Under Construction 
last updated 5 Jan 2019
I'm looking for a car to haul my skis up to Lake Tahoe. It needs to be All-wheel-drive (AWD) or 4WD to avoid putting on chains on I-80 over Donner Summit and should hold my 78 in. cross country skis with a seat folded down in the back. Good gas mileage is also important.
All Wheel Drive (AWD) cars averaging 24 MPG or greater.
| Model | MPG1 | Price | CR2 | Lugg.
diag.3 | Clear-
ance4 |
| Av | |
 Tesla Model S (75,100kWh) | 87 | 102/103/105 | $74,500 - $135,000 |  | 84 | 5.2 to 7.35 |
| Tesla Model X (100kWh) | NA | 90/92/94 | $79,500 - $140,000 | | 72 | 6.5 to 9.55 |
| Tesla Model 3 (50,62,75 kWh) | NA | 136/130/123 | $44,000 - $62,000 | | 80 | 5.55 |
 Volvo XC90 T8 Hybrid (2016) | | 59 | $48,700 - $51,700 | | | 8.5 - 10.5 5 |
 Toyota Prius (2016) | | 50 | AWD version not in US yet. |
 BMW 328d xDrive | 35 | 31/35/43 | $32,950 - $62,000 | | 85 | 5.7 |
| BMW 535d xDrive | | 26/30/37 | $58,900 - | | 88 | 5.5 |
 Lexus NX Hybrid | 29 | | $34,480 - $41,310 | | | 6.9 |
 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 | 28 | | $31,500 - $48,500 | | 81 | 3.9 |
 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid AWD | 28 | 29/31/33 | $23,000 - $31,000 | | 78 | 8.7 |
| Subaru Impreza Premium | 27 | 28/31/37 | $18,195 - $28,000 | | 84 | 5.7 |
 Mazda CX-3 | | 27/29/32 | $19,960 - $26,240 | na | | 6.1 |
 Acura TLX (4-cyl.) | 27 | 21/25/31 | $31,445 - $44,800 | | | 5.8 |
 Nisan Juke | 27 | 25/27/30 | $20,000 - $30,000 | | 70 | 7.0 |
 Audi A3 Premium (1.8T) | 27 | | $29,900 - $41,100 | | | 4.3 |
| Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium | 26 | 26/30/36 | $21,695 - $29,595 | | 88 | 5.9 |
| Subaru XV Crosstrek AWD | 26 | 26/29/34 | $21,595 - $29,295 | | 78 | 8.7 |
| Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium (autmatic) | 26 | 24/27/32 | $22,195 - $33,095 | | 80 | 8.7 |
| Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium (manual) | | 22/25/29 | $21,695 - $29,595 | | 80 | 8.7 |
| BMW 320d xDrive | | 23/27/35 | | | 85 | |
| Lexus RX450h | 26 | 30/29/285 | $40,970 - $50,220 | | | |
| Mercedes-Benz GLA250 | 26 | | $38,400 - $71,900 | | 81 | |
| Mercedes-Benz C300 (AWD) | 26 | | $38,400 - $71,900 | | | |
 Mini Cooper Countryman S | 26 | | $22,750 - $35,350 | | | 6.3 |
| Mini Cooper Paceman S | | | | | | 4.2 |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited | 25 | 28/28/28 | $29,665 - $50,240 | | 94 | 8.0 |
| Mazda CX-5 | 25 | 25/28/31 | $21,795 - $29,470 | | | 8.5 |
| Subaru Outback | 25 | 24/26/30 | $24,895 - $32,995 | | 89 | 8.7 |
| Audi A4 2.0T | 25 | | $35,500 - $37,600 | | | |
| Audi TT | 25 | 23/26/31 | $48,700 - $51,700 | | | |
 Ford Fusion SE AWD | 24 | 22/25/31 | $29,300 - $36,630 | | 90 | 5.8 |
| Nisan Rogue | 24 | 25/28/32 | $22,790 - $29,630 | | 83 | |
 Honda CR-V EX | 24 | 26/28/33 | $23,445 - $32,895 | | 79 | 6.7 |
| Toyota RAV4 XLE | 24 | 22/25/29 | $23,680 - $29,850 | | | 6.3 |
 Fiat 500X (2016) | | 21/24/30 | $20,000 - $29,000 | | | |
| Diesel | | | | | | |
| Mercedes-Benz GLK250 Bluetec | | 24/28/33 | - | | | |
| Audi A7 3.0 TDI®'s | 28 | 24/29/38 | $68,300 - $108,900 | | | |
| Audi A6 TDI®'s | | 24/29/38 | $55.000 | | | |
| Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTec | 30 | 27/32/42 | $51,800 - $103,200 | | 81 | 5.8 |
