Common Climber Vehicles, Ranked by MPG

As of April 20, national gas prices hit an average of $4.042 per gallon around the United States, according to AAA. That’s bad news for itinerant dirtbags and vehicle dwellers roving the country in search of good conditions and great rock. While the price at the pump might decrease to some extent depending on the geopolitical situation in the Strait of Hormuz, experts warn that prices are expected to remain relatively high, at least above $3 per gallon, for the rest of the year.

So what are the most fuel-efficient cars for climbers on a budget? Aside from an all-electric vehicle like a Tesla or a Rivian, a number of hybrid and fuel-efficient options make fine rides for dirtbags and weekend warriors alike. There are also some gas-guzzling clunkers climbers might want to avoid from a fuel cost perspective.

From lowest miles per gallon (MPG) to highest, here’s how common climber vehicles stack up when it comes to gas mileage. We also offer general pros and cons for each vehicle from a climber perspective, as well as ideas to customize each car for your climbing lifestyle, whether you’re living in your car at the campground, road tripping from crag to crag, or just taking weekend trips to nearby climbing destinations.

Most fuel-efficient cars for climbers, ranked by gas mileage 

Toyota Prius: 49-57 MPG

The Toyota Prius is a relatively affordable hybrid vehicle that’s worth considering for your climbing lifestyle. It may be among the most uncool cars out there, but dirtbags often take pride in swimming against the tide (and with gas mileage like that, who cares what the cool kids at the crag think?). Certain models offer AWD as well, making their off-road handling surprisingly decent, according to a number of comments from drivers on Reddit.

Price: Starting at $28,550 new ($5,000–$20,000 used, on average)

Pros: 

• Hybrid engine means great gas mileage
• Rated high in reliability (fewer repairs)
• Better for the environment
• Decent space when seats folded down
• Low maintenance costs

Cons: 

• Low clearance
• Drives slow/slow acceleration
• Poor handling of rough roads/bad weather conditions

Make it dirtbag: If you don’t want to sleep in a tent while camping, get a lightweight rooftop tent setup, like TentBox. Getting a lift kit isn’t a bad idea either to get more clearance. Consider looking for an AWD model and adding all-terrain tires or a roof storage rack as well for better performance in the mountains.

Toyota Sienna: 36 MPG

Shocker! The minivan makes the number two spot on this list, thanks to a design that prioritizes fuel efficiency. The Toyota Sienna minivan is a great option for anyone who wants a functional everyday car, but also has lots of gear and/or family members and/or car-less buddies. Since you can easily access the entire vehicle (unlike a truck or station wagn), the Sienna a good pick for climbers who plan to live out of their vehicles in colder weather, or where inclement weather is common (looking at you, Pacific Northwesterners). And thanks to a hybrid engine and an efficient transmission system, it gets great gas mileage, too.

Price: Starting at $40,000 new ($14,000–$30,000 used, on average)

Pros:

• Practical for everyday driving
• Lots of space
• Different seat configuration options
• Roof rails for adding storage racks
• Good towing capacity
• AWD
• Newer models feature a 3,500 lb. tow hitch, kick-activated doors, and a 1,500-watt power outlet for gear

Cons:

• Low clearance
• Moderate gas mileage

Make it dirtbag: These vans are meant to fit seven or eight people and come with a variety of seating, depending on your model. From captain’s chairs to bench seats, you’ll have lots of options in terms of how much seating you remove and what kind of seats to add. Leave some for the kids or take them all out and fill the whole space with a living setup and/or gear. Also consider getting a lift kit and good all-terrain tires to increase your clearance a few inches and boost off-road performance.

Subaru Outback: 26 city MPG, 32 highway MPG

A Subaru Outback is the ideal car for those who don’t necessarily want to live in their climber vehicle but want to reach climber destinations, drive around town, maybe take a road trip here and there . . . It’s the outdoorsperson’s multi-purpose vehicle.

