gas mileage

Mazda3 Gas Mileage

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The compact Mazda3 was introduced to America in the 2006 model year, after being available abroad since 2004. The Mazda3’s good gas mileage and sporting character have won it fans the world over. While highway gas mileage rankings in the low thirties for the base model have ensured success with the commuter crowd, it’s the style, handling, and lively nature that play to those looking for a bit of “zoom-zoom” in their day-to-day lives.

The Mazda3 4-door “i” Model is equipped with a 2.0 liter DOHC four cylinder engine, producing 148 horsepower (HP), while the “s” Model is fitted with the larger and slightly more powerful 2.3 liter four cylinder engine, producing 156 horsepower and 150 foot pounds of torque. The i Model delivers 24 city / 32 highway miles per gallon (MPG), while the s Model provides 22 city / 29 highway MPG.

The Mazda3 5-door “s” Model is fitted with the same 2.3 liter engine as the 4-door s Model. (Mileage estimates are identical, as well.) The i Models are equipped with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic. The s Models are available with either the 5-speed manual or a 5-speed electronically controlled automatic.

The top-of-the-line MazdaSpeed3 5-door is unquestioningly intended for the enthusiast. The little hot rod wagon’s turbocharged Direct Injection Spark Ignition version of the 2.3 liter four cranks out a whopping 263 HP and 280 foot pounds of torque. The MazdaSpeed3 is exclusively equipped with a six speed manual transmission; an automatic is not available. Mileage estimates are 18 city / 26 highway, on premium fuel.

European Mazda3’s can also be fitted with 1.6 or 2.0 liter diesel engines, resulting in a remarkable increase in fuel efficiency over the gas-engined models.

Mazda3 Review:

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Honda Fit Gas Mileage: 2007 – 2013

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While the subcompact Honda Fit was first introduced to the US in the 2007 model year, it was first released in Japan way back in 2001. The Fit produces solid gas mileage figures, with highway ratings in the mid-thirty mile per gallon (MPG) range. The diminutive five door is remarkably popular in the UK and Europe, where it’s known as the Honda Jazz. The Fit ably fills the entry-level niche in the Honda lineup, long held by the Civic.

The 2013 Honda Fit is equipped with a 1.5 liter four cylinder VTEC engine that produces 117 horsepower and 106 foot pounds of torque. The Fit can be configured with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. In Fit Sport trim, the automatic tranny is controlled via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. An all-wheel-drive version of the Fit is available in Japan. There’s no word if or when an AWD Fit will become available here in the States.

The big news for 2013 is the arrival of the 100% Electric Fit EV. The Fit EV’s 20kWh lithium-ion battery can be recharged in as little as three hours from a 240V charger. The Fit EV’s electric motor produces a whopping 189 foot-pounds of torque … a 77 percent increase over the conventionally-powered Fit.

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Chevrolet Cobalt Gas Mileage

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The compact Chevrolet Cobalt was introduced in the 2005 model year, replacing the long-in-tooth Cavalier. The Cobalt pulls down highway gas mileage ratings in the low to mid thirty mile per gallon (MPG) range. From 2005 through 2007, the supercharged Cobalt SS, proudly carried the Chevrolet banner in the compact racer wars. The supercharged model fell out of the lineup in the 2008 model year.

The Cobalt shares its platform with the Chevy HHR and Pontiac G5

The 2008 Chevy Cobalt is available with two DOHC four cylinder ECOTEC engines: a 2.2 liter producing 148 horsepower (HP) and 152 foot pounds of torque, and a 2.4 liter producing 171 HP and 167 foot pounds of torque. Both engines are red lined at 6500 RPM. While the 2.2 liter gets by with regular unleaded fuel, premium is recommended for the more powerful 2.4 liter. The 2.2 liter is found under the hood of all models, with the exception of the Cobalt Sport Coupe and Sedan (formerly known as the Cobalt SS). In addition to the 2.4 liter engine, the Sport Coupe and Sedan are fitted with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. (All other models are anti-lock, but with front discs and rear drums.)

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Chevrolet Aveo Gas Mileage

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The subcompact Chevrolet Aveo was introduced in the 2004 model year and redesigned for 2006. The Aveo produces respectable gas mileage ratings, with highway ratings of 34 miles per gallon (MPG) for manual transmission-equipped 2008 models. Although it carries Chevrolet badges, the Aveo is built by Daewoo, a subsidiary of General Motors, and is imported from South Korea.

The Chevy Aveo is available in both four-door (shown above) and five-door configurations. All models are fitted with a 1.6 liter DOHC four cylinder engine that produces 103 horsepower and 107 foot pounds of torque.

We spent a week with the hatchback version and came away with some interesting observations. Check out our 2009 Chevy Aveo5 Review:

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Volkswagen Beetle Gas Mileage

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What can you say about the Volkswagen New Beetle? While folks either love or hate the VW Beetle ‘s iconic design, the little Bug has always delivered acceptable gas mileage. Although the current model’s gas mileage ratings of 20/28 for the manual and 20/29 for the automatic aren’t remarkable for a sub-compact, previous years have benefited from the availability of Volkswagen’s legendary turbo diesel (TDI) power plant.

2006 marked the last model year that Volkswagen imported a diesel Beetle to the States. If you have your heart set on a fuel efficient diesel VeeDub but don’t have the cash to splash on a Jetta or Passat, a used turbodiesel New Beetle might just be worth a look. While used Beetle TDIs command a premium price over gasoline-powered Beetles, they tend to be the least expensive of all the VW diesels on the resale market and are rated in the mid- to high-forties on the highway. (A “don’t laugh, I get 50 mpg on domestically produced biodiesel” bumpersticker might be a nice touch.)

It remains unclear whether Volkswagen will reintroduce the New Beetle TDI. Sales figures will dictate the decision, no doubt, although a 50+MPG Beetle would be a compelling option for folks who might have otherwise considered the smaller and less fuel-efficient Smart.

The 2008 Volkswagen New Beetle is fitted with a 2.5 liter inline DOHC five cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower and 170 foot pounds of torque, while running on regular unleaded.

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