1. MPG City/Average/Highway - Average MPG (Miles per Gallon) is from Consumer Reports test drive.
Others are US DOE/EPA's City/Combined/Highway rating
Electric and hybrid cars have an MPGe rating which is based on converting electricity and gas to BTUs (British Thermal Unit of energy). see MPGe for electric cars below.
Hybrid cars may have higher MPG ratings in City (stop and go) driving because of the regenerative braking system, which captures energy lost in breaking, using it to charge the batteries.
Gas mileage is about 12% lower at 20°F than it would be at 77°F.
An electric car's mileage can drop 59% at 20°F vs 77°F.
See Fuel Economy in Cold Weather | FuelEconomy.gov
and Electric vehicles lose range in cold: AAA - chicagotribune
Consumer Reports "real life" test drive MPG ranges from 1-8 MPG lower than the EPA's combined MPG for hybids.
See Where the Honda Accord, and other hybrids, come up short in MPG fuel economy - Consumer Reports
2. Consumer Reports Check rated (subscription required)
3. Luggage Diagonal - Measurement diagonally across the luggage compartment with the rear seats folded down. Measured to the door post. You could get more space with the front seat moved forward. I'd like it to be 78" or more to hold my cross-country skis.
Note: You can get 6-12" more with the front seats moved all the way forward.
4. 
Ground Clearance will be less when the car is loaded.
Ground Clearance of less than 5 in may cause problems with scraping curbs and in snow.
See Worried about ground clearance on Mcrcedes CLA.
5.
The clearance on the Tesla and Volvo XC90 T8 Hybrid (2016) can be adjusted with their active air suspension.
Clearance will automatically adjust back to normal (6") when you reach 16 MPH.
See also:
AWD and 4WD
Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient AWD Cars and Crossovers | AutoGuide.com News 2012
Why Cargo Specs Can Stretch the Truth | cars.com
Other high gas mileage cars (2015):
| Type | Model | CR MPG | Drive | Price |
| Luxury large Hybrid/EV | Tesla Model S P85D | NA | | $104,500 - $104,500 | |
| Hatchbacks Hybrids/Ev | BMW i3 Giga | 139 | RWD | $42,400 - $46,250 | |
| Hatchbacks Hybrids/Ev | Mitsubishi i-MiEV | 111 | RWD | $22,995 - $22,995 | |
| Hatchbacks Hybrids/Ev | Ford Focus Electric | 107 | FWD | $17,170 - $29,170 | |
| Hatchbacks Hybrids/Ev | Nissan Leaf | 106 | FWD | $29,010 - $35,120 | |
| Luxury large Hybrid/EV | Tesla Model S (85kWh) | 84 | AWD | $69,900 - $105,000 | |
| Luxury large cars | Chevrolet Volt | 61 | FWD | $34,345 - $34,345 | |
| Hatchbacks Hybrids/Ev | Toyota Prius Plug-in Advanced | 47 | FWD | $24,200 - $34,905 | |
| Hatchbacks Hybrids/Ev | Ford C-MAX Energi (plug-in) | 47 | FWD | $24,170 - $31,770 | |
| Hatchbacks Hybrids/Ev | Toyota Prius Four | 44 | FWD1 | $24,200 - $34,905 | |
| Hatchbacks Hybrids/Ev | Toyota Prius C Two | 43 | FWD1 | $19,540 - $24,475 | |
| Hatchbacks Hybrids/Ev | Toyota Prius V Three | 41 | FWD1 | $26,675 - $30,935 | |
| Luxury compact cars | Lexus CT 200h | 40 | FWD | $32,200 - $32,200 | |
