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Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012

752 messages,  Last post on Jun 16, 2013 at 12:33 AM

You are in the Hyundai Elantra Forum.

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

Messages Page 22 of 76

#202 of 752 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [kirstie_h] by atlanticone

Feb 07, 2012 (3:36 pm)

Replying to: kirstie_h (Feb 07, 2012 9:22 am)
I believe one of the main reasons you are seeing pervasive complaints, is due to the publicity this has gotten from Consumer Watchdog and more people who are fuel concious purchasing the vehicle due to it's 40 MPG rating. I know several 2011-2012 Elantra owners that are happy with the MPG on the vehicle and it is falling within the guidelines posted on the Monroney Sticker. If a person who is purchasing the vehicle based on fuel economy only ( which a majority of people who are purchasing the Elantra are,) then they are more likely to complain about the vehicle then someone who was purchasing it for interior or other features. Just by watching the Highways around the country, how many people are actually driving efficiently, when they are averaging 70MPH. Not many. So expect more complaints when people who purchase the vehicle are not driving properly to achieve the 40 MPG that is and has been proven better on the Elantra.

#203 of 752 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [atlanticone] by kirstie_h HOST

Feb 07, 2012 (3:54 pm)

Replying to: atlanticone (Feb 07, 2012 3:36 pm)
I definitely agree with you there - if someone's primary reason for purchase is a particular feature, or if it swayed them away from the competition, they are always going to be more conscious of that aspect of performance. I definitely see a lot of satisfaction with the vehicle, even from those who aren't achieving what they think they should MPG-wise, with most or all other aspects of the vehicle.
 
I didn't purchase my vehicle for MPG, and I barely pay attention to what I get. I needed an AWD vehicle, and I can sure tell you I'd notice if that weren't performing to expectations, even if everything else was great. We see a similar complaint from buyers who were swayed to some Ford vehicles by the My Touch/Sync system that isn't working properly. They have no complaints about other aspects, but that feature is making them sour on the whole vehicle.
 
If people are achieving WAY below what they expected, and are beyond a break-in period, and are taking steps to maximize fuel efficiency, I would most certainly recommend that they take it to a dealership - repeatedly and persistently if necessary.

#204 of 752 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [kirstie_h] by backy

Feb 07, 2012 (5:12 pm)

Replying to: kirstie_h (Feb 07, 2012 3:54 pm)
If people are achieving WAY below what they expected, ...
 
But... what was expected?
 
My advice is and has been, if the FE of a car is significantly lower than the EPA rating on a controlled test (details for which I've posted in these discussions numerous times so will not bore everyone here), under best-case conditions, then it's time to take it into the dealer since a problem with the car is one of the few variables left.

#205 of 752 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [backy] by mikewallace1

Feb 07, 2012 (5:40 pm)

Replying to: backy (Feb 07, 2012 5:12 pm)
How would one explain 28-30 highway and 3 weeks later 38-40?
 
All things being equal except for gas (Giant vs Sunoco) and car odometer 600 vs 1400.
 
I really hope my mpg issues are over.

#206 of 752 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [rob_hyundai] by dodgeman07

Feb 07, 2012 (6:37 pm)

Replying to: rob_hyundai (Feb 07, 2012 3:28 pm)
Thanks for posting Rob. We appreciate hearing from the manufacturer.
 
======================================
 
I was hoping to complete another Elantra mileage report this week but alas, Enterprise gave me a 2011 Toyota Camry LE. I didn't experience any unintended acceleration on the trip, so that's a plus.

#207 of 752 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [mikewallace1] by backy

Feb 07, 2012 (7:38 pm)

Replying to: mikewallace1 (Feb 07, 2012 5:40 pm)
I would say all things were NOT equal... even though it might have seemed like it to you. Think about all the variables: was temperature exactly the same? Speed? Stops/use of brake? Wind?
 
If the new gas was 100% gas vs. E10, that could explain part of it. As could the additional miles on the engine.
 
But at least it looks like there's nothing wrong with your car!

#208 of 752 My experience for what its worth by eweiner

Feb 08, 2012 (4:01 am)

To address some comments above....I did buy the car on the promise of high MPG. Anyone who says that MPG was not a factor is not being honest.
 
Here are some of my observations.
 
Yesterday I believe I finally figured out why I am not seeing the MPG ratings I expected on my 2012 Hyundai Elantra. Some of you will probably say that you’ve known this all along while others will imply that I must be stupid for not figuring it out sooner.
 
All I can say is that I have not seen a post that clarified things for me in this manner. Also, I am slow sometimes so bear with me.
 
I left the office yesterday afternoon at about 3PM. It was sunny and 53. Just as I got on the highway I reset the MPG and drove the 23 mile Inter-county Connector home. My home is just off the ICC, one mile and 2 lights.
 
