xcel
09-23-2006, 04:28 PM
Not listed below is Toyota's Prius. In our care Prius averaged a svelte 45.2 mpg - 19% below EPA combined. (http://auto.consumerguide.com/Articles/index.cfm/act/featuredarticles/article/FA_CG_FUEL_CHAMPS.html)
Tom Appel - Consumer Guide - Aug. 23, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2007_VW_Jetta_TDI.jpg
2007 Jettta TDI - best FE of all the compacts listed.
Forget the EPA. Consumer Guide's editors drove 150,000 miles last year. We drove to work, to day care, to the grocery store, and on vacation. We drove through record heat, blinding snow, driving rain, and confounding road construction, keeping track of every drop of fuel we used along the way.
The EPA admits its fuel economy numbers are estimates. Ours are real. A typical Consumer Guide test car is evaluated by at least four editors, and all account for their individual fuel usage. Here are the vehicles in each class that used the least fuel while in our care.
A few notes about this list: Though Consumer Guide takes pains to drive every version of every car; we may not have tested some combinations of engines, transmissions, and body styles. This list represents the best out of the vehicles we have evaluated. In the event that our testing was inconclusive, typically because time limitations precluded achieving a balanced mix of urban and highway driving, that vehicle was excluded from our list.
Also, we avoided listing multiple versions of a specific car. If the sedan version of a car made the list, the wagon will not be listed - even though its mileage might be similar. Hybrids and diesels are the exception to this rule.
Not listed below is Toyota's Prius. In our care Prius averaged a svelte 45.2-mpg. Though technically a compact by Consumer Guide standards, the roomy hybrid rivals most midsize sedans for interior space. Prius is also pricey by compact standards, approaching $30,000 well equipped. For those who place miserly consumption above all else, Prius deserves a look.
A * indicates that the manufacturer either recommends or requires costlier midgrade or premium-grade fuel for that vehicle. Consumer Guide always follows manufacturers' fuel recommendations.
Subcompact Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Toyota Yaris sedan|Auto|36.6|34/39|0 %
Honda Fit|Manual|35.6|33/38|0 %
Scion xB|Manual|33.3|30/33|+ 6%
For best results, put a small engine in a small car. Each of these misers features a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, and weighs less than 2500 pounds. As an added bonus, they all start under $16,000.
Compact Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Volkswagen Jetta TDI|Manual|40.1|36/41|+ 4%
Honda Civic Hybrid|CVT|38|49/51|- 24%
(Tie) Kia Spectra sedan|Manual|28.5|25/33|- 3%
(Tie) Toyota Corolla|Auto|28.5|30/38|- 16%
Volkswagen diesels are almost legendary for their frugality, and our test Jetta lived up to the hype. The bad news: VW isn't offering diesel cars for 2007. The good news: VW has promised to build enough '06 models to keep shoppers happy until a redesigned diesel engine becomes available for 2008.
Can't find a VW diesel? Well, the ultra-frugal Civic Hybrid isn't much easier to get a hold of. At the time this article was published, demand for Honda's compact gas miser far outstripped supply. Expect to be placed on a waiting list, and expect to pay full sticker price.
Premium Compact Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Acura TSX|Manual|27.3*|21/30|+ 7%
Audi A3|SMT|26.1|25/31|- 7%
Saab 9-3 2.0T convertible|Auto|24.0|22/31|- 9%
Engines in this class regularly exceed 3-liters, but this trio all make do with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. There's no shortage of power here, however. The Acura and Audi both check in at 200 horsepower, and the Saab at 210.
It may seem odd to see a convertible representing the 9-3 lineup. But the numbers are the numbers, and in our testing, the 9-3 sedan with an identical drive train came in slightly thirstier than our drop top at 23.3 mpg.
