I posted comments about 6 wks ago about my impressions of a 2013 GC I rented and drove about 350 miles. I noted that I was disappointed with the gas mileage (22-24 mpg highway), but also added that it may have been due to wind and hills.
Just drove from St. Paul Minn. to Independence, MO in my new 2013 GC. I got an SXT that only had 500 miles on it, thus classifying it as a used car, for $21K. Car listed over $28K, so I think I did OK.
Anyway, to get to the point: I got 28 mpg, which I thought was really good for a big heavy box. Might have done better, but I was "whipping" it up and down frequently with fairly vigorous acceleration, enough to cause a downshift and revving to 3500 rpm or so, followed by a coast down, the old fashioned way to break in an engine (although, with 500 mi on it, it may have already been mostly broken in). I varied the speeds, probably averaging 65 mph. A steady 70 without the "whipping" might have done as well or better. I was pretty happy with what I saw for this trip, though.

 

Thanks.

I've put 750 km on my 2013 R/T, with about 400 km of highway. As for now, I'm averaging 22 L/ 100 km (11 mpg). But we few cold morning and most of the rest was stop and go traffic.

You gave my hope it'll do better.

 

28 vs 11 MPG lol. I've been consistently averaging over 20 MPG for weeks of city driving in my 2008 with 3.8L.

My wife drove it for just 15 miles and the average reading on the dash plummeted like a rock to 18.2. It took a few days of me driving it (probably 150miles or so) to slowly climb out of the hole to reach 20MPG average again. She continually mashes the throttle or brake pedal....I don't think she ever coasts or reaches a steady state speed for more than a second or two. Passengers are constantly lurching fore or aft. I would like to measure her actual average gas mileage because it's probably half what I get.

I typically drive 10-15 MPH over the limit, yet my tach seldom shows over 2500 RPM. When my wife drives she almost never exceeds the speed limit, but the tach is regularly pushing 4000 RPM and the brakes smell. I think it's amazing how she can use so much more fuel while going slower and giving everyone whiplash. The dog is afraid to get in the car with her because he becomes a projectile.

 

That style of driving is also hard on the drivetrain too. My Grandfather used to say that "A good driver has quiet feet." And that was back in the day of manual shifting and non power drum brakes.
My daughter and son in law just got a 2012 GC with the 3.6 and its getting high teens around town and 25 on the interstate. I'm in the market for an older one as a commuter.
Regards
rikard

 

I'v just checked with my wife. Last time she drove the van, she reseted fuel economy. Since that, it's just been city driving, and we now have 12 mpg.

Engine break-in is not done.

In a week or two I hope I can start commuting by bike, if the snow on the bike path can finally melt. I'll leave the van for the long trips with the kids

 

Just made a long trip on our 2013 R/T. 4 adults, 2 kids, and a little over 400 km. I filled the tank before and after, just to compare with the onboard computer (it was right).

We got 8.3 L/100 km, or about 28 mpg. Fuel economy was better with wind on our back (as expected). Only 00 km on the odometer before the trip, so engine break in is not totally done.

For the next few mouths (until late in november), I will barely use my van and commute with my bicycle, except for family vacation.

 

Glad someone has an onboard computer that is accurate. Mine is optimistic by 1.5 to 2 mpg.
The one on my Dakota is also about 1 -1.5 mpg optimistic. So the figures I gave in my first post are correspondingly high. I just finished a 550 mile all highway trip, and the calculated (not dash computer) mileage was right at 25.5 mpg, while the computer said 27. Strong winds and hills, tho, so I'm not unhappy with that mileage.

 

Too much. If somebody is not more careful, there will just be metal shavings where the powertrain used to be.

I once was getting a ride home with a buddy from work who burned up a BMW driving like that. I doubt he was over the 35 or 40 MPH city speed limits either. All I remember is we were the only ones on the road and I could smell the brakes and power train burning up. The next day he had it in the shop for extensive repairs. Last time I rode with him.