| Midsize Hybrid/EV | Honda Accord Hybrid | 40 | FWD | $22,105 - $35,055 | |
| Compact cars | Honda Civic Hybrid | 40 | FWD | $18,290 - $29,390 | |
| Compact cars | Ford Fusion SE Hybrid | 39 | FWD | $22,500 - $36,630 | |
| Midsize Hybrid/EV | Smart ForTwo | 39 | RWD | $13,270 - $28,000 | |
| Subcompact automati | Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE | 38 | FWD | $22,970 - $31,370 | |
| Midsize Hybrid/EV | Ford C-MAX Hybrid SE | 37 | FWD | $24,170 - $31,770 | |
| Hatchbacks Hybrids/Ev | Volkswagen Passat TDI | 37 | FWD2 | $21,340 - $35,995 | |
| Midsized cars | Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid | 37 | FWD | $16,215 - $31,120 | |
| Compact cars | Mitsubishi Mirage | 37 | FWD | $12,995 - $15,395 | |
| Luxury midsized cars Hybrid/EV | Lexus ES 300h | 36 | FWD | $37,700 - $40,580 | |
| Luxury midsized cars | Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited | 36 | FWD | $32,285 - $41,700 | |
| Large cars | BMW 328d xDrive | 35 | AWD | $32,950 - $62,000 | |
| Luxury compact cars | Honda CR-Z EX | 35 | | $20,145 - $24,140 | |
| Hatchbacks Hybrids/Ev | Ford Fiesta SE (3-cyl.) | 35 | | $14,455 - $21,435 | |
| Subcompact cars (Manual transmission) | Lincoln MKZ Hybrid | 34 | | $35,190 - $47,495 | |
| Luxury midsized cars Hybrid/EV | Lincoln MKZ Hybrid | 34 | | $35,190 - $47,495 | |
| Luxury midsized cars | Fiat 500C Pop | 34 | | $16,845 - $31,800 | |
| Subcompact cars (Manual transmission) | Volkswagen Jetta TDI | 34 | | $16,215 - $31,120 | |
| Compact cars | Volkswagen Jetta TDI | 34 | | $16,215 - $31,120 | |
| Compact cars | Scion iQ | 34 | | $15,665 - $15,665 | |
| Subcompact automati | Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 33 | | $26,000 - $29,500 | |
| Midsize Hybrid/EV | Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 33 | | $26,000 - $29,500 | |
| Midsized cars | Mazda3 i Touring (2.0L) | 33 | | $16,945 - $26,595 | |
| Compact cars | Mazda3 i Touring (2.0L) | 33 | | $16,945 - $26,595 | |
| Compact cars | Fiat 500 Sport | 33 | | $16,845 - $31,800 | |
| Subcompact cars (Manual transmission) | Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Diesel | 33 | | $16,170 - $25,660 | |
| Compact cars | Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Diesel | 33 | | $16,170 - $25,660 | |
| Compact cars | Honda Fit EX | 33 | | $15,650 - $20,925 | |
| Subcompact automati | Mazda2 Sport | 33 | | $14,720 - $17,050 | |
| Subcompact cars (Manual transmission) | Ford Fiesta sedan (4-cyl.) | 33 | | $14,455 - $21,435 | |
| Subcompact automati | Ford Fiesta sedan (4-cyl.) | 33 | | $14,455 - $21,435 | |
| Subcompact cars (Automatic transmission) | Mazda6 | 32 | | $21,495 - $30,195 | |
| Midsized cars | Toyota Corolla LE Plus | 32 | AWD | $16,950 - $22,955 | |
| Compact cars | Mazda3 i Grand Touring (2.0L, MT) | 32 | | $16,945 - $26,595 | |
| Compact cars | Toyota Yaris LE | 32 | | $14,845 - $17,620 | |
| Subcompact automati | Hyundai Accent Sport | 32 | | $14,745 - $17,495 | |
