When determining what is good gas mileage, there are several factors to take into account. Look at the type of vehicle, fuel octane, and type of fuel. Hybrid and electric vehicles attain the best fuel economy, although numerous gas-powered vehicles get more than 30 miles per gallon (mpg).
What Is Good Gas Mileage?
Attaining good gas mileage means that you consume less gas for a larger distance per mile. Gas mileage is measured in mpg. For instance, if your vehicle gets 30 mpg, it travels 30 miles per one gallon of gas.
The mpg is usually higher on highways compared to city driving since city driving necessitates slower speeds, idling, and higher revolutions per minute (rpm). According to Autolist, most vehicles achieve at least five more mpg on the highway than in the city.
Ways to Determine a Vehicle's Gas Mileage
You can also measure gas mileage in terms of gpm, which is the number of gallons needed to move a vehicle 100 miles. The gpm helps determine the vehicle's fuel economy when taking other considerations into account.
- Type of Vehicle: Smaller engines produce better mileage compared to larger ones because of the vehicle's weight. The smaller the engine, the lighter the weight and the less fuel needed.
- Type of Fuel Used: According to Car from Japan, the quality fuel can lower the friction in your vehicle's engine and can affect the gas mileage.
- Fuel Octane: The fuel octane's rating can affect the gas mileage. This number tells the rate at which the engine burns the gas based on the fuel reduction to additive ratio. Higher octane means less burning, which means you're efficiently operating your vehicle.
- Type of Driving Conditions: Generally, you get better gas mileage on highways rather than on city streets. The gas mileage is usually about three to five miles more on the highway.
- How You Drive: Explains Instacar, aggressive drivers who speed typically experience worse fuel economy than those who drive slower. When you accelerate quickly from a full stop, it burns more gas than getting up to speed slowly.
Hybrid Fuel Efficiency
A hybrid is another fuel-efficient vehicle to consider. This option uses a gas and electric engine to operate. Its electric motor usually operates the vehicle slower speeds or when idling before it kicks over to the gasoline engine. Hybrids can operate more efficiently and cleaner compared to gasoline-powered engines. Although they began as smaller cars, hybrids are available in larger vehicles and SUVs.
Vehicle Condition
Per Green Car Reports, the vehicle's history also affects fuel economy. A newer or well-maintained vehicle typically attains better gas mileage compared to one with numerous miles or in poor drivable condition. Change the oil and its filter regularly and keep the tires properly inflated to get better gas mileage.
Type of Vehicle
Although it's tempting to look at a vehicle that gets 50 mpg on the highway and say it's fuel-efficient, you might not drive that same vehicle. Examine the fuel economy rating for each specific type of vehicle to compare.
For instance, with the 2019 Porsche Boxster, you get 25 mpg combined, while the 2019 Honda Accord LX achieves 31 mpg combined. You might think the Accord gets the better fuel economy; however, the 25 mpg combined with a sports car is a solid number.
Best Fuel-Efficient Passenger Cars
The EPA says these fuel-efficient passenger vehicles are the leaders in each class. They're listed with mileage combined.
- Two-Seater: Smart EQ Fortwo (coupe) gets 108 mpg
- Minicompact: Fiat 500e gets 112 mpg
- Subcompact: BMW i3 gets 113 mpg
- Compact: Volkswagen e-Golf gets 119 mpg
- Mid-Size: Hyundai Ioniq Electric gets 136 mpg
- Large: Tesla Model S Long Range gets 111 mpg
- Small Station Wagon: Chevrolet Bolt EV gets 119 mpg
Best Fuel-Efficient Non-Electric Passenger Cars
Since a majority of those previous vehicles listed are electric, take a look at the best fuel-efficient gasoline-powered or hybrid vehicles. They're also shown with the mpg combined.
- Two-Seater: Fiat 124 Spider and Mazda MX-5 gets 30 mpg
- Minicompact: MINI Cooper Convertible gets 31 mpg
- Subcompact: Chevrolet Spark gets 33 mpg
- Compact: Toyota Prius C Hybrid gets 46 mpg
- Mid-Size: Toyota Prius Eco Hybrid gets 56 mpg
- Large: Hyundai Ioniq Blue Hybrid gets 58 mpg
- Small Station Wagon: Kia Niro FE Hybrid gets 50 mpg
- Mid-Size Station Wagon: Volvo V90 FWD gets 27 mpg
Fuel-Efficient Muscle Cars
When it comes to muscle cars, they typically produce more horsepower compared to a roadster. For instance, the Mazda MX-5 Miata attains an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined but its weight is less than many compact hatchbacks. However, the Mercedes-AMG C63 S has a turbocharged V-8 engine that produces 503 horsepower and achieves 20 mpg combined.
Best Fuel-Efficient SUVs, Trucks, and Vans
Other vehicles that usually offer a lower mpg include SUVs, trucks, and vans. Don't expect to attain higher than 20 mpg overall with a non-hybrid, and most offer less than 30 mpg on the highway.
The best fuel-efficient non-electric vehicles get the following EPA-estimated combined numbers:
- Small Pickup: Chevrolet Colorado 2WD Diesel and GMC Canyon 2WD Diesel get 23 mpg
- Standard Pickup: Ford F150 Pickup 2WD Diesel gets 25 mpg
- Small SUV: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD gets 40 mpg
- Standard SUV: Lexus RX 450h AWD Hybrid gets 30 mpg
- Minivan: Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, and Toyota Sienna 2WD get 22 mpg
How to Calculate Your MPG
Some vehicles feature displays that give you real-time gas mileage numbers. Although this is a helpful way of informing you, the best way to calculate your mileage is to run the vehicle for about 100 miles with a full tank. Then, top off the tank with gas.
Divide the number of miles you drove by the amount of gas you used. For example, if you drove 100 miles with a full tank and filled up five gallons of gas, you got 10 mpg.
When it comes to gas mileage, it's important to know how much your vehicle is costing you every time you drive. As the standard way of measuring fuel economy, mpg is an effective way of determining if a vehicle is going to save you money at the pump. Also, knowing how to calculate your mpg can help you become a more efficient driver.
Information and research in this article verified by ASE-certified Master Technician Duane Sayaloune of YourMechanic.com. For any feedback or correction requests please contact us at research@caranddriver.com.
Sources:
https://www.autolist.com/guides/what-is-good-gas-mileage
https://carfromjapan.com/article/car-maintenance/what-is-good-gas-mileage/
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/best-worst.shtml
https://instamotor.com/buy-used-car/what-does-good-mpg-look-like
