AFter a little deciding, I moved from a xD to wanting either a xB or Caliber. I recently rented a Caliber auto SXT (rated 27 hwy) and got 30mpg's out of it on a 900 miles trip(65-70mph).

With the xB rated at 28 hwy, I have to wonder what many on here are doing to get these LOW numbers they claim.

 

I've averaged 26.4mpg over 11k miles, with a lot of stop-and-go driving in S.F. bay area traffic combined with 70-75mph freeway driving. I'm happy. I also bought the xB because I want a car that will be reliable for 200k miles, and maintain good resale value whenever I decide to move on. Good luck getting that out of a Dodge Caliber.

No offense intended, buy whatever makes YOU happy, that's what it's all about.

 

I drive all city to work, and don't baby when I drive and average 26mpg. I've gotten much higher when I've driven a lot on the highway. Its all how you drive

 

oh yeah, and to cionide's point...the caliber is terrible

 

the review of the caliber is that its crap, and doesnt have a good resale like the xB does

 

I rest my case.

 

well, if they'd sell me a supercharger, i'd probably getting closer to 20 mpg from my lead foot.

 

I rented the Caliber on a vacation once, and liked it a lot. I ended up buying the xB and I am happy with my choice. Last trip to the North Shore here, I got 35 mpg avg. out of it, which is awesome. I dunno if I can keep that up though....it's about 3 times better than my old car.

Don't ask people here if you are going to buy another car..I am sure if you ask the same question on the Caliber forum, you'll hear the other side of the coin. Set up your priorities, evaluate the cars according to what you feel is good and then just go for it.

Good luck.
a.

 

You hear all the bad mpg numbers on here because those are the people who are complaining, the people who are getting good or normal mpg have nothing to say, lol.
and remember the xb is rated 28 hwy so you will average about 26
I average 27 during the winter and a little higher during the summer, and i drive 65% hwy

 

MY post was not to compare the xB and caliber(the xb is my first choice because of room and resale) it was just to make a point on the mpg's. My driving style usually yields the higher end of the mpg range, and my commute daily will be 75 miles hwy at 65mph so I think the xB willdo a great job for me.

The caliber was actually driven those some stretches, being its rated at 27hwy and I got 29 and 30, I can see getting 30 or 31 in the xb. Which is great.

 

Get and xb, its the best car money can buy in its range. Honestly I think people need to stop worrying about gas mileage, life is too short. I'm getting 25 mpg but I do a lot of spirited driving. Im sure I could do better but I what's the fun in driving like a grandma?

 

I like the MPG on the go display on the XB. Keeping an eye on it leads to better driving habits. I usually get 28 MPG with mixed driving.

 

28mpg for mixed is very good, especially with the size and engine.

Driving like a "grandma" has nothing to do with it, I just dont rabbit start from red lights. Life is also too short to rag out your car.

Plus due to speed limits, I dont ever hit over 70 on my commute, most cars do well up to 65 and 70. Once you push them to 75 and 80, the MPG takes a dump.

 

My mpg is in the same 25-30 range as others. If Scion offered a 5 sp auto that would help greatly on the hwy. If I didn't enjoy making the cold air intake roar my mpg would be better, but I'd have fewer giggles.
I agree with others, get what makes you happy. I do think it is unusual that so many xB owners love their cars. How many other econo owners have so much fun with their cars?

 

I agree on the love for the car. I think its because the xb has plenty of room, has matured since gen 1, has plenty of power and great looks.

 

When I used to work 40 miles away and drove 80% freeway here in LA, I averaged about 29 mpg and thats my own calculation not the computer. Now that I work 15 miles away and drive on freeway 20% I get about 24.. But then again, I'm rolling on 20's now... and there are more hills on my route to work. Plus I drive around the city for my job now too...

 

i just wish the auto was a 5spd so i could have some more fun. but i upped my mileage from 24 something to 26.7 for a week just by using the slapstick instead of auto

 

It would be nice if the automatic would lock up in 4th gear above 45mph or so. If you really wanted faster acceleration above that, the downshift should be at 3/4 throttle IMO.
Just light acceleration at highway speed drops it down into 3rd and I think wastes fuel.
Anyone know if shift points are adjustable?

BTW, I'm getting razed by my brother because his '95 Mark X111 gets 30 mpg on the HY.

 

Agree the automatic should be 5 speed.

...in terms of locking..can;t you use the "manual" version to lock into 4th gear? Should work fine right?

a.

 

I could but also in 'manual' 4th, it drops down into 3rd under light acceleration at 50+.