Chevrolet Malibu vs. Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI MPG

Chart is based on 448 fuel economy reports for the Chevrolet Malibu and 993 fuel economy reports for the Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI.

Chevrolet Malibu MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2016	4dr Sedan turbocharged 163hp 1.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	none	0	64	0	36	106	33.7
2015	4dr Sedan 196-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	light	0	3	31	66	70	27.4
2014	4dr Sedan 196-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	lead	none	0	1	63	36	74	26.2
2012	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	light	hvy	7	18	10	66	68	29.4
2011	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	3	22	18	58	67	28.1
2010	4dr Sedan 252-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	light	9	61	13	18	70	22.6
2010	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	14	16	33	38	73	25.2
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2009	4dr Sedan 252-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	med	none	4	39	28	29	56	22.1
2009	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	light	2	19	45	34	78	27.1
2009	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	light	3	12	9	76	65	28.6
2009	4dr Sedan 164-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	v.lt	none	0	10	10	80	100	29.9
2008	4dr Sedan 252-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	med	light	5	3	78	15	60	22.6
2008	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	light	hvy	20	30	30	20	75	22.1
2008	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	hills	light	none	11	17	19	53	65	26.0
2007	4dr Sedan 145-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	16	29	5	50	82	31.1
2007	4dr Hatch 217-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	none	4	13	30	54	117	22.3
2006	4dr Sedan 240-horsepower 3.9L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	hvy	0	0	0	100	70	28.1
2006	4dr Sedan 201-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	lead	light	5	25	38	33	60	25.5
2006	4dr Sedan 144-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	10	30	30	30	65	28.0
2006	4dr Hatch 240-horsepower 3.9L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	none	12	20	18	51	75	19.5
2006	4dr Hatch 201-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	none	3	11	41	46	72	25.6
2005	4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	light	none	0	13	0	88	84	40.4
2005	4dr Sedan 145-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	light	light	7	5	9	79	63	32.7
2005	4dr Hatch 200-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	none	8	16	35	40	73	26.8
2004	4dr Sedan 200-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	3	12	23	63	67	31.0
2004	4dr Sedan 145-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	med	light	12	18	15	55	68	27.7
2004	4dr Hatch 200-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	light	6	31	25	38	78	25.3
2003	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 3.1L V6 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	light	9	16	19	56	96	24.5
2002	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 3.1L V6 4-speed automatic FWD	hills	med	light	2	1	35	62	71	25.4
2001	4dr Sedan 170-horsepower 3.1L V6 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	light	13	45	10	32	63	25.4

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This page shows only averages. See all the Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy data.

Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI MPG

Year	Body/Powertrain	flat, hilly, or mountainousLand	driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot	A/C use: none to heavyA/C	constant stop and goTraf %	many stops per mileCity %	stop every mile or twoSub %	fairly steady speedHwy %	Hwy Spd	MPG
2018	4dr Hatch turbocharged 220hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	light	none	0	5	55	40	75	32.7
2017	4dr Wagon turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	light	0	20	20	60	70	28.4
2017	4dr Hatch turbocharged 220hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	1	1	45	53	72	30.6
2016	4dr Wagon turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	none	11	8	0	81	79	31.3
2016	4dr Wagon turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	30	20	25	25	55	33.4
2016	4dr Hatch turbocharged 292hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual AWD	flat	med	hvy	3	22	38	37	75	23.2
2016	4dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	light	light	0	0	28	72	70	35.0
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2016	4dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	lead	none	5	30	5	60	75	31.3
2016	2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	10	10	40	40	70	25.0
2016	2dr Hatch turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	v.lt	none	2	0	10	88	55	32.2
2015	4dr Wagon turbocharged 150hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	0	0	37	63	73	41.0
2015	4dr Hatch turbocharged 220hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	light	0	0	30	70	70	41.3
2015	4dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	light	none	3	9	13	75	70	32.7
2015	4dr Hatch turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	light	2	10	72	17	100	27.6
2015	4dr Hatch turbocharged 150hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD	flat	lead	hvy	0	0	50	50	55	43.0
2015	4dr Hatch turbocharged 150hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	light	light	2	31	2	65	94	40.9
2014	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	0	20	20	60	70	24.7
2013	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	hills	med	none	0	24	25	51	53	30.0
2013	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	light	light	18	1	19	62	65	29.8
2013	4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	v.lt	light	2	2	18	78	65	33.3
2013	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	light	none	0	0	2	98	75	38.0
2013	2dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	light	none	0	0	10	90	65	42.8
2012	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	4	10	15	71	74	26.2
2012	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	hvy	40	20	0	40	76	23.5
2012	4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD	hills	light	none	8	11	34	46	67	41.1
2012	4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	light	10	9	11	71	70	49.4
2012	4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	lead	none	5	5	60	30	113	27.2
2012	2dr Hatch turbocharged 256hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	5	5	25	65	65	24.0
2012	2dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD	flat	v.lt	none	1	8	9	82	63	43.5
2012	2dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	light	15	60	15	10	65	30.8
2012	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	6	7	17	70	71	33.0
2011	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	hvy	10	10	40	40	65	27.3
2011	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	light	13	22	12	54	80	28.4
2011	4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD	hills	v.lt	light	3	3	4	90	100	47.1
2011	4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	none	8	13	48	31	71	39.5
2011	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	0	1	19	80	75	28.0
2011	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	none	0	5	0	95	75	33.2
2011	2dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD	flat	light	none	15	5	20	60	58	48.1
2011	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	hvy	0	3	3	95	60	31.5
2010	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	hills	med	light	12	32	38	19	72	28.5
2010	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	none	12	18	28	42	66	26.2
2010	4dr Hatch turbocharged 170hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD	mtns	med	light	0	0	10	90	110	45.2
2010	4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD	hills	med	light	7	13	16	64	76	42.3
2010	4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	light	none	5	25	15	54	64	39.7
2010	4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	none	11	34	0	57	115	30.4
2010	2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	light	26	30	25	20	105	26.0
2010	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	10	19	34	37	71	26.4
2010	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	light	9	20	26	46	91	27.0
2010	2dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD	flat	light	light	4	6	42	48	67	43.4
2010	2dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD	hills	med	light	20	7	15	58	65	40.2
2010	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	none	5	5	30	60	65	27.0
2010	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	7	10	13	70	72	27.4
2009.5	4dr Hatch twincharged 160hp 1.4L I4 7-speed automated manual FWD	hills	light	light	5	10	55	30	100	33.9
2009	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	hills	med	none	0	0	28	73	68	27.5
2009	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	light	7	14	43	36	69	27.6
2009	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	10	11	19	61	69	27.4
2009	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	light	6	50	11	33	68	24.9
2009	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	none	5	13	8	75	70	17.1
2009	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	5	8	56	31	67	25.5
2008	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	none	11	25	23	41	66	25.8
2008	4dr Hatch turbocharged 105hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	none	9	13	43	35	125	45.5
2008	4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	6	4	28	62	65	28.0
2008	4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD	hills	med	none	9	17	7	67	92	23.0
2008	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	1	7	41	51	63	27.8
2008	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	light	8	13	28	53	63	26.6
2008	2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed automated manual AWD	hills	med	light	8	12	17	62	74	22.3
2008	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	none	13	15	28	45	88	28.9
2008	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	0	0	80	20	65	18.9
2007	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	light	light	6	6	15	72	72	28.2
2007	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	hills	med	light	10	24	20	46	73	25.7
2007	4dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	none	6	18	20	57	66	23.9
2007	4dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	none	2	5	11	81	69	29.2
2007	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	lead	light	22	26	14	38	73	25.6
2007	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	med	light	14	20	11	55	80	28.1
2007	2dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	none	7	20	39	35	70	26.8
2007	2dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	hvy	10	15	25	50	70	27.0
2006.5	4dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD	hills	med	none	0	18	55	27	60	23.0
2006.5	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	light	light	0	32	19	49	70	27.6
2006.5	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	flat	lead	light	25	25	0	50	60	24.1
2006.5	2dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	light	light	10	19	29	42	65	25.8
2006	4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	med	none	33	33	17	17	100	32.3
2006	4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	hills	med	light	22	28	10	40	120	28.7
2005.5	4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	1	7	3	89	70	39.8
2005	4dr Wagon turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	hills	light	none	5	10	10	75	55	45.0
2005	4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	hvy	5	15	60	20	75	41.0
2005	4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	none	40	50	10	0	0	19.8
2005	2dr Hatch turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	hills	lead	light	1	9	30	60	75	26.5
2005	2dr Hatch turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	5	9	21	65	74	29.3
2004	4dr Sedan turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	light	25	25	10	40	60	40.0
2004	4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	16	10	30	44	86	43.7
2004	2dr Hatch 240-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed manual AWD	flat	med	light	3	32	6	59	73	22.3
2004	2dr Hatch 200-horsepower 2.8L V6 6-speed manual FWD	flat	med	hvy	0	13	13	75	75	28.3
2003	4dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	25	5	11	60	68	41.4
2003	2dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	flat	v.lt	none	0	0	0	100	60	61.8
2003	2dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	none	11	4	2	83	60	45.5
2003	2dr Hatch turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD	flat	lead	light	9	62	14	17	130	20.6
2003	2dr Hatch turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	light	3	8	34	54	68	27.6
2002	4dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	hills	med	none	0	8	18	75	68	25.7
2002	4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	hills	med	light	6	18	33	45	68	28.0
2002	4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	light	none	5	15	40	40	60	24.0
2002	2dr Hatch turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD	flat	light	light	5	20	0	75	60	26.0
2001	4dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	flat	light	light	5	20	19	56	73	46.8
2001	4dr Hatch turbocharged 150hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD	hills	lead	light	10	3	28	58	80	29.0
2001	4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	v.lt	none	10	85	5	0	N/A	17.7
2000	4dr Hatch turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD	hills	v.lt	none	8	21	21	50	60	46.0
2000	4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	0	50	30	20	60	24.5
2000	4dr Hatch 115-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	flat	med	light	10	50	15	25	75	21.8
2000	2dr Hatch 174-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed manual FWD	flat	med	none	7	32	22	40	70	19.8

