2020 RDX SH-AWD Very Low mpg
#1
![Angry](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/icons/icon8.gif)
Hello,
Purchased the RDX last month. Took it for a long drive in the thanksgiving weekends.
My fuel economy is pathetic.
Normally my drive is in city. No highway. There I am getting 15mpg.
On the road trip, the max I got was only 23mpg.
My friend's BMW X5 got 29 mpg, and he is more heavy footed than me.
This SUV is more gas guzzler than a F150 truck.
Sometimes I feel the older V6 with Cylinder De-activation would have given far better mpg figures.
I wanted to check my tire pressure.
Currently cold PSI is 33. Should I put in more to set it up to 35 psi in cold?
Also, Honda seriously made some wrong promises.....
This car is not "luxury"....it is just expensive. I drove the CX5, and they have the same HP and Torque when using regular fuel.
Mazda also mentions if using premium gas one would get 271 HP.
Which is exactly the same. And for 35k you get the top end CX5 with every bit of features built in.
Seriously feeling very bad buying this car.
Its not even 1000 miles and the rear tire trim has loosened. Will have to take it to the dealer.
And the dealers are ruthless as hell.
Purchased the RDX last month. Took it for a long drive in the thanksgiving weekends.
My fuel economy is pathetic.
Normally my drive is in city. No highway. There I am getting 15mpg.
On the road trip, the max I got was only 23mpg.
My friend's BMW X5 got 29 mpg, and he is more heavy footed than me.
This SUV is more gas guzzler than a F150 truck.
Sometimes I feel the older V6 with Cylinder De-activation would have given far better mpg figures.
I wanted to check my tire pressure.
Currently cold PSI is 33. Should I put in more to set it up to 35 psi in cold?
Also, Honda seriously made some wrong promises.....
This car is not "luxury"....it is just expensive. I drove the CX5, and they have the same HP and Torque when using regular fuel.
Mazda also mentions if using premium gas one would get 271 HP.
Which is exactly the same. And for 35k you get the top end CX5 with every bit of features built in.
Seriously feeling very bad buying this car.
Its not even 1000 miles and the rear tire trim has loosened. Will have to take it to the dealer.
And the dealers are ruthless as hell.
#2
Drifting
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: New Yorkie, Hudson Valley
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Fuelly shows most get 21-23 mpg, and I get around 22 in normal suburban driving. On the highway, I might get 25-26.
The X5 does not really do better, according to fuelly.
The X5 does not really do better, according to fuelly.
Last edited by Madd Dog; 12-05-2019 at 12:08 PM.
#3
Senior Moderator
CX5 sounds like a good buy, maybe trade in the RDX for it
![Shrug](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/shrug.gif)
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#4
I have FWD Tech but it should only be 1 mpg better than sh-awd. I get 21-22 in the city and 25.5 over the 1200 mile Thanksgiving road trip driving on highway and mountainous roads. What speed do you drive on your road trip? Do you use sport+ mode often?
#5
I have never used any mode other than Comfort. During the trip, on a clear day and 101 highway, I got max of 23 mpg.
While coming back it was raining heavily, and my drive was mix of CA 1 and 101...got 20 mpg.
With AC turned off.
Will take it to the dealer tomorrow.
While coming back it was raining heavily, and my drive was mix of CA 1 and 101...got 20 mpg.
With AC turned off.
Will take it to the dealer tomorrow.
#6
You need to drive on the highway my dude. Most cars get terrible mileage just city driving. I dont know how people get close to the advertised gas mileage for the city.
if I was a midget with no family then the CX-5 would maybe be appealing.
if I was a midget with no family then the CX-5 would maybe be appealing.
Last edited by Ludepower; 12-05-2019 at 12:45 PM.
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#8
Suzuka Master
I get around 24 mostly hw driving.
the rumor has it that mpg will slightly improve after first oil change since first oil has some factory molly stuft and engine is still breaking in.
next oil change, try mobil1 advanced fuel economy since if you get 0.5mpg improvement LOL
the rumor has it that mpg will slightly improve after first oil change since first oil has some factory molly stuft and engine is still breaking in.
next oil change, try mobil1 advanced fuel economy since if you get 0.5mpg improvement LOL
#10
NYC driving here, "city" and "highway" mpg does not apply here. A lot of the time I drive faster on local streets than the highway where its usually bumper to bumper or coasting at 15 mph. I average 15-16 mpg on my 20 mile daily commute, 93 octane. I had a 2005 Acura TL with a NA V6 prior and made the same commute and I got the same mpg. Driving in some places you'll never reach the advertised mpg because idling and bumper to bumper traffic just wastes too much gas. I even try to maximize the auto start stop feature as much as I can. However when I drove out of the city and just cruised om the highway for 100 mile+ trips I will average 26-28 depending what I set my cruise control to (usually I try to stay 75+, which is not economical).
