[Minivan=MegaFun]

Hi... new member here.

We're thinking about pulling the trigger on a new 2018 or 2019 Hybrid Pacifica. While doing inventory searches, and looking at window stickers, I noticed the fuel economy for the 2018 is 2 mpg better than on the 2019.... at least according to the window stickers.

For instance, the window stickers show the following:
2018 models show 84mpge (electricity + gasoline) / 32mpg (gasoline only),
2019 models show 82mpge (electricity + gasoline) / 30mpg (gasoline only)

Is the 2018 actually more efficient than the 2019 model, or was the estimate on the 2018's over-optimistic and it was just corrected on the 2019 stickers?

Thanks,
MVMF

 

[Lily]

probably some dumb change in law of how it measured. 5 years ago mpg's were WAY optimistic lol, my jeep patriot supposed to be 28mpg highway - i've never seen it, not even with a 30mpg tailwind

 

[Minivan=MegaFun]

I hear you, but I think the last change to the EPA fuel economy measurement/test was for the 2017 model year.

BTW - interesting link I found on fueleconomy gov... you can see what an older car would likely measure on the newest test ( ** I can't post links yet... just search for "fuel economy compare old")

So, that said... I'm guessing Chrysler changed something, and I'd have to assume the 2018 gets better mpg than the 2019.
Anyone know any more on this, or possibly any dealers/mechanics have any experience with this?

- MVMF

 

[bbq]

Link to site from MVMF

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compareMPG.shtml

 

[Minivan=MegaFun]

...bump... anyone know why there's a difference?

 

[inis]

Most likely an adjustment to real world, although most of us that bought it for the electric portion are actually doing much much better than the suggested MPG.

 

[bbq]

...bump... anyone know why there's a difference?

This came up in two other threads, and there wasn't a clear reason. The decrease in fuel economy was in every category:

* 2018:
--- MPGe: 84 combined
--- Fuel Economy - City 32
--- Fuel Economy - Combined 32
--- Fuel Economy - Highway 32
* 2019:
--- MPGe: 82 combined
--- Fuel Economy - City 29
--- Fuel Economy - Combined 30
--- Fuel Economy - Highway 30

I am not sure whether this is real change, better measurement, or a change in the most common configuration which changes the numbers that they have to report. Although a small change like a different tire could change the numbers, I think the 2019 are using the same Nexen tires, and the small changes like power folding mirrors and memory seats shouldn't have changed weight too much.

I think car companies have to report on the most common configuration. Generally they like this ruie since they don't have to repeat measurements for every trim and option, but when the most common configuration changes, then the numbers they need to report changes too. It might be that more people are buying a heavier Limited with lots of options, which gets lower economy than the striped down version they previously claimed to be the most common. This is just a guess though.

 

[Minivan=MegaFun]

Thanks BBQ,

Sounds reasonable... I didn't realize they were required to provide numbers on the most common configuration. I just assumed they were required to provide it for each model separately.

I noticed there are a lot of hybrid limited's around my area in the dealer inventory search (showing "in transit") with the 18" polished wheels. I suspect that makes a difference from the 17" wheels.

I also wonder if software revisions have reduced the mpg. So maybe a TSB/safety issue "de-tuned" the car to some extent.

 

[Mooga]

I’m going out on a limb the recent TSB update altered MPG. Both my fuel and electric range decreased after the update performed.