mpg-o-editor

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco Review

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Chevy Malibu Eco Bowtie MPG-o-Matic 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco Review Summary: The 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco dukes it out in the midsize sedan segment with the Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, and Hyundai Sonata. General Motors chose to cast aside the flashy hybrid emblem of the Eco’s predecessor, in favor of a small green badge. The new Malibu Eco swaps in a 2.4-liter inline four and lithium-ion battery powered electric motor in place of the older Hybrid’s 3.6-liter V6 and NiMH battery pack. We found the new model to be quieter, faster, more fuel-efficient, and more refined.

The 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco is powered by a Direct Injected VVT 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine with eAssist that produces 182 horsepower (HP) and 171 foot pounds of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard.

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Honda Civic HX Gas Mileage Project

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If you’re looking for an inexpensive used car that gets great mileage, it’s tough to beat the Honda Civic. They’re affordable, plentiful, and reliable – as long as you keep up on basic maintenance.

Over the years, the VX, HX, and HF models have been the most fuel-efficient conventionally-powered Civics. As wild as it may sound, the tiny 1984 Civic CRX HF was officially rated at an astounding 67 miles per gallon highway. Now some folks might not believe this today, but there are tests to prove it.

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2012 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Review

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2012 Hyundai Accent small rooster tail MPG-o-Matic 2012 Hyundai Accent Review Summary: The newly refreshed 2012 Hyundai Accent goes to battle in the highly competitive sub-compact class against fuel-efficient rivals including: the Ford Fiesta, Chevy Sonic, Fiat 500, Honda Fit, and cross-town cousin Kia Rio. The Accent plays the value card, with an entry price of just over $12,500. While the base GLS sedan is spartan, the fully-equipped SE hatchback is kitted out with features you might not expect with a MSRP under $16,000.

The 2012 Hyundai Accent is powered by a 16-valve Gasoline Direct Injected (GDI) 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 138 horsepower (HP) and 123 foot pounds of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic is optional. The Accent is offered as a four-door GLS sedan and five-door hatchback models with two levels of trim: GS and SE.

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2013 Acura ILX First Test Drive

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The 2013 Acura ILX is positioned as the new entry to the Acura brand, and is priced under the TSX. I was able to spend a day driving all three ILX variants – the Hybrid, the 2.4-liter manual, and the 2.0-liter base – at the ILX launch event in New York state.

I started off with a run up the Saw Mill Parkway in an ILX Hybrid, which is EPA rated at 39 city / 38 highway miles per gallon (MPG) and had no problem easing through the mid forty MPG range within the first half an hour of driving.

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Ford Focus Electric Test Drive – NYC

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Fifteen months after first showing the Focus Electric in New York City, Ford brought a trailer-load of the battery-powered beasts to the Big Apple for a media drive. I let the mass media journalists and well-funded bloggers take their turns first, before I covered a Focus Electric with cameras and took a ride through mid-town Manhattan in late-morning traffic with Ford Engineer, Gil Portalatin.

The Focus Electric pulled into traffic effortlessly and I instantly felt at home in the urban environment. The first application of brakes felt a little grabby, but not overly so. This is to be expected with a vehicle that aggressively regenerates energy.

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