Before I purchase my CX-5 I knew it had the best EPA MPG numbers in it's class but I didn't think the efficiency would beat the generally very optimistic EPA estimates. But the fuel receipts don't lie and I have every one from the last 9,000+ miles and am very happy with the miserly nature of this engine and transmission (even though I have AWD and 6 speed auto). I don't have to fuel too often and, when I do, the pump still often surprises me with how soon it shuts off. When I purchased the CX-5 late last year, a cold and rainy Pacific Northwest winter was ready to settle in. I was impressed with the winter MPG numbers but now that the weather is warming, it just keeps getting better.
Yesterday I fuelled up with 506 miles on the trip odometer and it only took 13.5 gallons which calculates to 37.5 mpg (TC reported 37.2 mpg), very good for a roomy AWD vehicle, especially considering much of the tank was burned driving through Mountain passes (up to 5200') with the RPM's often in the 3,000-4,000 rpm range on the steeper grades. At one point near the top of the pass the eastbound lane opens into a passing lane. I had been following a Honda CR-V who started to pass a slower moving economy car in front. The CR-V took the passing lane decisively and I thought we were both going pass but the CR-V was out of breath in the thinner air. The CX-5 was humming along at 3,000 rpm's and had power to spare but the breathless CR-V took forever to make the pass. This thing is a blast to let the motor spin while driving in the mountains (if only you don't get too many pokey cars in front of you).
The number of big, unwieldy SUV's and pickups on the road is shocking and they all get in your way as they drive very conservatively, probably trying too eek out 16 MPG instead of their usual 14-15 MPG. They all slow to ridiculously slow speeds as their drivers concentrate to force all that weight to careen around the sharper corners in a most unsatisfying manner. In comparison the CX-5 carves them up like child's play.
Now that the weather is warming, who else is happy with their CX-5 MPG and performance on twisty roads?
Yesterday I fuelled up with 506 miles on the trip odometer and it only took 13.5 gallons which calculates to 37.5 mpg (TC reported 37.2 mpg), very good for a roomy AWD vehicle, especially considering much of the tank was burned driving through Mountain passes (up to 5200') with the RPM's often in the 3,000-4,000 rpm range on the steeper grades. At one point near the top of the pass the eastbound lane opens into a passing lane. I had been following a Honda CR-V who started to pass a slower moving economy car in front. The CR-V took the passing lane decisively and I thought we were both going pass but the CR-V was out of breath in the thinner air. The CX-5 was humming along at 3,000 rpm's and had power to spare but the breathless CR-V took forever to make the pass. This thing is a blast to let the motor spin while driving in the mountains (if only you don't get too many pokey cars in front of you).
The number of big, unwieldy SUV's and pickups on the road is shocking and they all get in your way as they drive very conservatively, probably trying too eek out 16 MPG instead of their usual 14-15 MPG. They all slow to ridiculously slow speeds as their drivers concentrate to force all that weight to careen around the sharper corners in a most unsatisfying manner. In comparison the CX-5 carves them up like child's play.
Now that the weather is warming, who else is happy with their CX-5 MPG and performance on twisty roads?
. So far the TC is showing 25 or so, in mostly town driving. But that's roughly EPA and the car is brand new and not run-in, so should get better. Still, it's far better than our old Odyssey minivan, even now!
