Mileage Kings

[ALS]

Six vehicles that rarely have to stop for fuel!

Nick Kurczewski - YAHOO - October 21, 2010

Stretching your fuel mileage saves time and money. Not only that, but it also limits your exposure to the inconveniences sometimes associated with filling up—grime-covered pump handles, bad coffee, congealed hot dogs, maybe even a bathroom key attached to the hubcap of a 1978 Ford Granada. Indeed, you and your car are at the mercy of wherever you happen to be when the fuel gauge needle hits empty.

Hybrid cars and trucks get plenty of attention for their miserly fuel economy. But there is more to a vehicle’s driving range than impressive mpg numbers. Fuel economy, curb weight, vehicle size, and the volume of the fuel tank all determine how far you’ll be able to travel between pit stops. Of course, a “compact” car doesn’t necessarily mean frugal. The 670-bhp Lamborghini Murciélago, for instance, is technically a compact, thanks to the dimensions of its cozy 2-passenger cockpit. But this supersonic Italian sports car has an estimated driving range of only 290 miles in combined city and highway driving. Put this $450,000 beauty in your garage, and you’ve bought a long-lasting friendship with your local gas station attendant.

Generally speaking, a smaller car has a smaller fuel tank. This disadvantage is usually offset by a smaller (i.e. more economical) engine. In the case of hybrids, a combination of an electric motor and gas-powered engine work together to boost range and mileage. But are hybrids the default choice when it comes to waving goodbye to frequent fill-ups? What are the options for car buyers who put a premium on driving range?

Here’s what we discovered:... [Read More]

[PaleMelanesian]

is all I have to say.

[JusBringIt]

CVT automatic transmission returns an official EPA fuel economy rating of 31 mpg city/37 highway. With its 10.6 gallon tank (and an EPA combined rating of 37 mpg), the CR-Z manages 392 miles between fuel stops.

I guess the CVT has a 6 spd transmission

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Now I realize what the new large Prius is going to be: it'll be a like a regular Prius but with a huge fuel tank so it'll shut the derangers up.

[xcel]

Hi All:

Regarding the Prius, 600-miles on a tank is a bad thing? Sorry I have not read the article yet but add the Fusion Hybrid at over 700 at EPA and those are big time numbers vs the Volt at 350 and quite a few other vehicles with a whole lot less.

It actually all does come down to mpg as that is what you actually pay for, vs. a whole lot more per mile with a larger tank in a less fuel efficient automobile.

Ok, I just read the article... I do not remember a vehicle allowing us less than at least 600 miles on a tank recently, do you? Even the CR-Z busted that notion with its 66 mpg run to Iowa. Even with air on for the drive back it pulled 53 something on 11 gallons. A little less than 600 but it sure did not cost anything at the pump!

Wayne

[ALS]

Hey stop that!

Now I realize what the new large Prius is going to be: it'll be a like a regular Prius but with a huge fuel tank so it'll shut the derangers up.

Oh you have no idea how bad I would love to have the 80 liter tank that's in my Volvo in the Prius. Pittsburgh to Naples with no gas stops. Pittsburgh to Vegas "Baby" with only one fuel stop. New York to Los Angeles with only two fuel stops. Wayne driving only one fuel stop.