Vehicles that give better mileage w/ auto trans

[youdontwannaknow]

I happened to run into this -

2009 Toyota Corolla - 27mpg(auto), 26mpg(manual). No they are no flip-flopped. And that's city mileage, hwy mileage same for both auto and manual.

well I don't know about you but it came as a complete surprise to me. I have never seen a car whose automatic version gives better mileage than its manual version.

Do you know of any other cars that give better mileage with an automatic transmission as compared to their manual ?

 

[Bulli]

the new civic also.
Technology man.

 

[Solo2driver]

Or different final drive and overdrive to reduce final RPM.

 

[youdontwannaknow]

that's why I specifically mentioned that the difference is in the 'city' mileage. I'd imagine there wouldn't be too many opportunities to shift into and sustain final/overdrive in the city ?

 

[Jim 5]

I noticed on fueleconomy.org that BMW 5 series cars have better fuel economy with the auto.

 

[rationull]

Despite the fact that you're looking at city ratings, it could still come down to gearing. I know on the Civic the MT is geared much lower than the AT, presumably to feel more "sporty" and offer better pickup on hills without having to downshift.

I'm guessing the autos are just becoming pretty efficient. Tie that in with higher gearing (more efficient operation during acceleration) and that's where the higher FE comes from.

 

[Jim 5]

I agree with rationull. Autos are getting more efficient. I think the point has been reached due the proliferation of 5 and 6 speed computer controlled autos that they are better at shifting for power and efficiency than humans are.

Manuals are still more fun....as long as your commute isn't low speed bumper to bumper.

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: Jim 5

Manuals are still more fun....as long as your commute isn't low speed bumper to bumper.


True. Every time I go down to LA I wish, slightly, that I'd gone with the AT in my Civic. Dual clutch sequential gearboxes may be the best of both worlds.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: youdontwannaknow
Do you know of any other cars that give better mileage with an automatic transmission as compared to their manual ?

Pretty much any car with a CVT transmission will fall under this category.

 

[John K]

I had the impression from reviews I've read that CVTs have been disappointing. I tried doing some searching and found stuff about Nissan's commitment to CVTs but not much useful. I thought Ford's CVT had bad reviews on the 500, and someone even makes a CVT with shift points to make it feel more like a regular transmission. I am not an automatic fan at all so don't really pay much attention. I remember other automatics in the past that got better mph than manuals, but can't recall which ones at this point. Nissan says CVTs are smaller & lighter than regular automatics, don't know why. I guess it is progress, but I'd rather drive a manual, thank you.

 

[rationull]

I'm hoping that Nissan's nearly full line switch to CVTs is an indication that CVTs are getting better and more reliable. It's possible there will be some large-scale failure down the road but they've been at it for a few years now and I haven't heard anything.

In particular, fitting the CVT to the Maxima (and the Murano, maybe?) where the motors are putting out a fair amount of torque should provide some solid proof that the Jatco units they're using are up to their workloads.

It really does seem like a more logical arrangement than a traditional automatic.

 

[Jim 5]

Originally Posted By: rationull
Originally Posted By: Jim 5

Manuals are still more fun....as long as your commute isn't low speed bumper to bumper.


True. Every time I go down to LA I wish, slightly, that I'd gone with the AT in my Civic. Dual clutch sequential gearboxes may be the best of both worlds.


My daily commute has turned into bumper to bumper traffic that seems to move at a speed that is too fast for 1st gear and too slow for second. It is a really irritating 1/2 hour twice daily, and for the first time, I am considering a european car with an automatic. I never thought I'd see the day.

 

[saaber1]

There are lots of manuals with automatic clutches coming out now also. These are both more efficient and faster, 0-60, etc. than a manual.

Porsche has PDK, VOlvo is developing a 7 speed as I remember. you can operate them as an auto or shift manually without a clutch pedal (note that I am not talking about tiptronic or any transmission with a torque converter). Most I have seen have been based on the borg-warner DSG design.

VW and audi are using DSG which has 2 versions, a 6 speed with two wet clutches or a 7 speed with dry clutches. I think they are going to be producing both side by side on different models.

This site explains the vw one pretty well: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/11/08/091620.php

 

[rpn453]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Pretty much any car with a CVT transmission will fall under this category.


The Altima does 23/31 (19/26 for the V6) with the CVT and 23/32 (19/27) with the manual. That's the only CVT car I've looked into mileage numbers for though. Good mileage for the size of the car with either transmission.

 

[mikeinaustin]

Audi tt gives better mpg with an auto as well.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/Feg/bymodel/2008_Audi_TT.shtml

 

[rpn453]

Originally Posted By: saaber1
There are lots of manuals with automatic clutches coming out now also. These are both more efficient and faster, 0-60, etc. than a manual.


It's not actually more efficient unless enough fuel is saved to pay for the extra cost of the transmission!

 

[saaber1]

Originally Posted By: rpn453
Originally Posted By: saaber1
There are lots of manuals with automatic clutches coming out now also. These are both more efficient and faster, 0-60, etc. than a manual.


It's not actually more efficient unless enough fuel is saved to pay for the extra cost of the transmission!

ha ha that is true! I was talking strict mpg though... To me it is worth the extra cost for the fun factor alone. fe. you can shift from 6th to 2nd coming into a turn as fast as you can pull the paddles. Think of pulling the trigger on a semi auto .22 rifle. It that fast. That article I referenced said it skips gears but that is incorrect, it goes sequentially.

 

[saaber1]

Originally Posted By: John K
I had the impression from reviews I've read that CVTs have been disappointing. I tried doing some searching and found stuff about Nissan's commitment to CVTs but not much useful. I thought Ford's CVT had bad reviews on the 500, and someone even makes a CVT with shift points to make it feel more like a regular transmission. I am not an automatic fan at all so don't really pay much attention. I remember other automatics in the past that got better mph than manuals, but can't recall which ones at this point. Nissan says CVTs are smaller & lighter than regular automatics, don't know why. I guess it is progress, but I'd rather drive a manual, thank you.


the only cvt cars I have driven are the prius and civic hybrid. Prius is excellent and smooth and seemed to have plenty of power to me for that kind of car. Civic had 20k and was an absolute nightmare. Whiny, loud, vibrating, no power, always rattling your brain at redline anytime you call for any type of power. one of the worst cars I have ever driven and I like Hondas and have owned many.

 

[rpn453]

Originally Posted By: saaber1
Think of pulling the trigger on a semi auto .22 rifle. It that fast. That article I referenced said it skips gears but that is incorrect, it goes sequentially.


Interesting description. I'd certainly like to take one for a drive if I get a chance (I'm not one to go test drive vehicles that I'm not considering buying, so I'll just wait for the opportunity). I'll take my Ruger for a spin right after to compare!

 

[youdontwannaknow]

It does look like Toyota messed around with the gear ratios on the auto transmission between the 2008 and 2009 models.
Interesting though that the 2008 manual is more efficient than the 2009 manual(that could be attributed to the new engine though) and its gear ratios were quite close to that of the 2008 automatic.