How is the Veracruz getting 18/25 mpg with its 3.8L V6?

The Santa Fe weighs 400 to 500 lbs less (depending on 5/7 seats and FWD/AWD), but it gets between 19/24 and 20/25 mpg (again, depending on the trim). And the Santa Fe is only a 3.3L V6.

That's two big factors (weight and engine size) that should put the Santa Fe way ahead in mileage, but the Veracruz just about matches it somehow.


Also- are the Veracruz numbers obtained from the new EPA system for measuring, or will its mileage go down next year along with all other vehicles?

Overall aerodynamics also play a factor although I think the biggest factor is the extra gear. The Santa Fe has a 5-speed automatic and the Veracruz has a 6-speed automatic.

I drove by a dealer last night and saw the Veracruz there, so of course I had to stop and look. I noticed the 25 MPG highway figure and had to question whether that was the old or new number myself. It looked to good to be the new numbers, and I was right - that's the old method of calculation.

New: 15 city, 22 highway, 18 combined for the 4WD; 16 city, 23 highway, 18 combined for the 2WD.

They had it parked next to a Santa Fe - quite a bit of difference between those two. The Veracruz looks to me like it isn't as upright and "truck-like" as the Santa Fe. Having the extra gear is likely a tremendous help, along with the different profile...

This post has been edited by hoosieraccent: Mar 26 2007, 12:01 PM

We live in Alberta and drive to Nevada regularly, trip meter after 7000 miles stated 24.9 mpg which I think is good for the size of the Veracruz, mostly at 75MPH. Great SUV!!

I get 25 on the highway consistantly - even with all five of us onboard! I too was amazed at the mpg's that the Veracruz can get! I have just under 10k on mine.

the last 2 posts about getting >24mpg...these have got to be all highway miles. I am half and half, both highway and city, and I am avg 16.8 on a full tank of gas at about 17.8 gallons fill up every time, yes I drive till the light comes on. If I drive it hard and/or no highway then I can get as low as 14. I haven't checked the all highway mpg so I will have to check this out. I have put 1000 on mine and I bought it 1 month ago.

Just rechecked today combined city/highway right on 20 MPG. We live on an acreage 15 miles out of town so I'm happy with that,, I'm not 16 so my driving style is conducive to better mileage and no squealing tires :beer:

My mileage, mostly highway, is not as good. Average through 17,000 km (10,000 miles) is 12.7 l/100km or 18.6 miles per gallon (US). I was expecting an average of 11.5 to 12 l/100km.

The ride, comfort and amenities amply cover for the mileage though.

I just did a trip up through northern Michigan(1200 klm's) and got a solid 11.2L/100klm with translates to 21 MPG on the US gallon. I was hoping for a bit better but that will come in time I assume. I only have about 5000klm on my buggy so far.

Highway I consistently get from 24.5 mpg up to 26 mpg - usually close to 25 though. City it drops down to 16 - 18. I have to think the extra gear in the tranny helps. I've got just over 17k since November and 75% are probably highway miles. Sorry, no metric translation :P