Midsize Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Toyota Camry Hybrid|CVT|31.2|40/38|- 20%
Honda Accord 4-cyl coupe|Manual|30.6|26/34|+ 2%
Honda Accord Hybrid|Auto|27.5|25/34|- 8%
Midsize cars represent the largest single segment of U.S. new vehicle sales. Despite the volume, the segment includes only two hybrids, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Camry Hybrid tops our midsize list, breaking the 30-mpg barrier while comfortably seating four adults. The V6-powered Accord Hybrid uses its hybrid drivetrain to add muscle as well as pump up mpg. At 27.5 mpg it is certainly frugal, but perhaps thirstier than the Hybrid moniker implies.
Also breaking the 30-mpg barrier was our test Accord coupe with the 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission. Buyers willing to shift for themselves take note; our test coupe averaged 5.4 mpg better than a similar Accord sedan with an automatic transmission.
Premium Midsize Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Acura TL|Auto|23.0*|20/29|- 6%
Volvo S60 T5|Manual|21.5*|21/28|- 12%
Jaguar S-Type 3.0|Auto|19.6*|19/28|- 17%
It's tough to call any of these cars fuel thrifty, but they are the most fuel-efficient cars in the premium midsize category. All break the 200-horsepower barrier, and cost over $35,000. For the well-heeled looking for lean conveyance, these cars merit consideration.
Large Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Dodge Charger V6|Auto|20.7*|19/27|- 10%
Chrysler 300 V6 AWD| Auto|19.7*|19/27|- 12%
Mercury Montego AWD|CVT|19.2|19/26|- 15%
For big cars, this group's top three go reasonably far on a gallon of gas. Equipped with weight-adding AWD, our test Chrysler 300 trails the mechanically similar rear-wheel-drive Dodge Charger by 1.0 mpg.
However our AWD Montegos, and mechanically identical Ford Five Hundreds, actually bested their front-drive siblings in fuel economy. Credit this to the AWD models' CVT transmission. Front drive versions make do with a conventional automatic.
Premium Large Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
BMW 750i|Auto|19.0*|17/25|- 10%
Jaguar XJ8| Auto|18.4*|18/27|- 18%
Mercedes-Benz S550|Auto|17.6|19/26|- 12%
You'd think it would be expensive to feed a 300-plus horsepower large luxury car, but these premium sedans have relatively modest appetites. Note that with fuel tanks in excess of 22 gallons, each of these cruisers will travel more than 400 miles before needing a fill up.
Sporty/Performance Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Honda S2000|Manual|24.6|20/25|+ 9%
Mazda MX-5 Sport|Manual|23.8|24/30|- 12%
Hyundai Tiburon SE|Auto|22.1|19/26|- 2%
Fun can be frugal, especially for the owners of any of these gas sippers. At 237 horsepower, Honda's S2000 can boast some serious muscle along with its judicious use of fuel. Nearly as efficient was our test Mazda MX-5 (formerly Miata), though at 170 horsepower, it's the weakling of the three.
Not much more potent despite packing the only V6 of this group, our 172-horsepower test Tiburon rounded out the top three.
Premium Sporty/Performance Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Porsche Cayman S|Manual|22.7|20/28|- 5%
Mercedes-Benz SLK350|Manual|22.6|18/25|+ 5%
Chevrolet Corvette convertible|Auto|20.7|17/27|- 6%
It's hard to imagine any conversation including these three cars turning to fuel economy, but frugal they are - relatively speaking. With efficient, high-output 6-cylinder engines, it's not too surprising to find Porsche and Mercedes on this list. But the Corvette's 400-horsepower 6.0-liter V8 has all the makings of a gas-guzzler. Credit goes to Chevrolet for the 'Vette's light weight and a 6-speed automatic transmission with two gas-saving overdrive gears.
Compact SUV’s
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Mercury Mariner Hybrid AWD|CVT|28.8|33/29|- 7%
Ford Escape Hybrid AWD|Auto CVT|28.4|33/29|- 8%
Pontiac Torrent 2W Subaru Forester |Auto|24.2|23/28|- 5%
Though failing to reach their optimistic EPA ratings, the Ford Escape Hybrid and clone Mercury Mariner Hybrid still top the category for thrifty petroleum usage.
