Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Luxury SUVs - Lexus takes No. 1 Spot

A new breed of sport utility vehicle called the ‘crossover’ is skyrocketing in popularity and dominates the list of most fuel-efficient SUVs for 2008.

Luxury auto makers are rushing out to get crossovers in their lineups as crossover sales lead the industry. While new car sales are down 2.8 percent in 2007, the crossover segments has enjoyed an increase of 23.5 percent to 1,749,680 units sold from January to September.

So if you’re in the market for a crossover and you’re looking to spend a little more on it than a Honda CR-V, Forbes list of the Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Luxury SUVs may just help you out. Remember to read the article below the gallery for details on crossovers.

Note: We don’t consider the Mercedes-Benz R-Class an SUV but apparently Mercedes has it listed under SUVs on their website (mbusa.com)

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DaHarder - 10/17/2007 5:04:10 PM

+2 Boost

1st - Crossovers are not new at all, as many SUV-type vehicles have been based on car platforms (The Camry begot the RAV4/RX-3xxx/Highlander et al).

2nd - It seems that every couple of years, automotive journalists get bored, and have to come up with anew catch-phrase for this or that.

As for these X-overs being more efficient, since they ARE based on car underpinnings, it would stand to reason they would be less-fuel hungry than heavier/less fuel efficient trucks.

Carboy - 10/17/2007 5:58:18 PM

-2 Boost

Now, we gotta wait for idoits to make, yet another comment. Ugh. Why did this even happen anyway.

lexusis350 - 10/17/2007 6:20:13 PM

+2 Boost

That is impressive, especially since Lexus has more SUVs than the typical luxury brand. Audi has one, BMW has two, Cadillac has one, Acura has two. Lexus and Mercedes are the only ones I can think of with three.

DaHarder - 10/17/2007 6:45:27 PM

+1 Boost

Fact Check:

1. Cadillac SRX

2. Cadillac Escalade (3-versions)

lexusis350 - 10/17/2007 8:21:52 PM

+1 Boost

Oh, you're right. I forgot the SRX. But if we're counting the Escalade as three versions, it's only fair that we count the RX 350 AWD, FWD, and 400h.

DaHarder - 10/17/2007 9:22:46 PM

+2 Boost

Nope, that's why they're numbered 1 and 2.

Note: Unlike the RX-series, the Cadillac Escalade are very different from each other, as one is a full-sized SUV, one is an Extended version of that, and the other is an SUT.

lexusis350 - 10/17/2007 11:51:18 PM

0 Boost

Well, one of the RXs is AWD, one is FWD, and one is a hybrid. I still say they're classified differently. All the other Lexus SUVs have AWD standard, that's where the RX is different.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/18/2007 5:25:57 PM

+1 Boost

lexusis350, the Escalade also comes in RWD, AWD and hybrid versions. But DaHarder didn't mention any of those. It's bodystyle, not drivetrain.

ThierryHenry14 - 10/19/2007 9:28:06 AM

+1 Boost

I thought Merc had 4. R, ML, GL, G...

SixxFive - 10/17/2007 8:04:30 PM

+2 Boost

After Lexus was just noted for having the least economical hybrid line up in the industry - this must be good news for them but further evidence that their hybrids are all marketing hype.

EL34 - 10/17/2007 8:37:09 PM

+1 Boost

Gas mileage and self parking.

I must be talking about a Lexus.

mikeydred20 - 10/17/2007 9:03:21 PM

+1 Boost

The bag _ss overatted Escalade is not a CUV! Get your fax straight first.

mikeydred20 - 10/17/2007 9:04:06 PM

0 Boost

It can be fax if you want but I meant facts!

DaHarder - 10/17/2007 9:22:19 PM

+1 Boost

ceric - 10/17/2007 10:38:20 PM

+2 Boost

"Fuel-Efficient Luxury" is an oxymoron.
If you compute the depreciation of any luxurty vehicles,
fuel cost is the last thing you should worry about.
If you own an LS 460, the depreciation is almost $10K a year
for the first 3 years. That is about $30 per day!

DaHarder - 10/17/2007 11:32:41 PM

+1 Boost

Sad... But True

r15mohd - 10/18/2007 10:38:51 AM

0 Boost

the same can be said for any luxury high-end vehcicle.

MB s-class deminish by almost half their retail value after 3-4 yrs, so your interpretation is hardly relevant. the mere fact is that most of the vehicles in the line-up hold good resale values...especially the Infiniti FX.

also, i dont see any reason for it to be an oxymoron. may be under your particular circumstances but for most who drive these vehicles, they can afford the luxury and still be happy with the fuel efficiency (vice-versa)

xj13 - 10/18/2007 4:09:54 AM

+1 Boost

RR is No 1.

BMW4me4ever - 10/18/2007 10:51:29 AM

+1 Boost

wait til next year with the X5 diesel arrives in the fall. then BMW will have 2 of the top vehicles out there

bmwdrvr - 10/18/2007 10:13:43 PM

+1 Boost

what is surprising to me is that the gas mileage on alot of these midsize luxury crossovers is not that far off, or about the same as full size traditional suvs.

ThierryHenry14 - 10/19/2007 9:27:08 AM

+1 Boost

I thought Merc had 4. R, ML, GL, G...