5 ms·

mid-range sedans can easily be driven into the 40s. Really? Here are some numbers from Kiplinger's "best midsize sedan" list from 2009: * Sonata 32mpg highwa

mid-range sedans can easily be driven into the 40s. Really? Here are some numbers from Kiplinger's "best midsize sedan" list from 2009: * Sonata 32mpg highway. * Mazda 6 30mpg highway. * Chevy Malibu 33mpg highway. * Nissan Altima 31mpg highway. http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/car/archive/2008/car1207.html http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/car/archive/2008/car1207.ht... Cars.com mentions the best in each class for 2011, and it's the Nissan Versa and Sentra, each at 34mpg for the "Midsize Cars" class. Looking at FuelEconomy.gov, listed by class ("family sedan"), the only midsize sedans I can find that break 40mpg are the Passat diesel (43mpg) and the Hyundai Elantra (40mpg), the next highest is 31mpg.

waterlesscloud 15y ago
I have no idea what the official rating is, but my 1998 Buick Lesabre gets about 31 highway on a consistent basis, and it's not even vaguely designed for efficiency. Of course, city, which is where I live, is closer to 19 or 20.
awad 15y ago
My 2011 Sonata is rated at 35 highway but I can and do get 40+ easily on long drives. The instant mileage gauge is definitely useful in terms of trying to get the highest 'score' fuel efficiency wise.
khafra 15y ago
Daimyoyo was talking about actual mileage, not EPA mileage. Simply by holding 60mph or below, you can easily get 10-20% above the EPA highway rating; 15-30% if there's a lot of traffic around you going the same speed.
- masklinn 15y ago
  > Simply by holding 60mph or below It varies from car to car really, depending on engine details, transmission gear ratios, transmission type and aerodynamics. With my previous car the best mileage was achieved around 110km/h (68mph). At this speed, it was in the high 40s.
- georgieporgie 15y ago
  It's funny you should say that, since I don't think I've ever known anyone to actually hit their EPA numbers. Then again, the EPA number calculations were recently revised. That said, I don't consider driving <= 60mph to be 'easy'.
  - khafra 15y ago
    There's a good reason I said "simply" instead of "easily." I'm personally planning some mild aerodynamic modifications to decrease the 75mph cruising penalty. But I was referring to the current EPA numbers; the pre-2007 EPA ratings are harder to exceed by such large percentages.
    - georgieporgie 15y ago
      There's a good reason I said "simply" Uh... you can easily get 10-20% above the EPA highway rating
      - khafra 15y ago
        It appears I said both "simply" and "easily." Your witticism was correct; I'll take my next freeway trip at 75mph by way of apology.

waterlesscloud 15y ago

I have no idea what the official rating is, but my 1998 Buick Lesabre gets about 31 highway on a consistent basis, and it's not even vaguely designed for efficiency. Of course, city, which is where I live, is closer to 19 or 20.

awad 15y ago

My 2011 Sonata is rated at 35 highway but I can and do get 40+ easily on long drives. The instant mileage gauge is definitely useful in terms of trying to get the highest 'score' fuel efficiency wise.

khafra 15y ago

Daimyoyo was talking about actual mileage, not EPA mileage. Simply by holding 60mph or below, you can easily get 10-20% above the EPA highway rating; 15-30% if there's a lot of traffic around you going the same speed.

masklinn 15y ago
> Simply by holding 60mph or below It varies from car to car really, depending on engine details, transmission gear ratios, transmission type and aerodynamics. With my previous car the best mileage was achieved around 110km/h (68mph). At this speed, it was in the high 40s.
georgieporgie 15y ago
It's funny you should say that, since I don't think I've ever known anyone to actually hit their EPA numbers. Then again, the EPA number calculations were recently revised. That said, I don't consider driving <= 60mph to be 'easy'.
- khafra 15y ago
  There's a good reason I said "simply" instead of "easily." I'm personally planning some mild aerodynamic modifications to decrease the 75mph cruising penalty. But I was referring to the current EPA numbers; the pre-2007 EPA ratings are harder to exceed by such large percentages.
  - georgieporgie 15y ago
    There's a good reason I said "simply" Uh... you can easily get 10-20% above the EPA highway rating
    - khafra 15y ago
      It appears I said both "simply" and "easily." Your witticism was correct; I'll take my next freeway trip at 75mph by way of apology.