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Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? - Car Talk (3) - Nairaland

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Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by kemisuga(f): 10:56am On Jan 05, 2009
I think it is Toyota products.
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by otokx(m): 3:58pm On Jan 05, 2009
i'd give it to toyota
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by Nobody: 4:35pm On Jan 05, 2009
A lot of folk on here, bar the few that have given links to support their claims, are merely stating opinions, based on the cars they themselves happen to drive.

The thing is, to give opinion based on your own car and little else, you have to understand first, how an engine actually works.

Fuel consumption is based on:

1) Engine type
2) Cylinder head design / valve gear
3) Weight of car
4) Shape of car (aerodynamics)
5) ECU (RPM x load x ignition)
6) Transmission type (ratios / final drive)
7) The driver!

You may have noticed I didn't include what most people would expect to see - engine capacity.
It wasn't an oversight on my part - fuel consumption is not directly related to engine size, though it does play a role.
It's a very common misconception, that a smaller engine, say a 1,4L would be less thirsty than say a 1,8L.

There's more to it than that.

A larger engine that develops more torque than a smaller one, at lower RPM in a fairly heavy car, will be a LOT more economical than the smaller one.
This is because, when both engines are driving at for example, a constant 70mph, the smaller engine will probable be running at 3,200 rpm, as the transmission ratios will be lower.

The larger engine, that develops more torque, will also have ratios higher. So, at the same 80mph, the larger engine will be running at 2,800 rpm.
It's also easier to cruise at part throttle in a more powerful, larger-capacity motor, and maintain a constant speed. A smaller, less-powerful motor will require more correction by means of depressing the gas pedal, to maintain the same pace.

The above are based on 2 engines, 400cc apart, in the same bodyshell.

A classic example was the E34 BMW 5 series, built from 1989 - 1996.

Up untill about '95, there was a 1,8L I4 version (518i) that developed 115hp.
It was widely criticised as being a slug, and thirsty.
It had worse mpg figures than the much larger 130hp 2,0L I6 that developed 129hp in 12V guise, and 150hp in 24V form.

It was subsequently droppen in 1995, and the 520 became the base model.

It requires a lot of energy to push a square-shaped car through the air, and that's where a larger engine will shine.
Aerodynamics comes into play as from 70mph, and a small engine in a blunt-shaped car will struggle at speeds over 70mph, whilst an engine in a larger, heavier car that's more streamlined will have less resistance in exceeding 70mph and beyond.

Resistance will require more energy to overcome, and more energy = more fuel.

Diesel engines operate on compression, as opposed to spark ignition in petrol engines.
They also have a lot lower rpm - too high an rpm, less time for diesel to be ignited.
Lower rpm however, allows for greater torque - a diesel engined-car can be driven in 6th gear at 1,500 rpm, a petrol-engined car of the same make and model, would stutter at such high load and low rpm, and will probably stall.

To give a diesel engined-car a reasonable top speed, taking into consideration the low maximum rpm, the transmission is very different to a petrol one.
It's beefier, to handle the much greater torque, and the ratios are much, much higher than the ones used in the petrol-engined version of the same car.
Typically, and average petrol car with manual transmission will produce about 26.5 mph per 1,000 rpm, whils the diesel version will produce about 39 mph per 1,000 rpm.

So, for any given speed, the diesel engine's working less, and of course will return better mpg figures than the petrol version.

There are more factors and scenarios that affect fuel consumption that I could post here, but I'll be here for a long time.

3 Likes

Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by Jascobee: 6:25pm On Jan 05, 2009
Bro siena,
NA GRAMMAR FULL WETIN U TALK, HOW MANY LITRES WILL UR CAR USE FROM LONDON TO MANCHESTER or from COLCHESTER TO BRISTOL??layman like me no understand all those rpm etc,
Na so we go take understand the best car
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by proo212(m): 6:48pm On Jan 05, 2009
I thought it was pretty straightforward actually.

What kind of mileage you get from London to Manchester will depend on your driving style. Are you a boyracer that accelerates away from the lights/brake sharply and speeds off again or are you lightfooted?

