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Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2011 MY and earlier

655 messages,  Last post on Nov 25, 2012 at 6:27 PM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Elantra, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan

    

Messages Page 63 of 66

#619 of 655 Another un-happy and frustrated 2011 Elantra owner by camaroman2012

Jun 04, 2012 (1:51 pm)

I own the 2011 Hyundai Elantra limited. From day one, I noticed that the fuel mileage was no where near the stated MPGs. I informed the dealership on several occasions and they kept telling me that once it broke in, that I would get better MPGs. Well, I have put around 16k miles on the car and the mileage keeps getting worse. My average city/highway MPGs is 25MPG. Today I ended up filling up the vehicle and the MPG was 23MPG? 23??????? WOW Really? I use the AC on low everywhere I go, but does that mean I lose 11 MPG just for using the A/C? Come on. This is not the first car I have owned, but it is the only car I have ever owned that has gotten this bad of fuel mileage (compared to the stated city/highway MPG). I had an older Pontiac Bonneville with the 3.8Liter and was getting 28-30 highway. Around 26 city. I also have a 2001 Ford Escape that when new was getting 28-30MPG highway and around 26 combined with city driving. Both are better than this Elantra. I contacted the service department and they stated that if there is not check engine light on, then nothing is wrong with the car. After checking the MPG today, I called the service department and informed them that something is definitely wrong with this vehicle and that they need to take a look at it. I asked if 11MPG off from the stated combined was normal and he admitted that it was not. So, I have an appointment scheduled for tomorrow. I informed them that the car needs to be fixed, or something else needs to happen like getting me into a different car. It sucks, as I really like the car and it's setup how I wanted, but the Mileage is killing me.

#620 of 655 Re: Another un-happy and frustrated 2011 Elantra owner [camaroman2012] by roadscholar3

Jun 04, 2012 (3:04 pm)

Replying to: camaroman2012 (Jun 04, 2012 1:51 pm)
You're obviously not alone with this experience. As I've said before, I see some serious litigation over this issue in Hyundai's future. I get the feeling that the government is looking the other way, perhaps in order to establish a trade deal with S. Korea who is moving some auto manufacturing plants to the U.S. Or maybe they're in cahoots with the oil companies, as a stealth way to keep demand/prices for oil high while selling it as a fuel saver. Who knows what wheeling and dealing goes on, but if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck ...you've probably been *ucked. The advertising about fuel savings is pure hype and a downright lie.
 
I'm in agreement with you that other than this poor mileage issue, the car is a good value for the money. That said, the fuel savings was the BIG seller for me as I have a long highway commute. You'd think highway miles, with few inner city miles, would be the perfect scenario for the promises of a fuel efficient car like this. What a disappointment. I'm lucky to hit 31mpg on the highway. I too have never experienced so much discrepancy between the stated city/highway sticker rating and the reality on the road.
 
This I know for certain - this is my first and last Hyundai car. They've lost my trust.

#621 of 655 2012 accent se vs 2010 elantra blue by ftl_tech

Jun 06, 2012 (10:34 pm)

We bought and 2012 Hyundai Accent se hoping to get good gas mileage. We are averaging about 30 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city. IT'S suppose to get 29-40. We also have a 2010 Hyundai Elantra Blue. I'm averaging about 32-34 mpg overall. I don't drive like grandpa. What's up with that.

#622 of 655 Re: Another un-happy and frustrated 2011 Elantra owner [roadscholar3] by ftl_tech

Jun 06, 2012 (10:46 pm)

Replying to: roadscholar3 (Jun 04, 2012 3:04 pm)
This is my second Hyundai. My first one was an 2005 Sonata and the second is a 2010 Elantra Blue. I have found on average the manual transaxle get the best fuel mileage. on my 2005 Sonata I was getting 30mpg. The epa said it was getting 23-26. My cousin had the same car just an automatic and he was getting 24mpg. My Elantra Blue is a manual and i'm averaging 32mpg. If I drive like grandpa I get up to 36mpg with the a/c on max. Sometimes its how you specs a car. Generally most of the cars ar not made in the usa, they are just assembled here. Between me and my wife we have had 5 hyundai's.

#623 of 655 Why no data? Re: Another un-happy and frustrated owner [camaroman2012] by g2iowa

Jun 07, 2012 (9:45 am)

Replying to: camaroman2012 (Jun 04, 2012 1:51 pm)
While it is interesting to share the info about the Pontiac and Ford, why not share more relevant info about how you are currently driving your Elantra? When you filled up that day and got 23 mpg, how many miles had you driven and how many gals of fuel did you pump?
 
