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2009 Hyundai Sonata and 2008 Chevrolet Malibu More Fuel-Efficient than Toyota Camry and Honda Accord

Porschinator submitted on 05/14/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 6:32 PM
from: www.caranddriver.com

[21] user comments | category: Misc News

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Tags: Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, MPG, fuel

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2009 Hyundai Sonata and 2008 Chevrolet Malibu More Fuel-Efficient than Toyota Camry and Honda Accord

2009 Hyundai Sonata and 2008 Chevrolet Malibu More Fuel-Efficient than Toyota Camry and Honda Accord

The tables are turned when it comes to fuel efficiency in the mid-size sedan segment.

The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have long been the benchmarks when it comes to fuel-efficient mid-size sedans, but a pair of newcomers have knocked these stalwarts off their perches—the updated 2009 Hyundai Sonata and all-new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu are the segment’s gasoline teetotalers.

Both the Sonata and Malibu claim fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg in city driving and 32 mpg on the highway. The Sonata does so with a 175-hp, 2.4-liter inline-four-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. The Malibu uses a 164-hp, 2.4-liter inline-four and a segment-first six-speed automatic tranny to get the job done. That is comparable to the Nissan Altima’s 23/31 mpg in city/highway driving with its 177-hp, 2.5-liter inline-four under the hood.

Trailing the trio are the Accord and Camry, both with 21/31 mpg figures with their 2.4-liter inline-fours. The least efficient in this field: the Ford Fusion with a 2.3-liter I-4 gets only 20/28 mpg. That’s similar to the Sonata with a 3.3-liter V-6, which nets 19/29 mpg as it pumps out 249 horsepower, and the Accord with a 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6.

Before anyone complains we’re comparing apples and oranges since the Accord has grown into a full-size sedan, we must point out the Sonata also meets the EPA large-car classification based on its 122 cubic feet of interior volume—more than the 120 cubic feet in the Accord. The others are in the 112–116-cubic-foot range; and are classified as true mid-sizers.

It appears consumers are starting to get the message. GM can’t build Malibus fast enough, and Hyundai says the Sonata is raking in conquest sales: for every defector from the brand, it is adding 2.2 new customers.

In terms of overall fleet efficiency, Honda still reigns supreme in 2007 with an average of 22.9 mpg, with Toyota down one tick at 22.8 mpg, and Hyundai right behind at 22.7 mpg. There is a bit of a gap after that, with Volkswagen at 21.4 mpg and Nissan at 20.6 mpg; both are above the industry average of 20.2 mpg. Below that mark are GM at 19.4 mpg and Ford at 18.7 mpg, according to the EPA’s 2007 annual report.

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silver1 - 5/15/2008 11:23:43 AM

+1 Boost

Can Someone please explain what happen? The 2007 Toyota Camry got 24/33. The New 2009 Toyota Camry now gets 21/31 with no Horsepower Bump?

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2fast4uu - 5/15/2008 11:27:22 AM

+4 Boost

New EPA ratings revised in 2008..

silver1 - 5/15/2008 11:35:53 AM

0 Boost

Interesting.... I thought the New EPA ratings went into affect in 2007.

raschitakochangwenya - 5/15/2008 7:32:22 PM

+2 Boost

Lets see what happens with the 2010 camry .Toyota will once again shift the goal post.

hao420 - 5/16/2008 11:51:12 AM

+1 Boost

D title must be joke>>>>

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silver1 - 5/15/2008 11:55:38 AM

0 Boost

I can't argue with this one....

But we all know Honda and Toyota won't take this hit for long...They still want to be the kings in the most fuel efficient cars

But I can say that Honda is coming out with a Diesel that's suppose to be something like 52/62 and suppose to be the most fuel efficient car in it'e class.

Also, In 2010 Toyota is releasing it's 2nd Generation Hybrid Synergy Drive which is first to be release on the next generation Prius coming out next year and suppose to get something like 94 MPG.

Toyota will also release this on the Toyota Camry Hybrid to compete with the Honda Accord Diesel, which would put the Toyota Camry Hybrid back on the Top as the most fuel efficient car in it's class.

The MPG race is on.....

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silver1 - 5/15/2008 1:08:13 PM

+2 Boost

"opfreak"

Have you not seen gas prices? Do you not know that every car in the U.S. have to i get at least 35 mpg within the next 10 to 12 years?
Hybrids are just about already there, they have to do 35 mpg on the non-Hybrids and raise the Hybrids above that if they want them sell....

All next generation cars between 2010 -2020 will be change to make the requirement for the deadline 2020 or be extinct...

Milton - 5/15/2008 12:21:18 PM

0 Boost

I would buy Camry and Accord any day over Sonata and Malibu no matter how less(!) fuel-efficient they are.

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Caraficionado - 5/15/2008 1:03:09 PM

+2 Boost

To Milton: I used to think the same, but you got to acknowleadge (like I finally did) that both Sonata and Malibu are getting closer. Let's also give GM credit for trying much harder this time with the Malibu.

LexusKindaGuy12 - 5/15/2008 1:35:11 PM

+1 Boost

this is a completely useless article.

o0o big deal, the toyota camry gets 1 less mile out of a gallon in the city and highway. for the love of god, a driver without even noticing can make the same difference with his foot without trying.

as for the toyota, dont forget they have the hybrid...and i believe 40 mpg is more than enough to blow this korean POS out of this world

reply to this comment

raikkonen - 5/15/2008 2:43:58 PM

-1 Boost

a hybrid which adds $4000 to the price. That's a lot of free gas for Sonata and Malibu drivers.

M35MT - 5/15/2008 4:18:53 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Look, I found a penny!

And I get 1 more mpg than you!

Every bit counts, right?!??!

reply to this comment

tattedtwice - 5/16/2008 1:57:17 AM

0 Boost

There just arent many reasons to go with the camcord these days, unless youre just obsessed with *cough* fooled by *cough* the name/badge.

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BigShow50 - 5/16/2008 12:33:34 PM

+1 Boost

The headings is short lived. Based on how the market has a continued strong hold for demands of the Camry and Accord...the rivals are just guinnea pig numbers that can be easily beat...never astronomical EPA ratings coming out of Hyundai Sonata and especially GM's "Mali-Crap".

reply to this comment

ChicaneShooter - 5/17/2008 7:05:21 AM

0 Boost

whoopee! all of 1 mpg difference. which can be easily tripled or quadrupled by a truly SKILLFUL driver.

but the MaliCrap owners would be well advised to save every penny they can. they'll NEED all of it and more, to fix their cars by year 3, when it'll ALREADY have more problems than 7 or 8 year old camrys!

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Htay7500 - 5/17/2008 8:36:15 AM

0 Boost

when I checked out the camry, it had felt like a nuisance @ highway speeds, which as opposed to our accord and the new malibu. and maybe, the interior felt like merde. so much for toyotas superior quality...

and whoopdeedo for the camry hybrid. its gets better (city) mileage, but given the cost of complexity behind the hybrid engine, I'd take the metro to get around DC before a hybrid.

reply to this comment

A4ORCE - 5/18/2008 4:42:10 PM

+1 Boost

If you're going for savings on fuel, save your money and get a used EG Civic CX or VX. You get the hatchback practicality, 40+ mpg, and a plain, simple gasoline motor all for $2-5k.

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