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This page shows only averages. See all the Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI fuel economy data.

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans

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TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet Malibu Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Comment
	The EPA rates the Malibu turbo 21 mpg city, 30 highway, below the Fusion 2.0T's 22/33 and the Sonata 2.0T's 22/34. The V6s in the Accord and Altima also do better?so much for the inherent fuel economy advantage of a turbocharged four over a V6. The trip computer confirmed the EPA ratings, with a little over 30 in straight 75 mph highway driving and anywhere from 19 to 27 in the suburbs depending on the frequency of reds and the heaviness of my right foot. Go with the traffic flow, and you'll split the difference at about 23. see full Chevrolet Malibu review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet Malibu Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2014	4dr Sedan 196-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	We are seeing beteer fuel economy over our 2009 Malibu w/2.5L 4-cyl engine. Just turned 5,000 miles & have gotten just under 34 MPG on hwy & 28 MPG around town. I expect this to improve, especially the hwy MPG. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2013	4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.4L I4 Hybrid 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	So far the dash display average is fluctuating between 37 and 40 mpg with mixed interstate (65%)/suburban (35%), "light accelerator foot," speed limit driving; at least 40% better than my prior V6 Toyota Solara. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2012	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Wanted something fairly roomy, but cheap to run. It has filled the bill in that respect. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2011	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Good overall. Highway mpg can be 30-32 mpg. In city driving (stop and go) with short trips more like 18-19 mpg. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2010	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	2.4 liter 4 gets 30+ on the highway. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2010	4dr Sedan 252-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	My fuel economy has been better than the EPA ratings. Having said that I don't drive the car hard. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2009	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Outstanding highway fuel economy. City fuel economy could be better but my driving is limited to fairly short distances with mostly stop and go. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2009	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Very good, 21 in fixed driving, up to 33 on the highway. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2009	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	I drive 50 miles each way to work and the highway mileage is excellent see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2009	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	30-32 mpg on I70 from Indy to KC at 70 mph, 24 around town. see full Chevrolet Malibu review

Chevrolet Malibu Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2011	4dr Sedan 252-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	V6 is 5 mpg less than 4 cyl. The 4 cylinder has sufficient power but the V6 is more responsive. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2011	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	too low for a 4 cylinder see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2008	4dr Sedan 169-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD	gets mid teens in the city hilly driving see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2006	4dr Hatch 201-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	To get something close in horsepower, you need a 6 cylinder and the inherently lower fuel economy that comes with that vs. a 4 cyl. see full Chevrolet Malibu review
2004	4dr Hatch 200-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD	Less than manufacturers claim see full Chevrolet Malibu review

TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI

Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Comment
2016	Compared to a crossover, a wagon should also go farther on a gallon of gas, especially on the highway, as it has a smaller frontal area to propel through the atmosphere. In the EPA's tests, the Mazda CX-5 (with front-wheel-drive) managed to slightly outscore the Volkswagen Golf SportsWagen, 26 to 25 mpg. But the GSW fares better in the highway test, 35 vs. 33 mpg. In my real-world suburban driving, I had a much easier time getting the trip computer average over 30 mpg in the Volkswagen, and occasionally even nudged it to 40. In a couple of 70-mph highway drives the VW averaged 37 mpg, a little better than its EPA rating. The CX-5's trip computer averages were usually in the mid-20s, and sometimes in the upper 20s, but rarely got to 30. Granted, the tested CX-5 had all-wheel-drive, which likely cost it a couple mpg (24/30 in the EPA tests). Fuel economy will also vary more with driving style in the VW, with its smaller (1.8-liter vs. 2.5-liter) but turbocharged engine. By nature turbocharged engines use less fuel when driven with a light foot, but will literally force feed themselves when asked to do so. Drive the Golf SportWagen con brio, and the trip computer average will plummet below 25. Whether you get 25 mpg or 35 mpg in the suburbs in this car really is up to you. Experimenting with various styles of driving--for science--I averaged 27.8 for the entire week. The GSW's predecessor, the Jetta SportWagen, was powered by an engine more similiar in specification to the Mazda's, a normally aspirated 2.5 (albeit with this displacement spread over five cylinders rather than four). In the EPA's tests it managed only 23/30. Overall, both the Volkswagen and the Mazda get excellent fuel economy for vehicles with their combination of cargo hauling capacity and performance, but the VW's lesser frontal area and smaller engine give it more upside potential. For those desiring even better fuel economy, the Golf SportWagen used to be available with a 31/42-rated diesel engine. You've probably heard why the TDI is no longer available. While the 1.8T engine can't match the now verboten diesel's combination of low-end torque and fuel efficiency, you'll be hard-pressed to find a gasoline engine in an affordable compact that comes closer. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI

Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD	Hard to argue with 40+ miles per gallon (and we are getting better than that on some tanks). Just took at 1500 mile road trip and averaged 50.8mpg. Diesel is currently cheaper than premium too. The Golf R is EPA rated for 24mpg but less if driven hard. Update: after 3 months 5,000mi getting 44 mpg combined. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2013	4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD	The Golf TDI easily beats the Honda in fuel economy, while giving up little in performance. We just took at trip in the TDI and averaged 48.8mpg. The Honda V6 is very efficient, but can't compare. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2012	4dr Hatch turbocharged 170hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD	I'm averaging in the mid to upper 40 mpg (around 4.9 l/100 km) range combined, with about 70% of my driving on the highway. Quite satisfied. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2011	4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD	I have only had this car for one day, but I put 150 miles on it yesterday and averaged 40 mpg in mixed city/hwy driving. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2011	4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD	Averaging 40 mpg over the first 200 miles. Online reports indicate this will go up as engine accumulates miles and breaks in. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2011	4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed automated manual FWD	Averaging 40 mpg. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2010	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	I like the gearing of the 6-speed and the high-way economy of 31+ mpg. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2010	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	Among similar "hot hatch" models, the GTI gets the best fuel economy by 5-10 mpg. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2010	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	I get 30 easily driving it 50/50 city and highway, and not being particularly hard on it (but not beating it either). see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2010	2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD	So far averaging 25mpg with spirited mix of city (65%) and hwy (35%) driving. Great fuel economy even for a fast turbo charged car. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review

Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Real Gas Mileage: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2013	4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	In this day and age, this particular engine should have been able to have an overall fuel consumption figure of 28 to 30 mpg rather than 24 to 25 mpg combined. (its geared more towards performance rather than economy). The car is definitely no slouch, and acceleration is quite good. But in terms of fuel economy these days, having your cake and eating it too is a given isn't it? One saving grace is that this is VW's most reliable engine, so being able to drive a German engineered affordable substantial vehicle is a worthy trade off. At least, that's the excuse i used. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2012	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD	Honestly, this isn't terrible - I do a lot of highway driving and my trip computer has registered up to about 40 mpg (which may be optimistic, but its usually closer to 35). This is the (admittedly small) price you pay for a five-cylinder engine with lots of torque and great top-gear acceleration. In light of the exaggerations other small-car makers have promulgated lately, the Golf doesn't look horrible. But it does make fuel economy numbers that would've been good five years ago, and it's easy to do better now. There is no comparison to a hybrid or a diesel, for sure (but these all cost at least 5K more). see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2009	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	I avg about 25/26 mostly hwy/I understand with the bigger motor less economy but low compared to others in this category/ but if speed is what your after this may be for you its faster than most in this category . see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2009	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 5-speed manual FWD	Does not get very good gas mileage. 20-21mpg? The fuel map has weird cutoff points and the stock intake system has a HUGE delay + drive by wire delay see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008	2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed automated manual AWD	18 city 23 highway is nothing to brag about considering it only has 250hp w/ 6 gears. It has drastically improved since covering 2k miles; last tank was well over 25mpg in mixed driving. Weight of AWD, stong winds, and stop/go kill the mileage. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008	4dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	averaging about 7 l/100 km, shuld be better on the highway see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	The economy is OK for a sporty car, but it requires premium fuel for best performance. A sacrifice I am willlng to live with. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008	2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	I only get about 23-26mpg, even on long highway trips. The EPA rating for highway is 29 and I struggle to even come close. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2007	4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4 6-speed automated manual FWD	requires premium gas. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2007	2dr Hatch 150-horsepower 2.5L I5 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD	4 cylinder performance with 6 cylinder fuel economy see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review