Flex Fuel SUVs That Take E85
36 factory flex fuel models from 16 makes · 3 still in production
Flex fuel SUVs fall into two groups. Used full-size and mid-size models — Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon (2002–2016), Ford Explorer (2002–2024), Ford Expedition (2006–2014), Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Armada — and the only new ones still on sale: the small Chevrolet Trax, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Envista with GM's 1.2L turbo three-cylinder.
Every flex fuel suvs model, by make
Ford
- Explorer · 2002–20244.0L SOHC V6; 3.5L Ti-VCT V6; 3.3L V6Continuous FFV coverage across three generations
- Expedition · 2006–20145.4L 3V Triton V8FFV ended when 3.5L EcoBoost arrived in 2015
- Flex · 2009–20193.5L Duratec V6Base V6 only, not EcoBoost
- Escape · 2009–20123.0L Duratec V6V6 only
Chevrolet
- Tahoe · 2002–20165.3L Vortec V8; 6.2L V8
- Suburban · 2002–20165.3L Vortec V8
- Equinox · 2011–20163.0L V6; 2.4L I4; 3.6L V6
- HHR · 2009–20112.2L and 2.4L EcoTec I4GM's first 4-cyl FFV
- Trailblazer (new) · 2021–present1.2L turbo I3Current production
- Trax (new) · 2024–present1.2L turbo I3Current production
GMC
- Yukon · 2002–20165.3L Vortec V8; 6.2L V8
- Yukon XL · 2002–20165.3L V8; 6.2L V8
- Terrain · 2011–20163.0L V6; 2.4L I4; 3.6L V6Sibling of Equinox
Dodge
- Durango · 2006–2008; 2011–20154.7L V8; 3.6L Pentastar V6FFV dropped with 2016 Pentastar upgrade
- Journey · 2011–20193.6L Pentastar V6
Chrysler
- Aspen · 2007–20084.7L V8Durango-based
Jeep
- Grand Cherokee (WK) · 2007–20094.7L PowerTech V8
- Grand Cherokee (WK2) · 2011–20143.6L Pentastar V6 (ERB)FFV ended with 2016 Pentastar upgrade
- Commander · 2007–20084.7L V8Discontinued 2010
Lincoln
- Navigator · 2009–20145.4L Triton V8FFV dropped with 3.5L EcoBoost in 2015
Mercury
- Mountaineer · 2002–20054.0L SOHC V6Ford Explorer sibling
- Mariner · 2010–20113.0L Duratec V6Ford Escape sibling
Buick
- Envista · 2024–present1.2L turbo I3Currently in production
Cadillac
- Escalade · 2009–20146.2L V8 (L9H / L94)3rd-gen GMT900 platform
- Escalade ESV · 2009–20146.2L V8Long-wheelbase sibling
- SRX · 2012–20133.6L LFX V62nd-gen only
Toyota
- Sequoia · 2009–20185.7L V8 (3UR-FBE)
Nissan
- Armada (1st gen) · 2007–20155.6L V8 (VK56DE)
Mazda
- Tribute · 2009–20113.0L Duratec V6Ford Escape sibling
Mercedes-Benz
- ML350 (W166) · 2012–20153.5L V6
- GLE350 · 2016–20183.5L V6
- GLA250 4MATIC · 2015–20192.0L turbo I4
- GLA350 4MATIC · 2016–20183.5L V6
Audi
- Q5 · 2013–20172.0L TFSI
Land Rover
- Range Rover · 2014–20153.0L SC; 5.0L SC
- Range Rover Sport · 2014–2016 (SVR)3.0L SC; 5.0L SC
What to know about flex fuel suvs
For most of the 2000s and 2010s, the big body-on-frame SUVs were the backbone of the flex fuel fleet. GM built the Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Yukon XL as FFVs from 2002 through 2016, and the 2009–2014 Cadillac Escalade family shared the same hardware. Ford ran flex fuel on the Explorer across three generations and on the 5.4L Expedition and Lincoln Navigator until EcoBoost engines replaced the V8.
Crossovers are patchier. The Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain were flex fuel from 2011 to 2016, the Dodge Journey from 2011 to 2019, and the V6 Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner only briefly around 2009–2012. On the luxury side, Mercedes-Benz certified the ML350, GLE350 and the GLA for E85, and Audi did the same with the 2013–2017 Q5 2.0T.
What makes this category interesting in 2026 is the bottom of the market: the Trax, Trailblazer and Envista are the only new passenger vehicles you can buy in the U.S. as factory FFVs, all three sitting at the entry-level end of GM's SUV range.
Before you buy or fill up
- On 2015-and-newer full-size SUVs, check carefully — many dropped flex fuel when turbo or direct-injected engines arrived.
- Luxury FFVs (Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Land Rover) often have no flex fuel badge; the fuel-door label is the fastest check.
- A three-row SUV on E85 will use noticeably more fuel per mile, so station spacing matters on road trips — plan with the route finder.
Not sure about your own vehicle? Use the flex fuel checker or the free NHTSA VIN decoder.
Other flex fuel vehicle types
Got a flex fuel suv? Find E85 for it.
Live map of public E85 stations, plus a route planner for longer drives.