1st Place: 2006 Subaru Forester
Combined EPA Fuel Economy: 25
Powertrain: 2.5 liter 4 cyl., 4-AT 1st Place: 2006 Subaru Outback
Combined EPA Fuel Economy: 25
Powertrain: 2.5 liter 4 cyl., 4-AT Subaru locks up first place in the 4WD SUV category with two separate models that use the same, horizontally-opposed, flat four-cylinder drivetrain – the restyled 2006 Forester and the appealing 2006 Outback. Though close in overall size and identical in terms of power, performance, and fuel economy, the Forester appeals more to those looking for the boxy, upright styling of a traditional SUV while the Outback is more like a car or station wagon in terms of appearance. Of the two, the Outback is our favorite, though either will prove to be a reliable weather-beater for years to come.
| Runners-Up |
Make and Model |
Combined MPG |
Powertrain |
| 2nd Place |
Honda CR-V |
24 |
2.4 liter, 4 cyl., 5-AT |
| |
Subaru Baja |
24 |
2.5 liter, 4 cyl., 4-AT |
| 3rd Place |
Jeep Liberty CRD |
23 |
2.8 liter, 4 cyl., 5-AT |
| 4th Place |
Ford Escape |
22 |
2.3 liter, 4 cyl., 4-AT |
| |
Honda Element |
22 |
2.4 liter, 4 cyl., 4-AT |
| |
Mazda Tribute |
22 |
2.3 liter, 4 cyl., 4-AT |
| |
Mercury Mariner |
22 |
2.3 liter, 4 cyl., 4-AT |
| |
Mitsubishi Outlander |
22 |
2.4 liter, 4 cyl., 4-AT |
| |
Subaru Outback |
22 |
3.0 liter, 6 cyl., 5-AT |
| |
Toyota Highlander |
22 |
2.4 liter, 4 cyl., 4-AT |
| 5th Place |
Buick Rendezvous |
21 |
3.6 liter, 6 cyl., 4-AT |
| |
Ford Escape |
21 |
3.0 liter, 6 cyl., 4-AT |
| |
Ford Freestyle |
21 |
3.0 liter, 6 cyl., CVT |
| |
Hyundai Tucson |
21 |
2.7 liter, 6 cyl., 4-AT |
| |
Kia Sportage |
21 |
2.7 liter, 6 cyl., 4-AT |
| |
Mazda Tribute |
21 |
3.0 liter, 6 cyl., 4-AT |
| |
Mercury Mariner |
21 |
3.0 liter, 6 cyl., 4-AT |
| |
Nissan Murano |
21 |
3.5 liter, 6 cyl., CVT |
| |
Saturn Vue |
21 |
3.5 liter, 6 cyl., 5-AT |
| |
Suzuki Grand Vitara |
21 |
2.7 liter, 6 cyl., 5-AT |
| |
Toyota Highlander |
21 |
3.3 liter, 6 cyl., 5-AT |
|
