diesel

Volkswagen Jetta Gas Mileage

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The Volkswagen Jetta has long been one of the most fuel efficient cars sold in America. While gas mileage figures for the conventionally powered compact Jetta are good, diesel-powered Jettas are remarkably efficient by American standards. Unfortunately, Volkswagen paused the importation of the diesel Jetta TDI to the States with the 2006 model year, in order to make changes to meet the more stringent emissions laws.

Although Volkswagen planned to reintroduce their revamped turbo diesel to the North America market for the 2008 model year, production delays pushed the Jetta SportWagen TDI and Jetta TDI back to the 2009 model year. The pause in importation only caused the resale market for Jetta TDIs to become even more rabid. As with all used diesel-powered VWs, the fuel-efficency and longevity of the TDI engine commands a premium at resale, even with high mileage cars.

We spent a week road testing a 2009 Jetta TDI and found the car to be well worth the wait. Check out our Jetta TDI Sportwagen Review:

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Jeep Grand Cherokee Gas Mileage

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The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers a diverse range of engines, with two choices that stand out for owners seeking the best possible gas mileage from their luxury SUV. The 2008 Grand Cherokee can be fitted with a torque-filled and highly-efficient common rail (CRD) turbo diesel Mercedes-Benz V-6 engine that’s well-suited to towing, along with a special Multi Displacement version of Chrysler’s legendary HEMI V-8 that’s been optimized for better gas mileage when cruising on the highway. The Multi Displacement Hemi is designed to deactivate 4 of 8 cylinders when the engine is not under load, providing a 20% boost in fuel economy.

For those with unapologetic lead feet (and little concern with mundane things like gas mileage), there’s the thrill-filled, chart-topping, HEMI-powered Grand Cherokee SRT8 (pictured above).

Here’s the complete rundown on the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s range of engine choices:

  • 3.0 liter CRD turbo diesel V-6 producing 215 horsepower (HP) and 376 foot pounds of torque
  • 3.7 liter V-6, producing 210 HP and 235 foot pounds of torque
  • 4.7 liter V-8, producing 305 HP and 334 foot pounds of torque
  • 5.7 liter Multi Displacement HEMI V-8 producing 330 HP and 375 foot pounds of torque
  • 6.1 liter SRT HEMI V-8, producing 420 HP and 420 foot pounds of torque

The Mercedes-Benz turbo-diesel engine is an option in the Grand Cherokee Limited and Overland models. It is not available in CA, CT, MA, ME, NY, PA, RI, and VT.

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Volvo V50 Gas Mileage

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The Volvo V50 is a station wagon that’s well worth a look for sport-loving families … especially those that enjoy those treks to the mountains in the winter time. The V50’s gas mileage figures are very respectable, even more so when equipped with all wheel drive (AWD). As an alternative to the ubiquitous gas guzzling SUV, the V50 has plenty to offer.

Volvo V50s sold in America are fitted with either naturally-aspirated or turbocharged five cylinder engines. The 2.4i’s engine puts out 168 horsepower (HP) and 170 foot pounds of torque, while the turbo in the T5 and T5 AWD puts out 227 HP and 236 foot pounds of torque. All models are fitted with a five-speed Geartronic transmission.

The V50 is not currently available with a diesel engine in the USA. Abroad, however, the V50 is fitted with a range of highly economical common rail direct injection diesel power plants. As a point of comparison, lets salivate over the specifications and fuel consumption statistics for the manual transmission-equipped diesels currently available in the V50 in the United Kingdom:

  • 1.6 liter four cylinder – 109 HP / 240 foot pounds of torque. 44.8 urban / 65.7 extra urban British miles per gallon (approximately 37.3 city / 54.7 highway in US miles per gallon)
  • 2.0 liter four cylinder – 136 HP / 320 foot pounds of torque. 37.2 urban / 58.9 extra urban British miles per gallon (approximately 31 city / 49 highway in US miles per gallon)
  • 2.4 liter five cylinder – 180 HP / 350 foot pounds of torque. 34 urban / 55.4 extra urban British miles per gallon (approximately 28.3 city / 46.1 highway in US miles per gallon)

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Audi A4 Gas Mileage

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No other manufacturer does all wheel drive (AWD) quite like Audi. When fitted with a four cylinder engine, the 2008 Audi A4 Quattro sedan and Avant Quattro wagon rank among the most fuel efficient all wheel drive vehicles sold in America. The 2.0 liter AWD A4’s gas mileage ratings of 28 miles per gallon (MPG) set a high mark for luxury four wheel drive. And if you want a convertible top to go along with your all wheel drive and great gas mileage, the A4 Cabriolet Quattro just might be your ticket. Heck, it might be your only ticket …

US-spec 2008 Audi A4 s are fitted with either a 2.0 liter intercooled turbocharged four cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 207 foot pounds of torque or a 3.2 literDOHC V-6 engine, producing 255 HP and 243 foot pounds of torque. Engines can be mated with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions (in Multitronic or Tiptronic form).

Audi has a made a substantial investment in diesel technology of late, and it should come as no surprise that the company is set to unleash a series of torque-laden diesels upon America in the very near future. The A4 is fitted with a range of TDI diesel engine variations abroad, in both four-cylinder and V-6 configurations. Gobs of torque, fuel efficiency, and a unique level of luxury are bound to spell success.

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Suzuki SX4 Gas Mileage

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The Suzuki SX4 was introduced in 2007 with Sport (four-door) and Crossover (small station wagon) versions. Gas mileage ratings for the SX4 Crossover are among the best of the four wheel drive pack, with a rating of 28 miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway.

The SX4 has an Italian heritage … its handsome lines were penned by Turin-based Italdesign (perhaps best known for their work with Maserati and Lamborghini) while the vehicle itself was developed in conjunction with Fiat. By the looks of the SX4, un’unione bella! While we don’t usually get hung up on Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP), we’ll make an exception for the SX4 Crossover. At a base price of $14,270, the five-door hatchback SX4 is the least expensive four wheel drive vehicle sold in America today. Chart-topping all wheel drive gas mileage at entry-level prices make the Suzuki SX4 worth a look for budget-minded folks in colder climates.

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