Today's Rant: Disappointing MPGs in the Chevrolet Cruze

[msirach]

1.4-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that delivers 138 horsepower

Jill Ciminillo - CHICAGONOW - January 05, 2011

What could you get in the Cruze in the same conditions? --Ed.

I had such high hopes for the Chevrolet Cruze. But I suppose that's when you get let down.

The test car, a Cruze LTZ model, came equipped with a 1.4-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that delivers 138 horsepower. Fuel economy estimates on the all-new compact car ring in at 24 mpg in the city and very beautiful 36 mpg on the highway.

Well it it would be beautiful if it actually worked that way. During the time that I tested the Cruze, I had primarily highway driving. Without traffic. I had maybe one or two days of city driving, but overall, the majority of my driving was pleasant highway driving.

And at the end of the week, I only managed 23.5 mpg.

OK, I should point out a couple factors probably played into some of this. It was at or around 20 degrees for 5 out of 7 of the test days. And on at least 4 occasions, I did use the remote start. But I just don't think that should combine to create mileage that is completely below EPA estimates. Especially when a couple weeks prior, I managed to get 22 mpg in an AWD SUV.

All that being said, I'm seriously hoping this was a fluke. And I'm looking forward to giving it another go in the Eco model.


... [Read More]

[ALS]

There are several factors that she is leaving out. Yes it was cold, but how long and how fast was he driving the car. What was the psi in the tires at the time. I could easily see a 10 mpg drop in gas mileage with this Cruze under the right conditions.

Example I had my Volvo wagon with snow tires set at 36 psi at my local garage two days before leaving on a trip. Temperatures out side were around 20 degrees compared to 70 degrees in that garage. When I checked my tire pressures in Virginia due to the large drop in my fuel mileage I found them all around 10-12 psi low. I would normally would have been getting over 28 mpg in the wagon and I was getting 22-23 during the first leg of my trip. Bumped up the tire pressures and my gas mileage jumped back up into 27-28 mpg as the temperatures also climbed into the thirties on the next leg of the trip.

I'm betting these factors contributed to the lower fuel mileage.

1. E10
2. Low air temperatures
3. Low tire pressures related to low ambient temperatures.
4. Higher than normal highway speeds?
5. Remote stater probably worth a 1-2 mph loss in fuel economy

[Nevyn]

I drove one on a short stint test drive. It was abysmal. Cold day, cold engine, mostly 40-55 mph driving. 9.9 miles, 28.9 MPG. I can get that in my 4AT non-turbo Elantra.

[Earthling]

And at the end of the week, I only managed 23.5 mpg.

OK, I should point out a couple factors probably played into some of this. It was at or around 20 degrees for 5 out of 7 of the test days. And on at least 4 occasions, I did use the remote start.

The man is a complete idiot.

Harry

[msirach]

Originally Posted by Earthling

[i]

The man...

Harry

Jill is a woman!

[Earthling]

Okay, I didn't bother to read the report once I read the part about using remote start.

Harry

[xcel]

Hi Harry:

I know Jill and she is far from what you called her!!! In fact, she is probably one of the most down to earth and straight shooting Chicago area auto writers out there. The reason why she usually pulls such poor FE is she drives like most do in downtown and the suburbs of Chicago. Meaning both feet on the pedals at the same time, remote start if it is available, lives in downtown Chicago in the worst area imaginable to pull decent FE from and finally, she spells it out like she sees it. She has a great working relationship with GM yet laid out her review as experienced and as you can tell, it was not complimentary thanks to the poor FE by any means…

Al, all her reviews occur from the same starting location using the same garbage Chicago based E10 winter/summer RFG (depending on season). In addition, the Vehicle handlers are all very careful to send the Press Vehicles to us with tires at placard + or - 2 or 3 pounds. Her winter FE is wicked bad no matter what she drives due to her location but when she said she drove an AWD SUV at almost the same FE as the Cruze, she means it!

All, you will see and hear more about Jill during an upcoming event drive beginning later this spring if the schedule is accepted per our discussions with the major auto manufacturer.

Jill C. with our 2011 F-250 Super Duty Press Vehicle last Spring in the Chicago Suburbs.

Wayne

[aca2983]

A broken-in vehicle counts too. My last two bought-new cars really didn't start improving their MPG until at least the 9000 mile mark.

[saturnsc2]

1. E10

Haha isn't it lovely that epa ratings and estimations are done based on straight gas, but yet the predominate fuel available in the u.s. is crappy ole e10...

[PaleMelanesian]

23.5 is just barely below the EPA city rating. In the dead of winter. I'd call that "not bad". It's just a shame the car is so low to start with.