General Motors is taking a direct shot at Toyota and Honda in a press release issued yesterday claiming the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura beat the Camry and Accord in fuel economy. GM also points out that they now offer 18 models with fuel economy ratings of 30 miles-per-gallon or better, more than any other automaker.
The statement comes as 2009 models begin to hit dealership lots and automakers are increasingly focusing on the fuel efficiency of their product lines. Without mincing words, GM directly goes after the popular mid-size sedan segment and claims MPG supremacy.
GM’s claims
- At 33 mpg highway, Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura four-cylinder, six-speed sedans beat comparably equipped Toyota Camry and Honda Accord
- Cobalt XFE and Pontiac G5 XFE get 37 mpg, beat Toyota Yaris and Corolla
- GM’s 2009 lineup delivers 18 models that get 30 mpg or more EPA label highway fuel economy, more than any other automaker
The mid-size segment by the numbers
- 09 Malibu/Aura, four-cylinder engines, six-speed automatic: rated 22mpg city, 26mpg combined, 33mpg highway
- 09 Toyota Camry, 4-cylinder, 5-speed automatic: rated 21mpg city, 25mpg combined, 31mpg highway
- 09 Honda Accord, 4-cylinder, 5-speed automatic: rated 21mpg city, 24mpg combined, 30mpg highway
The statements preclude Hybrid models in the comparison. This works in GM’s favor as the Toyota Camry Hybrid is rated 33mpg city, 34mpg combined, 34mpg highway. That’s only 1mpg better than the Malibu/Aura’s 33mpg highway rating. However, factor in city driving and the Camry Hybrid beats the Malibu/Aura by 11mpg. Even against the Malibu Hybrid the Camry Hybrid comes out on top. With that said, at greater cost.
The compact segment by the numbers
- 09 Cobalt XFE/G5 XFE, four-cylinder engines, four-speed automatic: rated 25mpg city, 30mpg combined, 37mpg highway
- 09 Toyota Yaris, 4-cylinder, 4-speed automatic: rated 29mpg city, 31mpg combined, 35mpg highway
- 09 Toyota Corolla , 4-cylinder, 4-speed automatic: rated 27mpg city, 30mpg combined, 35mpg highway
While GM may technically be correct in stating their models have better fuel economy, it’s only true when comparing highway ratings. Both the Yaris and Corolla have higher city economy and equal or better combined efficiency.
Conclusion
There are many factors to buying a car that contribute to its total owner cost. Adding in purchase price, maintenance, fuel prices, driving habits, and a number of other factors that depend on your situation mean it’s pretty much impossible to declare an absolute fuel economy champion. However, we have to give GM props for working hard to boost the fuel economy of their models in a time when consumers need every break they can get. Despite tweaking the facts to appear stronger than they really are, the bold call-out will push Toyota, Honda, and other automakers to try and best GM. As is the case with all competition, the consumers end up winning.
Craving more information?
Compare MPG ratings by model and by year at the EPA’s FuelEconomy.gov website
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June 17th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
When I went to buy my new car in 2007, I was looking for Consumer Reports most reliable cars, that got the best highway mpg, that have the best design, at the lowest cost. GM small car AVEO did not offer automatic or power steering which a disabled person, like myself, needs for long drives. My 2007 Toyota Yaris 3 door liftback offered a automatic and power steering is standard. The Toyota Yaris got better EPA fuel ecomony ratings than the AVEO. Plus I could install my aftermarket navigation right behind the steering wheel, which is not possible with the GM AVEO. When GM makes a mid size car with the navigation system right behind the steering wheel, or the speedometer in the center of the dash, with as short a front end as the Yaris, that gets at least 35 mpg highway, at a price that matches the Toyota Yaris, then I will believe GM beats Toyota in fuel ecomony and affordability.