Tesla Model S vs. Chevrolet Malibu MPG

Chart is based on 3 fuel economy reports for the Tesla Model S and 448 fuel economy reports for the Chevrolet Malibu.

Tesla Model S 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
2012	4dr Hatch 416-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD	flat	lead	none	0	90	0	10	65	86.7

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Tesla Model S Electric Fuel Economy

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 Hatch 373-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD	flat	lead	none	0	33	66	1	60	10.0
2012	4dr Hatch 416-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD	flat	light	none	10	10	10	70	110	18.4

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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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TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the Tesla Model S

Tesla Model S Real Gas Mileage: Pros
Year	Comment
2013	If the Tesla Model had a conventional gas-powered engine, few people would care about it. Plenty of established companies offer stylish, powerful, and luxurious sedans. Why place a $70,000+ bet on a new car from a new company? The reason just about everyone (and their mom) has heard of this upstart car company and its first completely in-house product is that the Model S, with its battery-powered electric motor, was engineered to render conventional cars passe. For anyone who must have the latest tech, it is the car to get. Two battery sizes are offered, 60 kWh and 85 kWh, the latter an additional $10,000. (A 40-kWh battery--actually a 60-kWh pack electronically limited to two-thirds of its capacity--was initially offered, but few early adopters opted for it and it has been discontinued.) The EPA rates the former for the equivalent of 94 mpg city, 97 mpg highway, the latter for 88/90. For reference, the much smaller, far less powerful Nissan LEAF is rated 129/102, considerably better in city (actually suburban) driving but not much more efficient on the highway. Among gas-powered competitors, the Audi A7 is rated 18/28 and the more powerful S7 is rated 17/27. Tesla's big advantage over other electric cars involves their shared primary limitation, range. In EPA testing, the LEAF's range was 75 miles, and other electrics in its price and size range manage about the same. In the same test, the two Model S packs achieved 208 and 265 miles, respectively. (Note: Range is significantly shorter for all electric cars in cold weather or when running the A/C.) Consider cost per mile, and the Tesla's fuel economy seems even better. At the national daytime average of 12 cents per kWh, the cost per mile is about four cents. (Charge at night, when rates are often discounted, and it's even less.) In comparison, an Audi A7 or S7 has a fuel cost of nearly twenty cents per mile. The average driver can save over $2,000 a year by driving a Model S. The major downside of the Tesla's electric powertrain (beyond purchase price) is the time required to charge its battery pack. With twin onboard chargers ($1,500) and a high-powered wall chargers ($1,200 plus installation) each 62 miles of range requires an hour. Easily practical for typical daily driving, but not for long-distance travel. For long-distance travel, Tesla is building a network of "Superchargers" and battery swapping stations. The Superchargers can provide half a full charge in 20 minutes. Free use of these is a $2,000 option with the regular pack and included in the price of the larger one. You'll be able to have the battery swapped in as little as 90 seconds. But the swap will cost $60 to $80 and you'll have to stop on the return trip to have the original pack re-installed or pay an additional charge. These stations will make long-distance travel feasible, but it will still be less convenient and/or more expensive than in a gas-powered car. see full Tesla Model S review

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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