Hyundai-Kia admits to wrong fuel-economy claims

Hyundai-Kia admits to wrong fuel-economy claims


Hyundai and Kia are lowering their U.S. fuel economy ratings on most 2012 and 2013 models. Following several complaints, an investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found the carmaker guilty of posting false fuel-economy estimates on window-stickers at showroom since late 2010. The companies will spend millions of dollars compensating the owners of about 900,000 vehicles sold during that time.

According to the Detroit News, Hyundai aggressively advertised four models that boasted a false rating of 40 mpg (about 5.9 litres/100 km) on the highway. The 2013 Hyundai Accent, Veloster and Elantra will now see their EPA ratings fall to either 37-38 miles per gallon. Hyundai is “extremely sorry about these errors” and blamed “procedural errors” in the company’s fuel economy testing as the reason behind the discrepancy.

U.S. owners will be compensated based on their vehicles’ odometer readings with prepaid debit cards. Many of those owners were already complaining that the fuel economy claims were too optimistic, which recently led to a lawsuit in July this year by an organization called Consumer Watchdog on behalf of an Elantra owner.

Hyundai-Kia stresses that there was no intentional effort made to deceive consumers, and they will launch an apology-filled advertising campaign to alert consumers of the issue.

This issue does not affect owners in the GCC, as most companies, including Hyundai-Kia, do not locally announce nor advertise fuel-economy ratings here.

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Comments

  1. I am thankful that the investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found Hyundai-Kia guilty of posting false fuel-economy estimates on window-stickers however, I do not see listed the Sorento. My Sorento does NOT get the proclaimed 24-32 mpg but rather 17-22 mpg. If only the vehicles listed in this article were review, please research all KIA vehicles.

    • This is the case with so many other vehicles, not only KIA or Hyundai. Check the EPA rating of Ford explorer or Ford expedition. Nissan Armada is another example.

  2. I dont see much difference bitween 37 mpg and 40, dont forget that the fuel consumption rates differs for the same car depending on many aspects, like the acceleration speed, condition of the road and tyres, AC on or off, urban or suburban driving.. so take it easy on the vehicle manufacturers!

  3. well, its america. Get rich by suing !

  4. We don’t get the GDI’s here, the GCC spec 1.6 Accent Engine runs in ration of 7.3 litres / 100 KM. So the ratings posted in all the test drive in all websites are also wrong. The ratio I have mentioned below doesn’t differ much even if you drive light footed or with 5 persons with ac on in July summer at a 120kmph. The car is very well built and absolute gem. You can get overly optimistic rating only if you have fixed the engine in factory bay and tested assumed consumption in computer simulated environment. The best I got out of this car is 7.1 and worst 8.3. I will be completing a year by December.

  5. This is really sad! I was so eager to buy the Elantra and relied on their fuel economy claims to be my primary reason of buying. This is pathetic. So what is the actual fuel economy of those cars?

    • No that’s not the way you judge a car because of some news, compare Elantra’s fuel economy with Corolla and Civic, if its more economical, with better seating and boot space then go for it . Otherwise old UAE trick, buy a Toyota / Nissan, pay more in the beginning and get better resale value if you sell in 2-3rd year, otherwise if you are going to use a car for 5-7 years then a successful model from any brand is ok and finally its upto owner how he/she maintains a car.

  6. I am in Iraq And I have kia optima 2.4 L
    And its fuel rating by drivearabia is 8.5l/100km
    And my car record 10L/100 on sub crowded highway that you cant keep your speed the same for five minutes
    I was driving in speed above 120km/h
    All the way without ac but with full acceleration
    For many times
    So this is really very good and its absolutely will be much or less depending on the way, driver, oil type, wind, etc….
    Hope to see drivearabia road test for this great car with this engine

  7. Ok I read that before
    Just first drive
    Not full road test
    Thanks abdalrahman

  8. I am planing to buy kia Cerato 1.6 model. do you guys know what is exact fuel conception for this car? please reply

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