MPG-o-Matic 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost Review Summary: With the F-150 EcoBoost, Ford has wagered that America will accept a V6 engine in a full-size pickup truck. They haven’t just bet big, they’ve bet smart. The turbocharged, direct-injected EcoBoost engine rewrites the rules of the game.
Entries from September 2011 ↓
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost Supercrew Review
September 25th, 2011 — ford, review, trucks
Best Seven Passenger SUV MPG
September 22nd, 2011 — gas mileage, suv
The first two questions you should ask youself when shopping for a new sport utility vehicle (SUV) are: 1) how many folks do you need to haul, and 2) do you need all-wheel-drive (AWD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) capabilities. Five-passenger (two-row) SUVs are typically more fuel-efficient than seven-passenger (three-row) SUVs, while two-wheel-drive (2WD) SUVs are usually better on gas than AWD and 4WD SUVs. Consequently, the vast majority of the best gas mileage SUVs are 2WD, five passenger vehicles.
Out of the crowd of 2WD 2011 seven-passenger SUVs, the Mitsubishi Outlander (23 city / 28 highway), Dodge Journey (19/26), and Ford Explorer (17/25) get the best gas mileage, followed by the Mazda CX-9, Chevrolet Terrain, Buick Enclave, GMC Arcadia, and Ford Flex at 17 city / 24 highway MPGs. The 2WD Ford Explorer takes a significant jump in fuel economy for 2012, with the EcoBoost inline four cylinder version rated at 20/28.
The best gas mileage 2011 AWD 7-passenger SUVs include the Toyota Highlander Hybrid (28/28), Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec 4Matic (18/25), Audi Q7 TDI (17/25), and the Dodge Journey (16/24). The GL350 BlueTEc and Q7 TDI clean diesels are exceptionally well-suited to long-distance, with excellent highway mileage and capacious fuel tanks.
We’ve tested the following 7-seat SUVs:
- Audi Q7 TDI – With its powerful clean diesel engine, the luxurious Audi Q7 TDI delivers a unique combination of fuel efficiency, range, driveability, luxury, and towing capacity, along with some of the best in-cabin technology on the market today.
- Chevrolet Traverse – Room for seven and highway gas mileage in the mid-twenties, the Chevy Traverse offers a compelling feature set, with a spacious interior that’s chock full ‘o creature comforts.
- Ford Flex – A brilliant alternative to traditional SUVs and minivans, the Flex represents a rebirth of the great American station wagon with the comforts of a spacious limousine.
- Lincoln MKT EcoBoost – Takes the large luxury crossover to a new level. While it lags behind the European turbo-diesels when it comes to fuel economy, the twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine provides a remarkable rush of power. The MKT EcoBoost is an executive jet on wheels, with a luxurious ride for six or seven.
- Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec – Although the ticket to entry is substantial, the Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC is one of the most fuel-efficient seven-passenger luxury SUVs on the road today.
- Mitsubishi Outlander – Among the most sporting of the mid-size Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV), with a rally-inspired design that provides real four-wheel-drive, and magnesium paddle shifters. The third row seating is strictly for the kids.
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid – Plays a trump card in the sport utility market, by delivering the best gas mileage in its class.
Is the Manual Transmission Staging a Comeback?
September 20th, 2011 — gas mileage
While the manual transmission was written off for dead just a few years ago, the good old stick shift just might be staging a comeback. With a new wave of fuel-efficient, fun-to-drive cars, manual transmission are riding back into spotlight.
What’s old is new.
From high-end Aston Martins and Lamborghinis, to the reborn retro muscle cars like the Chevy Camaro, Ford Mustang, and Dodge Challenger, enthusiasts prefer to shift for themselves. But the resurgence of the manual is not just about the go-fast crowd.
Put away those dusty recollections of banging that nasty column-mounted shifter. There’s little chance of ever seeing “three on the tree” again. With standout fuel-sippers like the Chevy Cruze Eco, Ford Fiesta and Fiat 500, today’s five- and six-speed manual transmissions are easier to master then ever and optimized for fuel-efficiency.
Whether you’re looking to shave a tenth off your quarter-mile elapsed time or trim a few bucks off your weekly fuel costs, you’ll want to check out our list of 2011 cars with manual transmissions.
It’s time to burn rubber, not gasoline …
- by Daniel Gray
2011 Mazda2 Touring Review
September 14th, 2011 — mazda, review
MPG-o-Matic 2011 Mazda2 Review Summary:
With the 2011 Mazda2, the experience adds up to more than the sum of the parts. While not a segment leader in either fuel-economy or straight-line performance, the Mazda2 delivers on both thrift and thrills. It’s more fuel-efficient than the official numbers might suggest and fun to toss about. With an enticingly low sticker price (starting at just over $14,000), it’s more slot car than shoe box.
40 MPG Cars: 2001-2011
September 8th, 2011 — audi, BMW, cheap, chevrolet, diesel, fiat, ford, gas mileage, honda, hybrid, lincoln, mazda, mini, toyota, vw
While fuel efficiency might seem like the latest craze, we’ve been tuned into it for years. 40 MPG cars are nothing new. Other sources may be content to simply throw up a photograph and a paragraph or two about any given economy car. We take the time to put hundreds and hundreds of miles on each and every odometer. We test for real-world fuel-efficiency with a light-footed driving style … because mileage matters.
Through comprehensive testing, we’ve found that a number of cars are capable of exceeding their highway fuel efficiency ratings when driven conscientiously. Some cars rated in the high 30 MPG range can eclipse the 40 MPG mark. It’s all in the way you drive. Over the last few years, we’ve tested a range of 40 MPG (highway) cars, including:
