We just were in an accident that totaled our Ford Explorer. We used it to tow a 1,500-pound fishing boat on a trailer. We would like to improve on the poor mpg for an Explorer. What is available at a good price without a tire on the back door, which doesn't work with towing.
You’ll find better fuel economy with SUVs that are crossovers instead of truck-based models like the Explorer. However, you will loose towing capacity and the ruggedness that truck-based SUVs offer. If you’re only towing a 1,500-pound load, then some crossovers with the right towing capacity – typically maxed out at 3,500 pounds – will be up to the task.
Within Ford’s family, the midsize Ford Edge and compact Ford Escape are both rated at 2,000 pounds with standard equipment, and 3,500 pounds with an optional trailer package. We recommend going for the trailer package on any of these SUVs because it’s always good to have that extra capacity. Factors such as the number of passengers and cargo weight will lower the overall towing capacity.
If you are comfortable straying away from Fords, then options like the Saturn Vue with V-6 and Hyundai Santa Fe with 3.3-liter V-6 open up, which are midsize SUVs that tow 3,500 pounds with optional towing equipment.
The Edge, Escape, Santa Fe and Vue are all Cars.com Best Bets.
All of these options are rated with better fuel economy than the Explorer and are less expensive. Except for the Escape, all are midsize SUVs, too. You can compare mileage numbers, pricing and current incentives below. See our Research section and Expert Reviews for more information.
Make/Model/Trim – towing capacity – fuel economy -- Price
Incentives as of 7/3/2008
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Expert Reviews:
That's true, Joey, but the vehicle has to be able to tow the trailer weight as well.
;-)
I'd like to see the fuel mileage ratings of these vehicles when they are towing their capacity. With my experience, fuel mileage variance drops are all over the place depending on the vehicle.
A Rav4 BaseV6 4x4 gets 19/26 mpg, and tows 2000 lbs.
http://www.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp?superTrim=&makeid=47&logtype=7&mode=&destURL=features.jsp&year=2008&acode=USB80TOS112D0&modelid=435§ion=features&myid=9352§ion=features&mode=&aff=national
A Base Forester tows 2400 lbs, and gets 20/24 mpg.
http://www.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp?superTrim=&makeid=45&logtype=7&mode=&destURL=features.jsp&year=2008&acode=USB80SUS041A0&modelid=1306§ion=features&myid=9443§ion=features&mode=&aff=national
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there are acctually some sedans and wagons that can tow more than 1,500. the Passat Wagon (3.6), Volvo XC70, and Subaru Outback come to mind