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    Most Fuel-Efficient Used Three-Row SUVs

    Consumer Reports tested the gas mileage of these family haulers that won't break the bank

    2017-2018 Toyota Highlander
    Toyota Highlander Hybrid
    Photo: Toyota

    If you’re planning on carrying more than five passengers—even five passengers and some luggage—a three-row SUV suddenly becomes your main option (although a minivan is often a good option, too). But newer models can be pricey, and midsized SUVs can rarely match the fuel efficiency of a compact SUV.

    That’s why Consumer Reports put together this list of 5-year-old three-row midsized SUVs with the best overall fuel economy. Covering everything from luxury models to efficient hybrids, all of these models performed well enough in our tests to be recommended when new, and all have average or better reliability, according to Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Surveys, where we ask CR members to tell us about what went wrong with their cars. That’s why models with below-average reliability, including the 2020 Honda Pilot and 2020 Kia Telluride, aren’t listed.

    MORE ON SUVs

    These SUVs are also recent enough that their performance in our tests—such as those for acceleration, braking, and fuel economy—is on a par with brand-new models. Plus, many were available with active safety features such as forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), and blind spot warning (BSW) as either standard or optional equipment. We’ve listed them in order of the overall fuel economy from our testing when they were new.

    Some of these models have our Green Choice designation, which highlights the vehicles with the cleanest emissions.

    Armed with this data, which you can’t find anywhere else, you can narrow down your list to the used three-row SUV that best suits your needs.

    If you’re a CR member, this article and the list below are already available to you. But if you haven’t signed up, click below and become a member to access this list and all our exclusive ratings and reviews for each vehicle we buy and test. Joining also gives you full access to exclusive ratings for the other products our experts evaluate in several categories, including electronics and appliances.

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    Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

    We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.


    Jon Linkov

    Jon Linkov is the deputy auto editor at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2002, covering varied automotive topics including buying and leasing, maintenance and repair, ownership, reliability, used cars, and electric vehicles. He manages CR’s lineup of special interest publications, hosts CR’s “Talking Cars” podcast, and writes and edits content for CR’s online and print products. An avid cyclist, Jon also enjoys driving his ’80s-era sports car and instructing at track days.