Frugal 4x4s – 22 most economical SUVs
- Gareth Herincx
- @garethherincx
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SUVs and crossovers are all the rage, but most on the road are driven by their front or rear wheels, and are not proper 4x4s.
All-terrain versions in the ranges are generally more expensive and usually less economical, but they are a necessity for many people living out in the sticks, for instance.
We’ve selected the 22 most economical 4×4 SUVs to show that driving a car offering extra traction and capable of tackling mud, snow and flooding needn’t cost the earth to run. We’ve kept it simple by just listing conventional petrol and diesel options…
Volkswagen T-Roc
VW’s new entrant in the very competitive compact crossover segment not only looks stylish and sporty, it’s good to drive and blessed with a great range of engines. The most economical is the £28,345 SEL 2.0 TDI 150 PS 4MOTION 6-speed manual at 57mpg. If you want petrol, then the SEL 2.0 TSI 190 PS 4MOTION 7-speed DSG (42mpg) is the best option.
Volvo XC40
New for 2018, Volvo’s classy and distinctive compact SUV is most economical in £34,655 R-Design D4 AWD Automatic guise (57mpg). The 2.0-litre Momentum T4 AWD Automatic (41mpg) is the 4×4 petrol option.
Audi Q5
The latest version of Audi’s big-ish SUV offers a good balance between ride comfort and handling, boasts plenty of equipment and safety tech, and of course, is blessed with a gorgeous interior. The 2.0 TDI quattro SE 190PS S tronic (57mpg) is the most frugal, while the 2.0 TFSI quattro Sport 252PS tiptronic (41mpg) is the leanest petrol option.
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Big, classy and comfortable with serious badge appeal, the GLC 250 d Sport at £39,975 is surprisingly economical (57mpg). The petrol alternative – the 2.0-litre GLC 250 4MATIC Sport – is capable of up to 44mpg.
Nissan Qashqai
Arguably the car that started the compact SUV craze, the Qashqai is a sensible, popular choice. The Tekna 1.6 dCi 130PS 4WD will set you back £30,730 with fuel economy of 58mpg. However, there’s no 4×4 petrol option.
Infiniti QX30
Built in Sunderland, the QX30 is an SUV from Nissan’s upmarket sister brand, Infiniti, boasting style, space and comfort. The most frugal version is the Premium Tech 2.2d 7DCT AWD at £34,225 (58mpg). The best performing petrol version is the Premium 2.0t 7DCT AWD (42mpg).
Land Rover Discovery Sport
All-terrain royalty in the shape of the go-anywhere Discovery Sport. The 2.0-litre HSE TD4 150PS diesel is priced at £36,195 and is capable of 58mpg. If you want petrol, it will have to be the 2,0-litre SE Tech Si4 240PS Auto 4WD (35mpg).
Ford Kuga
Practical, comfortable and well built, the Kuga is a solid, safe SUV choice. The Zetec 2.0TDCi 150PS AWD Powershift Auto version costs £28,445 and can return up to 58mpg. The plush Vignale 1.5T EcoBoost 182PS AWD Auto petrol is good for 38mpg.
Audi Q3
Refined, comfortable and well built, the stylish Q3 makes a classy choice. The 2.0 TDI Sport 150PS quattro at £30,880 is the most frugal 4×4 version (58mpg), while the 2.0 TFSI quattro Sport 180PS S tronic is the best petrol option (43mpg).
Honda CR-V
It’s not perhaps the most attractive SUV out there, but the CR-V is spacious, reliable and solidly built. The frugal EX 1.6 i-DTEC is good for up to 58mpg and costs £33,915, but if you want petrol power, then the SE Plus 2.0 i-VTEC Auto is your best option (38mpg).
BMW X1
Compared to the previous model, the latest BMW X1 is a car transformed. Handsome, roomy, refined and well built, it’s a premium choice. The xDrive20d xLine is good for 59mpg and costs £36,255. The xDrive20i xLine petrol version is capable of a respectable 46mpg.
Range Rover Evoque
Thanks to its efficient 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine, the Evoque makes it onto our list. Solid, stylish and practical, the Td4 180hp SE 6Sp 4WD will set you back £33,360, but you will benefit from Land Rover’s legendary all-terrain ability. The 2.0-litre Si4 240hp HSE Dynamic LUX 9Sp Auto 4WD petrol version’s economy is 39mpg.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
The Italian legend’s first SUV not only looks the part – it drives a bit like an Alfa too, boasting sharp steering and admirably flat cornering. The 2.2 Turbo Diesel 180hp Super AWD will set you back £37,690, but you will get up to 59mpg. The 2.0 Turbo petrol 200hp model is capable of up to 40mpg.
Audi Q2
Audi’s classy and distinctive baby crossover looks good, drives well and is available in some funky colours. The most economical version is the Sport 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic at £29,640 which is capable of 59mpg. If it’s petrol you’re after, then the S line 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic is good for 45mpg.
Mercedes-Benz GLA
A premium choice with serious badge appeal, the GLA is well equipped, comfortable and refined. The most frugal version is the GLA 220 d 4MATIC Sport (59mpg) at £33,710, but you’ll have to go for the GLA 250 4MATIC AMG Line if you want the most economical petrol version (44mpg).
Mazda CX-3
Mazda’s distinctive compact crossover is fun to drive, well built and practical. The 1.5 SKYACTIV-D 105PS Sport Nav 4WD will set you back £23,795, but you will be within reach of 60mpg. The most economical petrol version is the 2.0 SKYACTIV-G 150PS Sport Nav AWD (44mpg).
SsangYong Tivoli
Not only is the Tivoli good looking and great value for money, it doesn’t drive too badly either and it comes with a tempting five-year/unlimited-mileage warranty. The 1.6-litre ELX Diesel 4×4 is just £19,695 and is capable of up to 60mpg. Sadly there’s no petrol 4×4 Tivoli available. If you want more space and diesel is OK, the Tivoli XLV SUV/estate is the one to go for, though economy drops slightly to 58mpg.
Vauxhall Mokka X
This jacked-up, rugged version of the popular Mokka certainly looks the part, and it’s well equipped too. Choose the Ultimate 1.6CDTi (136PS) Start/Stop 4X4 (£30,365) and it’s good for 60mpg. The Elite 1.4i Turbo (140PS) Start/Stop 4X4 (42mpg) is the most frugal petrol version.
Dacia Duster
Chunky, spacious and surprisingly capable, the Duster represents great value. The most economical version (60mpg) is the Prestige TCe 125 4×4 at just £16,195. The Prestige TCe 125 4×4 is the best petrol option (44mpg).
Renault Kadjar
Closely related to the best-selling Nissan Qashqai, the Kadjar is a very good-looking SUV with plenty of space for passengers and luggage, plus it comes with a four-year/100,000-mile warranty. The £28,215 Signature Nav dCi 130 4WD is the most frugal 4×4 model with a claimed 63mpg. Sadly there are no petrol AWD versions of the Kadjar.
Suzuki SX4 S-Cross
Easy to drive and rugged, the S-Cross is both a practical family car and a very capable off-roader. The 1.6 DDiS SZ5 ALLGRIP is the most economical (64mpg) and priced at £26,249. If it’s a petrol version you’re after, the best economy comes with the 1.0 Boosterjet SZ-T ALLGRIP (53mpg).
Suzuki Vitara
Sharp looking, easy to drive and well equipped, the Vitara is great-value 4×4. The 1.6 DDiS SZ5 ALLGRIP is capable of 67mpg and priced at £24,549. The most economical petrol verson is the 1.4 S Boosterjet ALLGRIP (52mpg).