jrock65

The 3.5 GR (no direct injection) mated with a 5 speed in the Avalon Limited (3600 lbs) gets 22/31 EPA.

The 3.0 GR (direct injection) mated with a 6 speed in the GS300 (3536 lbs) gets 22/30 EPA.

So, the GS300 has a less powerful engine, direct injection, one more gear, and less weight (all of which should give you better mileage), but actually gets slightly lower EPA mileage.

Why is this?

spwolf

gotta love FWD eh? plus, I would suspect Avalon being geared differently to get better mpg...

p.s. it is really not heavier - epa estimates were probably done for lighter model

jrock65

So FWD and gearing. I guess those are the only explanations. Although even supposing that the Avalon has less aggressive gearing, it seems that it is significantly faster than the GS300.

Toyota on its website specifically states the same 22/31 for all four models, including the Touring. Regardless of whether it was done only for the lighter model, the mileage of the Avalon is pretty impressive for the engine size.

http://toyotausa.com/avalon/specs.html

ChuH

Isn't the new Avalon engine also a direct injection engine?

http://www.toyota.com/avalon/specs.html

Chu...

XeroK00L

No it is not. You must've confused "direct ignition" with "direct injection".

Regarding the Avalon vs. GS300 mileage figures, yeah it's the aggressive gearing that makes all the difference.

mmarshall

EPA mileage figures are not always a good indicator of what you will actually get....for many reasons. My actual mileage is usually pretty close to the EPA estimates, but that is not the case with many people.

The most obvious answer on the surface for the mileage difference between these two cars....and it already has been mentioned.......is gearing. One other factor may play an important role in the real-life (not EPA ) mileage here....the Avalon is usually, though not always, bought and driven by an older, more conservative group of drivers and is rarely if ever used in high-performance driving like some GS's are. The Avalon's tires, on average, also have slightly less grip than the GS's (which is generally designed for sportier driving). Less grip usually means less rolling friction and less work for the engine.....hence better mileage.

Last, there COULD be ( I'm not sure about this ) a difference in Toyota and Lexus A/C compressors. No other car on the road ( not even Toyota ) has ice-cold continuous A/C like Lexus does...I suspect that Lexus A/C units may draw more engine power than Toyotas.

GS3rdwow

Anyone know why the HP of the 05 avalon was 280 and the 06 is now 268HP ????

ChuH

My bad. Your right. Misread the specs.

Chu...

ChuH

Got to do with the new SAE method rating of HP. I would be surprise to see if the rerate the 06 GS300/430 to lower HP. Don't know if they are using the new SAE for the 06 GS.

Chu...

Dynasty SC

i would assume that it has at least part to do with drivetrain loss, but it could be AC as well. FWD loses only like 5% while RWD loses more like 15%...

Initial B

iTrader: (2)

coefficient of drag may also be a factor, aerodynamics can make a big difference in MPG (not saying these 2 cars are drastically different in this regard)

mmarshall

Not necessarily an actual power difference....just a new way of measuring it....somewhat like the old change from SAE gross to net in 1971.

Here....this will explain it better:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=106965

spwolf

Also - Toyota retested the car with 87 octane fuel!!! i think everyone gotta give them props for that... I dont know of any other brand that used 87 octane for testing (I know Honda is using premium 91).

spwolf

indeed - but you gotta figure that cars are not driven fast during EPA test, they accelerate slowly so thats where you wouldnt notice the difference. In real life, I would expect GS to get better mpg.

Inabj2

Because toyota always bull****ted their hp levels sligtly on the optomistic levels. And with the new rating system they cant do this no more! There are exceptions like the Supra TT for example though.

A classic example a 1992 SC400 has 250 hp.. lol right.

Nissan and some honda models does this did this too.. I assure you the 35th edition nissan 350z does not have 300 hp like they say they do for example.