Fuel economy ratings for the 2027 model year show that big, heavy and off-road-minded vehicles still carry a steep cost at the pump. The EPA figures below, republished with annual fuel estimates, cover family haulers, luxury three-rows and a lone pickup. Here are eleven SUVs and pickups that sit at or below 20 mpg combined.
1. Chevrolet Tahoe: Thirstiest of the Bunch
The 4WD version of the 2027 Tahoe carries an EPA combined rating of 16 mpg, which works out to roughly $5,150 a year in fuel, according to fuel-cost data. That makes it the costliest listed configuration of any vehicle in this group.
A full-size body-on-frame layout and a heavy curb weight explain the appetite. Buyers who tow or haul seven passengers accept the cost, but anyone driving mostly solo commutes pays a steep premium at the pump every single year.
2. Land Rover Defender: Rugged Looks, Real Thirst
Land Rover’s 2027 Defender 110 posts 17 mpg combined, and annual fuel estimates puts its annual fuel bill near $4,850. Only the Tahoe and the AMG G 63 sit higher among the vehicles tracked.
The retro-modern body hides a heavy aluminum-intensive structure and permanent all-wheel drive, both of which cost efficiency. Shoppers who want genuine off-road ability get it, though the running costs land closer to a luxury barge than a trail runner.
3. Dodge Durango: Muscle in a Family Hauler
The 2027 Dodge Durango is rated 20 mpg combined, and EPA-based ratings lists its annual fuel cost at about $3,350. That figure sits right on the cutoff for this list, making it one of the more efficient entries.
The number is respectable inside this company, yet it still means a three-row Durango costs well over three thousand dollars a year to fuel. Owners get strong towing and a muscular stance, but the price of that character shows up with every fill-up.
4. Mercedes-AMG G 63: Priciest Fill-Ups of All
The 2027 AMG G 63 is rated 15 mpg combined, and fuel-cost comparison estimates $5,500 a year in fuel, the highest figure in this set. Its twin-turbo V8 and boxy, heavy body are a poor match for efficiency.
Buyers at this price level rarely shop on running costs, but the gap is real: it runs about $350 a year above even the thirsty Tahoe. Premium fuel and low mileage per tank make the bill sting.
5. Ford Expedition: Big Ford, Big Bill
The 2027 Expedition 4WD earns 18 mpg combined, split 15 city and 22 highway, and its page on MPG Buddy’s Expedition listing puts annual fuel at $3,700. The wide gap between city and highway numbers is the telling detail.
Stop-and-go driving drags the real-world average toward the 15 mpg city number rather than the headline figure. Families who tow boats or campers get roomy capability, but city-heavy owners should budget accordingly.
6. Jeep Grand Wagoneer: Luxury Three-Row, Heavy Appetite
Jeep’s 2027 Grand Wagoneer 4WD is rated 18 mpg combined, made up of 17 city and 21 highway, and carries a $3,700 annual fuel estimate per Grand Wagoneer fuel data. The near-flat city and highway split shows a vehicle that is inefficient everywhere.
Sheer size and mass leave little room for highway gains. Owners paying for the plush cabin should expect the same yearly fuel cost as a Ford Expedition, with no meaningful efficiency edge to show for the premium.
7. Jeep Gladiator: A Pickup Under the Line
The 2027 Jeep Gladiator 4WD is rated 19 mpg combined, with 17 city and 22 highway, and an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel, according to MPG Buddy’s Gladiator listing. That makes it the lone pickup in a group otherwise dominated by large three-row SUVs.
The open-air Jeep design brings a boxy, upright profile and off-road hardware that add drag and weight. Buyers drawn to the trail-ready look should expect fuel economy to sit just under the 20 mpg line, a real trade-off against pickups tuned for highway miles.
8. Hyundai Palisade: Surprise from a Family Crossover
The 2027 Palisade XRT Pro rates 19 mpg combined, with 16 city and 22 highway, and XRT Pro fuel estimate lists $3,550 in yearly fuel costs. A mainstream three-row Hyundai appearing here is the surprise.
The off-road-flavored XRT Pro trim adds hardware that costs efficiency compared with a standard Palisade. Shoppers drawn to the rugged look should compare trims first, since the same nameplate can fuel cheaper in a plainer version.
9. Kia Telluride: Trail Trim, Thirsty Result
Kia’s 2027 Telluride X-Pro is rated 19 mpg combined, made of 17 city and 22 highway, and X-Pro rating data puts annual fuel at $3,550. It matches the Palisade XRT Pro figure exactly.
Both rugged trims appear on the list with identical combined and annual cost figures. Shoppers drawn to the tougher styling should weigh that fuel cost against the look, since the number repeats every year of ownership and adds up over a typical loan term.
10. Ford Explorer: Rear-Drive Just Makes the Cut
The 2027 Explorer Tremor AWD lands at 20 mpg combined, with 18 city and 22 highway, and an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel, as shown in MPG Buddy’s Explorer Tremor listing. That is the minimum rating for inclusion here.
The Tremor AWD sits exactly on the 20 mpg line, leaving no cushion. Annual fuel figures assume 15,000 miles a year at EPA reference prices, so drivers who cover fewer miles will spend less and those who cover more will spend more.
11. Lincoln Aviator: Luxury Pace at 20 mpg
The 2027 Lincoln Aviator AWD reaches 20 mpg combined, with 17 city and 24 highway, and an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel, per MPG Buddy’s Aviator AWD listing. It rounds out this list at the very threshold.
The three-row luxury layout and all-wheel drive hold the SUV at that number, leaving no cushion below the cutoff. Buyers who want a premium badge should plan on fuel costs well above those of mainstream crossovers, a cost that arrives every month regardless of trim.
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