Hyundai Mileage

I plan on purchasing a new Sonata (my first Hyundai) and am having trouble
deciding on the four or six cylinder engine.

Another forum had posts from six cylinder owners who reported dismal
mileage. One said he averaged 19 mpg!

Is lousy mileage is typical for the six? How does it compare with the four?

Thanks for your help.

 

19 mpg is not dismal fuel economy for a 3.3L six cylinder engine. It'd be
my recommendation that if this is unacceptable, you should not even
consider a car with more than four cylinders.

 

We've put about 15.5K miles on my wife's '06 Sonata LX V6 since last
October. With a pretty consistent mix of about 80% city/burb driving and 20%
highway miles. For the first 7K our mileage stayed at a constant 19.1 avg.
After 7K it moved a couple of decimal points a week to an average today that
runs about 23.2 for our driving. I have had single trip highway averages
approaching 28.5, but nothing near the advertised 30 hwy. Overall I would
have liked to see better numbers in fuel economy, but with the V6 in most
any car, you have to give up something in the economy side and must decide
if the extra performance (perceived or real) is worth the loss of mpg. I get
a consistent 26.5 out of *my* 7 year old Honda Accord EXL/V6/AT under
similar driving conditions....I say *my* Accord because *I* was the one that
was supposed to get the Sonata as a new company car for client meetings,
etc.......but that only lasted until *she* laid eyes on *my* car at delivery
:~)

Keith

 

I can very well see where you are coming from Keith *I* was also
supposed to get a Sonata.. Another of the pittfall's of marriage eh?
Anyways back to the OP's question. Don't buy the car if you are looking
for milleage like the EPA figures. I have been using a V6 GLS for the
past 2 months and have got an avg of 22.6 once on a trip which involved
60% highway. Otherwise with regular city use (i.e. 95% city/suburb) I
get around 18 to 20. A buddy of mine liked my car so much that he also
picked one up, & he is getting similar figures. One thing I would like
to say is the AC is always on full. What with the heat over the past
few weeks I have been wondering if I have to add a second AC if it
where possible.

Which reminds me.. I have read in this same group that the Sonata AC
blows ice! Well I am not so sure about that! I used to get much cooler
air from a 93 Camry we traded in. But on the other hand the car is a
joy to drive around... I personaly feel there is a percievable
diffrence in power of the V6 & the 4 cylinder.

 

After 2000 miles, my 6 is holding steady at an indicated 21.x average
MPG. Got it above 22 once during a sort of long highway trip.

I will be taking longer trip later in the month -to the Sonata factory
of all places- so that should show interesting highway numbers.

I have noticed almost no difference in the mileage with the A/C or on
off (and damn, it's hot: I am willing to spend some gas for the
comfort!), and certainly no drop in perceived engine performance with
it on or off. Excellent behavior compared to my old Toyota where the
A/C would make the fuel level visibly drop and the engine performance
fall off a cliff.

Took one of my friends on a ride in the Sonata last week. He said his
4cy 05 Civic gets better mileage but he can't use the A/C and still
accelerate. He was also very impressed with how quiet and speedy the
Sonata was.

 

I'm one of the few who have also commented on the AC. I live in PA
where we only need AC about 3 months of the year, but I still find it
feeble. It cools OK if the OAT is less than about 85, but when it hit
100 last week, it was pathetic. I drove my Chevy truck to work the two
days when it was at or near 100. That thing will cool the cabin within
10 minutes even on the lowest fan speed. I have to start raising the
temperature control even with 100 outside after about 10-15 minutes
(about halfway to work for me). My Sonata can remain on full cold with
the fan on 3 all the way to work when it is above 90 and I'm still not
too cool.

I plan to take it in and have it checked when I get a chance, however, I
checked it myself with a thermometer and it seemed to meet the specs for
exit temperature at the vents. I think it just doesn't have enough
capacity (air temperature at the outlets doesn't equate to heat removal
as temperature and heat aren't the same) to handle the size of the
cabin. I also have the low-end model which lacks the special window
treatment available on the higher end models and this may be the reason
that those with the V-6s haven't complained about the AC.


