Fuel efficiency matters more than ever in Canada and the U.S. With gas prices swinging wildly and winter idling only making things worse, the last thing most buyers want is a vehicle that drinks fuel faster than they can fill it. Yet, some of today’s most powerful and luxurious machines do exactly that. Trucks, SUVs, and high-performance crossovers may look great on paper, but they burn through fuel at staggering rates. Here are fifteen of the worst offenders still available new today, each one guaranteed to punish you at the pump.
Ram 1500 TRX
The Ram TRX is one of the most extreme pickups ever made, powered by a 6.2 litre supercharged HEMI V8 producing over 700 horsepower. It’s designed to leap dunes and devour desert trails, but its fuel economy is almost comical. In real-world conditions, many owners report 10 to 12 mpg in the city and 13 to 14 mpg on the highway. Canadian winters make those numbers even worse, as cold starts and idling eat into efficiency. The TRX is a thrill ride and an engineering spectacle, but for daily commuting, it’s one of the most expensive trucks to run.
Ford F-150 Raptor R
The Raptor R is Ford’s answer to the TRX, swapping its EcoBoost heritage for a 5.2 litre supercharged V8 that cranks out over 700 horsepower. Unfortunately, it comes with the same appetite for fuel. Drivers can expect 11 to 13 mpg combined, and even less if they tow or push the truck hard. Canadian owners often joke that they spend more time at the fuel station than on the road. Compared to regular F-150 models with turbo V6 engines that can achieve over 20 mpg, the Raptor R’s consumption is on another planet.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Jeep revived the Grand Wagoneer as a full-size luxury SUV aimed at families who want everything—space, capability, and style. What they also get is one of the worst efficiency ratings in the segment. Equipped with a 6.4 litre V8, it averages 13 to 15 mpg combined, though in city driving it can dip into single digits. Weighing nearly 6,000 pounds, the Grand Wagoneer is a rolling mansion, but in Canada where winter fuel prices can soar, it’s an expensive indulgence.
Cadillac Escalade V
The Escalade is already a large SUV, but the Escalade V takes excess to the next level. Its supercharged 6.2 litre V8 makes nearly 700 horsepower, turning a family hauler into a muscle truck. But fuel economy suffers badly, with averages of 11 mpg city and 14 mpg highway. Some owners report barely squeezing out 10 mpg in real-world use. It delivers prestige and power, but with one of the highest operating costs of any luxury vehicle in North America.
GMC Yukon Denali XL
The Yukon Denali XL is all about size, and its size works directly against efficiency. Powered by GM’s big V8s, this long-wheelbase SUV struggles to reach 15 mpg combined in real-world driving. The added weight of the XL version makes matters worse, especially when carrying passengers or towing. In Canadian conditions, with long highway runs and winter idling, it’s one of the most expensive SUVs to keep fueled.
Chevrolet Suburban
The Suburban has been a Canadian staple for decades, beloved by large families and hockey teams for its space. But space comes at a price. Equipped with a 5.3 litre or 6.2 litre V8, it averages 14 to 16 mpg combined, sometimes less when towing. It can haul an entire household with ease, but in terms of fuel use, it belongs on this list. Many buyers now opt for the Tahoe or hybrid SUVs instead, leaving the Suburban as a symbol of excess.
Toyota Tundra (5.7L V8 Models)
Before Toyota introduced its hybrid Tundra, the 5.7 litre V8 was the go-to engine. While it was praised for reliability and towing strength, it was one of the thirstiest trucks on the market. Real-world numbers hover around 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway, which translates to hefty fuel bills for Canadian drivers. Even used-new models still in circulation prove costly to operate, especially when compared to the new hybrid version that nearly doubles efficiency.
Nissan Armada
The Nissan Armada’s 5.6 litre V8 offers respectable power, but efficiency is shockingly poor. Owners often report 14 mpg combined or worse, with highway figures barely scraping 18 mpg. While it provides comfort and towing ability, the Armada feels outdated in a market shifting toward hybrids and smaller turbocharged engines. In Canada, where road trips often stretch for hundreds of kilometres, the Armada’s thirst makes it a tough sell.
Lexus LX 600
The Lexus LX 600 replaced the old V8 with a twin-turbo V6, but efficiency gains have been minimal. Despite advanced engineering, real-world averages sit around 15 mpg combined, making it one of the thirstiest luxury SUVs you can buy. For Canadian buyers expecting Toyota-like efficiency, it comes as a disappointment. The LX 600 delivers luxury and off-road strength, but fuel savings are not part of the package.
Mercedes-AMG G63
The Mercedes G-Wagon is a status symbol, but in AMG G63 trim, it’s also a gas guzzler. Its twin-turbo V8 makes over 577 horsepower, but drivers will be lucky to see 12 to 13 mpg combined. The G63 is heavy, shaped like a brick, and tuned for power, not economy. While wealthy buyers can afford it, the sheer amount of fuel it consumes makes it one of the least efficient SUVs in Canada today.
Bentley Bentayga W12
The W12-powered Bentley Bentayga represents peak luxury, but it also highlights just how thirsty a modern engine can be. Official ratings are around 12 to 14 mpg combined, with city figures dipping into single digits. While the V8 Bentayga is somewhat more reasonable, the W12 version is among the least efficient vehicles you can buy today. It offers effortless power and exclusivity, but it punishes owners at every fill-up.
Lamborghini Urus
The Urus brought Lamborghini’s supercar performance into an SUV body, but efficiency is not part of its DNA. Powered by a twin-turbo V8, it averages 12 to 14 mpg combined, with city figures often in the 10–11 mpg range. The Urus delivers thrills and style, but every acceleration run reminds Canadian owners that premium fuel isn’t cheap.
Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat
The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is a three-row family SUV that also happens to pack a supercharged V8 producing over 700 horsepower. The result is incredible speed and towing capacity, but fuel efficiency is abysmal. Real-world numbers hover around 12 mpg combined, with many owners struggling to reach double digits in city driving. It’s a family hauler with a muscle car appetite, making it one of the most impractical daily drivers for fuel costs.
Ford Expedition Max
The Ford Expedition Max is the longer version of Ford’s full-size SUV, and its size alone ensures poor efficiency. Even with the EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, the Expedition averages 15 mpg combined, and towing or winter idling can push that lower. For Canadian families who want space and capability, the Expedition delivers, but at a painful price at the pump.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is one of the most luxurious SUVs on the planet, powered by a 6.7 litre V12. Unfortunately, it returns just 12 mpg combined in real-world driving. Canadian owners who enjoy chauffeured comfort can expect frequent and expensive trips to the fuel station. While it represents ultimate prestige, the Cullinan is one of the least efficient vehicles available today.
The Price of Power
All of these vehicles deliver something special—whether it’s raw performance, unmatched luxury, or unbeatable space. But they also reveal that efficiency still takes a back seat in certain parts of the auto market. For Canadian drivers, the added impact of winter conditions makes their consumption even worse, often pushing real-world mpg far below official ratings. These fifteen vehicles may impress with speed or size, but when it comes to fuel economy, they belong in the hall of shame.
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