| Subcompact cars (Manual transmission) | Ford Fiesta hatchback (4-cyl.) | 32 | | $14,455 - $21,435 | |
| Subcompact cars (Manual transmission) | Nissan Versa Sedan SV | 32 | | $11,990 - $16,890 | |
| Subcompact automati | Nissan Versa Sedan SV | 32 | | $11,990 - $16,890 | |
| Subcompact cars (Automatic transmission) | Nissan Altima 2.5 S (4-cyl.) | 31 | | $22,300 - $32,350 | |
| Midsized cars | Mini Cooper (3-cyl.) | 31 | | $20,700 - $36,250 | |
| Compact cars | Hyundai Veloster Base | 31 | | $18,000 - $23,600 | |
| Subcompact cars (Manual transmission) | Ford Focus SE SFE | 31 | | $17,170 - $29,170 | |
| Compact cars | Ford Focus SE SFE | 31 | | $17,170 - $29,170 | |
| Compact cars | Hyundai Accent GLS | 31 | | $14,745 - $17,495 | |
| Subcompact automati | Hyundai Accent GLS | 31 | | $14,745 - $17,495 | |
| Subcompact cars (Automatic transmission) | Nissan Versa Note SV | 31 | | $14,180 - $17,960 | |
| Subcompact automati | Chevrolet Spark | 31 | | $12,270 - $25,560 | |
| Subcompact automati | Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTec | 30 | AWD | $51,800 - $103,200 | |
| Luxury midsized cars | Subaru BRZ | 30 | RWD | $25,695 - $29,490 | |
| Sporty cars | Scion FR-S | 30 | RWD | $24,900 - $31,090 | |
| Sporty cars | Honda Accord LX (4-cyl.) | 30 | | $22,105 - $35,055 | |
| Midsized cars | Chrysler 200 Limited (4-cyl.) | 30 | | $21,995 - $30,825 | |
| Midsized cars | Mini Cooper S | 30 | AWD 3 | $20,700 - $36,250 | |
| Sporty cars | Honda Civic EX | 30 | | $18,290 - $29,390 | |
| Compact cars | Volkswagen Jetta SE (1.8T) | 30 | | $16,215 - $31,120 | |
| Compact cars | Mazda2 Touring | 30 | | $14,720 - $17,050 | |
| Subcompact automati | Chevrolet Sonic LTZ (1.4T) | 30 | | $14,245 - $21,945 | |
| Subcompact cars (Manual transmission) | Kia Rio EX sedan | 30 | | $13,990 - $18,290 | |
| Subcompact automati | Honda Civic Si | 29 | | $18,290 - $29,390 | |
| Sporty cars | Hyundai Elantra SE (1.8) | 29 | | $17,250 - $22,600 | |
| Compact cars | Nissan Sentra SV | 29 | | $16,480 - $20,670 | |
| Compact cars | Ford Fiesta ST | 29 | | $14,455 - $21,435 | |
| Sporty cars | Kia Rio EX hatchback | 29 | | $13,990 - $18,290 | |
| Subcompact automati | RX 450 | 29 | AWD | $40,970 - $49,020 | |
| Audi A7 | 28 | | $68,300 - $108,900 | |
| Luxury midsized cars | BMW 328i | 28 | | $32,950 - $62,000 | |
| Luxury compact cars | Mercedes-Benz CLA250 | 28 | | $31,500 - $48,500 | |
| Luxury compact cars | Toyota Camry LE (4-cyl.) | 28 | | $22,970 - $31,370 | |
| Midsized cars | Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid | 28 | AWD | $21,595 - $29,295 | |
| Small sport-utility vehicles | Volkswagen Passat (1.8T) | 28 | | $21,340 - $35,995 | |
| Midsized cars | Hyundai Sonata SE (2.4L) | 28 | | $21,150 - $33,525 | |
| Midsized cars | Volkswagen Golf SE | 28 | | $17,995 - $39,090 | |
| Compact cars | Ford Focus SE (hatchback) | 28 | | $17,170 - $29,170 | |
| Compact cars | Ford Focus SE | 28 | | $17,170 - $29,170 | |
| Compact cars | Fiat 500 Abarth | 28 | | $16,845 - $31,800 | |
