Are Used Cars More Fuel Efficient?

If what you’re paying for gas is as important to you as what you pay for your next car, it’s a good idea to explore our Superior used cars. We’ll even show you the considerations that come into play when you’re seeking the most fuel-efficient used models.

Vehicle Age

An older car can be quite a bargain, and while you can trust our cars’ reliability, we suggest caution when researching their gas mileage.

EPA fuel economy tests prior to 2008 were based on idealized, rather than real-world, driving conditions. As a result, fuel economy estimates on older cars are not entirely trustworthy.

Vehicle Maintenance

One of the first indications that a vehicle has a problem is often a dip in gas mileage. A car that hasn’t been well-maintained won’t deliver the same gas mileage as an identical model whose owner was diligent about maintenance.

For newer, better-maintained, vehicles, it’s useful to explore dealerships’ CPO inventories, like the Mazda Certified Pre-Owned vehicles at Superior Mazda.

Powertrains

Every powertrain has differences with regard to gas mileage. You’ll need to weigh a few different considerations when choosing your used car.

• Diesel engines are better for torque and mileage, but worse for emissions.
• Gas engines have made strides in efficiency, often by lowering displacement and adding turbochargers to get more output without sacrificing fuel economy.
• Hybrids are, for now, the gold standard for gas mileage, though they do still create emissions.
• EVs don’t have the range of other vehicle options, but on the plus side, they don’t burn fuel, so emissions and gas pump visits are non-issues.

Superior MAZDA = Superior Used Cars

We return to the question asked in the beginning: are these cars more fuel-efficient? It comes down to size, weight, use, maintenance, and a number of other factors. However, you should have no problem finding a car at Superior Mazda that’s every bit as efficient — perhaps even more so — than what you drive now. Stop by today!