Most efficient prestige SUVs in the real world

What Car?'s True MPG tests show what fuel economy you can really expect from a car. Here, we reveal the best-performing prestige SUVs they've ever tested...

by Steve Huntingford

8 May 2019

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The official government MPG figures published in sales brochures can tempt you into buying a particular car, but those results are often misleading.

Fortunately, What Car?'s True MPG tests reveal what sort of fuel economy you can expect in the real world.

To ensure accuracy and repeatability, What Car? use strictly controlled laboratory conditions, but the tests are based on a real-world route that takes in town, rural and motorway driving.
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No need to drive unrealistically

The results reflect what's achievable if you’re driving gently and sticking to speed limits but aren’t resorting to any unrealistically slow acceleration or special 'hypermiling' techniques.

Below, we count down the 10 most efficient prestige SUVs What Car? tested to date. After all, while you're unlikely to be considering one of these cars if you're on a tight budget, that doesn't mean you want to throw money away unnecessarily.
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10: Audi SQ7

True MPG 30.8mpg

Go for the sporty S version of the Audi Q7 and more than 30mpg is realistic. That's not bad when you consider that it weighs more than two tonnes and can blast from 0-60mph in just 4.6sec.
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9: Volvo XC90 D5

True MPG 31.9mpg

The latest Volvo XC90 combines a high-quality, spacious and versatile interior with plenty of kit and precise handling. Just bear in mind that you have to put up with a rather firm ride, while its economy is only slightly better than the SQ7's, despite that being a much faster car.
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8: Porsche Macan Diesel

True MPG 32.8mpg

Porsche no longer offers this diesel version of the Macan, but if you can find one on the used market, you'll be getting an SUV that combines a 32.8 True MPG figure with handling worthy of a hot hatch.
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7: Audi Q7 3.0 TDI 272

True MPG 34.0mpg

The Audi Q7 is What Car?'s reigning Luxury SUV of the Year, because it's one of the most comfortable, quiet and practical cars on sale today. In fact, it earned more stars in What Car?'s 16-point test than any other car.
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6: Volvo XC40 D4

True MPG 35.4mpg

Volvo's XC40 is another What Car? Award winner, having scooped Family SUV of the Year this January and overall Car of the Year title in 2018. It's a stylish as it is safe, and it has a classier interior than any of its similarly priced rivals.
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5: Volvo XC60 D4

True MPG 36.5mpg

The XC60 isn't as easy to recommend as the XC40, mainly because its ride is on the firm side. However, it does have a slightly better True MPG figure, despite being a bigger car.
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4: Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.2D 210

True MPG 37.5mpg

If your top priority is a plush interior, the Stelvio is best avoided, because it features too many lightweight plastics. But if you're more interested in nimble handling, few SUVs will suit you better.
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3: Audi Q5 2.0 TDI 190

True MPG 41.0mpg

For a more rounded car that's even easier on fuel than the Stelvio, look no further than the latest Audi Q5. Okay, it's not as much fun in the corners, but it offers more space, a classier interior, a more sophisticated infotainment system and a smoother and quieter four-cylinder diesel engine.
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2: DS 4 Crossback 1.2 Puretech 130

True MPG 42.6mpg

The runner-up spot on this list goes to the DS 4 Crossback, but look past its 42.6 True MPG figure and there's little to recommend it for. Not only is its ride far too stiff, but also its interior feels cheap and it's not very practical.
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1: Audi Q2 1.4 TFSI 150

True MPG 45.3mpg

It may be Audi's smallest and cheapest SUV, but the Q2 still feels suitably premium inside. What's more, it offers fun handling to go with its True MPG of 45.3 – the best figure of any prestige SUV we've tested, and from a petrol too.

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