Popular Australian models found to make use of as much as 35 per cent more fuel than claimed

The outcomes of the Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) latest round of its fuel and emissions Real-World Testing Program have been released, and it’s bad news for several popular vehicles.

In 2022, the Federal Government allocated $14 million to the AAA – the height body for Australia’s state-based motoring clubs, corresponding to the NRMA, RACV and RACQ – to conduct real-world testing on 200 vehicles previously only tested under lab conditions.

The AAA has now published the outcomes of 84 vehicles it has tested, with the most recent, sixth round detailing 14 vehicles.

Of those 14 vehicles, only three bettered or matched their manufacturer’s fuel consumption (litres per 100km) claims.

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The Mitsubishi Outlander was the one vehicle to make use of less fuel than what the carmaker achieved in lab testing, consuming two per cent less petrol within the AAA’s testing.

Nissan’s Patrol and Isuzu’s MU-X 4×4 each had negligible differences to their lab test claims, nevertheless they were among the many two thirstiest vehicles tested.

Nevertheless, that left 11 vehicles with real-world fuel consumption figures higher than those within the lab tests, with the Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan X-Trail, Kia Cerato, Ford Everest V6, Toyota C-HR hybrid, Hyundai i30, Kia Picanto, MG 5, Mazda CX-5, Suzuki Swift Hybrid and Mazda 2 all exceeding their claims.

Within the case of the Mazda 2, it was found to make use of 35 per cent more fuel when tested by the AAA in comparison with what the carmaker claims. It was an identical story for the brand new Suzuki Swift Hybrid, consuming 31 per cent more petrol.

While the MU-X can have been one in every of just a few vehicles to not exceed its fuel consumption claim, it was the one vehicle to provide more nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in testing than mandated, exceeding the limit of 180mg/km for diesel vehicles.

It was found to emit 314mg/km – though curiously that is lower than the previously tested MU-X 4×2, which used less fuel but had higher NOx emissions of 372mg/km.

The AAA and Isuzu Ute Australia have been contacted for comment.

Versus previous results announcements, the AAA hasn’t included the baseline lab test results of the CO2 emissions of every vehicle, only what its testing found.

This text will probably be updated accordingly when the info becomes available.

All the AAA’s real-world road testing is conducted on a 93km loop in and around Geelong. Testing protocols are based on European Union laws but developed for Australia with consultation between the height group and native regulators and industry.

“These results again show real-world testing is required to assist consumers and fleet buyers avoid buying a vehicle that produces more emissions and better running costs than advertised,” AAA managing director Michael Bradley said in a media statement.

“While some cars perform as per the data at point of sale, our Program is revealing that many, if not most, don’t.

“Testing cars in real Australian driving conditions will help sort the wheat from the chaff relating to cars delivering fuel consumption that matches their mandated laboratory test results, and it’s going to act as a complementary audit regime for the NVES [New Vehicle Efficiency Standard].

“The Program is working with the NVES to assist make the national vehicle fleet cleaner and more fuel-efficient.”

The AAA has not yet released testing results for EVs, that are because of be put to the test this 12 months.

Fuel consumption results

CO2 emissions results