EPA finds Hyundai, Kia overstated gas mileage

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Why does it bother you that Hyundai is restating the numbers to be in compliance with proper EPA testing guidelines?

It dosent bother me at all. Let them change it to whatever they want.

What does bother me is the amount of money spent on an investigation based on the complaint of a few people because they didn't achieve the "EPA estimate" MPG. And Hyundai basically "paying off" those people. Where do you think that money comes from? Tax paying consumers like you and I.

Since when did they change the defination of the word estimate? That's all those numbers are, an EPA estimate and it states such on the window sticker. A caluclated guess at what MPG you can get under the circumstances they tested it in.

Now if you can show me where on the window sticker it stated that I will get XYZ MPG minimum, and I do not acheive that, then I would agree with what is happening. But it dosen't, it says it's an estimate and your milage will vary.

Can you honestly tell me that any of those people who complained actully bought their car because it got 1 or 2 MPG more than the other one they were looking to buy? If that's the case, then they should have bought something different with a whole lot better PMG.

 

[GenesisCaptain]

They Michelin Energy Savers may be "low rolling resistance tires" but maybe not as low as the Dunlops. Why else would they have used such crappy and harsh riding tires (Dunlops).

The Michelin Energy Savers tires are formally marketed as Green or LRR tires by Michelin. As for the Dunlops, I am not aware that they are considered a low rolling resistance tire, but they could be lower than the Michelins. The Michelins have a huge cult following among Prius drivers who are into the extreme mileage quest.

Many premium automakers use the Dunlop SP Sport 5000 tires as OE, such as Lexus IS, Lexus ES, Lexus GS, Lexus LS, Mercedes ML, and Mercedes GL, and Infiniti FX. Although they are very unpopular on the Genesis, the auto industry may not consider them inferior. Though personally, I have never liked Dunlop tires.

 

[Potty_Pants]

Since when did they change the defination of the word estimate? That's all those numbers are, an EPA estimate and it states such on the window sticker. A caluclated guess at what MPG you can get under the circumstances they tested it in.

Now if you can show me where on the window sticker it stated that I will get XYZ MPG minimum, and I do not acheive that, then I would agree with what is happening. But it dosen't, it says it's an estimate and your milage will vary.
.

Hey Crusty... remember the days when the window sticker had completely inflated numbers ! They dialed in the MPG numbers over the past 6 or so years. Geez your right it is just an estimate and quite closer to the real thing then before.

still i wont argue if they send me a credit card.

ppp

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Agreed. But in all of the new cars I've bought, I never looked at the numbers. I just don't care.

If people are really looking at MPG numbers, then they should be looking elsewhere at the cars that get 40+ MPG, or buying a motorcycle.

When gas prices started skyrocketing to 4 bucks a gallon for premium, that was the only time I even woried a little. That was only because my 600+ HP '63 Cheby got about 5 MPG. And I was driving it every day. So what did I do? I bought a Harley that got 50 MPG on the Hwy.

 

[QuantumRift]

We bought a 2012 Genny 3.8L a year ago July. Love it and I've got no complaints about the fuel economy. I too, like you, get as good or better than the sticker. I just checked and our Genny's VIN qualifies 'er. Say, can I have YOUR rebate as I have no problem whining about it? LoL...

Sounds like a bunch of whiney BS to me.

On the highway, I get what my sticker says and sometimes more. And that's when crusing at 70 - 75 MPH. I usually pull 27 but have seen 29 at times.

 

[piliepr]

Agreed. But in all of the new cars I've bought, I never looked at the numbers. I just don't care.

If people are really looking at MPG numbers, then they should be looking elsewhere at the cars that get 40+ MPG, or buying a motorcycle.

When gas prices started skyrocketing to 4 bucks a gallon for premium, that was the only time I even woried a little. That was only because my 600+ HP '63 Cheby got about 5 MPG. And I was driving it every day. So what did I do? I bought a Harley that got 50 MPG on the Hwy.

This qualifies as a "Cool story brah". Some of us actually consider gas mileage in purchasing cars, but do not want to drive a Prius. I personally only get the claimed mileage if I keep it around 65 or below. Anything over 70 and my mileage drops well below the estimated.

If you do not want the rebate and are actually getting the claimed mileage, then simply ignore this. They are not taking the money from you.

 

[LA Genesis]

We all understand the posted mileage figures are estimates. Lots of people, including myself, took a very long look at fuel economy numbers before we bought our last cars. I am certain most of the public is very interested in a car's fuel economy during the buying process.

If the posted mileage is understated, a manufacturer has a nice marketing advantage over the competition. I understand YMMV but I want those stickers to reflect an even playing field. I hope I get a debit card and I hope Hyundai does a better job in reporting fuel economy in the future.

 

[Gozar]

With cruise on at 75mph I get about 28mpg with my 2011 4.6L, no complaints here and if they want to give me money, I will gladly put some more gas in the tank!

Some "entertainment" can be had by reading the comments about this on CNN Money.....

