GM Cars Get Better MPG for '09
It seems the folks over at GM are as experienced at emergency surgery as the cast of “ER.” Across GM’s entire lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs, the company has tried to enhance fuel economy above all else, often with significant results.
We can only report with certainty on the models whose EPA estimates have been reported so far, and the ones that stick out most are GM’s midsize sedans and full-size trucks.
The Chevy Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura now feature a six-speed automatic transmission in their four-cylinder models. The six-speed is offered only on certain trim levels of the Malibu and G6, but is standard, along with stability control, on the Saturn Aura. Prices haven’t been announced for the 2009 models, but prices for the same trims/packages for 2008 were $21,185, $21,775 and $20,405, respectively. That makes the Aura by far the value leader of the trio.
What does the new transmission mean at the pump? It means the trio — rated at 22/33 mpg city/highway, up from 22/30 mpg for 2008 — is now more efficient than four-cylinder versions of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, which are rated at 21/31 mpg and 22/31 mpg respectively. They even best the manual-transmission Accord at 22/31 mpg.
Earlier, we reported on both the 2009 Chevy Aveo and the 2008 Cobalt base models getting mileage bumps.
What other GM models get better mileage this year? The Chevy Silverado.
The 2009 Chevy Silverado pickup only saw an increase in mileage on its biggest 6.0-liter V-8, going from 13/19 mpg city/highway to 14/19 mpg for 2009. And while GM's Chevy Tahoe, Suburban and GMC Yukon also get six-speed transmissions in models equipped with larger V-8s, estimated mileage remains the same as it was in 2008.
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Good for GM, I applaud their decision, now I will definitely give more weight to the Epsilon trio (Aura, Malibu, G6) when I go shopping for my next car...
The Epsilon trio actually gets 22/33 mpg not 24/33....but yeah it's still great mileage none the less!!!
sorry that was a typo.fixed
the Malibu is still the best car overall of the three. if GM were to do a quick freshening of the G6 and the Aura for 2009 and bring it up to the level of the Malibu, the trio would beat the Camry and Accord in every way
Finally Gm is finally waking up to the competition, i might consider a gm as my next vehicle purchase.
The next thing they need to do is to improve the resale value and reliability.
I've heard two different stories for the Malibu. I've heard that the six speed will only be available in the LTZ trim of the 4 cylinder. And I've also heard it'll be on all trims. Does anyone know for sure?
Re: Josh's inquiry
For MY 2008, the six speed 6T-40 transmission is offered only on the LTZ 4 cylinder (it's part of the LTZ "Spring Package")
MY 2009 Malibus have more widespread availability of the 6T-40; it is standard on the LTZ and 2LT models, and optional on the 1LT.
Curiously, the '09 models with the Ecotec & 6T-40 gain 1 mpg on the EPA highway cycle compared to the '08 with the same powertrain.
Finally, after all of these years! A good GM decision! What took so long??
Re: Josh's inquiry
For MY 2008, the six speed 6T-40 transmission is offered only on the LTZ 4 cylinder (it's part of the LTZ "Spring Package")
MY 2009 Malibus have more widespread availability of the 6T-40; it is standard on the LTZ and 2LT models, and optional on the 1LT.
Curiously, the '09 models with the Ecotec & 6T-40 gain 1 mpg on the EPA highway cycle compared to the '08 with the same powertrain.
Re: Josh's inquiry
For MY 2008, the six speed 6T-40 transmission is offered only on the LTZ 4 cylinder (it's part of the LTZ "Spring Package")
MY 2009 Malibus have more widespread availability of the 6T-40; it is standard on the LTZ and 2LT models, and optional on the 1LT.
Curiously, the '09 models with the Ecotec & 6T-40 gain 1 mpg on the EPA highway cycle compared to the '08 with the same powertrain.
Re: Josh's inquiry
For MY 2008, the six speed 6T-40 transmission is offered only on the LTZ 4 cylinder (it's part of the LTZ "Spring Package")
MY 2009 Malibus have more widespread availability of the 6T-40; it is standard on the LTZ and 2LT models, and optional on the 1LT.
Curiously, the '09 models with the Ecotec & 6T-40 gain 1 mpg on the EPA highway cycle compared to the '08 with the same powertrain.
In addition to the transmissions, I believe low resistance tires are being used as well. This may add to the mileage boost for those vehicles with no powertrain changes.
Why can't they do the same re-tooling they did to the Cobalt to create the XFE? Some relatively easy and cheap changes, and amazing results... why won't they do both?
I don't criticise the move but I don't see anything great in the deal. They will get more miles on the HWY because they added a gear. Unless you go on HWY your mileage will basecally be the same as it is now.
They didn't improve the engine, they didn't invent ways to make car lighter or more aerodynamic.
So if anyone here thinks that GM made a good stride... you just confusing yourself. Technologically things just where they were.
I don't think it is a matter of "technology". There are those that do this, and there are those that don't. Apparently the ones that do get better gas mileage, I would say that is a good stride for GM. I would rather see all automakers produce the car in the most fuel efficient manner (And hopefully the most cost effective too).
The Chevy ads online say that the Malibu's new EPA mileage is 22/32 not 22/33 but it's still an improvement.
Aaron,
The ad has it wrong. According to GM it is 22/33 for the 6-spd auto. Is it a local or national ad you're seeing?
Dave,
The ad was a national ad that takes you to the Chevy site. I remember seeing an update on the EPA site for the Malibu when they added the 6-spd auto for the LTZ model this year too and it also says 22/32. Here is the link:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008car1tablef.jsp?id=25192
It is for 2008 with the 6-spd auto. Maybe they were able to squeeze an extra 1 mpg for the highway for 2009.
I simply do not understand G.M.-If they had put the six speed trans. in the half ton with the 5.3 and with the cyl. deactivation,could these half tons have achieved 23 miles per for the masses, instead of the Denalli clan?
hm...maybe nothing really related. But I've seen some ads on TV claiming that Chevy has 7 models that gets more than 30 mpg HWY, more than Toyota and Honda. Which models are they?
BTW, please Chevy models only. Not Daewoo in disguise.
I was wondering the same question but I could not figure out how they came up with 7 models. This is how - they list the Aveo and Aveo5, the HHR and HHR Panel, and the Malibu and Malibu Hybrid as seperate models. Technically correct but deceiving.
This article is incredibly misleading. GM consists of Chevy, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Saturn, Saab and Cadillac- where as Toyota is just toyota and honda is just honda (there are branches but they are not a overall name like General motors. and while GM may have a better average they by no means have the most fuel efficient cars. My Yaris on average gets 38 mpg and I don't have to worry about any mechanical problems. I really wish it wasn't true but American cars are years behind Japan's.