Also frugal, though down the list by more than 4 mpg is Subaru's spunky Forester. If a compact SUV serves your needs, any of these three will spare you some anxiety at fill-up time.
Midsize SUV’s
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD|CVT|26.4|31/27|- 9%
Mazda CX-7 AWD|Auto|21.4|18/24|+ 1%
Pontiac Torrent 2WD|Auto|20.5|18/24|- 2%
You can't tow a 20-foot boat or carry a roll-top desk with these midsize SUVs, but you can get a family of four and a lot of their stuff into one.
Toyota's Highlander Hybrid takes the guilt out of SUV ownership. It accelerates with V8-like surge and seats up to seven passengers, all while breaking the 25-mpg barrier. A hefty $34,000 starting price is this SUV's only real drawback.
Mazda's new CX-7 uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine to keep things frugal. Potent as needed, the 244-horsepower CX-7 wastes little fuel in daily driving.
Though we haven't driven a 2007 Torrent with its new interior and revised suspension, its drivetrain carries-over intact. Though short of outright spunk, Torrent's V6 moves this smallish midsize ute along ably, all while breaking the 20 mpg barrier.
Premium Midsize SUV’s
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Lexus RX400h AWD|CVT|21.5|31/27|- 26%
Volkswagen Touareg V10 diesel|Auto|18.3|17/23|- 8%
Volvo XC90 V8|Auto|17.8|16/20|- 1%
Here we have respectable mileage, served three ways. The Lexus RX applies hybrid technology to achieve class-leading fuel economy.
Volkswagen's burly Touareg boasts one of few diesels available for 2007, and it's a big one. At 5.0 liters, this V10 monster pushes VW's 5000-pound SUV to 60 mph in around seven seconds, but still gets better than 18 mpg.
Volvo's lively V8 comes from Yamaha, the motorcycle company. Though good for more than 300 horsepower, the XC90's efficient powerplant rivals the Touareg for frugality, and doesn't require a special trip to a filling station that sells diesel fuel.
Large SUV’s
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Toyota Sequoia|Auto|15.6|15/17|- 2%
Cadillac Escalade AWD|Auto|15.5|13/19|- 3%
Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD|Auto|14.8|15/21|- 18%
Okay, there's nothing here that approaches frugal. Among the thirstiest of vehicles, these are the most efficient.
The GMC and Chevrolet benefit from GM's Active Fuel Management, a system that shuts down four of the engine's cylinders during light-load conditions to conserve fuel.
Toyota Sequoia is the light-weight of the bunch, literally. Sequoia is 500 pounds lighter than the GMC Yukon, and its 4.7-liter V8 is trim compared to the 5.3-liter engine in the Yukon and Tahoe.
Premium Large SUV’s
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged|Auto|15.6|13/18|0 %
Cadillac Escalade AWD|Auto|15.5|13/19|- 3%
Mercedes-Benz GL450|Auto|15.2|14/18|- 5%
It would be ****ing with faint praise to note that all three of these big rigs get 50 percent better mileage than a Hummer H2.
At $3.25 a gallon for premium-grade gas, it'll cost you close to $90.00 to fill one of these brutes. And at 15 mpg, you'll be filling them 3-4 times a month. That's roughly the lease payment on a Honda Accord VP.
Compact Pickups
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4WD|Auto|16.6|17/21|- 13%
Nissan Frontier Crew Cab 4WD|Auto|14.5|15/20|- 17%
(Tie) Ford Ranger Ext. Cab 4.0 V6 4WD|Auto|14.4|14/18|- 10%
(Tie) Mitsubishi Raider Crew Cab V8 4WD|Auto|14.4|14/18|- 10%
Take the Toyota Tacoma out of the picture, and the news here is pretty bad. Compact trucks aren't that compact anymore, and our fuel economy numbers reflect the relative girth of these large-truck pretenders.
