So I'm asking this for a friend. Their Lexus RX hybrid SUV was totaled in an accident recently so they're in the market for a new SUV. The RX was getting to be on the small side for them anyway, with 1 kid and 2 large dogs. So they're in the market for a new larger SUV, that could possibly tow a small travel trailer (which they don't own yet, but they wouldn't go big at all). But, she drives a lot so was wanting something in the 25mpg range. So far the only thing she has found was a Volvo hybrid SUV, but that starts in the $60,000 range, which they are willing to pay for the right vehicle.I suggested the Explorer to her, but I'm partial as I have one with the EcoBoost. It doesn't get 25mpg but I'm usually in the 21-22 range which she said is doable if the vehicle is cheaper. It has the same towing capacity as the Volvo (5,000lbs).Any other options she should look at? They're aware their mpg while towing the hypothetical trailer will be lower. They wouldn't be interested in older SUVs, they're "new car" people. SUVs like Tahoes do not get the mileage she's after.

"SUVs like Tahoes do not get the mileage she's after."Correct. My Tahoe does get 25 mpg on the highway but not around town but it easily handles my 5,100 pound TT when towing.

Can't really answer the question without knowing the trailer weight they will be towing. "Small trailer" to some people is 20ft. Others it's a rpod. Cheaper to buy an SUV that gets 15mpg for 35k than an overpriced hybrid for 60. The savings In fuel just isn't there.

ShinerBock wrote:Jeep Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel.X 2And it can tow 7200 pounds.

They'd probably be looking at a small trailer similar to an Rpod or a Jayco Hummingbird. Definitely lightweight... the kind you can buy new for under 20k :) When that time comes I'd help them out with their decision on that too.

Best SUV for towing that gets 20+mpg | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

Mortimer_Brewst
Explorer II
Aug 11, 2017
Another vote for an Explorer with the tow package, though ideally your friend should decide on a trailer first. My Explorer did have more than a few problems. Ford really stood behind their product. Everything was fixed under warranty without a fuss.
JAC1982
Explorer
Aug 11, 2017
wireman wrote:
JAC1982 wrote:
wireman wrote:
IdaD wrote:
If it were me I'd meet those requirements with a crew cab 2.7 EcoBoost with a nice color matched hard shell on the bed. It would nearly get the desired empty mileage, have plenty of room and would tow a small TT better than an SUV. Or an EcoDiesel Ram if the mileage is critical.

Edit - pickups are also a substantially better value than an equivalent SUV.

The Ram Eco would be a better tow vehicle than the JGC Eco. Almost as good of mileage as the JGC. That said, I tow a jayco TT, 23RLSW model and it scales at 5600 lbs. loaded. Tows very well with the JGC Eco. JGC is rated at 7200 lbs. on my 4X4. I prefer to tow at about 75% of the JGC capacity

Not sure that the ECOBOOST could get any where near the 30+ MPG I get on the highway with my 2015 JGC EcoDiesel.

If they want to stay with a SUV the JGC Eco is a great choice. Get a 15 or 16 model year. 2017 were not certified by EPA for the Eco engine. 2018 model should be.

Think the 2018 will be.

They are not truck people at all so trucks are out. This is her daily driver and their dogs are like extra kids so no throwing them in the back of a truck, even with a shell. Their Lexus was totaled in a rollover accident so that made her even more freaked out about the dogs (they weren't in the vehicle at the time thankfully).

And I can confirm the EcoBoost (which I have) won't touch 30mpg highway, I got close to 25 on a multi day road trip. If I didn't need the extra room I get with the Explorer (I have 3 dogs and maybe a kid at some point), I would have looked at the Jeeps myself.

I let her know about the Jeep. They're going car shopping over Labor Day weekend so we'll see what they end up with!

Good time to buy over Labor day. I have a 2.0L Ecoboost in my wife's 2013 Escape Titanium. It's a great engine.

Yup we have the 2.0 EB in our Fusion Titanium... that's a fun car to drive. I've got the 3.5 EB in my Explorer and love it too.
Fordlover
Explorer
Aug 11, 2017
JAC1982 wrote:
wireman wrote:
IdaD wrote:
If it were me I'd meet those requirements with a crew cab 2.7 EcoBoost with a nice color matched hard shell on the bed. It would nearly get the desired empty mileage, have plenty of room and would tow a small TT better than an SUV. Or an EcoDiesel Ram if the mileage is critical.

