this range.

Diesel motors

BMW X3.

Being the brainchild of the famous Bavarian automaker, the BMW X3 crossover boasts not only excellent dynamics, attractive design and excellent interior trim, but also fuel efficiency. The car combines sporty dynamics, durability and reliability of a family car and good cross-country ability.

In the most economical modification, the BMW X3 is equipped with a 2.0 turbocharged diesel engine with a capacity of 190 horsepower. In combination with a reliable eight-speed automatic, it accelerates the car to 219 km / h and to the first hundred in eight seconds. And it does this with low diesel fuel consumption:

• 5,8 liters in the urban cycle;
• 5,4 liters in combined cycle;
• 5,2 liters on the domestic cycle.

Volkswagen Tiguan

The German concern VAG is famous for its powerful and economical engines. And in the crossover class, there are models with an outstanding track record. These include the compact crossover Volkswagen Tiguan, which, however, has grown significantly in recent modifications.

The use of the MQB modular platform has created a robust and spacious body that will appeal to fans of sporty style and fans of cars tuned for maximum practicality.

All-wheel drive and a ground clearance of 200 mm allow you to feel confident on various surfaces in any weather. Although it is better not to drive a real off-road car.

The 2.0 TDI diesel engine produces 150 hp. and in combination with the proprietary 7-DSG automatic transmission, it is able to accelerate the car to 200 km / h. At the same time, the fuel consumption is:

• 6,8 liters in the city;
• 5,7 liters on average;
• 5,1 liters outside the city.

KIA Sportage

Korean manufacturers have long made a name for themselves by creating competitive vehicles in all market segments. Among crossovers, the diesel KIA Sportage stands out for its fuel efficiency. Thanks to its corporate style, it attracts the attention of young people, and its spaciousness will appeal to experienced motorists. High-quality interior trim and acceptable flotation complement the versatile performance.

The entire range of KIA Sportage engines is economical, but the 1,6-liter turbodiesel with 136 hp stands out. It works in tandem with a seven-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. With them, the car accelerates to 182 km / h, and the dynamics to the first hundred is 11,5 seconds. Fuel consumption per 100 km remains quite modest:

• city ​​8,6 l;
• an average of 6,7 liters;
• motorway 5.6.

Gasoline

Volkswagen Tiguan

The crossover of the famous German manufacturer Volkswagen Tiguan is once again among the most economical cars, this time in a petrol version. Once again, we have to conclude that VAG specialists managed to create very interesting turbo engines that generate high power with a small volume and fuel consumption.

Among the most economical crossovers in the modern automotive industry is a modification with a 1.4 TSI engine with a capacity of 125 horsepower. It works in tandem with a 6-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. With them, the car accelerates to the first hundred in a decent 10,5 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 190 km / h, while gasoline consumption is AI-95:

• 7,5 liters in city mode;
• 6,1 liters on average;
• 5,3 liters on highways.

Hyundai Tucson

After the resumption of production of the popular Hyundai Tucson, the Koreans managed to create an almost new car based on the well-proven ix35. Dynamic, memorable design is combined with practicality and spaciousness in the cabin.

The car received a spacious trunk with a volume of 513 liters, which its predecessor did not have. The salon is now equipped with a multimedia system, has become more comfortable and trimmed with new pleasant materials.

To save on fuel, it is better to choose a modification with a 1.6 GDI gasoline engine with a power of 132 hp. with a six-speed gearbox. Fuel consumption is 11,5 seconds to the first hundred and a top speed of 182 km/h:

• 8,2 liters in the city;
• mixed cycle 7,0 liters;
• 6,4 liters on highways.

Honda CR-V

The updated Honda CR-V is a popular crossover that combines attractive looks, economy and practicality. These are the main reasons for the popularity of this car in the domestic market, as well as in Europe and abroad.

High build quality, quality materials, a large trunk and good geometric proportions ensure a comfortable ride.

The economical model is equipped with a modified 2.0 i-VTEC gasoline engine with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. The acceleration time to the first hundred is 10 seconds, and the maximum speed is 190 km / h. At the same time, the consumption of gasoline per 100 km in this configuration is:

• 8,9 liters in the city;
• 7,2 liters in combined cycle;
• Out of town 6,2 liters.

Conclusion

The choice of the most economical and reliable modifications for SUVs and crossovers leads to the need to compromise with increased dynamics. But even the most economical modern engines have very good performance.

Our rating takes into account the best representatives of their classes, but the developments of manufacturers such as Renault, Volvo, Peugeot, Subaru and Ford also do not stand still, offering new technical solutions. In addition, the rating does not take into account such a class as hybrids, which today are leaders in efficiency.