There is a story if a couple that owned a Subaru while towing to achieve 16.3 L/100km so they updated to a Toyota hybrid Kluger to tow a 1525kg (atm) Bailey caravan and achieve as low as 10.6 but commonly 11.5 L/100km. In comparison our new Kia Sportage GTline diesel 8sp auto achieves 11.5-12.5 L/100km. Fuel cost more but no replacement batteries.
Perhaps diesel should remain available in the future for tow cars?
https://www.thegreynomads.com.au/hybrid/
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If they could solve the problem of having a capable fuel powered engine as well as a reasonably capable electric one I could be interested for my next vehicle. I used to have a dual fuel vehicle years ago and ran it 90% of the time on LPG.
But most hybrids have too many compromises to make them viable. With space always limited in a vehicle, there is no room to do both well, and if there was, the cost would be huge. From what I can see, the industry is moving away from hybrids.
I am surprised with a relatively light rig that your consumption is not better. I have a Ford Ranger towing a high van (3.15M) with all up weight close to GCM of 6000kg in long term touring mode. Over the last 5 years the towing consumption is usually in the low to mid 15's per hundred. Typical motorway speed would be 95 true and a bit less on main roads. Last trip was 15.2.
-- Edited by Are We Lost on Sunday 26th of November 2023 04:37:01 PM
I take your view my Sportage should be better with consumption, I agree. I'm always towing at true 100kph and noticed at 90kph when traffic is that speed for a long period, the consumption drops further, so wind drag could be the culprit.
I had several dual fuel cars the best a Peugeot 505. Very economical and after 450,000kms head off, bore still had factory hone marks. Amazing.
Tony
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I had thought that hybrids mainly achieved savings in stop-start (city type) driving due to power generation while the car is decelerating. My understanding is that if the driving involves lots of constant speed (highway) and constant heavy acceleration (towing) the hybrids are just using their petrol engine almost all of the time.
We live in a semi-rural area and for all the people in this area fuel is a big cost due to the comute, which is mainly on 90-100km/h roads. Hybrid cars are almost non-existent around this area and I presume it's because of the reports that they aren't cost-effective in country driving.
Speed does make a huge difference.
Our Mazda BT50 3.2 with 6 speed manual gearbox normally averages about 15-16l/100km towing the 2,600kg dual axle caravan (full height, not pop-top). We got stuck behind another caravaner for about an hour once and they were travelling at about 80km/h on very good and flat roads in rural Victoria - according to the display on my dash I was averaging about 11l/100km for that hour. Normal consumption when not towing is 9l/100km.
Despite the fuel savings I still wish the other car/caravan had had the common sense to pull over occasionally and let some of the massive line of frustrated drivers get past.
I realise-and I'm the same-that most people have an interest in their fuel consumption and try to tweak to get the best from our individual rigs. But, if you are interested-and I mean really interested-in optimum fuel consumption and you are towing a caravan, you re on the wrong trip.
Hi Ubique
I've been fascinated eith economy of my cars all my life and owned more than 80 of them.
I ran a business and 2008 purchased an i30 diesel manual getting 5.7L/100km while my friend insisted I buy the petrol at $2500 cheaper and 7.7L/100km. After 430,000kms I'd saved $17,000 includes the $2500 extra.
Now retired apart from our new tow car needing capability to tow our van safely while not towing eg 90% of the time- it must be economical. The diesel Sportage, 1750kg kerb, achieves 5.8-6.3L/100km on a regular basis. If driving 20,000km a year $2600 for fuel. If 10L/100km its an extra $1200. That is not significant to some but is to us.
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Hi Rodsvan
Good point about Hybrid but that article was from a couple that towed their van in a regional area. So what you say makes sense. Ideally if one of them commuted into city for work daily then towed during holidays hybrid might be more suited. I'd still pick my diesel as jury is still out on EV.
Same as you today towed along the Great Ocean road, many low speed curves got 11.2L/100km.
Tony
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