Rich or poor, it’s hard not to notice the price of gas lately. So you can’t be blamed if you want to drive something that’s fuel-efficient. But maybe you don’t want to be seen as being er…frugal. And if you drive a Prius, you might be confused as an Uber driver and be shooing unwanted passengers out of your car all day.
So what are the best fuel-sipping choices for the South Bay driver? Well, we have two vehicles for your consideration that not only give you excellent fuel economy, no-one will know you’re saving money at the pumps. And even more –they’re also surprisingly fun to drive.
Surprise number 1 – Toyota Avalon Hybrid. You’ve probably seen the Avalon around a lot. It’s a popular full-size sedan. It’s big; it’s handsome in a conservative way, quiet and plush. And in regular form is about as exciting as stirring warm milk into your oatmeal. Nothing wrong with that. A lot of people want nothing more than to be whisked around with little fuss.
So we were unprepared for how different the Avalon Hybrid feels from its sibling. The key to the transformation is swapping out the 268 horsepower V6 for a 156 hp, 4-cylinder and 141 horsepower electric motor. And what a difference it makes!
Give credit to the combination of a super-smooth CVT transmission and instant low-end power from the electric motor, but the big sedan just effortlessly and creamily glides away from a stop in electric mode if you’re gentle. And even if you’re not, the hand-over to the gas motor kicking in is barely noticeable. We found the gas-hybrid combination even more fun in Sport Mode – okay it’s not going to have you taunting BMWs – but it is quick and confident, handling is responsive and the ride is pleasantly controlled. No marshmallow here!
The best part for us, even with lead-footing around in the least-efficient Sport Mode, we still managed between 35-37 mpg – really phenomenal for such a large car. Go on a road trip and you can expect nearly 600 miles on a tankful! Compare that to the V6 model, which realistically will average fuel economy in the low 20’s.
It’s a fine vehicle for those long hauls – the front buckets are big and soft (heated and ventilated on our Limited model) and the rear seats are wide and expansive with room for three. (Heated on our Limited model, cushy!). Ambient interior lighting makes for a soothing presence, while rear-seat passenger enjoy a power rear window shade. Up front, Qi wireless charging capability for the eBin storage tray will make you the envy of your tech-savvy friends.
Combine that buttery ride with all the upscale goodies, and you feel like you’re getting high-end Mercedes treatment in a $40,000 Toyota. It’s so good, in fact, we’d opt for the hybrid over the standard V6. And smile every time we passed by the pump without having to fill up.
Perhaps you don’t need the big cruiser? Come right this way…
Surprise number 2 – The VW Golf TDI .
[Editor’s note: the following review was written prior to disclosures that VW Diesel emissions controls were disabled and sales of the cars have been suspended.]
By now, most people are pretty hip to the fact that Volkswagen is deep into Diesel. (That would be the TDI part on the badge). And also that Diesels get pretty impressive fuel economy compared to their gas brethren. And if you’re really knowledgeable, you’d know that older diesel models can be modified to run on just about anything including used cooking oil, which gives the exhaust the lovely smell of French fries…
Outside of the possible benefits or a world smelling of tater-tottiness, Diesels have also had a bad rap, earned from yours of slow, noisy, smoke-belching Diesels clogging the roads and airways. The surprise with the Golf TDI is all the goodness a modern Diesel brings to the drive.
The Golf family is all-new for 2015, and typical of VW, the changes aren’t radical, but more of an evolution. That’s not really a bad thing, since the previous generation was a very nice vehicle, handsome and well built. If anything, the new model is a bit more handsome, but it’s the interior quality has taken a big step up. And for a vehicle that starts at $17,995, it’s stunning.
Of course this leaves a little problem, because at just under $18,000 the gas-powered Golf (2-door hatch at this price) gets an impressive 25-mpg city and 37 mpg highway. Your least expensive TDI (VW’s name for the Diesel) is a 4-door hatch, and will you set you back $22,345. The TDI bumps the fuel sipping up to 30-mpg city/45 mpg highway. But add in the fact that Diesel fuel is usually more expensive than gasoline, and if you judge purely by financials, the gas model is a smarter choice.
Clearly there’s a little more going on here, and it’s the Diesel driving experience. 150 horsepower from a 2.0-liter 4 cylinder doesn’t sound like much, but Diesel goodness comes in a rich flow of 236 lb-ft. of torque from a low rpm. The Golf just purrs away from a stop light on a wave of power.
Our tester was a manual, but VW’s excellent DSG automatic is also available. The light shifter and clutch make the manual fun to drive, and with the very German (read supportive, firm) seats, it’s no penalty to drive the stick, even in traffic. And regardless of transmission, the Diesel is whisper quiet once you’re cruising on the freeway.
While we didn’t get near that EPA 45-mpg in our TDI, we did manage mid to high 30’s. But in all honesty, we were driving the heck out of our little Silk Blue Metallic hatch. Along with the sweet engine, the Golf has that wonderful European controlled ride and precise handling, and just makes you want to drive.
Our nicely equipped tester carried a sticker price of just over $28,000. And while that is a bit more than the small gas-misers you can buy from most manufacturers, it really does feel a class above in quality of materials, style, and the fun, smooth drive that the Diesel provides. You’ll just have to get that French fry smell from a drive-thru.
So whether you want a big, family-style cruiser, or smart, premium European hatch, you’ve got a choice that includes a surprisingly fun driving experience. And the cash you get to keep in your pocket? That’ll be our little secret.