At 16.6 mpg, the Tacoma easily bested the next truck in our testing. It is also worth noting that the Mitsubishi Raider sports the only V8 on the list.
Probably because of their tepid performance, manufacturers have been loath to supply us with 4-cylinder versions of their small trucks, so we cannot report on their fuel consumption.
Note that we have not yet tested the Chevrolet Colorado or GMC Canyon with their newly enlarged 4-and 5-cylinder engines.
Large Pickups
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Chevrolet Silverado "Hybrid" 4WD |Auto|16.7|17/19|- 7%
Chevrolet Avalanche 2WD|Auto|15.2|15/21|- 16%
Nissan Titan Crew Cab 4WD|Auto|14.5|14/18|- 9%
This list pits General Motors' technology against itself. The Avalanche is based on the redesigned 2007 Chevy Tahoe/Suburban, and is the first pickup truck to incorporate GM's Active Fuel Management. Simply, AFM shuts down four of the engine's cylinders during light-load conditions to conserve fuel. In the case of Avalanche, and the already discussed Chevy Tahoe, the system seems to work.
Being sold alongside the soon-to-be-introduced 2007 Silverado (and mechanically identical 2007 GMC Sierra) is the Silverado Classic. Classic versions of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra retain the previous generation's design. The Silverado Classic Hybrid lacks true hybrid electric power assist, but does have an engine shut-off feature that reduces fuel consumption during around-town driving. Chevrolet claims the Silverado Hybrid enjoys a 10-percent boost in fuel economy compared to the same engine without the shut-off feature.
Minivans
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Dodge Caravan 4-cyl|Auto|19.8|20/26|- 14%
Chrysler Town & Country 3.8 V6|Auto|18.5|18/25|- 14%
Toyota Sienna|Auto|18.5*|19/26|- 18%
One way to save gas is to give up performance, and driving a 4-cylinder Caravan is an excellent way to do that. Available only in the standard-length Caravan - and not available in the similar Chrysler Town & Country - the over-worked four will get you where you're going, but not in any particular hurry.
Nearly as frugal in our testing were the V6-powered Town & Country and Toyota Sienna - fine minivans both.
Tom Appel - Consumer Guide - Aug. 23, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2007_VW_Jetta_TDI.jpg
2007 Jettta TDI - best FE of all the compacts listed.
Forget the EPA. Consumer Guide's editors drove 150,000 miles last year. We drove to work, to day care, to the grocery store, and on vacation. We drove through record heat, blinding snow, driving rain, and confounding road construction, keeping track of every drop of fuel we used along the way.
The EPA admits its fuel economy numbers are estimates. Ours are real. A typical Consumer Guide test car is evaluated by at least four editors, and all account for their individual fuel usage. Here are the vehicles in each class that used the least fuel while in our care.
A few notes about this list: Though Consumer Guide takes pains to drive every version of every car; we may not have tested some combinations of engines, transmissions, and body styles. This list represents the best out of the vehicles we have evaluated. In the event that our testing was inconclusive, typically because time limitations precluded achieving a balanced mix of urban and highway driving, that vehicle was excluded from our list.
Also, we avoided listing multiple versions of a specific car. If the sedan version of a car made the list, the wagon will not be listed - even though its mileage might be similar. Hybrids and diesels are the exception to this rule.
Not listed below is Toyota's Prius. In our care Prius averaged a svelte 45.2-mpg. Though technically a compact by Consumer Guide standards, the roomy hybrid rivals most midsize sedans for interior space. Prius is also pricey by compact standards, approaching $30,000 well equipped. For those who place miserly consumption above all else, Prius deserves a look.
A * indicates that the manufacturer either recommends or requires costlier midgrade or premium-grade fuel for that vehicle. Consumer Guide always follows manufacturers' fuel recommendations.
Subcompact Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Toyota Yaris sedan|Auto|36.6|34/39|0 %
Honda Fit|Manual|35.6|33/38|0 %
Scion xB|Manual|33.3|30/33|+ 6%
For best results, put a small engine in a small car. Each of these misers features a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, and weighs less than 2500 pounds. As an added bonus, they all start under $16,000.
