mpg-o-editor, Author at mpgomatic.com

The Chevy Malibu Eco’s MPG Rating: Is it High Enough?

July 25, 2012 by mpg-o-editor

Chevrolet took a gamble by rolling out the fuel economy focused 2013 Malibu Eco before the other Malibu models. In the eyes of some in the media horde, it was bad bet. All it took was a biased piece by an old-school automotive journalist – a long-time employee of a bastion of conventional media – to set the lemming fish marching. With post quotas to fill, they quickly piled on, throwing numbers into the fray. As if that would turn a subjective editorial into fact.

To this I say, how many hours did you spend in both the 2013 Malibu Eco and its predecessor, the Malibu Hybrid? I spent plenty in both cars, along with the 2010 Malibu LT. And I spent plenty of my own hard-earned cash on the gasoline for our extensive road tests. No expense accounts here.

2012 SUVs and Crossovers with Manual Transmissions

July 23, 2012July 23, 2012 by mpg-o-editor

Do you love driving stick shifts? Is your car dealer giving you a runaround when you ask about SUVs or Crossovers that are available with manual transmissions? Look in the right place (here!) and you’ll find a slew of manual SUVs that are currently offered in two-wheel-drive (2WD), all-wheel-drive (AWD), and four-wheel-drive (4WD) … even though your dealer might not have what you’re looking for on their lot. Legend has it that our fellow Americans got lazy and stopped driving manual-equipped vehicles, so the dealers stopped ordering them. But the tide is changing. More-and-more folks are waking up and realizing how much more engaging the ride can be with three pedals.

We created this list of manual SUVs and Crossovers to make it easy for you to see what’s out there … and how they stack up with regard to horsepower (HP), torque, gas mileage, fuel capacity, and driving range.

2012 Nissan Juke FWD

1.6-liter, turbocharged
inline 4-cylinder engine
6-speed manual
188 HP / 177 ft. lbs. torque
Premium
11.8 gallon fuel tank
318.6 mile combined range
MPG: 25 City / 31 Highway /
27 Combined

2012’s Best Gas Mileage AWD Vehicles

July 20, 2012 by mpg-o-editor

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.

2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Review

March 31, 2014July 19, 2012 by mpg-o-editor

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.

Honda Accord Gas Mileage Improvement Tactics

July 9, 2012 by mpg-o-editor

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).