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35 MPG: Why Wait Until 2020?

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One of the keys to restarting the American economy is staring us in the face. While our future hinges on the rapid adoption of fuel-efficient vehicles, our government stands in the way of a rapid free market solution.


35 MPG can be an immediate reality, with one domestic manufacturer, if the United States government would only allow it to happen. Our elected representatives need to be aware of the facts and make the appropriate decisions.

Chrysler is uniquely positioned among the Big Three US automakers. Unlike Ford and General Motors, Chrysler is already building a slew of high-MPG diesel-powered vehicles right here in the United States.

Amazing as it may seem in these difficult times, Chrysler is not allowed to sell those cars domestically, due to recently tightened emissions regulations. With the exception of the domestically-available Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel, all of Chrysler’s North American manufactured high-MPG diesel-equipped vehicles are being shipped abroad.

Each and every one of Chrysler’s European models is available with a diesel engine, with the exception of the Dodge Viper. In fact, a diesel engine can be found under the hood of more than 50% of the vehicles that Chrysler sells in Europe.

All-in-all, a dozen Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep diesel-engined models are currently available outside of the United States, but are not sold domestically.

Here’s the eye-opener … half of those models currently achieve 35 miles per gallon combined.

That’s 35 MPG … right now.

And what’s even more crazy? All of these 35 MPG cars and SUVs are built in North American plants by North American workers … American citizens cannot buy and drive the fuel-efficient cars they build.

The thriftiest of the bunch delivers nearly 50 MPG on the highway … and it’s no dog off the line, turning in 0-62 mile per hour (MPH) times under nine seconds. The fastest in the pack delivers 7.6 second 0-62 times and 35.6 MPG on the highway.

Needless to say, these are wonderful world-class cars, a world apart from your Uncle’s noisy, slow, smelly 80’s-era diesel.

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Ford Transit Connect Van

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CarConnection’s let it slip that Ford is about to bring its Transit Connect van here to the States. CC’s blog states that the Transit Connect will be “will be pitched as an alternative to the Dodge Sprinter.” Half a Dodge Sprinter, more like it. The Transit Connection might be angular and relatively tall, but it’s small when compared to the hulking Sprinter …

Ford Transit Connect Sport Concept

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Dodge Avenger Gas Mileage

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The 2008 Dodge Avenger is a unique automobile. While the mid-size Avenger borrows much of its looks from its big muscular brother the Dodge Charger, an economical engine capable of producing highway estimates of 30 miles per gallon (MPG), can lurk beneath the hood. But it’s not just about looks and MPGs. For those seeking honest to goodness four-season performance, the Avenger R/T model can roll with all-wheel-drive, a high-output engine, and a six-speed automatic transmission.

In the US, the 2008 Dodge Avenger can be equipped with one of three power plants:

  • 2.4 liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, delivering 173 horsepower (HP) and 166 foot pounds of torque
  • 2.7 liter DOHC six-cylinder engine, delivering 189 HP and 191 foot pounds of torque
  • 3.5 liter SOHC V-6 engine with the AutoStick six-speed automatic transmission and duel exhaust, delivering 235 HP and 232 foot pounds of torque

In International markets, the Avenger can be fitted with Volkswagen’s 2.0 liter common rail turbodiesel four cylinder engine. The VW four produces 138 HP and 229 foot pounds of torque, and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. With the turbodiesel and six-speed manual, the European Avenger cranks out a 0-62 mile per hour time of 12.0 seconds. The real attraction, of course, is the turbodiesels fuel efficiency: 34.4 urban / 55.4 extra urban miles per British gallon … which works out to US estimates of approximately 28.6 city / 46.1 highway … rather remarkable mileage for a vehicle of the Avenger’s proportions.

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Best Gas Mileage Four Wheel Drive

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Need a four wheel drive with the best gas mileage? Get ready to downsize. None of the best gas mileage four wheel drives (4WDs) are jumbo-sized sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

Simply put, the aerodynamics and vehicle weight of the bulkiest SUVs cause gas mileage to suffer, leading to many a painful transaction at the pump. The trick is to get small(er), lighter, and more slippery. Credit Subaru for getting the ball rolling with popularizing economical 4WD drive passenger cars in the early days. Since 1997, every vehicle Subaru’s offered in America has been all wheel drive.

These days, it’s not just Subaru. There are plenty of four wheel drive choices that are neither truck nor SUV. And forget the notion of pint-sized economy cars. You’ll find a generous helping of 4WD luxury from manufacturers including Audi, Volvo, Cadillac, and Lexus … in fact, you’ll find many of their offerings in the 2008 list of best gas mileage four wheel drives.

Purists will gladly share that there’s a difference between four wheel drive and all wheel drive (AWD). And surely there is … but for a great many folks, it comes down to two simple questions: will it go in the snow and will I go broke feeding it?

At the other end of the spectrum, the little Suzuki SX4 delivers plenty of bang for the buck, by combining the best four wheel drive gas mileage with a low sticker price (for those who don’t just think miles per gallon … but miles per dollar.)

Along with its corporate cousins, the Ford Escape Hybrid proves the exception to the rule as the highest all around mile per gallon (MPG) four wheel drive vehicle. If you can’t get a great deal on an Escape Hybrid at your local Ford dealer, take a look at the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. And if you happen to live in Southern California, the Mazda Tribute Hybrid HEV might be an option … as long as you’re able to snag one of the 350 Tribute HEVs built for this test market.)

2008 Best Gas Mileage Four Wheel Drives

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30 MPG Cars

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Thirty miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway isn’t too much to ask. As the chart below shows, the 30 MPG car isn’t a rarity in America these days. Alas, it’s not nearly as common as it was 25 years ago. Looking back at the lists of high MPG cars built in the early 1980s might be a surprise to some, for the lists were long and the fuel efficiency ratings were high. The 30 MPG car was not an oddity back then … it was more part of our nation’s mindset.

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