Compact Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Volkswagen Jetta TDI|Manual|40.1|36/41|+ 4%
Honda Civic Hybrid|CVT|38|49/51|- 24%
(Tie) Kia Spectra sedan|Manual|28.5|25/33|- 3%
(Tie) Toyota Corolla|Auto|28.5|30/38|- 16%
Volkswagen diesels are almost legendary for their frugality, and our test Jetta lived up to the hype. The bad news: VW isn't offering diesel cars for 2007. The good news: VW has promised to build enough '06 models to keep shoppers happy until a redesigned diesel engine becomes available for 2008.
Can't find a VW diesel? Well, the ultra-frugal Civic Hybrid isn't much easier to get a hold of. At the time this article was published, demand for Honda's compact gas miser far outstripped supply. Expect to be placed on a waiting list, and expect to pay full sticker price.
Premium Compact Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Acura TSX|Manual|27.3*|21/30|+ 7%
Audi A3|SMT|26.1|25/31|- 7%
Saab 9-3 2.0T convertible|Auto|24.0|22/31|- 9%
Engines in this class regularly exceed 3-liters, but this trio all make do with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. There's no shortage of power here, however. The Acura and Audi both check in at 200 horsepower, and the Saab at 210.
It may seem odd to see a convertible representing the 9-3 lineup. But the numbers are the numbers, and in our testing, the 9-3 sedan with an identical drive train came in slightly thirstier than our drop top at 23.3 mpg.
Midsize Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Toyota Camry Hybrid|CVT|31.2|40/38|- 20%
Honda Accord 4-cyl coupe|Manual|30.6|26/34|+ 2%
Honda Accord Hybrid|Auto|27.5|25/34|- 8%
Midsize cars represent the largest single segment of U.S. new vehicle sales. Despite the volume, the segment includes only two hybrids, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Camry Hybrid tops our midsize list, breaking the 30-mpg barrier while comfortably seating four adults. The V6-powered Accord Hybrid uses its hybrid drivetrain to add muscle as well as pump up mpg. At 27.5 mpg it is certainly frugal, but perhaps thirstier than the Hybrid moniker implies.
Also breaking the 30-mpg barrier was our test Accord coupe with the 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission. Buyers willing to shift for themselves take note; our test coupe averaged 5.4 mpg better than a similar Accord sedan with an automatic transmission.
Premium Midsize Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Acura TL|Auto|23.0*|20/29|- 6%
Volvo S60 T5|Manual|21.5*|21/28|- 12%
Jaguar S-Type 3.0|Auto|19.6*|19/28|- 17%
It's tough to call any of these cars fuel thrifty, but they are the most fuel-efficient cars in the premium midsize category. All break the 200-horsepower barrier, and cost over $35,000. For the well-heeled looking for lean conveyance, these cars merit consideration.
Large Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Dodge Charger V6|Auto|20.7*|19/27|- 10%
Chrysler 300 V6 AWD| Auto|19.7*|19/27|- 12%
Mercury Montego AWD|CVT|19.2|19/26|- 15%
For big cars, this group's top three go reasonably far on a gallon of gas. Equipped with weight-adding AWD, our test Chrysler 300 trails the mechanically similar rear-wheel-drive Dodge Charger by 1.0 mpg.
However our AWD Montegos, and mechanically identical Ford Five Hundreds, actually bested their front-drive siblings in fuel economy. Credit this to the AWD models' CVT transmission. Front drive versions make do with a conventional automatic.
Premium Large Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
BMW 750i|Auto|19.0*|17/25|- 10%
Jaguar XJ8| Auto|18.4*|18/27|- 18%
Mercedes-Benz S550|Auto|17.6|19/26|- 12%
You'd think it would be expensive to feed a 300-plus horsepower large luxury car, but these premium sedans have relatively modest appetites. Note that with fuel tanks in excess of 22 gallons, each of these cruisers will travel more than 400 miles before needing a fill up.
