Edmunds.com's fourth annual Fuel-Sipper Smackdown is in the books. This time around it was all about the Chevy Volt, but taking it on were the Kia Optima Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra, Volkswagen Jetta TDI and the Fiat 500. Unlike past Fuel-Sippers, all the cars essentially had the same EPA highway number -- 40 -- so it was an interesting test to see the real-world differences.
But there's a lot that goes on in a test like this beyond the numbers, especially in regards to the Volt. So follow the jump for video and behind-the-scenes photos.
Is my hair OK? How about neck flab? And are these shorts too ratty now? Damn it John, pay attention to me. Stop shooting the car. John!!!
Spot your fuel sippers. Sadly, Kurt died of exposure shortly after this photo was taken. Proceeds of this blog will go to his surviving 13 children.
When you're driving through the desert and your car's sunroof has a shade in name only, you come up with ways to improvise, as Sheik Ron al Montoya discovered.
I lied, Kurt didn't die. But he's certainly on his way to death thanks to his preferred gas-station delicacy: The Bomb.
Lunchtime juxtaposition. Mark's Lunch: Sevruga caviar, creme fraiche, sheep's milk cheese, blinis, various gourmet salamis and black truffle duck pate. I'm not kidding.
If we had a pet, she could play in the Pet Area, which is completely indistinguishable from the rest of Trona, Calif.
Back on the road, heading down into Panamint Valley.
The Chevy Volt was the first car in Fuel-Sipper history to require a fill up during the first leg of our test -- we paid for it dearly in Death Valley.
Arrive at the Flamingo Las Vegas and discover that the EV charger is not working. I put in a call to the charger's manufacturer. Full story on the Long-Term Blog.
As we slept, the Flamingo painted green lines and installed those concrete posts around our car. Talk about early adopters.
The Volt attracts attention everywhere it goes. These gentlemen were curious about what sort of electric range we were getting. We were about to find out: 44 miles.
After a grueling hour of city driving, we took a break at Pole Position Raceway.
Takahashi explains the proper brake-throttle application coming out of a corner. That, or he was doing the Macarena.
Edmunds for GQ.
Day over, test over, Volt wins!
bodyblue says:
10:24 AM, 09/15/11
I know you guys work hard on your tests but I was kind of disappointed in the amount of cars in the test.
ed124c says:
10:30 AM, 09/15/11
The Volt may be the winner, but it is a big, heavy car that only seats 4 and is expensive. The Jetta is the winner in my opinion. I guess I am a bit biased after several drives in my daughter's TDI wagon.
I am eagerly awaiting a review of the new Passat diesel. Yeah, it will probably be slower than the Jetta, but it will also be bigger and more comfortable. Now, if VW had a more powerful diesel for a Passat wagon, that would be perfect.
Not that I would actually buy a German car.
biglee13m says:
10:40 AM, 09/15/11
look at the gas price
bodyblue says:
10:45 AM, 09/15/11
I have been through Trona before..(sister used to live in Ridgecrest)....it is indeed hell....they mine Boron out there and it is just a horrible place.
fordson1 says:
11:11 AM, 09/15/11
$5.73 a gallon. And that's for 91. Right at this moment, the friendly neighborhood Native American gas station 2.8 miles from my home is selling 93 for $3.78.
But hey - that's the invisible hand of the marketplace, right there.
stovt001 says:
12:14 PM, 09/15/11
In more developed parts of Southern California we're paying $3.93 for 87, $4.13 for 91. Still expensive, but not heart attack-inducing
@ed124c - one look at the Jetta's IP is all I need to declare it the biggest loser of all time. Never has a LT car made me more depressed.
titancrew says:
12:55 PM, 09/15/11
Wow. The cars in the original fuel-sipper smackdown did better as a group this this latest group. I guess we've gone backwards in progress. The Volt may have won this test, but if the Prius was in the test it would have won easily based on past fuel-sipper smackdown. That begs the question: Why wasn't the Prius part of this test?
jriz says:
01:16 PM, 09/15/11
titancrew: The answer is very simple, the Prius has already done this test. Though variables will always be slightly different -- especially in the city -- the results are generally comparable.
Read about how the Prius and other past Fuel Sippers did below
http://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/fuel-sipper-smackdown-2.html
brn says:
04:22 PM, 09/15/11
Given the amount of highway time, I'm surprised the Volt beat the Jetta.
I'm also a little surprised by how poorly the Optima Hybrid did.
While it was one of IL's more interesting smackdowns, I wouldn't try and draw too many conclusions from it.
titancrew says:
07:39 AM, 09/19/11
jriz: Unless you're testing a specific type of vehicle (e.g. suvs), shouldn't the defending champ get the chance to defend its crown?
freak000 says:
09:19 AM, 10/26/11
I have driven the Elantra (also own a 02 Elantra 130k and like new) my wife's new Optima SX Turbo ( WOW) so before commenting I may sound a little one sided. No manufacture has gone beyond that of Hyundai and Kia within the past two years for very affordable fun to drive longest warranty quality made vehicle. If you are looking for a car that will take you for a ride for ten years, keeping alot of money in your pocket, and is priced right. And the best part is the excellent service both at the dealer and during ownership. Even you light bulbs are warranted.