Vehicles that get great gas mileage at 75-80 mph?

[jj94auto]

Just for talking sake. I know that higher speeds reduce gas mileage, but was wondering what vehicles get better gas mileage at higher speeds in general. I guess gearing is important at those speeds for starters and so is aerodynamics I'd assume.

Are there any vehicles that are champions at those speeds?

Thanks

[Jay2TheRescue]

90's model GM cars with the 3.8 V6 do well on the highway, as well as Camaros, Firebirds, and Corvettes.

[tradosaurus]

I get about 35 mpg at 75 mph in my Chevrolet Malibu Eco.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Doesn't a Malibu Eco count as a mild hybrid? (I thought it came with auto stop)

[trollbait]

The eAssist models are classified as hybrids.

Any thing with decent aerodynamics should do better than what the EPA implies. That said, 60 to 65 mph seems to be the tipping point with most models when it comes to declining fuel economy.

[jj94auto]

Thanks all...I was thinking about older cars. I know that the 3.8 gets great gas mileage on the highway. That is actually not a bad idea. I'd like to stay away from RWD when possible though and I know that at least some of the 3.8 vehicles are RWD like the Camaro for example.

[IndyFetch]

You'll find a lot of 3.8L Buicks (LeSabre, Park Avenue, Regal) and Oldsmobiles (88, 98, some Intrigues), and Pontiacs (97+ Grand Prix, Bonneville) that are front wheel drive. They are cheap and plentiful. A good 2000-ish Grand Prix, for example, can be had for about $2,000 where I live.

[1993CivicVX]

This car does.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Ooooh, how could we have forgotten about the AeroCivic? That's not exactly stock though.

[bzipitidoo]

If by great gas mileage at high speeds, over 40 mpg at 75 mph is meant, there really aren't any cars that can do that. At high speeds, aerodynamics is the biggest factor in fuel economy, and no manufacturer has had the guts to get serious about aero. They are too afraid the public will reject such a car for being "ugly". It most certainly can be done, but no major car manufacturer has really tried. There aren't any stock gas or diesel vehicles that can do 40 mpg at 75 mph. Hybrids can't do that either. Compared to gas, hybrids are really good for city driving. Long distance high speed driving is exactly the kind of driving hybrids are worst at, as in that use case, the hybrid power train is nothing more than extra weight.

The only cars that can do 40 MPGe or better at high speeds are the pure electrics. So long as it takes hours to recharge batteries, and there aren't stations where one can do a quick battery swap, electrics will not be suitable for long distance drives.

Currently, the only way to get a gas powered car above 40 mpg at 75 to 80 mph is to modify a suitable car yourself, like was done with the Aerocivic. Otherwise, will have to settle for about 35 mpg at best, and maybe more like 30 mpg. And I'd guess a sports car with tall gearing would be best at that, rather than an econobox.