 

[kcgr]

While I'm not super excited about my R-spec's mileage (20ish combined), I'm not making a big deal of it. I knew a v8 wouldn't be that great. Anyhow, with the amount I drive per year, looks like I'll be getting an amount that will cover two tanks of gas. This is also for the entire time you own it. Just sign up and top off the debit card once per year with a stop at the dealership. I can manage the hassle.

 

[sjphill]

I dont give a crap about the mileage. I'm reading the Road and Track ai got today, theres a roadtest on a 2013 Viper, they mention in the article that the 1992 Viper had 400HP.
I'm thinking crap, my lil Rspec has more horses than a Viper, A/C, comfort and XM too!

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[packerfan31]

We all understand the posted mileage figures are estimates. Lots of people, including myself, took a very long look at fuel economy numbers before we bought our last cars. I am certain most of the public is very interested in a car's fuel economy during the buying process.

If the posted mileage is understated, a manufacturer has a nice marketing advantage over the competition. I understand YMMV but I want those stickers to reflect an even playing field. I hope I get a debit card and I hope Hyundai does a better job in reporting fuel economy in the future.

well said

 

[packerfan31]

Agreed. But in all of the new cars I've bought, I never looked at the numbers. I just don't care.

If people are really looking at MPG numbers, then they should be looking elsewhere at the cars that get 40+ MPG, or buying a motorcycle.

When gas prices started skyrocketing to 4 bucks a gallon for premium, that was the only time I even woried a little. That was only because my 600+ HP '63 Cheby got about 5 MPG. And I was driving it every day. So what did I do? I bought a Harley that got 50 MPG on the Hwy.

when you say agreed but, that means you do not agree..

 

[QuantumRift]

SO they are forced to provide an "ESTIMATE" for fuel economy but then get hammered by some anal people and now get dinged for the estimate they provided. Yes, in this era of "Less is actually MORE", failure is rewarded as SUCCESS, etc. I can see where a good faith estimate is actually TRUTH. LoL. I can say that the last thing we looked at on the Genny were those two numbers....after we decided on the purchase, then I looked at it and said, "Oh by the way, what is the mileage on this car? Kewl."

 

[LA Genesis]

SO they are forced to provide an "ESTIMATE" for fuel economy but then get hammered by some anal people and now get dinged for the estimate they provided.

Their estimate has to be developed using the same guidelines and criteria all auto manufacturers have to use. And of course the posted results need to be accurate. It appears Hyundai dropped the ball somewhere.

The fuel economy numbers were a major factor in my choosing the 3.8 Genesis. 29 mpg highway while producing 333 hp were among the major factors that sold me on this car.

I wonder how those who say they don't care about fuel economy would feel if their 429 hp car only got 390 hp?

 

[sjphill]

@LAgenesis I guess your comment is directed at me. My "official" fuel mileage estimate went from 19 mpg average to 18.....Big deal. I would be interested if my 429 hp car went to 390, because HP is what I bought for, not worrying about 1 mpg....

 

[upsbroke]

LOL- Hyundai got dinged in '02 when they also overstated the horsepower ratings in the 6 cylinder Santa Fe's. As part of the settlement- I got one more year and 12k miles bumper to bumper warranty for a total of 6 years/72k miles.

 

[agerardi]

Personally, I did not buy this 2012 Gensis 4.6 for its gas mileage. I wanted a V8 for the get up and go and the color which was not offered on models 5.0 or the 2013 5.0 models.

 

[LA Genesis]

SO they are forced to provide an "ESTIMATE" for fuel economy but then get hammered by some anal people and now get dinged for the estimate they provided.

They're not getting dinged for the estimate they provided. They're getting dinged because their fuel economy numbers are overstated. They either did it on purpose or somehow they didn't follow the required procedures correctly. For now it appears other manufacturers applied the formula correctly. Whether intentional or not (and I think not), the public was misled. That's a serious matter.

sjphill I was not referring to you. It would seem logical that most V8 owners here are less concerned about fuel economy than I am. But you should understand how unfair this was to the consumer and other auto manufacturer's playing by the rules.

Have you ever walked in a store and seen anything priced at $10 or $20? Usually not. It's $9.99 or $19.99. That one penny means nothing but it is done that way for marketing purposes. Misstating mileage by 1 mpg is similar in theory.

 

[EXBMWGUY]

As I said earlier (maybe on the duplicate thread) my mileage has always slightly exceeded the combined mpg "lie" on the sticker. So perhaps much if this is academic for me personally. Yet like so many other things in our world culture, it's a good excuse for conspiracy theories, all kinds of personal angst and loathing, and litigation. The media loves this -- foreign manufacturer caught by the earth-saving EPA, and on and on. If people's real-world mpg is in fact worse than the sticker, then they're getting paid. If not (like me and others) they're also getting paid.

Hyundai is a young company that has made a few mistakes at least in part, because they have grown at hyper speed. IMO, this is a short-term PR headache, not an event that will nullify the company's stellar value proposition that has been the primary driver of all this growth.

 

[msitter]

Anyone who is truly concerned about fuel costs will have an opportunity and a responsibility to do something about it Tuesday. Clue, it doesn't involve a debit card from Hyundai.