Price: Starting at $34,995 new ($15,000–$22,000 used, on average)

Pros:

• Seats fold down flat for sleeping/storage
• Anyone shorter than six feet tall can sleep comfortably inside it
• Great gas mileage
• AWD
• Relatively good clearance and off-road capability for the class
• Top scores in safety
• Handles snow well

Cons:

• No 4×4
• Moderate clearance

Make it dirtbag: Add a storage box or two to the roof. Consider a lift kit if the current clearance isn’t going to get you to the more remote crags and camping areas you plan to explore. To maximize your space, sleep on a pad in the back (and remove gear at night for sleeping).

Honda Element: 20 city MPG, 25 highway MPG

While Honda discontinued the Element in 2011, they remain very popular with many a dirtbag, from climbers and surfers to your average live-in-your-car-year-round variety. The car’s plastic floors and water-resistant seats help keep it clean while adventuring. Unfortunately, there really isn’t a comparable compact-style SUV to the Honda Element if you’re looking for a newer vehicle. And despite the Element’s strong reputation among climbers, its average MPG isn’t great, considering its size.

Price: $9,000–$15,000 used, on average

Pros: 

• Interior seats fold flat to create a bed or large, flat cargo area
• Square shape leads to interior versatility
• Lots of potential for customizing
• AWD

Cons: 

• Poor gas mileage
• Limited seating
• Challenging to find parts for discontinued vehicle

Make it dirtbag: The company Fifth Element creates products specifically for the Honda Element that turn it into the ultimate overlanding vehicle. Their full kit includes a convertible bench-to-bed, desk area, kitchen unit, and optional add-ons of a bike rack and custom bed cushions. Many Element lovers also just create their own DIY build. Popular add-ons include a rooftop tent or roof racks and storage boxes.

Toyota Tacoma: 20-23 MPG

A gold standard within the climbing community when it comes to trucks, the Toyota Tacoma is a rugged pickup that will not only get you to the crag, but also through some wild adventures. Many Tacoma-driving climbers engineer a sleep setup in the truck bed, but a slide-in camper or rooftop tent are also solid options.

On the fuel efficiency side, trucks notoriously struggle given their size and horsepower. While the Taco is a tried-and-true classic, if you want to save more at the pump and can afford a hybrid pickup, check out the new Toyota Tacoma Hybrid (23-24 MPG) or Ford Maverick (23-38 MPG). If you have $73,000 to $100,000 sitting around or don’t mind a big monthly payment, roll low-impact like Alex Honnold with an electric Rivian pickup. Note: You can find pre-owned Rivians for under $50,000 if you’re patient.

Price: Starting at $32,000 new ($12,000–$27,000 used, on average)

Pros:

• High clearance
• 4×4
• Handles snow well
• Good resale value

Cons:

• Poor gas mileage

Make it dirtbag: Buy a camper top if you’d like to sleep in the back. If you want to go even further, get a very lightweight truck camper to put on the back. If you maximize space by sleeping in the truck bed, consider building a wooden platform to sleep on. Though you’ll lose moving-around space, you can design it so you can slide low-volume gear bins underneath it.

Mitsubishi Delica: 16-23 MPG

Delicas are relative newcomers to the climbing scene in the last 10 years. Thanks to the U.S.’s 25-Year Rule on foreign-made cars, Delicas couldn’t be imported until they were at least 25 years old. These retro Japanese vans are made for adventuring and are increasingly considered one of the best dirtbag vehicles for climbers. But they’re also gas-guzzlers. These funky vans also come with some quirks, like optional red light mode for your interior lights.

Price: $4,000–$25,000 used, on average

Pros:

• High clearance
• 4×4
• All-terrain mode
• Built-in ladder on most for access to roof/roof rack

Cons:

• Poor gas mileage
• Challenging to find parts for discontinued vehicle

Make it dirtbag: These vans are highly customizable. Remove some seats or leave them in. Do a full buildout or partial. Or add solar panels to the roof or a Goal Zero to charge off of your alternator.

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