| Sporty cars | Kia Forte LX | 28 | | $15,890 - $21,890 | |
| Compact cars | Kia Forte LX | 28 | | $15,890 - $21,890 | |
| Compact cars | Chevrolet Sonic LT (1.8) | 28 | | $14,245 - $21,945 | |
| Subcompact cars (Automatic transmission) | Acura TLX (4-cyl.) | 27 | AWD | $31,445 - $44,800 | |
| Luxury compact cars | Audi A3 Premium (1.8T) | 27 | | $29,900 - $41,100 | |
| Luxury compact cars | Fiat 500L Easy | 27 | | $19,345 - $24,695 | |
| Compact cars | Scion tC | 27 | | $19,210 - $23,190 | |
| Compact cars | Subaru Impreza Premium | 27 | AWD | $18,195 - $23,295 | |
| Compact cars | Hyundai Elantra GT | 27 | | $17,250 - $22,600 | |
| Compact cars | Dodge Dart (2.4L) | 27 | | $16,495 - $23,795 | |
| Compact cars | Volkswagen Jetta GLI | 27 | | $16,215 - $31,120 | |
| Sporty cars | Chevrolet Cruze Eco | 27 | | $16,170 - $25,660 | |
| Compact cars | Lexus RX 450h | 26 | | $40,970 - $50,220 | |
| Luxury SUV Hybrid/EVLexus RX 450h | Lexus RX 450h | 26 | | $40,970 - $50,220 | |
| Luxury compact sport-utility vehicles | Mercedes-Benz C300 (AWD) | 26 | | $38,400 - $71,900 | |
| Luxury compact cars | Volkswagen CC (2.0T) | 26 | | $32,995 - $43,575 | |
| Luxury compact cars | Mercedes-Benz GLA250 | 26 | | $31,300 - $48,300 | |
| Luxury compact sport-utility vehicles | Buick LaCrosse (4-cyl., eAssist) | 26 | | $31,065 - $40,500 | |
| Large cars | Subaru Impreza WRX Premium | 26 | AWD | $26,295 - $38,495 | |
| Sporty cars | Toyota Camry XLE (V6) | 26 | | $22,970 - $31,370 | |
| Midsized cars | Mini Cooper Countryman S | 26 | | $22,750 - $35,350 | |
| Luxury compact sport-utility vehicles | Chevrolet Malibu 1LT (2.5) | 26 | | $22,465 - $30,480 | |
| Midsized cars | Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium | 26 | AWD | $22,195 - $33,095 | |
| Small sport-utility vehicles | Honda Accord EX-L (V6) | 26 | | $22,105 - $35,055 | |
| Midsized cars | Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium | 26 | AWD | $21,695 - $29,595 | |
| Midsized cars | Subaru XV Crosstrek Premium | 26 | AWD | $21,595 - $29,295 | |
| Small sport-utility vehicles | Subaru Impreza Sport Premium | 26 | AWD | $18,195 - $23,295 | |
| Compact cars | Chevrolet Cruze 1LT (1.4T) | 26 | | $16,170 - $25,660 | |
| Compact cars | Chevrolet Cruze LS (1.8) | 26 | | $16,170 - $25,660 | |
| Compact cars | Chevrolet Cruze 1LT (1.4T) | 26 | | $16,170 - $25,660 | |
| Compact cars | Chevrolet Cruze LS (1.8) | 26 | | $16,170 - $25,660 | |
| Compact cars | Kia Soul Plus | 26 | | $15,190 - $35,700 | |
| Compact cars | Infiniti Q70 Hybrid | 25 | | $49,850 - $67,050 | |
| Luxury midsized cars Hybrid/EV | Infiniti Q70 Hybrid | 25 | | $49,850 - $67,050 | |
| Luxury midsized cars | Lexus ES 350 | 25 | | $37,700 - $40,580 | |
| Luxury midsized cars | Audi A4 2.0T | 25 | | $35,500 - $37,600 | |
| Luxury compact cars | Volvo S60 T5 Drive-E (2.0T) | 25 | | $33,950 - $47,200 | |
| Luxury compact cars | Acura TLX (V6) | 25 | | $31,445 - $44,800 | |
| Luxury compact cars | Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited | 25 | AWD | $29,665 - $50,240 | |
