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I think with hatchbacks though, and especially one like the aveo 5 that has such a blunt backside, the drag is a much more significant factor. I'm sure the gearing is a factor as well, but the difference in gas mileage in my 2002 impala at 55mph vs 75mph is less than 2 mpg as opposed to the difference of 7 mpg in the aveo. The back end of the impala allows the air separated by the cross section of the car to flow back together much more smoothly than the aveo. With the backside of the aveo the air is basically separated by the full cross section of the vehicle, and then tries to flow back together all at once which causes signifcant vortices that induce a TON of drag.
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