My best fuel economy so far

[leogag1]

Last week, I went on a 450 km trip and my 2009 VUE XR-6 averaged 7.7 L/100 km. (Converted, it gives 36.7 MPG imperial, or 30.6 MPG US Gal.) I was driving at 101 km/h (60 MPH) on the cruise control. We were 2 adults and a child, fully loaded with luggages.

For a 3.6L V6, I think it is very, very acceptable!

I like this machine!

(On my way back, I hauled my RV trailer... so it just averaged 23 L/100 km!!! But this is normal, with a full-front wind at 30~50 km/h. Even F-150s hauling trailers were "dancing and swinging" on the road!)

[hand-filer]

That is impressive Leo. The weather conditions had to have been quite favorable to achieve those numbers.

[leogag1]

Sunshine, 28 °C, no wind, 45% relative humidity... the ideal day!

I even took photos of the DYC while driving, to keep a proof that it already happened... I'm not sure I'll be able to do it again.

[OGC5]

Originally Posted by leogag1

Sunshine, 28 °C, no wind, 45% relative humidity... the ideal day!

I even took photos of the DYC while driving, to keep a proof that it already happened... I'm not sure I'll be able to do it again.

If you can do it again let us know as it will be a miracle. The wife's XR 3.6 will get a best of 23mpg at 70mph on our interstates and about 19mpg in combined driving. Vehicle weighs over 4000lbs and has the aerodynamics of a brick compared to my C5 Corvette which also weighs way less.It gets 27mpg at 70mph avg. which makes it the economy champ in our household. (PS-with her driving not me!)
OGC5

[ChiliPepper]

just got back from a trip to New Mexico, right at 1,300 miles round trip. Our '09 XR performed great and was never uncomfortable. Fuel economy varied by a fairly wide margin however....

Filled up here with 87 octane. Gas stations here advertise their gas as "100% gas - no ethanol". 348 miles and 16 gallons later at the next fill up gave me an average of 21.75 mpg. Most highway speeds were 70 mph, usually running the air on recirculate which evidently runs the a/c on a fairly minimal setting to provide cool and de-humidified air which kept us very comfortable. After reaching our destination, I didn't concern myself with mileage very much but I'd say we got somewhere in the 20 to 22 mpg range.

On the return trip I filled up with 86 octane fuel. Fuels there are marked at the pump "may contain up to 10% ethanol". The route we chose to return had a lot of up-hill roads which over a period of several miles would change the elevation greatly. At the next fill up after a stretch of 200 miles and 7 gallons, we averaged 28.5 mpg. Don't know why the huge increase in economy, but I'll take it.

I'm sure it didn't have anything to do with the possibility of ethanol being used. A year or so ago when gas reached record prices, gas stations here had that crap and our vehicles suffered a big loss in fuel economy.

[saturnd00d]

Around here in southern Ontario, Canada, most stations have 10% ethanol in 87 octanes, 5% in 89 octanes and no ethanol in 91 or higher octanes, but of course we here in the Great White North pay a lot of tax compared to you guys in the U.S., so we spend a lot more money to fuel up than you guys do.

[Silverl300]

this is proff of why saturn should still be making cars. bottom line

[mikec]

Those are good numbers. Anytime you can get 30 mpg out of a 6 cylinder, that's a good thing.

[dnale]

I wish we could get that kind of mileage. I know when I drive it, I get in the low 20's. My wife is a little more subdue-ed and gets about 24. Our speed limit is also 70 and we may push that a little higher.

[tjhess74]

we usually get upper teens in combined city driving. however, over the thanksgiving holidays, we drove from charleston, sc to elijay, ga and got 21 mpg going up, and 23mpg on the way down! it was right around 416 miles on that tank. in my opinion, thats pretty good, considering the cruise was set on 75 mph and the vue was LOADED with luggage, gifts, and baby stuff. there were alot of slowdowns and traffic clogs due to the holiday travel rush.

[XRVUE2009]

I've had my Saturn 2009 Vue XR since April 2012. The best mileage I've gotten is 26.9 mpg. This is on the Interstate and holding the speed between 65 and 70 with the cruise control and AC on. I've noticed that heat and humidity will affect the mileage. I will lose 1.5 mpg when driving in temps over 90 degrees and even moderate humidity.

There is a sweet spot at 68 mph where the mpg does the best. I have a feeling that the engineers have geared the vehicle for possible towing and hauling.

[Sweepspear]

Originally Posted by XRVUE2009

I've had my Saturn 2009 Vue XR since April 2012. The best mileage I've gotten is 26.9 mpg. This is on the Interstate and holding the speed between 65 and 70 with the cruise control and AC on.

This is typical of what our '08 Vue XR gets for mileage on a road trip.

[SaturnVue86]

nice i just did 420miles (highway) on full gas of tank 08 xe