Volvo xc90 AWD 28.7 mpg
 

I drove it from SanFrancisco (Sea Level) UP to Reno (5000 feet )on a "bet" that I couldn't double the milage of my cousin who drove it DOWN to SanFran and averaged 16.9. I lost, but I was still impressed, P+G with engine on and trans locked in 5th.

Full Time AWD, 2.5 Turbo inline 5, Seating for 7.
EPA 17 24
Factory instrumentation
Nice car.
Its lifetime average is 18.8, but it lives a life of short trips and aggressive drivers.

That's excellent, especially up 5,000 feet in an SUV! I have an xc70 (the wagon and not the SUV), but it has the same engine and EPA rating. Best ever for me was 31.8 on a 500 mile interstate trip at 65 and no AC. But it is smaller and lower to the ground than the xc90, and mine has a 4-speed with a longer top gear.

Interesting idea to lock the transmission into 5th gear - I never thought to do that. However, if you push the "winter" button the car never shifts below 3rd - something to remember for your next "bet". I haven't decided if that saves fuel or not, but it sure does annoy the people behind you at lights!

FYI, the AWD is not really full-time - 99% of the time it is FWD. Only when the front wheels slip is power diverted to the rear. And you are right - they are very nice cars.

Very interesting info about being FWD most of the time, I definitely felt it transition a few times.

I played with the Winter button, I didn't feel like it helped milage, because the torque converter stayed unlocked most of the time.

Only thing I wish it had was the Diesel; available in Europe.

You and me both!

wow that is very impressive! i had on idea the xc90 even came with that motor, and im usually pretty good with vehicles in the ford family. for some reason i thought it only came with a V8.

i was able to pull a best of 23 out of my mothers 03 v8 explorer, with the 5-speed auto. you mentioned "locking the trans" into 5th, how did you do this? or is it a volvo thing?

Put it in manumatic, then keep pushing the shifter forward until you see 5 on the dash. DO NOT do this in town, absolute waste of fuel. Also factory shift points seem about right.

oh ok, yea the explorer doesn't have that. what were you able to get on the return trip? i would assume better if traffic was clear, since it was downhill on the return.

I like it, but it isn't a huge deal. Turbo small displacement does most of the magic.

Point of Origin was Reno, Nv.
16.9 mpg on the downhill with an 18 year old Male at the controls. I drove the return trip, uphill.

I like these Porsche-designed Volvo inline 5s - good economy, lightweight (all aluminum), plenty of power and practically indestructable. I'm sorry to see them being replaced on the 70 and 90 series Volvos, but at least they're still being used on the 40, 50 and 60 models.

sorry i must have missed that you were driving the return trip with your impressive numbers.