Cars That Get Surprisingly Bad MPG

"jkm7680" (jkm7680)
03/23/2018 at 00:15 • Filed to: None

Here’s one. The 2008 G35 that gets 17 city 25 highway.

What are some other unsuspecting cars that are terrible on gas?

DISCUSSION (32)

whoarder is tellurium > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 00:27

My 2011 VW Tiguan. I get 23-25mpg if I drive super conservative. I’ll also note that after a fill-up, the fuel gauge will move very quickly to the first hashmark (just off of full) within a mile or two of driving. It’s really weird.

I got ~23mpg once or twice in the G35s that I used to own.

WilliamsSW > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 00:31

My GS350 is rated at something like 19 in the city. I average right around 21.

I think the Acura TL is pretty bad, too.

Nibbles > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 00:31

I hit a high score in the Z28 this last tank, 18.2 MPG

Tristan > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 00:36

My wife’s base model RAV4 has averaged 21 over its life, according to the computer, which is pretty bad for something so small, slow and miserable. It has a 4 cylinder engine with displacement of some sort, and a slow/soggy shifting automatic. I haven’t checked it using maths because I can’t be bothered.

PS9 > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 00:36

That actually sounds about right for a big V6 and a ~3800lb RWD 4 door in 2k8. It’s only ‘terrible’ now the CVTs, turbo 4s and 7-and-up speed transmissions have taken over everywhere and raised our expectations.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 05:38

My 2012 Mazda5 6MT is lucky to break 20 MPG these days (it’s only rated 21/28). Between the 2.3 mile commute to work and my propensity to rev the piss out of it when I can I shouldn’t be terribly surprised by this.

Long-Voyager > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 07:14

See: Modern CUV.

It’ll give you a whole list.

Long-Voyager > Tristan
03/23/2018 at 07:15

Generally they’re worse than the computer says, you may not want to check it.

Long-Voyager > PS9
03/23/2018 at 07:17

GM 3800 cars had no issue breaking 30mpg, in the 90s, from a bigger engine, in cars that weighed the same, with less gears..........

Long-Voyager > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 07:18

This count as horrible? http://www.fuelly.com/car/plymouth/voyager/1994/vancollector/408709

AkursedX > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 08:17

My RX8 has averaged ~19mpg over the 35k miles I’ve owned it. My STI isn’t much better at 20.5. The most fuel efficient vehicle I have in my household is my wife’s ‘17 Highlander at ~22mpg.

DipodomysDeserti > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 08:55

I’m averaging 15mpg on my two door wrangler over the last year. What is aerodynamics?

Milky > Long-Voyager
03/23/2018 at 09:38

They were also FWD. But using so little gas actually helps explain why they made so little power.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Milky
03/23/2018 at 09:50

“lean burn technology” Is what I believe GM touted it as... it works.

Milky > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
03/23/2018 at 09:59

It works at burning the horsepower away.

Long-Voyager > Milky
03/23/2018 at 10:03

Eh, the supercharged 3800s could do the same and they made 240hp/280ft-lbs.

So only slightly less than the G35, with more torque, running through an auto that likely sucked more power than the G35s RWD setup.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 10:17

The Toyota 3.4L 5VZ-FE V6, specifically in the Tacoma, but really everywhere it’s used. For a relatively high-tech engine (DOHC, 24-valve, multi-port injection), it’s a terrible pig. Our 2003 Tacoma 4x4 (automatic) struggles to average 19mpg. We are completely rural now and almost never drive in the city.

Milky > Long-Voyager
03/23/2018 at 10:21

Not quite.

Kinja'd!!!

Auto coupe (280hp) and manual sedan (260hp) are rated higher than the supercharged 3800. I just grabbed these random cars too, didn’t cherry pick them.

TahoeSTi > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 10:21

17/25 is bad?

Long-Voyager > Milky
03/23/2018 at 10:25

1. You’re looking at EPA ratings, not real world mileage, which is what we’re discussing here. Even so, both the cars you listed are rated better than the G35 for highway.

2. The 3800 SC made 240hp/280ft-lbs. The G35 made 260-280hp/270ft-lbs. That extra torque makes more of a difference than the few extra HP, especially for daily use.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Long-Voyager
03/23/2018 at 10:30

yup, I could get 30+ highway in real world conditions with my ‘97 LeSabre. Overall average was closer to 25-26.

Milky > Long-Voyager
03/23/2018 at 10:42

Most 3800 cars made closer to 200hp and you said it yourself, they break into the low 30mpgs. Super charged ones less so.

t0ast > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 11:30

Suzuki SX4: 2L I4 engine with 150HP. Rated for ~30 MPG highway, but more like mid 20s in the real world, even with the FWD version.

jkm7680 > TahoeSTi
03/23/2018 at 12:47

It’s not good.

TahoeSTi > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 13:20

It’s not great?

jkm7680 > TahoeSTi
03/23/2018 at 13:47

A new Silverado gets better city MPG than it.

TahoeSTi > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 14:33

But does it really?

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/14-5-mpg-1795707346

jkm7680 > TahoeSTi
03/23/2018 at 15:04

That is not a new Silverado.

A new Silverado with the 5.3 will get better than 17. Even slightly.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > jkm7680
03/23/2018 at 15:21

My IS gets 22 miles per gallon, at best.

LongbowMkII > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
03/23/2018 at 16:40

odd, my 2010 5 MT averages 24mpg mixed and 28 mpg highway (even hit 30 once!) I know your gen has the 2.5 but id have thought the extra gear would help.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > LongbowMkII
03/23/2018 at 16:54

For the extra gear to help you actually have to use it! Since most of my driving is in the city (and hilly parts of the city, I might add) I rarely get to use 6th or even 5th. When my commute was about 20 miles each way I usually got mid-20s in mixed driving which is about what I’d expect.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > jkm7680
03/26/2018 at 00:04

Ur an unsuspecting car that’s terrible on gas.

Um. 2015 Passat TSI, I guess.

VW says 24/36, but they’d never lie about environmental stuff.

17/26 boi.