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GMC Terrain Real World MPG

39 messages,  Last post on May 21, 2013 at 1:17 PM

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What is this discussion about? GMC, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV

    

Messages Page 1 of 4

#1 of 39 Real world MPG by ray80

Oct 26, 2011 (8:09 am)

Trying to keep the forum from getting rusty from lack of use.
 
On a 1100 mile trip last week I managed to average 26.5 MPG (calculated).
Not much city driving at all and terrain was fairly flat. Kept speeds at 60 MPH or below with cruise on when I could.
Not to bad with the AWD 6 CYL that has EPA highway estimate of 22MPG.
This is the other halfs daily driver and she drives under less then ideal conditions (plus the foot may be a tad heavier), but the average MPG as indicated in D.I.C. is hanging in at 23.1 for the last 5k miles or so since last reset.
 
Anyone else getting reasonable milage out of theirs?

#2 of 39 Re: Real world MPG [ray80] by tim192

Nov 02, 2011 (3:14 pm)

Replying to: ray80 (Oct 26, 2011 8:09 am)
I bought a 2011 Terrain and have 7200 miles on it. I have the 4 Cyl FWD SLT-2. It's rated at 32 mpg highway. However, I am getting 25.9 on average. My daily commute is 50% 60 - 75 mph highway and 50% city traffic traveling around 40 - 60 mph.
I wonder if the larger engine would actually get me the better gas mileage due to the speeds I'm traveling. I'm guessing the 32 mpg rating was driving a constant 55 mph.

#3 of 39 Re: Real world MPG [tim192] by chet11

Dec 11, 2011 (11:03 am)

Replying to: tim192 (Nov 02, 2011 3:14 pm)
My 2011 4 cyl Terrain averages 22.7 MPG with ECO or without. Long way from the 32 in their ads and 38 MPG as a high on the sticker on the car when I bought it. This is my last GMC product! Dealer says not their fault...MPG is set by EPA...EPA is not smart enough to pour one gallon of gas in car and drive it until it runs out of gas! I will go with Ford or Japan product next purchase! You are doing better than me...so that is good news for you!
Chet

#4 of 39 Re: Real world MPG [chet11] by jlamb24

Dec 23, 2011 (11:30 am)

Replying to: chet11 (Dec 11, 2011 11:03 am)
2012 V6 AWD...18.4 stinking MPG...18.4!!!!!!!! It's almost laughable and I want to scream every time a commercial comes on touting the MPG .

#5 of 39 Re: Real world MPG [jlamb24] by cmccull

Dec 23, 2011 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: jlamb24 (Dec 23, 2011 11:30 am)
My 2010 AWD V6 for the last 2200 miles averaged 21.4 mpg.
This is around town, both hwy & city.

#6 of 39 Re: Real world MPG [cmccull] by ray80

Dec 23, 2011 (12:51 pm)

Replying to: cmccull (Dec 23, 2011 12:10 pm)
Ours has done well also after the first 3500 miles or so on it. Does best when the tach is in the 1450~> 1500 RPM range if I can find a speed and gear that will keep it there. Also don't use auto-climate control.

#7 of 39 Re: Real world MPG [ray80] by bwall2

Jan 28, 2012 (4:00 pm)

Replying to: ray80 (Oct 26, 2011 8:09 am)
I share all of your thoughts on this disgusting vehicle. I bought it for the gas mileage - 32 mpg - and thought it might get 27-28 on the highway. I can get that when I tow it behind my motorhome with the engine off. Every time I saw that commercial, I wanted to reach out and grab those folks. I have had GM products for many years (I am 62) but also have had Toyotas and Hondas. I only wish we would have looked at the CRV - but, GMC was touting better gas mileage!
A class action suit would be great - I think "tweeting" and Facebook would bring in lots of angry folks. Of course for me, I refuse to drive it - my wife drives it to work - I drive a Toyota Hybrid Camry (76000 miles on it) - and I get 38-41 mpg. Of course it is not made in America by GM!

#8 of 39 Re: Real world MPG [bwall2] by cmccull

Jan 28, 2012 (4:26 pm)

Replying to: bwall2 (Jan 28, 2012 4:00 pm)
The EPA rating is not done by GM.
GM may use the ratings for ads.

#9 of 39 Re: Real world MPG [bwall2] by gmcustsvcsarah

Jan 30, 2012 (7:56 am)

Replying to: bwall2 (Jan 28, 2012 4:00 pm)
If I may, here is some information on the fuel economy estimate process.
 
The fuel economy estimates are based on results of tests required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These tests are used to certify that vehicles meet the federal emissions and fuel economy standards. Manufacturers test pre-production prototypes of the new vehicle models and submit the test results to EPA. EPA re-tests about 10% of vehicle models to confirm the manufacturer's results. The vehicles are driven by a professional driver under controlled laboratory conditions, on an instrument similar to a treadmill. These procedures ensure that each vehicle is tested under identical conditions; therefore, the results can be compared with confidence.
There are two different fuel economy estimates for each vehicle in the fuel economy guide, one for city driving and one for highway driving. To generate these two estimates, separate tests are used to represent typical everyday driving in both a city and a rural setting. Two kinds of engine starts are used: the cold start, which is similar to starting a car in the morning after it has been parked all night; and, the hot start, similar to restarting a vehicle after it has been warmed up, driven, and stopped for a short time.
  
The test used to determine the city fuel economy estimate simulates an 11-mile stop-and-go trip with an average speed of 20 miles per hour (mph). The trip takes 31 minutes and has 23 stops. About 18 percent of the time is spent idling to simulate waiting at traffic lights or rush hour traffic. The maximum speed is 56 mph. The engine is initially started after being parked overnight. Vehicles are tested at 68 F to 86 F ambient temperatures.
  
The test to determine the highway fuel economy estimate represents a mixture of "non-city" driving. Segments corresponding to different kinds of rural roads and interstate highways are included. The test simulates a 10-mile trip and averages 48 mph. The maximum speed is 60 mph. The test is run with the engine warmed up and has little idling time and no stops (except at the end of the test).
 
I hope this helps to clarify how these tests are done; while it is almost certain that the fuel economy experienced will differ from the estimate, these figures are provided for comparison shopping.
Sarah
GM Customer Service

#10 of 39 Sarah @ GMC customer service by chet11

Mar 29, 2012 (9:20 am)

Thanks Sarah for your comments. The problem is GM puts a sticker on my Terrain that states 26 city and 38 highway and the ads show 32 average with 600 miles a tank of gas...this car doesn't exist. I averaged 22.7 mpg city/highway. Since these mpg are set by EPA you can't take legal action on this scam. So I traded my new Terrain for the new Prius V...you know what? I am getting 43 mpg which is the figure on the sticker. Liked the V so well that I went back and purchased a Prius 2...it shows 55 mpg but I am averaging 57 mpg! I won't buy another GM product again. I cannot understand some reviews stating that they get 32 mpg on the 2012! I have talked to other Terrain customers and they are getting 18-21 mpg. So we are a Prius family (is owning 2 Prius make us a Prii Family?). Thanks for your comments but at the consumer end we want results on mpg claims and not testing procedures explained or consumer blamed for not driving correctly.

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