Best fuel efficient used SUVs?

[Bob W]

So I was helping daughter find a car this weekend and figured it is time to consider loosing my 285K Mercury Mountaineer.   It averages 17 mpg.

I'm interested in replacing it with a very reliable lower mileage fuel efficient SUV that can pull a small trailer packed with camping supplies and kayaks.

7 seat option would be awesome but would settle for 6.

Any suggestions?   

My other thought was to just park the Mercury for camping trips only and buy an 06 Camry for 6K.  The gas savings would be around $80 per month. 

Why seven seats?   We have two kids and often two grandkids so that is 6.   It seems there are many times we end up taking two cars places.   Not that often I suppose but still it would be nice. 

[sisto]

Does it have to be an SUV. A Honda Odyssey would probably fit the bill pretty nicely.

[Bob W]

Does it have to be an SUV. A Honda Odyssey would probably fit the bill pretty nicely.

Hadn't considered an Odyssey.   Doesn't have to be an SUV.

Has to be able to hold lots of people,  have relatively high MPG,  be relatively cheap,  be very reliable.  So Yeah,  I'll consider that suggestion.  Thanks!

[Murr]

We have a Pilot which has tons of room, 3rd row is legit and fits 2 adults, solid as they get with routine maintenance but mileage is horrible. An older one can be had for a decent price and should theoretically last a long time.

[RWD]

I just did a quick search on fueleconomy.gov (which regrettably doesn't have filtering by number of seats) and came up with the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon hybrid as being the most fuel efficient 7+ (it seats 8) seat vehicle with an EPA rating of 21/22 mpg city/hwy. I only looked at the SUV and minivan categories for model years 2006-2008. Unfortunately they run about $20k for a used one...

The 2006 Honda Odyssey gets 17/26 mpg, which is better than the Tahoe/Yukon on the highway, but the combined rating is lower. Pricing looks to be around $10k.

For 6 seats you can get a 2008 Mazda 5 that gets 22/28 mpg with a manual transmission and 21/27 mpg with an automatic. You should be able to find one for under $9k.

[Bob W]

I just did a quick search on fueleconomy.gov (which regrettably doesn't have filtering by number of seats) and came up with the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon hybrid as being the most fuel efficient 7+ (it seats 8) seat vehicle with an EPA rating of 21/22 mpg city/hwy. I only looked at the SUV and minivan categories for model years 2006-2008. Unfortunately they run about $20k for a used one...

The 2006 Honda Odyssey gets 17/26 mpg, which is better than the Tahoe/Yukon on the highway, but the combined rating is lower. Pricing looks to be around $10k.

For 6 seats you can get a 2008 Mazda 5 that gets 22/28 mpg with a manual transmission and 21/27 mpg with an automatic. You should be able to find one for under $9k.

Thanks RWD!   I checked out the Odyssey in my area and found some pretty cheap.  I saw a Tahoe on the lot Saturday and was impressed.  It was 17K at 150K.  Not in my thinking frame unfortunately.  I'll have to check the Mazda 5. 

Thanks again

[Glenstache]

You might take a look at how often you actually would end up using 2 cars. If it is a small amount of the overall mileage, it might just be acceptable to do that on occasion instead of buying a less efficient car for a small fraction of actual use.

A 2wd Rav4 will get high 20's in the MPG, tow a light trailer (hitch takes about 5 minutes to install), and move 5 people.

[otter]

For your use, there is nothing an SUV/crossover will do that a minivan won't do better. Odyssey, Sienna, Grand Caravan - see what you like. I am partial to the current generation of Chrysler minivans.

A Mazda 5 will seat 6, but you might find it slightly small if you carry a lot of stuff at the same time. Try one and see.

I don't remember if Highlander Hybrids are available with a third row, but if they are they're worth considering despite what I said above.

So I was helping daughter find a car this weekend and figured it is time to consider loosing my 285K Mercury Mountaineer.   It averages 17 mpg.

I'm interested in replacing it with a very reliable lower mileage fuel efficient SUV that can pull a small trailer packed with camping supplies and kayaks.

7 seat option would be awesome but would settle for 6.

Any suggestions?   

My other thought was to just park the Mercury for camping trips only and buy an 06 Camry for 6K.  The gas savings would be around $80 per month. 

Why seven seats?   We have two kids and often two grandkids so that is 6.   It seems there are many times we end up taking two cars places.   Not that often I suppose but still it would be nice.

[Bob W]

You might take a look at how often you actually would end up using 2 cars. If it is a small amount of the overall mileage, it might just be acceptable to do that on occasion instead of buying a less efficient car for a small fraction of actual use.

A 2wd Rav4 will get high 20's in the MPG, tow a light trailer (hitch takes about 5 minutes to install), and move 5 people.

Yeah,  I'm kinda gauging that.   It really is very infrequently.   

[startingsmall]

I have a Mazda5 and I am completely in love with it.  Good-ish fuel economy (~26 mpg) and a fun car to drive, very easy to park/maneuver due to small size.  Cargo space is very limited with 6 passengers.... but there is a small amount of storage in the 2nd row seats and a small amount of space behind the third row, as long as you aren't talking about extended travel or anything.  If you can make do with the smaller size, it's a great choice. 

[kendallf]

I'm pretty sure I can do all of that with my Prius, except it only seats 5.  I used the trailer to pick up a bunch of new windows for my house the other day, and averaged 42 mpg doing it.  If 95% of your use will be with 5 people or less, do the math, like your signature says.  :-)

[Bardo]

A good reason to avoid SUVs is that they almost always include 4wd, which for 99% of the world means more weight, cost and complexity coupled with lower mileage.  Definitely one of the biggest scams by car manufacturers.  There should be a lot of used minivan/people carriers available out there.  Good luck!

[Bob W]

I'm pretty sure I can do all of that with my Prius, except it only seats 5.  I used the trailer to pick up a bunch of new windows for my house the other day, and averaged 42 mpg doing it.  If 95% of your use will be with 5 people or less, do the math, like your signature says.  :-)

Interesting --- Thanks for that. 

So yeah,  I'm reconsidering the whole SUV concept.   We have gotten along with 5 seats forever and that has seemed to work pretty good.   Just the occasional hassle.     

So I'll refocus and rethink.   I just helped my daughter buy a 06 Toyota Camry with 148K for 5.5K.   I tried to talk her into her using my Mountaineer and me the Toyota and she said no.     I love the Camry's and this one replaces the one with 375K on it.   

So yeah,  Since I'm not in a hurry,  perhaps the Camry is were it is at for me and I can take several months to find a good one at a good price and then sell the Mountaineer or pass it on to another relative. 

Thanks for everyone's input.   I really appreciate it and it is good to have your feedback.