mpg-o-editor

2012’s Best Gas Mileage AWD Vehicles

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After posting the 2012 Subaru Impreza review yesterday, I got to thinking … just how well does Subie’s thrifty AWD stack up to the competition?

So I spent the better part of today gathering data on the best gas mileage AWD vehicles of 2012. Needless to say, this page goes past the basics. While most sites are content to slap up a photograph and the EPA gas mileage estimates, I had to go deeper. You’ll find information on horsepower, fuel tank capacity, combined cruising range, 0-60 MPH times, and aerodynamic drag coefficients. And you’ll find it all on this one page.

The Impreza doesn’t just get the best gas mileage of the bunch. It’s also the second most affordable of all, after the tiny Suzuki SX4 Crossover. With a whopping price advantage over the competition, we can forgive its leisurely trot to sixty miles per hour.

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2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Review

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MPG-o-Matic 2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Review Summary: The 2012 Subaru Impreza is the most fuel-efficient AWD vehicle on the highway in America, bar none. The closest challenger for the Impreza’s remarkable 36 miles per gallon (MPG) are the 2012 BMW 528i xDrive , 2013 Audi A4 quattro, and 2013 Audi A5 quattro at 32 MPG … all of which are significantly more expensive than the Impreza’s starting MSRP of $17,495.

The 2012 Subaru Impreza is powered by a sequential multi-port fuel injected DOHC 2.0-liter Boxer (horizontally opposed) four-cylinder engine that produces 148 horsepower (HP) and 145 foot pounds of torque. The Impreza is available with a five-speed manual transmission or CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) automatic, as either a five-door hatchback or four-door sedan, but only in All-Wheel-Drive (AWD). Manual-equipped Imprezas use Continuous AWD with a viscous-coupling locking center differential, while CVT-equipped models use Active All-Wheel Drive with an electronically managed continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch. All 2012 Impreza’s are equipped with the naturally-aspirated 2.0 liter Boxer. The WRX and WRX STI are fitted with the 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer.

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Honda Accord Gas Mileage Improvement Tactics

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While reliability might be the Honda Accord’s strongest suit, an above-average level of fuel-efficiency (relative to size) makes the Accord a solid choice for families and commuters, alike. The Accord has enjoyed consistent popularity through the years – with more than ten million sold – and has grown from compact to full size over that time.

There are simple methods that can be used to increase the Accord’s gas mileage. These methods are both operational and mechanical in nature.

Adopting a fuel-conscious driving style is the surest way to slash the amount you spend at the service station each week. If your Accord is equipped with an Instant MPG (mile per gallon) gauge, using it will help you to become a light-footed driver. Learning when and where to back off on the accelerator pedal is an essential step. A Real-Time Fuel Economy display provides visual feedback to let you know when to let up. If your Accord is not equipped with an Instant MPG gauge from the factory, you can add an aftermarket unit, such as the ScanGaugeE or AutoMeter EcoMeter for under $100 dollars. Both the ScanGaugeE and EcoMeter plug into the OBDII (On Board Diagnostics Port) that’s located underneath the dashboard. There are a number of smartphone apps that can help, as well, but you’ll need an OBD WiFi or Bluetooth adapter (or hardwired cable).

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2012 Toyota Prius C Review

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MPG-o-Matic 2012 Toyota Prius C Review Summary:

The 2012 Toyota Prius C is known in other countries as the Yaris Hybrid. Toyota chose to capitalize on the strong cachet of the Prius brand in the United States, by dropping the Yaris nameplate. Whatever you call this pint-size five-door, it’s the most fuel stingy four-passenger vehicle sold in America, when measured dollar-for-dollar. (The Prius C starts at $18,950, while the full-scale 3rd Gen Prius starts at $24,000.) If you have plenty of road to cover, with much of it at lower speeds and in traffic, the Prius C will slash your fuel bill by a considerable amount … even more so if you make the effort to drive it properly.

The 2012 Prius C is powered by a Hybrid Synergy Drive System that incorporates a 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine and a permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor that produces a net 99 horsepower (HP) and 125 foot pounds of torque. The Prius C is front-wheel-drive (FWD) and uses an electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT).

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2012 X-Games Rallycross Odds

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We thought it might be fun to pull a 2012 X-Games Rallycross Odds list together … since it’s not likely that we’ll see any official Vegas Odds. (Keep in mind that this is a television show, not a race.) With so many flights over the mechanical jump over the course of the weekend, there will be a toll taken. The chances for carnage in the streets of LA this year are huge. We pray for our brothers behind the wheels, and wish them safe passage.

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