What is Considered High Fuel Consumption for a Car?

[LaElisa]

Fuel consumption, also known as constant-speed fuel consumption, refers to the fuel economy indicator when a car is driving at a constant speed on the road. Here are the specific details: 1. Calculation method: Divide the volume of fuel consumed (in liters) by the remaining distance the car can travel, then multiply by one hundred. For example, if a car consumes 5 liters of fuel and can still travel 50 kilometers, its fuel consumption per 100 kilometers would be 10 liters. 2. High standard: Different types of cars have different fuel consumption standards. Generally, for small family cars with a displacement of around 1.6, a fuel consumption of 6 to 8 liters per 100 kilometers is considered normal. If it exceeds this range, it is considered high. For family SUVs with a displacement of around 2.0, a fuel consumption of about 10 liters per 100 kilometers is normal, and anything above this is considered high.

[DiArya]

I remember chatting with a friend about cars last time, and he said his SUV's fuel consumption of 12 liters per 100 kilometers made his heart ache. Actually, fuel consumption can't be generalized—it depends on the vehicle model and usage. For example, with my compact sedan, 9-10 liters in city traffic is normal, but if it spikes to over 13 liters, there’s definitely a problem. A large-displacement off-roader running at 15 liters is no big deal, but if the same engine consumes over 10 liters on the highway, that’s a bit alarming. It’s normal for a new car to burn 1-2 liters more during the break-in period, but if a three-year-old car suddenly has a sharp increase in fuel consumption, it’s likely due to carbon buildup or a faulty oxygen sensor. The most straightforward way to judge is by comparing it to your car’s past records—for example, if it usually consumes 7 liters but suddenly jumps to 9 liters, or if it’s 15% higher than the average in the same model’s owner group, that’s definitely considered high.

[SarahLee]

Having worked in freight transport for twenty years, I've handled over a hundred vehicles. When it comes to fuel consumption standards, it depends on engine technology. Old naturally aspirated engines, like 2.0L sedans consuming over 10 liters per 100 kilometers, were considered gas guzzlers. Nowadays, even 8 liters with turbocharged engines is considered excessive. A 1-2 liter increase with AC on in summer is normal, but if cold starts in winter burn 3 liters more than usual, the throttle is probably clogged. Pickup trucks hauling cargo averaging 12 liters is standard, but if they consume that much empty, there's a problem. The worst is when the displayed fuel consumption differs by 2 liters from actual – a sure sign of an onboard computer issue. For long-term highway driving, exceeding the official fuel consumption by 30% warrants a checkup, while city driving often exceeds the nominal rate by 50%.

[DiAniyah]

When I first got my new energy vehicle, I was particularly concerned about fuel consumption and did a lot of research. The normal standard depends on the vehicle's weight—compact cars exceeding 9L/100km are considered high, while midsize cars over 11L/100km should raise concerns. Driving style makes a huge difference; frequent hard acceleration can consume 30% more fuel than gentle driving. Using air conditioning adds 1-2L, but defogging in winter consumes even more. The most accurate method is tracking fuel refills against mileage, as dashboard displays often have errors. Exceeding the manufacturer's rated consumption by 20% is abnormal—for example, rated at 7.5L but actually achieving 9L. Modifications like wider tires or roof boxes can increase consumption by 1-2L, which falls within reasonable limits. Fuel efficiency typically improves by about 1L after the first maintenance, while sudden increases in older vehicles may indicate spark plug issues.