Driving an SUV could see you pay over £400 more a year on fuel compared to owners of similar saloons and estates
A recent investigation used mpg figures for small, mid-size and large SUVs, and compared them against similar sized hatchbacks, saloons and estate vehicles
OWNERS of SUVs could end up paying over £400 more on fuel each year compared to drivers of similar sized saloons, estates and hatchbacks.
An investigation into fuel economy and car type broke down annual petrol and diesel bills, with SUVs proving the most expensive in all sizes.
Conducted by , the study used official miles per gallon figures for small, mid-size and large SUVs, and compared them against similar sized hatchbacks, saloons and estate vehicles.
The investigation claimed the average driver covers 9,700 miles per year, while owners of small cars drive slightly less at just 8,400 miles per year.
Owners of large SUVs suffer the most when it comes to fuel expenditure, with drivers of vehicles such as the Volvo XC90 and BMW X5 forking out £1,561 each year on petrol or diesel.
That's a whopping £409 more than owners of large estate vehicles, and £331 more than those who drive people carriers.
Top tips to save money on fuel
- Slow down: Keeping your speed down can reduce the fuel consumption of the engine. Your car’s handbook will tell you the most fuel-efficient in-town and out-of-town speed for your model.
- Lose weight: Clear out the boot and avoid carrying any unnecessary weight in the car, as heavy loads put more strain on the vehicle, leading to higher fuel consumption.
- Smoothly does it: Drive as smoothly as possible and a steady speed. Braking and then accelerating regularly reduces the number of miles per litre the car can clock up.
- Close windows: Open windows create drag, which means that you won’t travel as far per litre of fuel.
- Multi-task: Can you use your journey for more than one thing? One long trip is more fuel-efficient than several short ones, as a cold engine uses more fuel than a warmed up one.
- Shop around: Look for the difference in prices charged by garages in your local area. Avoid filling up at motorway service stations, as prices tend to be higher.
- Check your pressure: Keeping an eye on tyre pressure improves safety and performance and also keeps the car running at the optimum fuel efficiency.
- Inspect oil: As well as maintaining correct levels of oil, check the type of oil used. Some energy-efficient types can increase the number of miles per litre.
- Find the shortest route: Taking the trouble to find the shortest route to your destination can make the journey more economical. Use free online route planners to help.
- Give the car a break: Stuck in heavy traffic or waiting for passengers? Turn off the engine to avoid wasting fuel.
The cost difference for smaller SUVs is significantly less, but still sees motorists paying around £150 extra to fuel their motor each year.
In a class that includes UK favourite the Nissan Qashqai, the average mid-size SUV owner pays £1,276 per year on fuel - £199 more than if they drove a medium-sized estate, and £182 more than a large saloon.
Small SUV drivers pay £154 more than the average medium car user, while compact SUVs like the Nissan Juke cost around £130 more a year than hatchbacks like the Ford Fiesta.
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But while they may add slightly more to your overall fuel bill, SUVs are among some of the safest cars currently on the market.
Earlier this year, we reported on the three new models to receive five-star Euro NCAP crash test ratings.
The Honda CR-V, Mercedes-Benz G-Class and SEAT Tarraco were all given the top accolade under the safety organisation's tough new regulations.