even with a smaller engine, smaller size, and smaller wheels.. it ends up having equal or less MPG than the honda civic. why?
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Great question. I hope someone has a VALID answer for you.
Well because these things are proportional also things that might be a factor is exterior design with wind resistance. Also the smaller wheels don’t help the MPG at all, they have to turn more to cover the same ground than bigger wheels would. The engine size is proportional to the weight of the car.
Overall my 2008 Fit gets about 5MPG less than my friends Civic. On the highway on a long trip my car can best his slightly at 40MPG at 65MPH.
I think the smaller Fit engine has to work hard to move the car around town and run the A/C and that accounts for the extra fuel usage. When I turn on the A/C the mileage drops 2-4MPG.
partly to answer your question the epa has used a new testing procedure to determine mileage and it shows up as lower mpg. The ultimate determining factor is still the right foot that controls the gas pedal. Several years ago,trying to get good mileage I got up to 44 mpg on a 1981 Honda Accord with two people and luggage on two different trips. Traveled at 55 mph, boring beyond belief.