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Let’s face it, gas is expensive. Manufacturers have been working for years to improve the gas mileage of their SUVs by adding smaller turbocharged motors, hybrid systems, more efficient transmissions, and more. But these two SUVs have remained charmingly old-school with giant, thirsty, V8s. Nothing will ruin a road trip more than spending your retirement savings on a gas bill. So, don’t buy these SUVs that get horrendous gas mileage on the highway for your next road trip.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia gets 17 mpg on the highway

The 2021 (and 2022) Toyota Sequoia only get 13 mpg in the city. Don' t buy this SUV if you value gas mileage.
2021 Toyota Sequoia | Toyota

The 2008 to 2022 Toyota Sequoia is one of the worst offenders. Sure, it has Toyota’s sublime V8 that makes 381 horsepower and enough torque to tow 7,100 pounds. But no matter how good that V8 is, it’s old tech. It was launched in 2006, long before hybrids were common. Also, the Sequoia is huge. It weighs almost 6,000 pounds and can take you and seven of your friends on the road. But all that heft means that great V8 has to work extra hard to move it down the highway. Luckily it has a 26.4-gallon gas tank, which means its range is up to 450 miles. The 2022 Sequoia only gets an estimated 13 mpg in the city, which means don’t buy this SUV if you value gas mileage.

But there is relief on the way for Sequoia fans

A 2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro in the dirt
2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro | Toyota

The 2023 Sequoia is losing its V8 and getting the much more efficient turbocharged V6 with hybrid power from the 2022 Tundra truck. That’s great news because not only is much more fuel-efficient, but it makes a lot more power, too. The new V6 totally trumps the V8 with 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft of torque, that’s enough power that the new 2023 Sequoia can tow almost a ton more than the 2022. The new 2024 Toyota Sequoia will tow up to 9,000 pounds.

Toyota doesn’t have fuel economy estimates yet for the new 2023. But the 2023 Tundra, which the Sequoia is based on and that shares the i-FORCE MAX hybrid power train, gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined, 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The Sequoia’s ratings should be similar.

The new Sequoia will also have a 10-speed automatic, which should allow it to quickly get into the right gear when it needs it and keep your road trip humming along.

The Mercedes AMG G63 gets 15 mpg on the highway

The Mercedes G-Class may be loved by celebrities, but don't buy this SUV if you value gas mileage.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV off-roading | Mercedes-Benz

The Mercedes G-Class is old-school cool. It looks like brick. It drives like the military truck it’s based on. In AMG G63 trim, it’s also stupendously fast. The G-Class can be ordered with a hand-built, 577-horsepower, 4-liter V8 that can take this 7,000-pound SUV to 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds, according to Mercedes. That’s one of the reasons celebrities are snapping up G-Classes. But, it gets 13 mpg in the city and only 16 on the highway. The regular, if you can call a $150,000 SUV regular, gets 17 in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. It takes 7.1 gallons to go 100 miles, which at today’s gas prices, could mean a 100-mile road trip takes $33 in gas.

Mercedes, too, is taking action to make its big SUV more efficient

two aliens with the Mercedes EQG
Mercedes EQG concept art | Mercedes

Instead of going hybrid, like Toyota, Mercedes is going full EV with the new EQG. The EQG keeps the G-Class’ blocky good looks and four-wheel drive capabilities, but simply be electric. The new EQG will likely compete with the top-end Rivian R1S SUV, the new GMC Hummer EV trucks, and other high-end EVs. Mercedes isn’t killing the gas-powered version of the G-Class, but it’s clear that if you want to save some gas, it’s not the SUV for your road trip.

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.