Mpg disappointment

[Alipas]

2 months old 2013 Sonata SE 2.4l, 1800 miles, averaging 21-22 mpg, with about 70% city & 30% hwy. No way near the 24-35 28 combo EPA. How you guys doing? I expected way better than I'm getting.

[shavkatjon2000]

car is still learning the way you drive and your only on 1800 miles you should see improvements around 10k if i am not mistaken if it still persists take a trip to the Dealer ship

[Alipas]

Thanks for the input.

[11SonataScott]

You have a long way to go to really break your car in to where it will get maximum mpg, but it will only improve a little bit. The 24 mpg city cycle EPA rating is not achieved on real city streets. Red lights and acceleration kills mpg. Steady speed will yield better results. Drive it like an economy car and the numbers will improve, but what fun is that?
To put the numbers into perspective, I've just read what Consumer Reports got out of the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. It's EPA ratings are 47 city/47 highway/47 combined. Pretty impressive, right?
The best they could do was 35 city/38 highway/38 overall (-12/-9/-9).
This is taken from page 51 of the Feb '13 issue.

[ryster]

I have 36,200 miles on my 2011 Sonata with the 2.4L engine. I currently average 26mpg (calculated by hand). This is in mixed driving at an overall average speed of 30 miles per hour (according to the average speed indicator in the cluster.)

When I first bought the car new 30 months ago, I averaged 27-28 miles per gallon, so it has decreased slightly over the past couple of years. The biggest contributing factor for my decrease was the new tires. The Michelin Primacy's I had installed do not have the same low rolling resistance as the OEM Kumhos.

The important thing to remember is that the EPA ratings are not a promise or guarantee that every person will see the mileage on the sticker. It is just an estimate. Some people will see better numbers and others will see worse numbers. It all depends on the manner in which the car is driven and maintained.

[Alipas]

Yeah, economy driving is no fun. Maybe after my first oil change it will change some. Just was hoping for better mpg but I love the car and all it's options.

[Alipas]

Ryster, switching to Michelin did you notice less road noise or not much changed?

[ryster]

I have 5,000 miles now on the Michelins. They are somewhat quieter than the original tires, but not significantly quieter.

[TimmyB]

I have 2500 miles on my car, which is also 2.4L SE. On the highway, I get between 34 and 36, driving around 75-77 mph. However, my combined mileage is closer to 23. Why? Three big reasons: one, winter gas; two, lots of warm-up (idling) time; and, three, this car is just too much fun to drive and it's really hard to stay off the accelerator! My city alone mileage is probably down in the 17-18 range, through no one's fault but my own.

[fear24]

i drove mine for 2+ years - put over 45K on it. averaged 30-31 mph.

wife took over driving it first of november - i think she's averaging 24. she is a 'spirited' driver. btw, the transmission will learn your driving habits.