Size classes / SUVs before 2013
SUVs before 2013: MPG by year EPA used this size class for model years 1999–2012 on this site, and 139 nameplates were rated in it. The Ford Escape had the class's highest rating in eight of those years, more often than any other. The class median went from 16 MPG in 1999 to 20 MPG in 2012, while the top rating went from 24 to 32 MPG.
SUVs before 2013: highest and median best-version MPG by model year 15 20 25 30 35 MPG highest median 1999 2012 SUVs before 2013: highest and median MPG 15 20 25 30 35 MPG 1999 2012
Highest-rated and median nameplate in each model year, by each nameplate's best version. Year by year
Year Nameplates Median Highest, MPG Lowest, MPG 2012 81 20 Ford Escape 32 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 13 2011 90 20 Ford Escape , Mazda Tribute , Mercury Mariner 32 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 13 2010 93 19 Ford Escape , Mazda Tribute , Mercury Mariner 32 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 13 2009 97 19 Ford Escape , Mazda Tribute , Mercury Mariner 32 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 12 2008 90 18 Ford Escape , Mazda Tribute , Mercury Mariner 32 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 13 2007 88 18 Ford Escape 30 Lexus LX , Mercedes-Benz G-Class and 1 more 13 2006 75 17 Ford Escape 29 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 12 2005 74 17 Ford Escape 29 Land Rover Range Rover , Mercedes-Benz G-Class 12 2004 73 17 Saturn Vue , Toyota RAV4 23 Land Rover Discovery , Land Rover Range Rover 12 2003 65 17 Toyota RAV4 24 Land Rover Discovery 12 2002 56 16.5 Toyota RAV4 24 Land Rover Range Rover , Mercedes-Benz G-Class 12 2001 48 17 Toyota RAV4 24 Lincoln Navigator 12 2000 40 16 Chevrolet Tracker, Suzuki Vitara 24 Cadillac Escalade , Land Rover Discovery and 4 more 13 1999 39 16 Suzuki Vitara 24 Cadillac Escalade , Land Rover Range Rover and 3 more 13