This last week I was driving around the frozen Upper Midwest visiting family and had the opportunity to see my brother-in-law's new Toyota Highlander, Limited. Got to say, it's a very nice ride. V6, leather, bluetooth, AWD, blah, blah, blah. We had to take a trip from his house in WI to parent's house in MN. He had four people, I had three in HHR. We both got fuel together before we left WI and when we arrived in MN. Compared mileage, HHR 23.1, Highlander 24.6. Return trip took us through Minneapolis, then back to WI. Filled up again, HHR 24.1, Highlander 25.1. WTF? We did not use DIC to figure mileage, rather the more accurate calculator method.

HHR is a 2LT, 2.4, auto with 11,000+ miles. Highlander is a 2008, V6, auto, AWD, 5000+ miles. We both drove the interstate, one behind the other and sometimes side by side, 65-75 MPH. This does not make sense! The Toyota is heavier, wider and much taller. I'm not complaining about the HHR mileage because that is what I usually get, I'm PO'd because the much larger Toyota kicked my a$$. So much for GM's fuel economy standards.

Pat

 

Wow does the 2.2 get that much better gas mileage, i get atleast 30 mpg in the same conditions, i would talk to your dealer.

 

I too have been disappointed in the fuel economy.
Before the HHR I had a Pontiac Montana Mini Van, V-6, Loaded.
With the van I got about 24 -25 MPG, with the HHR I only improved that by 1-2 MPG

 

when it comes to high way mileage i made a lateral move, but i made a huge move up.
caprice 30/15 350/700R4/2.73 rear gears
HHR 30-35 highway depending on how i'm feeling that day, 25-28 normally, but can get much worse depending on how heavy my foot feels that day.

 

My old Blazer got 15-18 MPG. My HHR gets 26-32. I wouldn't feel too bad about the Highlander. It's basically a jacked up Camry with taller tires.

 

I would also check your tire pressure. I get the kind of mileage you did in mixed driving; almost always upper 20's on the highway. I too have the 2LT 2.4L, and I don't even put premium gas in it.

 

What's the horsepower difference between the HHR and the Highlander. Also was that with regular or premimum gas?

TomR

 

My 2.2L auto is averaging 26.7 in my daily drive (mix of highway, city street and stop-and-go). First open interstate trip of 420 miles (210 down, 210 back), averaged 30.3. This is calculator method. DIC is off by just over 1 MPG. Interstate trip was 75 MPH, using cruise as often as possible. 2 adults and 4 dogs in the car. Only 2,500 miles on the HHR, and gas mileage usually improves with time on a new car (my experience).

 

I went to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm and the HHr really should of been the better of the two unless the Highlander was a Hybird

 

Here is what I have discovered with my 2.4L running premium gas:

55 MPH = 32 to 36 MPG.

65 MPH = 24 MPG.

70 MPH = 22 MPG.

YES, that big of a difference! It appears when the tach stays at 2,000 RPM, gas mileage is excellent. As soon as I go over the 2,000 RPM, gas mileage decreases considerably.

So obviously the engine is running at peak MPG at 2,000 RPM, which in my HHR happens to be 55 MPH.