gas mileage

Volkswagen Passat Gas Mileage

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The Volkswagen Passat delivers understated luxury and good gas mileage. While classified as a family sedan, outside appearances can be deceiving. As we found from hands-on testing, the stealthily luxurious Passat is capable of producing very respectable highway gas mileage figures. While earlier models of the Passat were available with Volkswagen’s highly efficient turbo-diesel (TDI) power plant, VW stopped importing Passat TDIs to the States after the 2005 model year. We expect the Passat TDI to follow the Jetta TDI in returning to our shores, now that the diesel engine has been tweaked to meet tougher US emission standards.

Two model-specific gasoline-powered engines are available in the 2008 Passat. The turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 2.0 liter four cylinder engine produces 200 horsepower (HP) and 207 foot pounds of torque, with “premium fuel recommended for maximum performance.” This is not an entry-level engine, by any means, as VW estimates 0-60 times of 6.6 seconds for the turbo four. Taking it up a notch, the VR6 and all-wheel-drive VR6 4Motion are fitted with a conventionally aspirated six cylinder engine, producing 280 HP and 265 foot pounds of torque, with an estimated 0-60 time of 6.2 seconds.

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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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Cadillac CTS Gas Mileage

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The Cadillac CTS sets the standard for entry-level mid-size American luxury and fuel efficiency, as it produces best of class gas mileage ratings for a mid-size all wheel drive (AWD) luxury sedan. Forget about that SUV … if you want to go in the snow with the most comfort, the CTS will get you to Grandma’s place faster then that one-horse open sleigh. While many CTS owners are likely to stick with the basic rear wheel drive (RWD) system, the all wheel drive does not impact gas mileage ratings.

2008 marks the introduction of AWD in the CTS. Standard 2008 Cadillac CTS power train choices include two V-6 engines: a 3.6 liter producing 263 horsepower (HP) / 253 foot pounds of torque and a Direct Injection 3.6 liter that delivers 304 HP / 273 foot pounds of torque. The CTS-V is fitted with a 6.0 liter V-8 producing 400 HP / 395 foot pounds of torque. A manual six-speed transmission is standard. A six-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control is optional.

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