The Chevrolet TrailBlazer is one of America’s most popular SUVs. Introduced on its own platform in 2002, the TrailBlazer can be equipped with either a 291 horsepower inline six-cylinder or a pair of V-8 engines. Gas mileage, unfortunately, has never been one of the TrailBlazer’s strongest selling points. The TrailBlazer’s highway gas mileage ratings have floated around the 20 miles per gallon (MPG) mark, over the years.
The TrailBlazer SS, pictured above, is not your typical soccer mom’s SUV. The 6.0 liter LS2 Corvette V-8 engine in the TrailBlazer SS produces 395 horsepower (on premium unleaded), propelling the SUV from 0-60 in under six seconds.
Introduced as a compact two-door SUV in 1987, the Nissan Pathfinder became a four-door in 1990 and grew to become a mid-sized SUV with a redesign in 1996. While gas mileage has never been one of the Pathfinder’s biggest selling points over the years, there are clear highs and lows. The good news is that the recent six cylinder 2WD variants can deliver highway gas mileage ratings over twenty miles per gallon (MPG).
The 2008 Pathfinder is available with a 4.0 liter six cylinder engine that produces 270 horsepower or a 5.6 liter eight cylinder engine that produces 317 horsepower. A 2.5 liter inline four-cylinder common-rail diesel producing 174 horsepower is available in the European Pathfinder and is rated at 23.5 urban / 33.2 extra urban miles per British gallon – roughly 19.6 city / 27.6 highway here in the States – when paired with a manual transmission (automatic figures are slightly lower). The Pathfinder was last redesigned in 2005.
The mid-size Honda Pilot SUV was introduced in the 2003 model year. While the Pilot’s gas mileage may not seem impressive at first glance – highway gas mileage ratings of twenty or so miles per gallon (MPG) in 4WD trim – it’s good to keep in mind that it’s an eight-passenger SUV.
The Pilot was redesigned for the 2009 model year and is propelled by a 3.5 liter V-6 producing 250 horsepower (up from 244 HP in earlier models). All models use a five-speed automatic transmission. Although the Pilot is often criticized for being thirsty, the automatic transmission can reward light-footed drivers with higher than expected fuel-efficiency. The trick is to maximize inertia and drive with your foot off the throttle, whenever practical.
We’ve tested extensively with a 2003 Pilot that now has over 170,000 miles on the odometer. By using a ScanGaugeII, we were able to make significantly improve our gas mileage by changing our driving style.
If our high-mileage Pilot continues to hold up (fingers crossed), we plan to install low-rolling-resistance (LRR) tires and swap out all the fluids (engine oil, transmission fluid, differential) for synthetics. LRR tires in the Pilot’s 235/70R16 stock size include the Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia, Continental CrossContact, Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max, Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season, and General Grabber HTS.
Honda’s distinctive compact crossover Element SUV was introduced in the 2003 model year. The Element has never undergone a significant redesign, and rumor has it that the model may soon be due for extinction. While the Element shares its engine and underpinnings with the Honda CR-V, gas mileage suffers a bit due to the aerodynamic drag of the Element’s boxy shape, with highway gas mileage ratings peaking at 25 miles per gallon (MPG) for the manual-transmission 2WD variant.
The Element’s 2.4 liter 4-banger produces 156 horsepower and can be equipped with either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. For many, the design of the Element is a love it or hate it affair. The Element would have been a prime candidate to receive the European CR-V diesel’s thrifty 2.2 liter i-CTDi powerplant …had Honda chose to bring their diesel engine across the pond.
The Toyota Highlander was introduced to America as a 2002 model and was redesigned for the 2008 model year. The Highlander Hybrid (pictured at right) produces solid gas mileage figures for a seven passenger SUV at 27 city and 25 highway miles per gallon (MPG).
The non-hybrid Highlander is equipped with a 3.5 liter double overhead cam (DOHC) V-6 engine that produces 270 horsepower, while the Highlander Hybrid mates a slightly smaller 209 horsepower 3.3 liter V-6 with its electric motors and is classified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV).