If your car has a trip computer, you see how your driving style affects your fuel consumption. Simple really,
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by Nobody: 7:11pm On Jan 05, 2009
^^^ Thank you Proo.
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by keba(m): 8:46pm On Jan 05, 2009
Good job siena, you have said it all.
proo212 has also said it in a lay mans' grammer.
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by Kongi(m): 8:58pm On Jan 05, 2009
Fuel consumption of cars is measured in how many miles the car can travel on a gallon of fuel which is about 4 litres.
Fuel efficiency is also a function of the driver.
the advertised mpg does depend on the way the car is driven.
Of course, newer model cars tend to be more efficient than old cars e.g. a 2008 BMW 320d is more fuel efficient than a 2000 Toyota Corolla.
I sometimes do 65mpg in a 2007 Toyota Yaris which has a 1.0L petrol engine. I also have a 2008 VW with a 1.9TDI engine that does about 48mpg regularly.
I know the BMW 320d does about 55mpg and this is a 2.0L turbodiesel with stop-start technology.
I guess if you want to know the fuel efficiency of your car, go to www.whatcar.com
If anyone asks my opinion though, I think 2007+ BMWs are great.
The hybrids are not that much fun to drive so you may get slightly more miles for your fuel but it depends on what you enjoy
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by Muza(m): 9:30pm On Jan 05, 2009
I'd say Japanese cars are the most fuel efficient,but that generalization is not correct.
so to be specific i'll say honda and toyota cars are the most fuel efficient.(Acura is not fuel efficient c;os of its big engine)

but dont get me wrong,
i'm not talkin about the 3.0 litre V6 engines,NO!
I'm talkin about the ones with an inline 4 cylinder engine not more than 2.3 litres,and also a front wheel drive.
Toyotas i think are very fuel efficient cos their engines are small usually 1.6,1.8,2.0, that in the 4 cylinder
Honda civics are the most fuel efficient of the honda brand (except ones with high performance DOCH engines)cos they have even smaller engines,which today are also hybrid.
U can see a civic with an engines as small as 1.4 litre and i've not come across one with more than 1.8.
Accords to are fuel efficient,thats the 4 cylinder 2.0,2.2,2.3 and even the 2.4 engines.

One of the factors that determines the efficiency of an engine is the engine displacement,Which in the case of Japanese cars is small.


So when talkin about efficiency,u cant compare toyotas and hondas with german cars like benz,BMW which have big engines and are also rear wheel drive.
the fact that they are rear wheeled means that more energy will be required to move the car (More than will be required to move a FWD car with comparable engine and weight)

I Give it up for Toyota corrola,Avensis,Yaris
Honda civic,accord

1 Like

Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by Nobody: 9:38pm On Jan 05, 2009
^^^ The drive configuration - RWD / FWD / AWD has little to do with fuel consumption.
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by messiah(m): 9:50pm On Jan 05, 2009
Many say it's Honda
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by poshdre1(m): 9:59pm On Jan 05, 2009
@ Siena, thanks for your highlights, that caps it all , "end of dicussion" wink
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by 190: 11:25pm On Jan 05, 2009
lies lies lies lies

the most economical is the benz 190e

mine can use $2000 oooh i mean N2000 for 365days b4
gettin 2 the next station grin
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by angelina08(f): 9:22am On Jan 06, 2009
The best fuel economical car are:

1. Ford Escape Hybrid
2. Honda Civic Hybrid
3. Honda Insight
4. Toyota Prius
5. VW Beetle
6. VW Golf

1 Like

Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by Specialist900(m): 10:40am On Jan 06, 2009
In my opinion Honda and Toyota consumes less fuel.
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by ambyzown(m): 4:42pm On Jan 06, 2009
You guys should please read siena's post. That is the most informative post in terms of the topic of this thread.
Original poster: If you want a really fuel efficient car, then look out for the following.

1. Small and lightweight, Like the Kia Picanto
2. Small Engine size and displacement, 1.1 to 1.3L
3. Aerodynamic Shape, Like in the Bugatti Veron
4. Small tires , Not more than 165
5. Preferably manual transmission

This has nothing to do with Brand. A 2.0L 2002 Honda Accord will not be more fuel efficient than A 1.6L 2002 Nissan Sunny
It also has nothing to with Engine style. A 2.0L In-line 4 2002 Honda accord is likely to consume more fuel than a 2.0L V6 Mazda6
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by cabali(m): 11:32pm On Jan 06, 2009
Well most auto makers are coming up with fuel economy on their pieces but i think japanese cars take it
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by earTHMama: 3:23am On Jan 07, 2009
i'd give it to toyota

Honda is the best in fuel efficiency.