I find that coasting (foot off the gas) and trying to maintain a speed where you dont have to brake as much as possible is the best way to stay economical but that kind of driving is mind numbing.
I find that coasting (foot off the gas) and trying to maintain a speed where you dont have to brake as much as possible is the best way to stay economical but that kind of driving is mind numbing.
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RDXRN (07-27-2024)
#11
You run the car with lower tire pressure, do all-city driving, and get low MPG. That is kind of expected? 15mpg is low, but it all depends on how your trip is and how you drive the car. When I do stop-go city driving, I get around 16-18mpg
Not sure where you read CX5 turbo can do 271hp. It is 250hp on premium, and 22x on regular.
Not sure where you read CX5 turbo can do 271hp. It is 250hp on premium, and 22x on regular.
Last edited by sonyfever; 12-05-2019 at 03:34 PM.
#15
Three Wheelin'
@ecmproute mpg will improve as the miles go up. For a brand new car, I think you are OK. If you were going by what the computers show, they could be wrong. If you really care about this and want a fair comparison, only way to be to actually measure the consumed gas -- fill to max, note miles, drive, note gallons to fill to max, note miles, and compute.
#16
@ecmproute mpg will improve as the miles go up. For a brand new car, I think you are OK. If you were going by what the computers show, they could be wrong. If you really care about this and want a fair comparison, only way to be to actually measure the consumed gas -- fill to max, note miles, drive, note gallons to fill to max, note miles, and compute.
#18
It will probably improve a little with time, but only a little. I was getting <15mpg for the first 3,000 miles or so. I'm now at around 16.5, but that is using Start/Stop in all situations except when it will be really annoying to. I have noticed that city observed economy is significantly worse vs. EPA rating than previous cars I have owned, but that highway EPA is better. The problem for me is that I really don't do a lot of open road driving. On the few road trips I had, I was only getting around 24mpg initially. I now get roughly the rated 28mpg (just factoring clear highway driving).
I was hoping to do better on the city side. There are a couple of ways to look at it and I think that the biggest issue is that the EPA ratings do not sufficiently capture the range of driving situations people have. My V6 port injected mini van rated at 17/24 netted the same economy for my driving. My wife's 2010 V6 RX350 also does about the same (within 1mpg). If I did more highway driving, that wouldn't hold true. I think it's important to realize the physics at play. My RDX, despite new weight saving strategies and the 4 cylinder engine, only weighs roughly 200lbs less then the other cars I mentioned. Despite it being a 4-cylinder, the engine actually makes more power than the V6's in the other cars. So, we have slightly more power, moving roughly the same amount of weight, which I think makes up a bigger proportion of the mpg calculation than most people would think (along with tires). The start/stop, direct injection, and other strategies that are more recent additions are effective, but not in a huge way especially in hard conditions (stop-and-go).
The CX5 comparison only really works on the surface (compact suv vs compact suv). In practice, the RDX has more usable passenger room, is nicer, etc. If the CX5 really suited your needs, well, you should have bought one. You should also beware of comparing your real world MPG to Mazda's EPA rating - many cars underachieve those ratings.
I was hoping to do better on the city side. There are a couple of ways to look at it and I think that the biggest issue is that the EPA ratings do not sufficiently capture the range of driving situations people have. My V6 port injected mini van rated at 17/24 netted the same economy for my driving. My wife's 2010 V6 RX350 also does about the same (within 1mpg). If I did more highway driving, that wouldn't hold true. I think it's important to realize the physics at play. My RDX, despite new weight saving strategies and the 4 cylinder engine, only weighs roughly 200lbs less then the other cars I mentioned. Despite it being a 4-cylinder, the engine actually makes more power than the V6's in the other cars. So, we have slightly more power, moving roughly the same amount of weight, which I think makes up a bigger proportion of the mpg calculation than most people would think (along with tires). The start/stop, direct injection, and other strategies that are more recent additions are effective, but not in a huge way especially in hard conditions (stop-and-go).
The CX5 comparison only really works on the surface (compact suv vs compact suv). In practice, the RDX has more usable passenger room, is nicer, etc. If the CX5 really suited your needs, well, you should have bought one. You should also beware of comparing your real world MPG to Mazda's EPA rating - many cars underachieve those ratings.
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Mark-RDX (12-06-2019)
#19
I have relatively low expectations. If I average 20-21 mpg I’ll be satisfied. My last car got 24 mpg, and it was a relative dog with 170hp and a CVT transmission. I like having the extra power of the turbo and understand that it comes with a sacrifice in mpg.