Matt

 

I have the V6 with the so called window treatment & if that is a help I
can't imagine what it would be without it. I actually checked my window
sticker since I still had it to verify if I had the solar control
glass. In fact I wanted to ask here whether it was legal & possible to
stick darker sun control film on the windows??

 

Any car audio shop should be able to tint the windows or give you some
names to call.

Planning on doing the same thing to my car. The AC works but not when
it's not on, and I got the black paint. So it does get hot in there.

I think darker windows would look better anyway.

 

My 06 Sonata v-6 LX. I had windows tinted next day after I bought it
because I drive through southern Deserts couple of times a year. Cal, Nmex
Ariz Tex. never had any trouble with AC. last trip temp was over 100
every day until I got close to San Diego. Average about 17MPH city and
26MPG highway

 

I plan on purchasing a new Sonata (my first Hyundai) and am having trouble

I would just go with the 4-cyl or wait for 2007 models.. Considering
my 2002 Sonata 6-cyl averages 22-24 MPG and is 170HP, the 2006 4-cyl
is 160HP and gets better mileage than me for 10HP less.

If I had to choose between the 6-cyl and 4-cyl TODAY, I would go with
the 4-cyl. It gets 24/33MPG.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

If you're getting 22-24 out of your '02 V6, you should expect similar or
slightly better numbers out of a new 3.3 V6.

Individual fuel economy has a great amount to do with driving habits and
situations. I doubt most people get fuel economy a couple mpg lower than
you do out of the same car.

 

If you're getting 22-24 out of your '02 V6, you should expect similar or

What made an even bigger difference on my highway MPG were better
tires than the OEM. I'm riding on Yokohama Avid H4S and they are a
HUGE improvement. I once got 525 miles out of a full tank (16.5 Gal)
before I almost ran dry. Never got anywhere near that on my old tires.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

Very unlikely that the tires made a HUGE difference or even a
significant difference. Most likely you are comparing an apple trip to
orange trips and attributing the difference to the tires when other
variables are more likely at play.


Matt

 

Very unlikely that the tires made a HUGE difference or even a

Perhaps, but I kept my controls the same each time. I go to SW
Wisconsin (200+ miles (one way) from my location, Chicago) at least 4
times a year and most of the roads out there are 55mph so there isn't
much room for stop and go acceleration affecting my numbers. No
jack-rabbit starts or overdrive to pass people either.

I did my tests with cruise control @ 65-70mph and have found that the
Yokohamas yield me *slightly* better mileage than my OEMs. With the
OEMs I was getting right around 500-505 miles to a full tank. No apple
or orange trips here since the conditions of the drive were exactly
the same. Generally, I drive at night when there's less traffic or
after the morning rush hour. The conditions are nearly the same every
time so my numbers are consistent.

With my OEMs, I would average 78-82mpg to a 1/4 tank (city). With my
Yokos I am getting around 84-86. I've been driving the same route to
work for 2 years and nothing has changed between point A and point B.

I've put around 14k on my Yokohama's from mid June '05 to present and
have been keeping a fairly close eye on the before and after. *My*
experience is that I am getting a little better mileage out of them.

cheers,

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

Hi Matt,

I live in Georgia where it has also been very hot for several weeks. I have
the 4 cyl like you and mine cools very well. You should really take it in
and have them redo the AC. Usually, they have to dump the charge and start
from scratch with a new charge to ensure the correct amount goes in.

As far as mileage, mine is holding on an indicated 25.5 with about 80% city
or town driving. On trips back to Pa, my hometown, we get 32. The 4 puts
out plenty of power to stay out of trouble and pass on the two lane roads
around here. I honestly don't see any reason to get the V6. This comes
from a guy who has had 427 1969 vettes, 390 Cougars, Porsche's, and plenty
of other 'muscle'. It's just not necessary anymore with $3 gas. It's no
fun to drive anymore with all the nuts on the roads and cops hungry to fill
the coffers.

 

A slight difference is a lot less than a HUGE difference.

