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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18214 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 11:30 AM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Kia Optima, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1743 of 1822

#17415 of 18214 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [gimmestdtranny] by backy

Jan 28, 2013 (3:25 pm)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Jan 28, 2013 1:44 pm)
I will say this in favor of the CVTs, based on 3 years driving a 2010 Sentra with a 2.0L engine and CVT: it's possible to get super-EPA FE numbers if you have a light foot. That's because the CVT keeps engine revs very low when the engine isn't taxed. That also contributes to low engine noise while cruising. And the "turbine" feel when accelerating, no shift points, is kinda neat.
 
But there's also the downsides... pretty sluggish when pressed (at least my Sentra is, but it's not Nissan's latest CVT design), and high engine noise at high revs.
 
My preference is still a good 6MT, although there's some really good 6+ automatics out there now that are easy to live with. My wife's 2013 Sonata has a very smooth 6AT, and it has a manumatic feature if someone really wants to shift for themselves (which I think is kinda dumb with an automatic, but whatever).

#17416 of 18214 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [backy] by pegasus17

Jan 28, 2013 (4:12 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 28, 2013 3:25 pm)
"My wife's 2013 Sonata has a very smooth 6AT, and it has a manumatic feature if someone really wants to shift for themselves (which I think is kinda dumb with an automatic, but whatever)."
 
I have a 2011 Sonata with that same 6 speed AT and it is very smooth with decent gas mileage (hwy 31 avg at 70mph). the manumatic feature works very well and really shows the power that DI engine has at 198hp.

#17417 of 18214 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [pegasus17] by m6user

Jan 28, 2013 (6:41 pm)

Replying to: pegasus17 (Jan 28, 2013 4:12 pm)
Isn't that car supposed to average more like 35mpg hwy?

#17418 of 18214 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [m6user] by backy

Jan 28, 2013 (8:44 pm)

Replying to: m6user (Jan 28, 2013 6:41 pm)
At 70 mph? Maybe at 65. I can't wait to get my wife's out on a long trip and see what it does. Almost everything has been less than 7 miles in town so far.

#17419 of 18214 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [backy] by m6user

Jan 28, 2013 (9:53 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 28, 2013 8:44 pm)
Yeah, maybe at 65. But I can usually hit the hwy number on a straight hwy trip at 70.

#17420 of 18214 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [gimmestdtranny] by nyccarguy

Jan 29, 2013 (5:44 am)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Jan 28, 2013 1:44 pm)
I too am skeptical about CVTs. I personally know someone with a FWD Jeep Patriot that had to have the CVT replaced twice. Once 60K (on Jeep's dime) & then again 120K (on his dime).
 
That being said, the fact that Honda (from what I've read) seems to have gotten it right gives the technology itself a lot of credit in my eyes (YMMV).

#17421 of 18214 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [m6user] by backy

Jan 29, 2013 (5:46 am)

Replying to: m6user (Jan 28, 2013 9:53 pm)
Depending on conditions (weather, traffic, amount of passing etc.) I can also. So 31 does seem at the low end. I could make my car get much less than the EPA rating at 70 if I tried.

#17422 of 18214 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [backy] by pegasus17

Jan 29, 2013 (10:33 am)

Replying to: backy (Jan 29, 2013 5:46 am)
IMO, 31 mpg at 70mph (2050 rpm, 6 speed) is quite good.
EPA hwy estimates are based on 48.3 mph over a complex testing spectrum
IIRC, difference in mpg from 50 to 70 mph is approximately 20%
details:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fe_test_schedules.shtml
 
FWIW, my trip computer (2011 Sonata GLS) always overestimates fuel economy by about 2 mpg...

#17423 of 18214 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [pegasus17] by backy

Jan 29, 2013 (11:26 am)

Replying to: pegasus17 (Jan 29, 2013 10:33 am)
31 mpg at a constant 70 mph is pretty poor for a car rated at 35 mpg highway, IMO. As I stated, conditions could make it tough to get 35 mpg 70. But cruising down the highway at 70, one should be able to get the EPA highway rating or very close to it. And should be able to exceed the EPA highway rating cruising at 50-60 mph.
 
At least that has been my experience in every other car I've driven on the highway in the past 20 years or so.

#17424 of 18214 Re: Actual 2013 Nissan Altima CVT video..... [backy] by pegasus17

Jan 29, 2013 (11:58 am)

Replying to: backy (Jan 29, 2013 11:26 am)
I have done that calculation 3 times on a 600 mile trip from Ohio to NY state and back (6 trips worth). Not exactly a constant 70mph nor flat terrain. Oh well, all that matters is i think it's OK!
My lease is up soon and I am investigating several alternatives (Accord, Optima, Mazda 6). Too many choices in this mid-size sedan arena. Incentives vary widely and change month-to-month. glad i only do this every 3 years...

Messages Page 1743 of 1822

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