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Mark-RDX (12-06-2019)
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#22
My Mercedes gets better MPG and it is a V6. BMW X3 has better MPG numbers than the RDX.
First gen RDX is about ten years old. I would imagine and expect MPG has improved significantly since then.
Last edited by mathnerd88; 12-06-2019 at 01:12 PM.
#23
Suzuka Master
#24
Cruisin'
Something definitely doesn't sound right with mileage that low.
Now driving the 2020 SH-AWD Tech with under 1,000, and we are getting a combined 24 +/-.
Man, this is a great car! Turned in our 2017 RDX AWD for this and I am wowed at this point.
Most everything is better...handling, driver position, interior, and acceleration to my mind is on par with the V6.
So far, so good.
Now driving the 2020 SH-AWD Tech with under 1,000, and we are getting a combined 24 +/-.
Man, this is a great car! Turned in our 2017 RDX AWD for this and I am wowed at this point.
Most everything is better...handling, driver position, interior, and acceleration to my mind is on par with the V6.
So far, so good.
#25
#26
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I get terrible gas mileage too but I'm not goin to cry about it and randomly talk about the cx-5
My expectations were low knowing full well I'm buying a fairly large SUV and that EPA ratings vary so widely depending on driving style, commute distance and traffic conditions.
My commute is 7 mins in downtown traffic and a gas tank last me 2-3 weeks. You need be realistic with your expectations.
Last edited by Ludepower; 12-06-2019 at 01:46 PM.
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Mark-RDX (12-06-2019)
#27
Volvo XC60 T6...same MPG yet 316 HP, 295 lbs torque...going to cost u $10,000 more......buy a lot of gas with $10,000. Its now winter time....cooler temps play a role.....people let their car warm up longer.....dont check tire PSI..and in cold weather they do go down.....lot of stuff to take into consideration. Looking online,for the RDX it says "UP TO" 22 mpg in the city..... I think you will find as time goes on and one looks at their driving habits and the conditions, one MPG should go up....
Last edited by flames9; 12-06-2019 at 01:43 PM.
#28
Suzuka Master
#29
Suzuka Master
Volvo XC60 T6...same MPG yet 316 HP, 295 lbs torque...going to cost u $10,000 more......buy a lot of gas with $10,000. Its now winter time....cooler temps play a role.....people let their car warm up longer.....dont check tire PSI..and in cold weather they do go down.....lot of stuff to take into consideration. Looking online,for the RDX it says "UP TO" 22 mpg in the city..... I think you will find as time goes on and one looks at their driving habits and the conditions, one MPG should go up....
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acuratech481 (03-02-2020),
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Mark-RDX (12-06-2019)
#32
Drifting
Join Date: Apr 2018
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Looking a fuelly, my mileage is right smack dab in the middle range.
What with the high profile/poor aerodynamics and always-on AWD, I was not expecting more. I would like more, but I don’t expect it.
What with the high profile/poor aerodynamics and always-on AWD, I was not expecting more. I would like more, but I don’t expect it.
#33
BMW also advertises the X3 as 25 city and 29 highway, which is significantly better than RDX numbers.
#34
User Awaiting Email Confirmation
I haven't reset my trip meter since buying the car ... just over 5k miles. 30/70, local/highway. MPG show 21.7.
#35
I have a 2020 A-Spec with SH-AWD and I drive mostly in the city (70/30). I'm averaging 21.6 mpg. The RDX can get pretty good gas mileage for its power and size. It only suffers during stop and go but once you get up to speed, the transmission shifts to 10th gear with your foot slightly tapping the gas. I've gotten past 30 mpg on the highway on recent trips.
#37
Volvo XC60 T6...same MPG yet 316 HP, 295 lbs torque...going to cost u $10,000 more......buy a lot of gas with $10,000. Its now winter time....cooler temps play a role.....people let their car warm up longer.....dont check tire PSI..and in cold weather they do go down.....lot of stuff to take into consideration. Looking online,for the RDX it says "UP TO" 22 mpg in the city..... I think you will find as time goes on and one looks at their driving habits and the conditions, one MPG should go up....
#38
https://newsroom.aaa.com/2013/06/wha...lend-gasoline/
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...ine-explained/
#39
My son is pretty disappointed in his mileage also (AWD). It's no better in town anyway than this 2011 Nissa Murano which was heavier and had a much larger non-turbo engine. OTOH, he lives in San Francisco so about half his city driving is going up steep hills, though you'd think coasting down would average out to flat terrain!
#40
Suzuka Master
My son is pretty disappointed in his mileage also (AWD). It's no better in town anyway than this 2011 Nissa Murano which was heavier and had a much larger non-turbo engine. OTOH, he lives in San Francisco so about half his city driving is going up steep hills, though you'd think coasting down would average out to flat terrain!