You say you use the A/C. But...
 
- Are you using ethanol?
- How much stop-and-go traffic are you doing?
- How long are your average trips one way?
- How fast are you driving on interstate?
- Are you carrying passengers?
- How many miles does your Elantra have?
- What are some specific results for actual tanks of gas you recently pumped? How many miles did you drive and how many gals of fuel used? What is your average MPH for a tank?
- Are you the only person driving it?
 
I do hope you've taken care of all the little things like proper tire inflation, etc.
 
With a name like "camaroman", how come I don't have any difficulty seeing you driving your Elantra really hard and fast? Not the sort of name that screams economy-minded driving.

#624 of 655 Re: Why no data? Re: Another un-happy and frustrated owner [g2iowa] by tenpin288

Jun 07, 2012 (11:26 am)

Replying to: g2iowa (Jun 07, 2012 9:45 am)
Read an interesting article about automakers and their quest to trim weight out of cars and how difficult it is... Car Obesity
 
The one sentence that caught my eye and reflects back on drivers and car contents is this "The industry’s general rule of thumb is that 100 pounds equals a mile a gallon."
 
I think a lot of people forget or deny how much passengers and the contents they haul in their cars can adversely affect their mileage!

#625 of 655 Re: Why no data? Re: Another un-happy and frustrated owner [tenpin288] by fushigi

Jun 08, 2012 (11:16 am)

Replying to: tenpin288 (Jun 07, 2012 11:26 am)
Good article. Reminds me of the cars from the 80s and early 90s that routinely got 40-50MPG. They were all lightweights. My father drove a Renault Alliance 2-door 4-speed MT and routinely got 50MPG at 50MPH out of it. When he gave it to me I drove it like the teenager I was and still got 40MPG. And today's Sonic, Yaris, etc. still don't come close to matching the Geo Metro.
 
But those old cars weighed little more than a bag of bagels. Thin sheet metal, probably disastrous crash results, etc. And a distinct lack of features compares to today's cars. Features that add weight like airbags, power windows, sunroofs, and so on.
 
It's literally food for thought for the overweight among us that if we lost, say, 50 pounds we could get an extra 1/2 mpg benefit. So when people diss a car's economy, among the ethanol & driving factors we can counter with "your Taco Bell habit".

#626 of 655 2011 elantra poor gas mileage by hyundaidame

Jun 10, 2012 (12:33 pm)

I agree with all of you who have poor gas mileage with the Elantra. Hyundai's response has been that of total indifference. My local TV station (Maine) is doing a segment on this and how people are getting ripped off with no recourse for this false advertising. If some cars are getting the mileage and some aren't, it is not necessarily the driver's fault. Hyundai would be better served trying to find the part that is causing this discrepncy. I am pursuing lemon law arbitration for this.This is false advertising. When you buy a car or other product there is an implied warranty that the car will do what it is supposed to do, this is not right. Call your attorney general. Also, see Graham Jefferson from USA today's article on his bad experience with this car. Conumer Watchdog also has written to Hyundai about the problem. Never again will I buy a Hyundai.

#627 of 655 Re: 2011 elantra poor gas mileage [hyundaidame] by roadscholar3

Jun 10, 2012 (2:30 pm)

Replying to: hyundaidame (Jun 10, 2012 12:33 pm)
Can you make it easier to followup on these stories by providing links to the station in Maine's coverage and to the USA Today article? Much appreciated!

#628 of 655 Re: 2011 elantra poor gas mileage [roadscholar3] by backy

Jun 10, 2012 (3:39 pm)

Replying to: roadscholar3 (Jun 10, 2012 2:30 pm)
Here's links to two stories related to Jefferson Graham's (note, NOT Graham Jefferson) report on the Elantra, and Hyundai's follow up to it:
 
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/09/hyundai-elantras-ga- s-mileage-disappoints-this-tech-writer/1#.T9Uhkzfd6So
 
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/12/hyundai-fires-back-- defending-elantras-gas-mileage/1#.T9Uhqjfd6So
 
And also, USA Today's comparo of 5 sedans that are rated over 35 mpg and cost under $20k. The Elantra was 2nd overall in fuel economy, with 34.5 mpg (more than the EPA combined figure) and was first overall in the comparo:
 
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/06/best-5-seat-sedan-u- nder-20000-and-over-35-mpg/1#.T9UgqTfd6Sp

Messages Page 63 of 66

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