It's all about location: Saturn Astra fuel economy impressions vary
Click the Astra for a high res gallery
The launch of the new Saturn Astra marked a turning point for GM's youngest brand as it finally abandoned the idea of making a different kind of American small car to compete with imports. The Astra is in fact an import produced in Europe by Opel. For its initial production run, Saturn is only offering the car with one engine, a 1.8L four cylinder, and a choice of either a 5 speed manual or 4 speed automatic transmission. Here at ABG we've only had a couple of brief opportunities to drive the new Astra and we'll try to get one for a full review soon. In the meantime, there are two other reviews up right now. Our pal Chris over on the Autoblog side of the house just had one and Canadian Driver also published their review. As Saturn's smallest car, the Astra would be expected to be efficient and compared to many cars on the road in the US right now it is. But context is everything. Chris managed to achieve 28mg during his week with the car while our colleagues to the north got 29.4mpg. Chris was actually impressed by the mileage beating all the other cars he has tested over the past year. Among cars available to Americans it's not in Prius territory, but it's not shabby. The Canadians on the other hand are used to significantly higher gas prices and more fuel efficient cars. As such, they saw the similar mileage as somewhat disappointing - which it is in comparison to what Euro Astra's can achieve with even smaller engines and diesels. Next year, the U.S. Astra will get a smaller 1.4L turbo engine with similar power to the current unit but improved economy and, hopefully, the four speed automatic will also go away in favor of a six speed.
Gallery: Review: 2008 Saturn Astra XR
All photos Copyright ©2008 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.
[Sources: Autoblog, Canadian Driver]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
UH2L 11:16AM (4/13/2008)
Fuel economy depends on so many factors besides the vehicle itself. An average of 29 is not bad, but I bet I could average over 30 with that vehicle and my driving style. (I'm not an impractical hypermiler either). With my 3,300 lb 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi 2.0 T (210 hp) manual, I average 28 mpg and with my former 2004 Saab 9-3 2.0 t (175 hp) automatic sedan, I averaged 28.5 mpg. These were both at about 60% highway / 40% city. Needless to say, I'm a big believer in turbos and I look forward to the 1.4 L turbo version of the Astra. (As another point of reference, with my non-turbo 1997 Saab 900 2.3 automatic which was rated at 19/27 with the old rating system, I have averaged 26.5 mpg over 11 years).
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Mike Z 11:44AM (4/13/2008)
Of course the price of Premium is over $.30-$.40 over 87 here now--so I would have to think about getting a turbo. The Premium..um..Premium stopped me from getting a Mazda CX-7.
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why not the LS2LS7? 12:41PM (4/13/2008)
Canadian gas typically contains no ethanol and thus they get better fuel economy. The E10 common in the US contains 4% less energy than straight gas.
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mike 1:12PM (4/13/2008)
Fuel Economy depends upon another "factor", controlling the public perception of what's available and what can be accomplished. Building this car with a guzzler 4 cylinder engine helps stop the slid OUT of SUV's. "Gosh, it doesn't get much better gas mileage then my SUV".
The auto industry IS a subsidiary of the oil industry.
We need FEDERAL LAWS to FORCE these jerks to build cars for a Better American, not a Bigger Bottom Line to Exxon.
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UH2L 1:15PM (4/13/2008)
Mike Z,
The notion that all turbos require premium is a common misconception. I do pay more for premium on my current car, (210 hp version). On the 175 hp version of the Saab/GM engine, regular grade gas is the recommended minimum octane. Unfortunately, they no longer sell that version in the U.S.
I'm assuming that the Astra 1.4 L turbo would be designed to accommodate regular gas due to its market segment.
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MetroMPG.com 2:45PM (4/13/2008)
@ whynot...
"Canadian gas typically contains no ethanol and thus they get better fuel economy."
FYI, Ontario has a 5% ethanol content mandate. Canadian Driver story was filed in Ottawa, Ontario.
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why not the LS2LS7? 2:56PM (4/13/2008)
metrompg.com:
Fair enough. I guess I was speaking more of Western Canada. But that's still a 2% difference in energy. And we're only talking about a 5% difference in mpg anyway.
As to the idea this will drive people back into SUVs, this is still a lot better mpg than even a RAV4 gets in similar conditions.
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GBG 7:13PM (4/13/2008)
One year ago, these cars were all over Italy. They look great, and judging by the numbers, people like 'em. Even with European gas prices. I know they have less thirsty engines, but Saturn would be stupid not to bring some of those engine options here. Well, I guess we will have to see about that...
GBG
www.autoclay.blogspot.com
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Throwback 8:07PM (4/13/2008)
I have a 2005 9-3 Linear that runs fine on regular. I avg 32 mpg in mixed driving. Approximately 20% of my driving is in city traffic. My car is a 5 speed, and I am sure I could get over 30 mpg with a 5 speed Astra. The car is slightly under powered with only 140hp, but it rides and handles very well. It drives like what it is, a good small European car.
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s10 12:03AM (4/14/2008)
@GBG pretty sure that over 70% of those Astra's you saw where Diesels.
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Emil 7:28AM (4/14/2008)
I've Opel Astra 1.4L 1995 and it gets 1L to 13 km, about 31MPG (US).
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Amtoro 12:21PM (4/14/2008)
ok, so the Saturn division brands itself now as the company that "rethinks" what an automobile should be... yet, 15 years ago, they sold steel and alloy framed cars with lightweight ABS panels that still today, after wear and tear achieve 38 to 40 mpg as owners continue to report.
Excellent way to RETHINK...
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steven 4:31PM (4/14/2008)
@12: Something about the fact the people are no longer interested in buying the product would make any company rethink things.
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