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Kia Optima Real World MPG

211 messages,  Last post on Dec 31, 2012 at 8:05 PM

You are in the Kia Optima Forum.

What is this discussion about? Kia Optima, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan

Messages Page 22 of 22

#202 of 211 Optima MPG with Mazda6 and Kizashi replacement by myllertime

Dec 26, 2012 (1:57 pm)

So I leased a 2011 base model optima (automatic) and I drove 80% freeway and avg about 27mpg. I really liked it but when it was time to buy a car I could not pass the Mazda6 deal. Got it for only 18k on the base manual model. The mazda6 supposed to get 21-30mpg, but I am averaging 30mpg. It does not matter if I drive 100% city or freeway. It always stays between 28-31mpg avg. I am not sure why its much higher than the tag says but I think it's amazing. I not got so used to getting 30mpg that I just purchased a Kizashi SLS and it averages 25-26 with 80-90% freeway and to me it sucks. But like I said, I got super spoiled with 30mpg. Now doing researches on real world mpg I am satisfied with my 25-26mpg on a sweet sport sedan. My Mazda was the smartest purchase I've ever made in a car. The Kizashi is just for fun

#203 of 211 Gas engine sedan mpg discussion by cski

Dec 28, 2012 (11:41 am)

Backy, I think your post is absolutely true and well written. It seems that low 40's is about the limit of what the state of the art is on a late model gas, direct injected 4 cyl sedan. It doesn't seem to matter how the engine is configured: 1.6 EcoBoost Ford vs 2.4 Hyundai/Kia vs 2.0/1.8 Sentra and on and on....
 
In the end it depends on gearing, weight, aerodynamics, and driving as if in early stage of a coma.
 
miller time (post 202) seems to confirm the range. I can't drive anywhere west without going through the mountains, so 40 mpg is never going to happen. Also, I didn't buy my car for it's MPG figures. I bought it because it is beautiful. Everything else came 2nd. It is a fantastic consolation prize though to get a consistent 24.5 mpg here in the city, and even with my lead foot.
Happy holidays. -Chris

#204 of 211 Re: Gas engine sedan mpg discussion [cski] by myllertime

Dec 28, 2012 (11:59 am)

Replying to: cski (Dec 28, 2012 11:41 am)
#203, yeah there is no way 40 is going to happen in this car. Not even 30mpg unless you're driving a lot of freeway (Im talking about the 2012 SLS awd). But I am super happy with the car. I just filled up yesterday and avg was 26mpg with a lot of driving in heavy snow here in Utah. about 75% freeway

#205 of 211 New Mazda6 owner...it's millertime! by cski

Dec 28, 2012 (1:29 pm)

Please tell us all about your new Mazda6. We all would love to hear about it. Models, price, specs, etc.
 
This is a real contender and you are the first to own the new model! Awesome.
 
Hope u r happy w/ it!

#206 of 211 Re: Gas engine sedan mpg discussion [cski] by backy

Dec 28, 2012 (3:35 pm)

Replying to: cski (Dec 28, 2012 11:41 am)
Well, GDI doesn't have much to do with it. My Sentra isn't GDI for example. Also today I was able to get 43 mpg on a non-GDI 2012 Altima 2.5S (previous generation) under ideal conditions: mild temps (but no a/c needed), relatively flat terrain, no strong headwind (had a crosswind though), and 55-65 mph speed limits with only a couple of stops. THEN I entered a freeway with a 75 mph limit, and I was at 75-76 most of the time. The mpg plummeted quickly and when I exited that freeway 130 miles later, the FE readout was at 32.2 mpg... which means the mpg on that freeway jaunt was less than 32.2 mpg since it started at about 43 mpg. Then after about 20 miles at 60-65 mph, the average FE crept back up to 33.4. What a huge difference speed makes for fuel economy! Something for folks to consider when they don't see their Optimas or other cars hitting the EPA fuel economy numbers on the highway, but tend to drive at 70+ mph.

#207 of 211 Re: Gas engine sedan mpg discussion [backy] by cski

Dec 30, 2012 (5:45 pm)

Replying to: backy (Dec 28, 2012 3:35 pm)
You have to understand that it is not the speed causing the plummeting MPG. It is air resistance. Wind at 75 MPH is a class one hurricane. That pressure on the front of the car is far more than at 55. So it isn't the engine becoming suddenly non-economical. Make sense?

#208 of 211 My SX is broken in... by lakerfan24

Dec 30, 2012 (11:32 pm)

Hey guys, I've got about 7,000 miles on my 2012 Turbo SX and I recently averaged about 24.5 mpg (Eco on) on a tank that I got stuck in traffic with. I had to drop my son off at the local K-Mart to meet other Cub Scouts who were going on a weekend trip. The usual 8 minute drive took 2 and a half hours due to an overturned truck on the Fwy. So I was happy with the 24.5 mpg. Later on, my tire pressure light came on and I discovered that all 4 tires were evenly low on air. Off the top of my head, I think the max pressure on my tires were 48-49 psi max. I filled them up to about 38-39 psi and averaged 29 mpg on my next tank. I drive about 65% Hwy and 35% City. I live at the top of a hill and my Fwy routes have ups and downs. Oh, and YES, I do occasionally open up that Turbo

#209 of 211 Re: My SX is broken in... [lakerfan24] by cski

Dec 31, 2012 (6:11 pm)

Replying to: lakerfan24 (Dec 30, 2012 11:32 pm)
Great. I get 24.2-24.8 consistently. I have the 2.4, but both engines have similar figures.
 
I am guessing that there was a sudden cold snap where you live and that dropped the tire pressure.
 
It's normal in my hypothetical condition.
 
Happy New Year

#210 of 211 Re: My SX is broken in... [cski] by lakerfan24

Dec 31, 2012 (6:37 pm)

Replying to: cski (Dec 31, 2012 6:11 pm)
It's cold here now, but it wasn't really when it happened. I think cuz I don't drive it all the time and it sometimes sit for a week or so without driving it can cause the pressure to lower.
 
I got it Nov 2011 and it's under 7,000 miles now. I think it has to do with the way you drive too. If I'm NOT driving stop light to stop light, I like to work thru to gears quickly and when I hit about 42-43 mph, I put it into 6th gear and ease off the gas. If going onto the Hwy, I would do the same but would get up to my cruising speed or the flow of traffic and then back off the gas...

#211 of 211 Re: Gas engine sedan mpg discussion [cski] by backy

Dec 31, 2012 (8:05 pm)

Replying to: cski (Dec 30, 2012 5:45 pm)
You have to understand that it is not the speed causing the plummeting MPG. It is air resistance.

And the increased air resistance is due to... what, exactly?
 
I tried to find a route that existed in a total vacuum, but then realized the engine needs air to operate, so I scratched that idea.

Messages Page 22 of 22

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