Sporty/Performance Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Honda S2000|Manual|24.6|20/25|+ 9%
Mazda MX-5 Sport|Manual|23.8|24/30|- 12%
Hyundai Tiburon SE|Auto|22.1|19/26|- 2%
Fun can be frugal, especially for the owners of any of these gas sippers. At 237 horsepower, Honda's S2000 can boast some serious muscle along with its judicious use of fuel. Nearly as efficient was our test Mazda MX-5 (formerly Miata), though at 170 horsepower, it's the weakling of the three.
Not much more potent despite packing the only V6 of this group, our 172-horsepower test Tiburon rounded out the top three.
Premium Sporty/Performance Cars
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Porsche Cayman S|Manual|22.7|20/28|- 5%
Mercedes-Benz SLK350|Manual|22.6|18/25|+ 5%
Chevrolet Corvette convertible|Auto|20.7|17/27|- 6%
It's hard to imagine any conversation including these three cars turning to fuel economy, but frugal they are - relatively speaking. With efficient, high-output 6-cylinder engines, it's not too surprising to find Porsche and Mercedes on this list. But the Corvette's 400-horsepower 6.0-liter V8 has all the makings of a gas-guzzler. Credit goes to Chevrolet for the 'Vette's light weight and a 6-speed automatic transmission with two gas-saving overdrive gears.
Compact SUV’s
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Mercury Mariner Hybrid AWD|CVT|28.8|33/29|- 7%
Ford Escape Hybrid AWD|Auto CVT|28.4|33/29|- 8%
Pontiac Torrent 2W Subaru Forester |Auto|24.2|23/28|- 5%
Though failing to reach their optimistic EPA ratings, the Ford Escape Hybrid and clone Mercury Mariner Hybrid still top the category for thrifty petroleum usage.
Also frugal, though down the list by more than 4 mpg is Subaru's spunky Forester. If a compact SUV serves your needs, any of these three will spare you some anxiety at fill-up time.
Midsize SUV’s
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD|CVT|26.4|31/27|- 9%
Mazda CX-7 AWD|Auto|21.4|18/24|+ 1%
Pontiac Torrent 2WD|Auto|20.5|18/24|- 2%
You can't tow a 20-foot boat or carry a roll-top desk with these midsize SUVs, but you can get a family of four and a lot of their stuff into one.
Toyota's Highlander Hybrid takes the guilt out of SUV ownership. It accelerates with V8-like surge and seats up to seven passengers, all while breaking the 25-mpg barrier. A hefty $34,000 starting price is this SUV's only real drawback.
Mazda's new CX-7 uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine to keep things frugal. Potent as needed, the 244-horsepower CX-7 wastes little fuel in daily driving.
Though we haven't driven a 2007 Torrent with its new interior and revised suspension, its drivetrain carries-over intact. Though short of outright spunk, Torrent's V6 moves this smallish midsize ute along ably, all while breaking the 20 mpg barrier.
Premium Midsize SUV’s
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Lexus RX400h AWD|CVT|21.5|31/27|- 26%
Volkswagen Touareg V10 diesel|Auto|18.3|17/23|- 8%
Volvo XC90 V8|Auto|17.8|16/20|- 1%
Here we have respectable mileage, served three ways. The Lexus RX applies hybrid technology to achieve class-leading fuel economy.
Volkswagen's burly Touareg boasts one of few diesels available for 2007, and it's a big one. At 5.0 liters, this V10 monster pushes VW's 5000-pound SUV to 60 mph in around seven seconds, but still gets better than 18 mpg.
Volvo's lively V8 comes from Yamaha, the motorcycle company. Though good for more than 300 horsepower, the XC90's efficient powerplant rivals the Touareg for frugality, and doesn't require a special trip to a filling station that sells diesel fuel.
