The Most Fuel-Efficient Chevrolet SUVs
Chevrolet builds some of the greatest full-size SUVs and pickup trucks available. While the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban may excel with their ample interior space and incredible road presence, their fuel consumption is less than stellar. So if you’re in the business of saving money, you’ll want to choose a more fuel-efficient SUV as your daily driver. Today we’re doing just that by taking a look at the most fuel-efficient Chevrolet SUVs currently on sale.
Chevrolet Trailblazer
Let’s start with Chevrolet’s newest SUV offering, the Trailblazer. According to Chevrolet, the most fuel-efficient engine available is a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder. Developing 155 hp, the small engine is also available with all-wheel drive. While a variable transmission comes as standard, a nine-speed automatic is available on models equipped with AWD.
In terms of fuel economy, the 1.3-liter engine consumes 29 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway for a combined average of 31 mpg. If you option the available all-wheel-drive system, your fuel economy ratings drop slightly to 26 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway for a combined average of 28 mpg. To get the most fuel-efficient engine in your Chevy SUV, you’ll have to opt for the LT trim level, which starts at $26,055.
Chevrolet Equinox
If the Chevrolet Trailblazer is too small, then perhaps the larger Equinox is the one for you. Unlike its smaller SUV sibling, the Equinox only has one engine option available. A 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine powers the Equinox with 170 hp. The only transmission option available is a six-speed automatic. Like with most other Chevrolet SUVs, front-wheel drive comes as standard while all-wheel drive is available.
In terms of fuel economy, the Chevrolet Equinox consumes 31 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in the city. Opt for the all-wheel-drive system, and your consumption ratings drop slightly to 30 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the city. Thankfully, the base model Equinox is also the most fuel-efficient. With a starting price of $23,800, it is not only fuel-efficient but also affordable.
Chevrolet Trax
Lastly, we’ve got the Chevrolet Trax. Despite being a slightly smaller SUV than the Equinox, the Trax retains identical fuel consumption ratings. The only engine option available is a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The only transmission option available is a six-speed automatic. As you’d expect, front-wheel drive comes standard while all-wheel drive is available as an optional extra.
In terms of fuel economy, the Trax consumes 31 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in the city. The all-wheel-drive variant’s fuel-consumption ratings drop to 29 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in the city. Given the Trax’s base price of $21,300, it is also an affordable option. However, given the similar fuel-efficiency ratings, you’re likely better off spending a little more to get either the larger Equinox or, the newer Trailblazer.
Chevy makes more than just SUVs
If you are not entirely set on getting an SUV, it may be worthwhile to check out the Chevrolet Bolt as well. Given that it is an electric vehicle, there are no fuel-efficiency ratings available. However, the Bolt has an excellent electric range of 259 miles. Unlike the aforementioned SUVs, the Bolt is more powerful with 200 hp. While the Bolt’s $36,620 starting price supersedes those of the SUVs, the Bolt qualifies for discounts of up to $8,500.