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Fuel efficiency in Australia: Does your car, SUV or ute match its fuel consumption claim?
The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) has revealed the latest round of Real-World Testing program results, which will empower motorists and fleet buyers to make purchasing decisions based upon real-world running costs, rather than figures obtained in laboratory testing.
Eight out of 21 cars, SUVs and utes tested in the latest round of the AAA’s Real-World Testing Program recorded fuel consumption levels between 6% and 31% higher than in their laboratory test results.
Among the cars tested, 11 delivered fuel consumption within 5% of lab test results, while eight exceeded their lab test fuel consumption by 6% or more. Two vehicles had on-road fuel consumption 10% to 13% lower than their lab results - the Kia Cerato small hatch and the Volkswagen Tiguan, which competes in the competitive medium SUV segment.
“In our latest batch of results, there is a 44 per cent spread in the gap between the tested cars’ fuel consumption lab results and their on-road performance,” says AAA Managing Director Michael Bradley.
“One 1.2-litre vehicle had similar on-road fuel consumption to several 2-litre cars, and a hybrid SUV had higher petrol consumption than a similar-sized conventional SUV.
“These tests show that when comparing vehicles, consumers and fleets cannot assume that vehicle performance as assessed by mandatory lab tests will translate into real-world savings or emissions reduction.”
Fuel consumption testing: real-world versus lab results
The Toyota Camry Hybrid medium sedan used 8% more fuel than the mandated lab test according to the AAA.
What is the AAA’s Real-World Testing program for the fuel efficiency of cars, SUVs and utes?
The Real-World Testing Program tests car fuel consumption and environmental performance under real-world operating conditions on public roads. This delivers consumers additional information on a car’s fuel consumption and environmental performance to that derived from lab testing, enabling them to make more informed car buying decisions and make it easier to choose more efficient and economical cars with lower running costs.
The $14 million program, conducted by the Australian Automobile Association and funded by the Commonwealth, will empower motorists and fleet buyers to make purchasing decisions based upon real-world running costs, rather than figures obtained in laboratory testing.
The program’s operating procedures have been developed in consultation with industry and government. These protocols are designed to deliver a high level of consistency when testing different vehicles.
More: How to save money on fuel
In real-world tests by the AAA, per kilometre the Mazda CX-5 medium SUV used 15% more fuel than the mandated lab test.
Fuel efficiency in Australia: Latest fuel consumption test results from the AAA
Below are the results from a selection of cars, SUVs and utes tested in the latest round of the Real-World Testing program.
For Real-World Testing program results for more vehicles and brands in Australia, click here.
SUV fuel consumption
Ford Everest
2.0l, 4 cylinder turbo diesel engine
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Ford Everest used 1% less fuel than the mandated lab test and emitted 1% less CO₂ emissions.
Hyundai Venue
1.6l, 4 cylinder petrol engine
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Hyundai Venue used 1% more fuel than the mandated lab test and emitted 4% more CO₂ emissions.
Kia Seltos
2.0l, 4 cylinder petrol engine
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Kia Seltos used 2% more fuel than the mandated lab test and emitted 3% more CO₂ emissions.
Mazda CX-5
2.0l, 4 cylinder petrol engine
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Mazda CX-5 used 15% more fuel than the mandated lab test and emitted 16% more CO₂ emissions.
Subaru Crosstrek
2.0l, 4 cylinder petrol engine
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Subaru Crosstrek used 2% more fuel than the mandated lab test and emitted 5% more CO₂ emissions.
Subaru Forester Hybrid
2.0l, 4 cylinder petrol/electric engine
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Subaru Forester used 10% more fuel than the mandated lab test and emitted 13% more CO₂ emissions.
Subaru Outback
2.5l, 4 cylinder petrol engine
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Subaru Outback used 5% more fuel than the mandated lab test and emitted 7% more CO₂ emissions.
Volkswagen Tiguan
1.4L four-cylinder turbo-petrol
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Volkswagen Tiguan used 13% less fuel than the mandated lab test and emitted 11% less CO₂ emissions.
Car fuel consumption
Kia Cerato
2.0l, 4 cylinder petrol engine
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Kia Cerato used 10% less fuel than the mandated lab test and emitted 6% less CO₂ emissions.
Mazda 3
2.0l, 4 cylinder petrol engine
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Mazda 3 used 3% more fuel than the mandated lab test and emitted 3% more CO₂ emissions.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
1.5l, 4 cylinder turbo petrol engine
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Mercedes-Benz C-Class used 7% more fuel than the mandated lab test and emitted 11% more CO₂ emissions.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
2.5l, 4 cylinder petrol/electric engine.
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Toyota Camry used 8% more fuel than the mandated lab test and emitted 11% more CO₂ emissions.
Toyota Corolla
2.0l, 4 cylinder petrol engine.
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Toyota Corolla used 3% more fuel than the mandated lab test and emitted 4% more CO₂ emissions.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid
1.8l, 4 cylinder petrol/electric engine.
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Toyota Corolla used the same amount of fuel as the mandated lab test and emitted 2% more CO₂ emissions.
The Subaru Forester Hybrid medium SUV used 10% more fuel than the mandated lab test the AAA says.
Ute fuel consumption
Mazda BT-50 4x4
3.0l, 4 cylinder turbo diesel engine
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Mazda BT-50 4x4 used 3% more fuel than the mandated lab test and emitted 5% more CO₂ emissions.
Toyota HiLux 4x4
2.8l, 4 cylinder turbo diesel engine.
In real-world tests, per kilometre the Toyota HiLux 4x4 used the same amount of fuel as the mandated lab test and emitted 1% more CO₂ emissions.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
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