1 Like

Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by roymorah(m): 11:54pm On Jan 07, 2009
it has got to be the VW and toyota,man u need them in your life,but fear Benz,
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by Meedu(m): 12:46am On Jan 08, 2009
Why aint no one talkin bout the 406, i have used a D9, 2.0 LTR engine for 4yrs and i always cover 500KM on 32LTRS
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by trillionsG(f): 11:49am On Jan 09, 2009
@ unixcrew3 Enzo n Lamborgini re not d most expensive cars.
check out: http://www.thesupercars.org/top-cars/most-expensive-cars-in-the-world-top-10-list-2007-2008
first 3 most expensive cars pix is attached.

Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by ujaken: 10:01pm On Jan 09, 2009
JUST GO FOR TOYOTA BRAND.
YOU WILL SAFE YOURSELF FROM FUEL CONSUMPTION.
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by ayobase(m): 6:30pm On Jan 15, 2009
i think nissan is better.
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by promise72(m): 9:22pm On Jan 15, 2009
Honda Civic CRX/City. got one. Average 40 miles to 1 gallon (Thats about 16.91km to liter)

Been driving one everyday for about 2yrs now here in California. I drive about 150km daily roundtrip. So may be i know.

The CRX model is called the "HF" model. Very hard to find but worth it
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by Kongi(m): 10:35pm On Jan 15, 2009
promise72:

Honda Civic CRX/City. got one. Average 40 miles to 1 gallon (Thats about 16.91km to liter)

Been driving one everyday for about 2yrs now here in California. I drive about 150km daily roundtrip. So may be i know.

The CRX model is called the "HF" model. Very hard to find but worth it

@promise72, I have used a brand new VW golf for about 10 months now and as of today have an average of 49 miles to the gallon
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by promise72(m): 10:39pm On Jan 15, 2009
Kongi:

@promise72, I have used a brand new VW golf for about 10 months now and as of today have an average of 49 miles to the gallon

I believe it. You must be talking of the TDI diesel engines. The CRX "HF" are rated at 50 miles to the gallon (petrol) but you know the efficiency goes down as the car ages and i drive avg of 80miles/hr in that little HF thing. But i love it tho.  grin
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by Tawak: 12:32am On Jan 22, 2009
TOYOTA
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by erico2k2(m): 12:52am On Feb 03, 2009
Man you guys still dont get what Oga Siena is trying to say, you can'nt for any reason say a particular car is the most efficient when it comes to fuel consumption cos this consumption issue has too many variables some are constant some dynamic but in contrast to this, all Diesel cars are more fuel efficient compared to thier petrol equivalent, the only set back is they are Noisier and you got to wait 4 the Glow lamp to go off lol, I can tell you from person expirience,I use to own a BMW325td, I lived in Dulwich and worked in tooting bec, distance15 miles a day, that to & fro, cost average £28 a week to fuel myself, I then changed to Peugot 406 a 2ltr engine, bill was £45 a week,I quickly sold it after a month and got me a VW passt1.9 TDS cost to work per week £23, so you can see what Im talking about. but bear in mind, Diesel is more expensive than Petrol.Oh and plus you get less Engine trouble with the Diesel Engines as you do with Petrol
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by jek1471: 10:30am On Sep 23, 2009
what can you say about VW Passat in terms of fuel consumption?
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by oboms(m): 6:19am On Dec 20, 2009
I choose a toyota car.Still number 1 in the world by rating on fuel economy
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by bt2(m): 10:02pm On Jul 06, 2010
how about mazda 323 1998 model with 4 cylinder?
Re: Which Brand Of Car Has The Best Fuel Economy? by nineville(m): 2:50pm On Jul 07, 2010
This is based on what am using and comparing it with colleagues that are using cars. I commute average of 45km everyday from home to office and leave in an outskirt of Lagos where the roads are bad. I give it to TOYOTA ECHO. It sips fuel.

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