In a global context marked by the search for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, choosing an efficient vehicle has become more important than ever. However, certain car models stand out for their significantly higher-than-average fuel consumption. This extended article takes a detailed look at the 10 cars that consume the most gasoline, considering not only their urban performance, but also their environmental impact, their design motivations, their operating costs and the typical profile of their owners.
Historical introduction of consumption in the automotive industry
Since the invention of the automobile in the late 19th century, fuel consumption has been a recurring issue. In the early 20th century, access to cheap oil and a lack of environmental awareness led manufacturers to focus more on power than efficiency. It wasn't until the 1970s, with the oil crises, that the first regulations began to emerge to improve vehicle fuel efficiency.
Currently, while some models offer more than 25 km/l, the vehicles we'll cover in this analysis remain at the opposite extreme: less than 6 km/l.
Definition of energy efficiency and its current relevance
Energy efficiency in vehicles refers to the amount of energy required to move a car over a given distance. The less fuel it takes to travel a kilometer, the greater the efficiency. This concept has become critical not only for economic reasons, but also due to climate change, urban air quality, and the finite availability of fossil fuels.
Currently, many governments impose eco-taxes and traffic restrictions on fuel-efficient vehicles, while large cities seek to limit their use through sustainable mobility policies. These measures have led to a restructuring of the automotive market, where energy efficiency and innovation have become synonymous with progress.
Common characteristics of less efficient vehicles
Cars that consume more gasoline usually share certain technical and design elements:
- Large displacement engines: V8, V10 or V12, often turbocharged or supercharged.
- Heavy weights: due to reinforced chassis, armor, complex systems or luxury finishes.
- Permanent all-wheel drive: which generates more friction and therefore greater consumption.
- Sacrificed aerodynamics: especially in SUVs and luxury vehicles, where design prioritizes presence over efficiency.
- High energy consumption equipment: such as multi-zone automatic climate control, heated seats, multiple screens, etc.
Furthermore, these vehicles tend to have a very specific user profile, associated with a high socioeconomic level, and are often used as a status symbol rather than a practical means of transportation.
Extended list of less efficient models
The classic list is now expanded with more notoriously wasteful models:
- Hummer H2 – a symbol of American automotive excess, with urban consumption of less than 4 km/l.
- Nissan Patrol V8 – popular in the Middle East, but with figures around 5 km/l.
- Chevrolet Suburban V8 – one of the largest SUVs on the market, with figures of up to 6 km/l in the city.
- Infiniti QX80 – luxury and interior space paid for with an urban consumption of 5.5 km/l.
- Lincoln Navigator – Luxury SUV with a twin-turbo V6 engine that barely improves the performance of traditional V8s.
