Fuel economy is a funny thing. For years we’ve soldiered on with new or incumbent models posting just about the same miles per gallon as the models that preceded them. Then gas topped $4 and automakers magically began pulling a few more mpgs out of thin air. General Motors was the first to pull off this magic trick with its XFE range of vehicles, and Ford has now matched GM’s feat on some of its 2009 vehicles.
According to the EPA’s 2009 fuel economy ratings, Ford has managed to wring a few more mpgs out of its lineup of trucks, SUVs and crossover vehicles.
The all-new Ford F-150 will see a 1 mpg bump in both city and highway mileage, thanks to a new three valve per cylinder setup and a six-speed transmission. More importantly, the F-150’s rating of 15/20 mpg city/highway beats out offerings from Dodge , Toyota and Nissan and ties General Motors for the top spot in full-size truck fuel economy.
Although the Expedition and Flex remain relatively unchanged for 2009, Ford also managed to get a few more mpgs out of both models. The Expedition will receive a rather significant 2 mpg bump in fuel mileage, going from 12/18 mpg city/highway to 14/20, while the Flex’s city mileage has been improved by 1 mpg to register 17/24 mpg city/highway.
Ford’s trio of small crossovers – the Ford Escape , Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner – will also receive an extra 2 mpg highway for 2009. All three are rated at 20/28 mpg city/highway.
Although it’s good to see that automakers are focused on offering vehicles with improved mileage, it’s frustrating as a consumer to see that such improves are rather easy to achieve. If it was so easy to add 1 to 2 mpg, why weren’t the automakers doing this sooner? Kind of makes you wonder.
