hybrid
SUVs have gotten a bad rap. How many times have you heard them vilified--as a group--for being the cause of our gasoline woes based on their conspicuous consumption of the stuff?

Not that it’s entirely unwarranted. Indeed, SUVs tend to suck down more fuel than a comparably sized car, but it’s easy to argue that they also offer the benefits of greater cargo space, higher towing limits, and sometimes, greater seating capacity, and easier ingress and egress due to their taller build. And not every car offers all-wheel-drive--or the high ground clearance--that makes SUVs a savior to the snow-belt crowd.

Regular 4-cylinder compact SUVs typically average in the low-20-mpg range in our tests. This is reasonably acceptable mileage even by car standards. But there are some SUVs--many of them larger--with hybrid or diesel powertrains that do far better, allowing you to have your cake and eat it too.

In general, hybrid SUVs get better mileage in around-town driving, while diesels favor highway use and usually boast higher towing capacities. But in either case, driving one of these environmentally conscious SUVs means the finger of ridicule should no longer be pointed your way.

Following is a list of such SUVs we’ve tested in ascending order of base price. One forewarning: These models may erase your guilt, but don’t expect a consoled conscience to come cheap.


06.25.2009