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frontal area has little to do with it when the engine is so much better, the whole driveline is so much more efficient, and the front and bottom of the vehicle is as aerodynamic as possible. it's not surprising they get better mileage, and manufacturers are one by one bringing these euro vans over to the states.
on the astro (not a bad van), the aerodynamics is going to be a huge improvement on efficiency. the engine the OP has already taken care of, but the aerodynamics are terrible.
need more proof? take the saturn ion and saturn sky. it's the perfect comparison. the ion has bigger frontal area, efficient front wheel drive, more reasonably sized wheels and tires, roughly equatable weight, and same available engine. the sky has crap aerodynamics, take the two cars side by side, same engine, and the ion will get better gas mileage every time.
spdfrk, the GM engines are definitely underrated, and not given nearly enough credit for their efficiency potential. my venture got 32MPG in the winter hauling stuff in the back on relatively hilly terrain on my last road trip, and it's relatively unmodified.
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