While on the ICC I put the cruise control on and set it for 59. Low and behold, I finally saw that elusive 40ish MPG. It ranged from 38.7 to 40.2 and rose and fell with the ups and downs of the highway ( it’s not a level drive at times ).
 
As soon as I got off the ICC, on that final 1 mile to my house, the MPG immediately fell and by the time I parked I was in the 36 range.
 
The following morning (very early) I reversed the trip. It was 35 degrees outside. By the time I reached the ICC (again only a mile away) my MPG was 34.6. I set my cruise control to 59 and on this 23 mile drive reached a 35.1 MPG.
 
After thinking about these results I have concluded the following:
 
1. 40 MPG is possible in fact you’re likely getting it on your highway drives. Unfortunately, it is being obscured by the absolutely horrible city/local MPG
 
2. The city/local MPG is likely WAY under the conservative 29 estimate and could be as low as 18 to 20 MPG. That’s right a tiny car like this may only be getting 18 to 20 in the city…how is that possible?
 
3. Every organization that is testing the car, as well as many posters here, is focused on the wrong MPG rating. It’s the city/local driving MPG that is causing your overall MPG to look so bad. There is also to much focus on point in time trips instead of everyday commutes
 
4. It does not take much city/local driving to completely trash your overall MPG. Just look at the impact from that 1 mile drive from the ICC to my home. Or look at the impact from minor hills on the ICC (a brand new and relatively flat highway)
 
5. The colder the weather the worse the MPG seems to be. Why didn’t my MPG recover to 40ish the following morning? Clearly there was more highway MPG to offset the city/local MPG, right? I conclude that the highway and city/local MPGs must be lower when it’s cold. Perhaps significantly
 
6. The car appears to have no intelligence when it comes to creating or maintaining MPG. If it did, I believe I would not see such a dramatic fluctuations from hills or from one mile of local driving
 
7. The ECO mode should do a better job of offsetting the “Lead” foot syndrome. Does not take much of a press of the pedal to achieve a big reaction in RPM
 
Now this is by no means a scientific test but it does help me to rationalize my results. At this point I guess have to accept that my average MPG will not be as high as expected for my driving situation. I do, however, remain hopeful that MPG will improve as we move into the warmer sprint/summer/fall.
 
I also hope this information forces the conversation to focus more city/local MPG and why is it so bad for a tiny lightweight car.
 
I will always feel that Hyundai, and other companies are using puffery and misinformation to mislead consumers by emphasizing unrealistic MPG ratings that are not consistently achievable by most drivers unless they are at the 100% highway level.

#209 of 752 Re: Lies = Less MPGs [avarice1] by knocker81

Feb 08, 2012 (4:42 am)

Replying to: avarice1 (Jan 28, 2012 1:05 pm)
I agree 100%.....the best I've gotten so far is 25.5 MPG, thats combined city and highway, it's ridiculous, I did the same exact driving with a 2009 Corolla and got an average of 28 sometimes 30. Plus after driving this car for almost 2 months, I find the ride isn't that great. A lot of road noise, poor handling, weak suspension. There's no comparison to the Corolla. Hyundai does a good job with styling and all the the little extras but it doesn't do what it's supposed to. I bought this car for one reason and that is gas mileage. There's alot of better cars I could have bought and gotten this gas mileage. Maybe we should start a class action action suit.

#210 of 752 Re: Hyundai Elantra Real World MPG 2012 [jmorv] by knocker81

Feb 08, 2012 (7:22 am)

Replying to: jmorv (Feb 03, 2012 1:39 pm)
I don't know what the computer has to do with gas mileage. Whether the computer is correct or not the gas mileage is still the same. The only way to check gas mileage is fill your tank, drive, record your mileage, fill again, then divide miles by gallons. Bottom line the car gets terrible gas mileage.

#211 of 752 Re: Lies = Less MPGs [knocker81] by kirstie_h HOST

Feb 08, 2012 (8:28 am)

Replying to: knocker81 (Feb 08, 2012 4:42 am)
We don't permit using the forums to organize legal action, but that aside, what would a suit entail? In order to prevail, the class would have to demonstrate that Hyundai knowingly & deliberately deceived consumers and somehow "rigged" a vehicle sent to the EPA for testing to achieve a higher MPG rating than is reasonably possible to achieve. Hyundai didn't create the EPA MPG numbers - that's what every manufacturer puts on the sticker. Some consumers are getting within range of the EPA estimates, so obviously it's not impossible. I don't think you'd find a lawyer in the land to take such a case, as it's nearly impossible to prove.
 
Plus, as a consumer, if the suit were settled in the consumers' favor, you'd be looking at something like $200 three years from now, or a $500 coupon off the purchase of your next Hyundai. That's how these things tend to go.

Messages Page 22 of 76

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