Your Transmission Choice Could Save You Gas
Are you in the market for a new car? Are you thinking that a certain small four-seat subcompact will give you the best fuel economy? Think again: Some of today’s cars use advanced technologies that help larger, heavier cars achieve better fuel economy numbers than their smaller competitors.
Yes, you’ll pay more for the larger models, but your pain-at-the-pump will, in some cases, be a bit less than that diminutive lightweight you have in mind. The difference? It’s all in the gears, that is, transmission gears. Let’s take a look at a couple of models from different manufacturers to find out what sets these cars apart other than their size.
Kia Spectra v. Chevy Malibu
For the record, the Kia Spectra is made in South Korea by Hyundai Kia Automotive Group and is imported into the US, while the Chevrolet Malibu is made in the United States. The Spectra is a compact car, the Malibu is classified as a midsize; both have enough seat belts to carry five passengers.
The base engine for the Spectra is a 2.0L I4 paired with a five-speed manual transmission, while a four-speed automatic transmission is offered as an option. The Malibu’s standard engine is a 2.4L I4 that is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Although the Spectra gets 24 mpg city and the Malibu 22 mpg city, the Malibu has a 33-32 road edge. Interestingly, the standard manual transmission engine combo results in 30 mpg highway for the Spectra.
Extra gears, better fuel economy
What makes the difference between the two models? The two extra gears on the Malibu is what does it. Previous models had a four-speed manual transmission that delivered 30 mpg, but with the six-speed transmission now included, Chevrolet drivers can get ten percent better fuel economy than before.
Having extra gears means the transmission can operate at lower ratios, which means less fuel is used. For people who do a lot of highway driving, the Malibu wins in fuel economy, as well as being a bigger, roomier car for long trips. This doesn’t mean the Spectra isn’t a capable car, but it does contradict a certain maxim: smaller cars are always more fuel efficient. Instead, the maxim should be that cars with the newest technologies, particularly those with modern transmissions of at least six gears, could be the most fuel-efficient vehicles available.
Technology you will pay for
To be sure, the Spectra and Malibu are designed for different drivers, so my comparison doesn’t include price or prestige, but it does indicate that car buyers should take a very close look at what they’re getting—the bigger car might offer. the best combination of driving and fuel economy for you and your family; you just have to ask yourself if you are willing to pay for these improvements.