| Midsized sport-utility vehicles | Chrysler 200 C (V6) | 25 | | $21,995 - $30,825 | |
| Midsized cars | Mazda CX-5 | 25 | AWD | $21,795 - $29,470 | |
| Small sport-utility vehicles | Kia Optima LX (2.4) | 25 | | $21,690 - $35,500 | |
| Midsized cars | Mitsubishi Lancer ES | 25 | | $17,395 - $38,995 | |
| Compact cars | Mitsubishi Lancer ES | 25 | | $17,395 - $38,995 | |
| Compact cars | Ford Focus ST | 25 | | $17,170 - $29,170 | |
| Ford Fusion SE AWD | 24 | AWD | $22,500 - $36,630 | |
| Nisan Rogue | 24 | AWD | $22,790 - $29,630 | |
| Honda CR-V EX | 24 | AWD | $23,445 - $32,895 | |
> | Toyota RAV4 XLE | 24 | AWD | $23,680 - $29,850 | |
| Luxury compact cars | Buick Verano | 24 | | $21,990 - $29,215 | |
| Midsized cars | Chevrolet Malibu 2LTZ (2.0T) | 24 | | $22,465 - $30,480 | |
| Midsized cars | Ford Fusion SE (1.5T) | 24 | | $22,500 - $36,630 | |
| Midsized cars | Nissan Altima 3.5 SL (V6) | 24 | | $22,300 - $32,350 | |
| Midsized cars | Kia Optima SX (2.0T) | 24 | | $21,690 - $35,500 | |
| Luxury compact cars | Buick Regal (turbo) | 24 | | $29,990 - $39,810 | |
| Luxury compact cars | Buick Verano | 24 | | $21,990 - $29,215 | |
| Large cars | Toyota Avalon Limited (V6) | 24 | | $32,285 - $41,700 | |
1. The 2016 Prius may have AWD.
See 2016 Toyota Prius to Offer AWD, Lithium-Ion Battery - News - Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog
2. In 2016 VW introduced the Passat Alltrack. It is not available in the US.
See VW Debuts New Passat Alltrack Wagon, in Europe | Car and Driver Blog
See also Greenest cars at GreenerCars.com
How do they determine MPG for electric cars?
The fuel economy window sticker on the 2014 Ford Focus Electric proclaims 105 "miles per gallon equivalent" (MPGe)
They calculate energy used to get this number.
1 gallon of gas will produce 115,000 BTUs (British thermal units) of energy.
To create the same amount of heat, you would need 33.7 kilowatt-hours (kWh)of electricity. So if the 2014 Ford Focus EV could travel 100 miles on 33.7 kWh of electricity (the energy equivalent of 1 gallon of gasoline), it would receive an mpg equivalency of 100 MPGe.
Note: Hybrid cars may have higher MPG ratings in stop and go (city) driving because of the regenerative braking system, which captures energy lost in breaking, using it to charge the batteries.
See also
Understanding Electric Car MPG on Edmunds.com
Gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) or gasoline-equivalent gallon (GEG) - Wikipedia
Links:
Downsizing: The 12 most useful cars per mpg | Consumer Reports
Best Mileage 2014 AWD & 4WD Vehicles
Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient AWD Cars and Crossovers | AutoGuide.com News 2012
Best MPG Cars for City & Highway Commutes - Consumer Reports
Most Fuel Efficient Coupes of 2015 - Kelley Blue Book
Greener Cars
Find and Compare Cars | US DOE
See also Greenest cars at GreenerCars.com
Electric Cars in Environment/Energy
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