Large SUV’s
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Toyota Sequoia|Auto|15.6|15/17|- 2%
Cadillac Escalade AWD|Auto|15.5|13/19|- 3%
Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD|Auto|14.8|15/21|- 18%
Okay, there's nothing here that approaches frugal. Among the thirstiest of vehicles, these are the most efficient.
The GMC and Chevrolet benefit from GM's Active Fuel Management, a system that shuts down four of the engine's cylinders during light-load conditions to conserve fuel.
Toyota Sequoia is the light-weight of the bunch, literally. Sequoia is 500 pounds lighter than the GMC Yukon, and its 4.7-liter V8 is trim compared to the 5.3-liter engine in the Yukon and Tahoe.
Premium Large SUV’s
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged|Auto|15.6|13/18|0 %
Cadillac Escalade AWD|Auto|15.5|13/19|- 3%
Mercedes-Benz GL450|Auto|15.2|14/18|- 5%
It would be ****ing with faint praise to note that all three of these big rigs get 50 percent better mileage than a Hummer H2.
At $3.25 a gallon for premium-grade gas, it'll cost you close to $90.00 to fill one of these brutes. And at 15 mpg, you'll be filling them 3-4 times a month. That's roughly the lease payment on a Honda Accord VP.
Compact Pickups
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4WD|Auto|16.6|17/21|- 13%
Nissan Frontier Crew Cab 4WD|Auto|14.5|15/20|- 17%
(Tie) Ford Ranger Ext. Cab 4.0 V6 4WD|Auto|14.4|14/18|- 10%
(Tie) Mitsubishi Raider Crew Cab V8 4WD|Auto|14.4|14/18|- 10%
Take the Toyota Tacoma out of the picture, and the news here is pretty bad. Compact trucks aren't that compact anymore, and our fuel economy numbers reflect the relative girth of these large-truck pretenders.
At 16.6 mpg, the Tacoma easily bested the next truck in our testing. It is also worth noting that the Mitsubishi Raider sports the only V8 on the list.
Probably because of their tepid performance, manufacturers have been loath to supply us with 4-cylinder versions of their small trucks, so we cannot report on their fuel consumption.
Note that we have not yet tested the Chevrolet Colorado or GMC Canyon with their newly enlarged 4-and 5-cylinder engines.
Large Pickups
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Chevrolet Silverado "Hybrid" 4WD |Auto|16.7|17/19|- 7%
Chevrolet Avalanche 2WD|Auto|15.2|15/21|- 16%
Nissan Titan Crew Cab 4WD|Auto|14.5|14/18|- 9%
This list pits General Motors' technology against itself. The Avalanche is based on the redesigned 2007 Chevy Tahoe/Suburban, and is the first pickup truck to incorporate GM's Active Fuel Management. Simply, AFM shuts down four of the engine's cylinders during light-load conditions to conserve fuel. In the case of Avalanche, and the already discussed Chevy Tahoe, the system seems to work.
Being sold alongside the soon-to-be-introduced 2007 Silverado (and mechanically identical 2007 GMC Sierra) is the Silverado Classic. Classic versions of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra retain the previous generation's design. The Silverado Classic Hybrid lacks true hybrid electric power assist, but does have an engine shut-off feature that reduces fuel consumption during around-town driving. Chevrolet claims the Silverado Hybrid enjoys a 10-percent boost in fuel economy compared to the same engine without the shut-off feature.
Minivans
Vehicle|Transmission|CG mpg|EPA City/Highway|% above/below EPA combined
Dodge Caravan 4-cyl|Auto|19.8|20/26|- 14%
Chrysler Town & Country 3.8 V6|Auto|18.5|18/25|- 14%
Toyota Sienna|Auto|18.5*|19/26|- 18%
One way to save gas is to give up performance, and driving a 4-cylinder Caravan is an excellent way to do that. Available only in the standard-length Caravan - and not available in the similar Chrysler Town & Country - the over-worked four will get you where you're going, but not in any particular hurry.
Nearly as frugal in our testing were the V6-powered Town & Country and Toyota Sienna - fine minivans both.