Year: 2008

Fuel Mileage – How High Can It Go?

by

While Americans typically refer to gas mileage, rather than fuel mileage, there’s a change afoot.

Highly fuel-efficient clean diesel-equipped vehicles have finally begun to reach our shores, and little-by-little, they’re making an impact. Time to adjust the lexicon. It’s fuel mileage, not gas mileage, when you’re driving a diesel.

Last month, I had the good fortune to interview a globe-hopping fuel economy record-setting couple from Australia, John and Helen Taylor, who had just set a new Guinness World Record for fuel mileage in a trip through the 48 states. The Taylors achieved an amazing 58.82 miles per gallon (MPG) in over 9000 miles of driving in a brand new clean diesel 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. That’s a number that couldn’t be touched with the current crop of hybrids.

We can thank the German manufacturers for making heavy investments in the technology.

The VW Jettas are the first of the clean diesels to arrive. Next up are the Audi Q7 and BMW 335d, with the Audi A4 to follow at some point in 2009 or 2010. Just this month, Audi ran a cross-country dieselfest, inviting automotive journalists from around the globe to partake in a coast-to-coast voyage to bring light to the excellent fuel mileage results of their fleet of clean diesel-equipped A3s, A4s, and Q7s.

The best is yet to come.

Read more

The Best SUV?

by

SUV rendering

Looking for the best SUV for your family? While the economic climate has changed dramatically, America has not stopped buying SUVs. For big families, it’s either an SUV or a minivan, and for those in colder climates, it’s the SUV that gets the nod. While determining which SUV best suits your family’s requirements needn’t be a drawn out process; it does take a bit of time and an open mind. The best SUV for your needs might not be the one you have your heart set upon.

The good news is that the recent drop in gasoline prices and the glut of SUVs on dealer lots has created a buyers market. I chatted with an old friend of mine earlier this evening. His marital situation is changing and he’s ready to buy a new SUV, but he’s not sure exactly which model to choose.

Joe Cool: Hi Dan. I have a bit of a dilemma in the car department and am hoping you can help me out.

Dan Gray: Hey there, old friend, tell me about that dilemma.

Joe Cool: I’m coming out of a divorce and will end up with two cars, neither of which I want. The first is a Toyota Prius. It’s from the first year of the second generation of the car, and it’s good, but it’s too small and definitely doesn’t handle poor weather well.

Read more

2009 Chevy Aveo5 MPG Review

by

Chevy Aveo5 MPG-o-Matic Chevy Aveo5 Review Summary: The five-door 2009 Aveo5 and its four-door sedan sibling fill the entry-level slot in Chevy’s line up. With highway gas mileage in the mid-thirties, a comfortable interior, flexible cargo capacity, and low base model sticker price, the Aveo5 is worth a look.

The Chevrolet Aveo competes with the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, and Nissan Versa among others in the subcompact market. Available as both a sedan and five-door hatch dubbed the Aveo5, the South Korean-built Aveo defines the entry-level in Chevy’s line up.

Read more

Mitsubishi Eclipse Gas Mileage

by

The 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse gas mileage estimates fall in the mid to high twenties on the highway, as the sporty coupe competes with a diverse range of competition including the Chevy Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Ford Mustang, and Dodge Challenger.

Eclipse owners must decide between a four cylinder or V6 engine, depending on the model. The Eclipse GS is fitted with Mitsubishi’s 2.4 liter SOHC MIVEC inline four delivering 162 horsepower (HP) and 162 foot pounds of torque. The Eclipse GT is fitted with a 3.8 liter SOHC V6 providing a healthy 265 HP and 262 foot pounds of torque.

Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

The four cylinder Eclipse GS is fitted with a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission. The V6 Eclipse GT is fitted with 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission. The Eclipse GS is rated at 20 city / 28 highway miles per gallon (MPG) with the manual and 20/26 with the automatic. The Eclipse GT is rated at 16 city / 25 highway MPG with the manual and 16/24 with the automatic.

Read more

Mitsubishi Galant Gas Mileage

by

The 2008 Mitsubishi Galant delivers middle of the road gas mileage, as it battles it out in a highly competitive segment with the likes of the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, and Chevy Malibu.

Galant owners can choose between a four cylinder or V6 engine, depending on the model. The 2.4 liter SOHC MIVEC inline four delivers 160 horsepower (HP) and 155 foot pounds of torque, while the 3.8 liter SOHC V6 provides 230 HP and 250 foot pounds of torque. The more economical four is rated at 20 city / 27 highway miles per gallon (MPG). The V6 requires premium fuel.

Mitsubishi Galant

Read more