Edit - pickups are also a substantially better value than an equivalent SUV.

The Ram Eco would be a better tow vehicle than the JGC Eco. Almost as good of mileage as the JGC. That said, I tow a jayco TT, 23RLSW model and it scales at 5600 lbs. loaded. Tows very well with the JGC Eco. JGC is rated at 7200 lbs. on my 4X4. I prefer to tow at about 75% of the JGC capacity

Not sure that the ECOBOOST could get any where near the 30+ MPG I get on the highway with my 2015 JGC EcoDiesel.

If they want to stay with a SUV the JGC Eco is a great choice. Get a 15 or 16 model year. 2017 were not certified by EPA for the Eco engine. 2018 model should be.

Think the 2018 will be.

They are not truck people at all so trucks are out. This is her daily driver and their dogs are like extra kids so no throwing them in the back of a truck, even with a shell. Their Lexus was totaled in a rollover accident so that made her even more freaked out about the dogs (they weren't in the vehicle at the time thankfully).

And I can confirm the EcoBoost (which I have) won't touch 30mpg highway, I got close to 25 on a multi day road trip. If I didn't need the extra room I get with the Explorer (I have 3 dogs and maybe a kid at some point), I would have looked at the Jeeps myself.

I let her know about the Jeep. They're going car shopping over Labor Day weekend so we'll see what they end up with!

I don't think any of the Eco diesels have been legal to sell for the last year or so while Fiat went thru it's struggles with the EPA. Word is now that they have approval from the EPA to start selling the diesels again, but that might be only for 2018 models, hopefully someone has more info about that.
rjstractor
Nomad
Aug 11, 2017
rexlion wrote:
If only it worked that way! The weight of the WD hitch is pushing down on the ball, so its weight must be added to the total hitch weight. Even though it is distributing some of that weight to the front axle, the receiver's attachment points still are impacted by the raw weight; the mfr's limitation should not be exceeded.

Yes, the total hitch weight impacts the hitch, but since a WDH transfers some hitch weight back to the trailer axles, the actual weight carried by the vehicle is lessened.
wireman
Explorer
Aug 11, 2017
JAC1982 wrote:
wireman wrote:
IdaD wrote:
If it were me I'd meet those requirements with a crew cab 2.7 EcoBoost with a nice color matched hard shell on the bed. It would nearly get the desired empty mileage, have plenty of room and would tow a small TT better than an SUV. Or an EcoDiesel Ram if the mileage is critical.

Edit - pickups are also a substantially better value than an equivalent SUV.

The Ram Eco would be a better tow vehicle than the JGC Eco. Almost as good of mileage as the JGC. That said, I tow a jayco TT, 23RLSW model and it scales at 5600 lbs. loaded. Tows very well with the JGC Eco. JGC is rated at 7200 lbs. on my 4X4. I prefer to tow at about 75% of the JGC capacity

Not sure that the ECOBOOST could get any where near the 30+ MPG I get on the highway with my 2015 JGC EcoDiesel.

If they want to stay with a SUV the JGC Eco is a great choice. Get a 15 or 16 model year. 2017 were not certified by EPA for the Eco engine. 2018 model should be.

Think the 2018 will be.

They are not truck people at all so trucks are out. This is her daily driver and their dogs are like extra kids so no throwing them in the back of a truck, even with a shell. Their Lexus was totaled in a rollover accident so that made her even more freaked out about the dogs (they weren't in the vehicle at the time thankfully).

And I can confirm the EcoBoost (which I have) won't touch 30mpg highway, I got close to 25 on a multi day road trip. If I didn't need the extra room I get with the Explorer (I have 3 dogs and maybe a kid at some point), I would have looked at the Jeeps myself.

I let her know about the Jeep. They're going car shopping over Labor Day weekend so we'll see what they end up with!

Good time to buy over Labor day. I have a 2.0L Ecoboost in my wife's 2013 Escape Titanium. It's a great engine.
JAC1982
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
wireman wrote:
IdaD wrote:
If it were me I'd meet those requirements with a crew cab 2.7 EcoBoost with a nice color matched hard shell on the bed. It would nearly get the desired empty mileage, have plenty of room and would tow a small TT better than an SUV. Or an EcoDiesel Ram if the mileage is critical.

Edit - pickups are also a substantially better value than an equivalent SUV.

The Ram Eco would be a better tow vehicle than the JGC Eco. Almost as good of mileage as the JGC. That said, I tow a jayco TT, 23RLSW model and it scales at 5600 lbs. loaded. Tows very well with the JGC Eco. JGC is rated at 7200 lbs. on my 4X4. I prefer to tow at about 75% of the JGC capacity

Not sure that the ECOBOOST could get any where near the 30+ MPG I get on the highway with my 2015 JGC EcoDiesel.

If they want to stay with a SUV the JGC Eco is a great choice. Get a 15 or 16 model year. 2017 were not certified by EPA for the Eco engine. 2018 model should be.

Think the 2018 will be.

They are not truck people at all so trucks are out. This is her daily driver and their dogs are like extra kids so no throwing them in the back of a truck, even with a shell. Their Lexus was totaled in a rollover accident so that made her even more freaked out about the dogs (they weren't in the vehicle at the time thankfully).

And I can confirm the EcoBoost (which I have) won't touch 30mpg highway, I got close to 25 on a multi day road trip. If I didn't need the extra room I get with the Explorer (I have 3 dogs and maybe a kid at some point), I would have looked at the Jeeps myself.

I let her know about the Jeep. They're going car shopping over Labor Day weekend so we'll see what they end up with!
wireman
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
rexlion wrote:
ShinerBock wrote:
The Jayco Hummgbird style trailer they talking about pulling only weighs about 3,000 lbs dry and has a dry hitch weight of 375 lbs. The cargo capacity is not that much either. You can take some of that hitch weight off with a WDH. A Jeep Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel will be fine for this type of trailer even with a growing kid and two dogs.

Or just wait for the new Wrangler Ecodiesel to come out and hope that it will have more payload with its solid axles.

If only it worked that way! The weight of the WD hitch is pushing down on the ball, so its weight must be added to the total hitch weight. Even though it is distributing some of that weight to the front axle, the receiver's attachment points still are impacted by the raw weight; the mfr's limitation should not be exceeded.

I was thinking of suggesting a Toyota Highlander hybrid, but the 375 lb dry hitch weight makes me pause because once the TT is loaded with battery, LP, etc. the actual hitch weight could easily exceed the HL's 500 lb limit.

If the Dodge Durango were offered with the ecodiesel, it would be longer than the Grand Cherokee. This would give a 3rd row seat and longer wheelbase for greater stability. Has anyone heard whether FCA will offer this combo anytime soon?

Nothing about the ECO in the Durango, which would be a great idea, but have heard the 2018 Jeep Wrangler will be getting the ECO.
rexlion
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
ShinerBock wrote:
The Jayco Hummgbird style trailer they talking about pulling only weighs about 3,000 lbs dry and has a dry hitch weight of 375 lbs. The cargo capacity is not that much either. You can take some of that hitch weight off with a WDH. A Jeep Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel will be fine for this type of trailer even with a growing kid and two dogs.

Or just wait for the new Wrangler Ecodiesel to come out and hope that it will have more payload with its solid axles.

If only it worked that way! The weight of the WD hitch is pushing down on the ball, so its weight must be added to the total hitch weight. Even though it is distributing some of that weight to the front axle, the receiver's attachment points still are impacted by the raw weight; the mfr's limitation should not be exceeded.

I was thinking of suggesting a Toyota Highlander hybrid, but the 375 lb dry hitch weight makes me pause because once the TT is loaded with battery, LP, etc. the actual hitch weight could easily exceed the HL's 500 lb limit.

If the Dodge Durango were offered with the ecodiesel, it would be longer than the Grand Cherokee. This would give a 3rd row seat and longer wheelbase for greater stability. Has anyone heard whether FCA will offer this combo anytime soon?
GeoBoy
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
Ford Expedition with 3.5 EcoBoost.
Greg_B
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
Another vote here for the Grand cherokee. Its still a RWD designed platform which generally is going to tow better then the front wheel drive based design that most crossovers now use. You might also consider the Dodge Durango. It shares the same platform as the Grand Cherokee, but is 6" longer and offers a 3rd row of seats. The v6 can tow 6200, the hemi v8 can pull 7400.