Are you sure they are the exact same diameter as the OEM tires. A
change in diameter can also have an effect on computed mileage.

Matt

 

A slight difference is a lot less than a HUGE difference.

Heh, well..some difference is better than none. I'd have to find out
the diameter difference. I have heard that wider diameter tires can
make a vehicle go faster than the speedometer is reading. I would like
to see some scientific evidence to support it though.

- Thee Chicago Wolf

 

If you change the diameter of the tires you should also change the
aspect ratio. (essentially the height, though the techs can chime in
here with the details) This keeps the speedometer/odometer at least
close to accurate.

For instance, if you have 205/60/16 tires and switch to wider 215
diameter tires, you should also reduce the ratio to 55-series to get
the closest match for your speedometer/odometer. In that case the
speedo will read slightly high, (it will read 60.8 mph when you are
going 60), but it will be as close as you can get without changing
wheel sizes.

If you switch to 215/60/16, which is a common size and in fact the OE
size for the current-generation Sonata---i.e. you switch to a wider
tire but do not change the aspect ratio---you will throw off your
speedo/odo. In this case it's not a huge difference---about 1.8%---but
it's still something.

If you switch from OE 205/60/16 to 215/60/16, your speedomenter will
read 58.9 mph when you are actually going 60 mph. That's per the online
tire size calculator I found here.:
http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp?action=submit

Also per reviews I've read on tirerack, some tires yield slightly
better fuel economy than others, even if both are brand new and exactly
the same size and type. A rough rule of thumb seems to be that tires
that provide maximum wet/snow traction, even all-season ones, will
yield slightly lower fuel economy. I don't pretend to have expert
insight on that.

Just something to think about.

Regards,
Eric M

 

I have never owned a Hyundai, but am seriously considering one for my
next car purchase. The reports of less-than-advertised fuel economy
combined with $3/gallon gas have made me switch my focus from the
4-cylinder Sonata to the "mid-size" (per EPA) '07 Elantra, which
supposedly will get 28/36 and have an optional SULEV-rated engine. I am
scratching my head as to why Hyundai has not yet launched the new
Elantra with the fanfare the Sonata and to a lesser extent the Accent
got last year.

Fuel economy seems to be a continuing challenge for Hyundai, even with
the mega-improvements to most of its models in recent years. For some
reason, they just don't stack up to Honda and Toyota in re gas mileage.


Specifically, not only are the EPA estimates slightly lower, but more
importantly a Civic or Corolla will come closer to EPA sticker than
will a Sonata. (that's a bit of an apples-to-oranges comparison, but it
holds true among folks I know personally as well as comments I've read
online.)

It all depends on how much you need the extra power compared to the
higher MSRP and the extra cost of fuel and tune-ups. Also the Sonata
V-6 takes 6 quarts of oil, which has caused problems at oil change
time....even at a few Hyundai dealers, per posts I've read here.

If you take long trips in the hills with a carful of family members and
cargo, or if you have to merge onto a busy highway near LA or Houston
each day and then keep up with traffic in the passing lane, the V-6
might be worth it. Otherwise, I'd stick to the 4-cylinder.

Regards,
Eric M

 

I'm not sure what you mean by wider diameter. Width and diameter are
two different dimensions on a tire. A wider tire isn't likely to change
the rolling radius much. A tire with a greater diameter will change the
rolling radius proportional to the change in diameter compared to the
OEM tires. So, if your new tires are smaller in diameter than the OEM
tires, they will make more revolutions per mile. This means that your
odometer will record more miles per actual mile traveled. So let's say,
for example, that your new tires are 5% smaller in diameter than the
originals. Your odometer will now record ~105 miles for every 100
actual miles driven. Let's say that before you used 4 gallons for 100
miles or got 25 MPG. Let's say you still use 4 gallons per 100 actual
miles. You will have recorded 105 miles on your odometer so when you
compute your MPG, it will be 26.25 MPG. However, this is a fictitious
number as you really only traveled 100 miles and you really are still
getting 25 MPG. So the tires didn't give you better mileage, they just
give you the appearance of beter mileage.


Matt