Gasoline prices have been extremely high in recent years, even reaching an insane $5 per gallon by 2022. With the largest oil-producing countries banding together to keep prices high, it seems drivers are they will have to get used to high gas prices. As such, fuel efficiency has become an important factor to consider even in luxury SUV. The rich can afford to spend a little more on the best luxury cars in 2023, but even they don’t like paying money at the gas pump.
You don’t normally expect luxury SUVs to get good fuel economy, but manufacturers have had to up their game to stay competitive. Manufacturers know that making fuel-efficient luxury SUVs is a great marketing tool in an increasingly green world, which is why there are so many options. Manufacturers also know that they have a key role in protecting the environment, which is why they continue to propose new technologies to increase gasoline consumption and reduce their carbon footprint.
That said, let’s take a look at 10 of the most efficient luxury SUVs on the market today. We used reliable data from Fueleconomy.gov to compile the list.
10 Lexus RX350h – 36 MPG
Let’s start with one of the most popular Lexus models on sale today: the RX. The RX is a great choice for anyone looking for a stylish luxury crossover SUV, and in hybrid form it gets some of the best fuel economy in its class.
Lexus recently introduced a new generation of the RX, and it’s fantastic. There are several versions of the RX, the most fuel efficient being the 350 h. Although it only produces 245 hp, the 2023 Lexus RX350h has a combined range of 36 mpg and can cover 619 miles without needing to refuel. It rarely gets better than this when it comes to luxury SUV fuel efficiency.
9 Mercedes-Benz GLE – 22 MPG
In the late 1990s, Mercedes-Benz wanted to build a new luxury SUV to replace the G-Class. The result was the M-Class, and although it didn’t replace the G-Class, it became a big seller of the German brand and has been part of its line ever since. In 2015, Mercedes-Benz renamed the M-Class as the GLE to harmonize its SUV lineup, meaning the GLE is the equivalent of the E-Class when it comes to Mercedes-Benz SUVs.
The current GLE comes with an imposing design with a giant Mercedes-Benz logo on its grille, a luxurious interior filled with the latest technology and some of the most advanced safety technologies. The current GLE is EPA-rated at 22 mpg combined, a figure we expect to improve dramatically once the hybrid version, the GLE450e, debuts in 2024.
8 Volvo XC90 – 25 MPG
The XC90 is Volvo’s largest and most luxurious SUV, competing with the Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The XC90 offers super Swedish styling and one of the best interiors in the luxury SUV space.
The XC90 has multiple powertrain options. The B5 is the most fuel-efficient of the non-electric versions, with its 247bhp mild hybrid system delivering 25mpg. However, there is the T8 plug-in hybrid that offers 66 MPGe and 455 hp to play with.
7 BMW X5 – 25 MPG
Today BMW has an impressive range of SUVs, but that wasn’t the case back in 1999 when the X5 debuted, as it was the German brand’s first SUV. The X5 quickly showed that BMW could make a capable and reliable SUV, which is why it’s stuck around all these years.
The current X5 stands out because it perfectly combines performance and refinement. Buyers have a trio of powertrains to choose from, including a mildly turbocharged inline-six that produces 335 hp, a twin-turbo V8 with 523 hp, and a plug-in hybrid.
6 Cadillac Escalade – 23 MPG
The Escalade is Cadillac’s pride and joy. This fantastic vehicle has helped Cadillac make a name for itself in the luxury SUV market since its debut at the turn of the century, punching above its weight against heavyweights like the Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade comes with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine that makes 277 hp, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s definitely not fast, but a combined 23 mpg makes up for it. Gearheads who want more power can opt for a 6.2-liter V8 that delivers 420 hp. It’s not as fuel-efficient as the diesel engine, but drivers have the option to deactivate half of the cylinders to save fuel.
5 Genesis GV80 – 22 MPG
Genesis has only been in business for seven years, but the Hyundai-owned division is already one of the top dogs in the luxury space. Genesis has a fast-growing line of luxury cars that offer an affordable alternative to European options, and the best of the bunch is the GV80.
The 2023 GV80 has a sleek design that gears could easily mistake for a Bentley, an interior Mercedes-Benz owners would be jealous of, a starting price of just $56,000, and one of the best warranties in the game. There are three engine options for the 2023 GV80, and the most fuel-efficient is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 22 mpg.
4 BMW X7 – 22 MPG
More than a decade after introducing the aforementioned X5, BMW felt it needed a full-size luxury SUV to compete with popular options like the Audi Q7 and Range Rover. The result was the X7, which debuted in 2018.
The X7 uses the same platform as the X5, but is taller, wider and has a longer wheelbase for increased third-row space and a more luxurious feel. Inside the X7, buyers can enjoy a serene environment filled with luxury materials and modern technology like a giant 14.9-inch curved screen. The entry-level 2023 X7 features a 375-hp turbocharged inline-six engine with EPA ratings of 22 mpg combined.
3 Acura RDX – 24 MPG
Honda’s luxury division, Acura, has been very disappointing over the past decade. It is not as successful as competitors like Lexus and Genesis. However, Acura has still built several decent models, one of which is the RDX.
The RDX is a luxury crossover SUV that debuted in 2006 and is now in its third generation. The first two generations used the Honda Civic and CR-V platforms, but the current generation uses its own platform. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder that makes 272 hp, giving the 2023 RDX an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined.
2 Jaguar F-Pace – 24MPG
When Jaguar decided to join the SUV market in 2016, it did so with a worthy competitor: the F-Pace. The F-Pace is a luxury crossover SUV that has it all. Apart from being spacious, practical and exclusive, the F-Pace is one of those rare SUV models that driving enthusiasts can enjoy, as it has a firm ride and several powerful engine options.
The standard F-Pace has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes a modest 246 hp, but power-hungry gearheads can get the high-performance SVR version with a 550-hp supercharged V8. The standard F-Pace can be an excellent daily driver, as it is EPA-rated at 24 mpg.
1 Audi Q5 – 25 MPG
Audi has several luxury SUVs in its lineup, and for gearheads who prioritize fuel efficiency, the Q5 is the way to go. The Q5 is a compact luxury crossover SUV that is loved for its well-tailored exterior, advanced technological features and wide range of powerful and fuel-efficient engines.
The current generation Q5 debuted in 2017 and recently received a facelift for 2021 that includes exterior design updates and a new infotainment system. The 2023 Audi Q5 offers a trio of engines. The most economical is a turbo four-cylinder that makes 201 hp with an EPA rating of 25 mpg combined.
