Skip to main content

SUVs are notorious for having bad gas mileage. That is, until EVs and hybrids came along. Now many SUVs get much better mileage, but there are still some that retain the title of gas-guzzler. In spite of the great cars and SUVs Toyota puts out, the Sequoia and Land Cruiser are the worst gas guzzlers in the fleet according to U.S. News, but many drivers simply don’t care.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser is a costly SUV at the pump

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser has some of the poorest gas mileage on the road with only 13 city and 17 highway mpg, according to U.S. News. It is also one of Toyota’s highest-priced vehicles.

This higher price tends to prevent some buyers from purchasing the Land Cruiser when there are models out there that cost less and offer more. It still has some great features going for it, however.

For anyone looking to go off-roading, the Land Cruiser is a great choice. It comes with a 5.7-liter V8, which produces 381 hp and 401 lb-ft. This is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. 

There is plenty of tech that works well whether you are on or off-road. There are also plenty of cameras spaced out to let you know what is coming up. This is especially helpful when going over boulders or driving across less than stable roads that require your full attention.

The 2020 Land Cruiser also has plenty of safety features that come standard. It is equipped with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist.

The 2020 Toyota Sequoia is an SUV stuck in the past

The 2020 Toyota Sequoia starts at much less than the Land Cruiser. According to U.S. News, the gas mileage is actually exactly the same as the Land Cruiser.

This poor mileage doesn’t seem to be too big of a hindrance for some people, however. Drivers love how roomy the Sequoia is, especially since it has three rows.

It also has some serious towing ability, thanks to its 5.7-liter V8 engine. Ready to tow that boat to the lake? Just hitch it up, and roll out.

All is not well with the Sequoia, however. It tends to come dead last on many lists thanks in large part to its terrible ride. Many drivers complain that it tends to bounce and vibrate as they’re driving down the road. That’s not bad when you’re going off-road, but it makes it a nightmare for daily driving. 

Does everyone actually care about decent gas mileage?

Yes, there are people who will turn down a vehicle if the gas mileage is too low. Even though gas prices are very cheap in many places, it’s still costly to fill up a vehicle like the Land Cruiser and the Sequoia. For some people, that’s a dealbreaker.

Other people really don’t seem to care, however. They’re not interested in going green and love big vehicles. This might be because they have large families, or they’re tall and need the extra legroom. It could also be because they just love driving something with lots of cargo room.

There’s also something to be said for having a vehicle that sits up higher. Anyone who has ever driven a smaller car knows how intimidating it is to have bigger vehicles riding your bumper.

Whatever the reason, drivers who choose to purchase large vehicles like the Sequoia and the Land Cruiser know that low gas mileage is just part of the package deal, and don’t seem to have a problem with it.