I just got a 2025 hybrid three weeks ago and my average mpg is 26.1. Why is that happening? Is there something wrong with the car or the gauge? Should I take it to the dealer for a check-up?
I’m getting some interesting replies. My first tank only took me 300 miles. My latest trip was just 2.5 miles of city driving, going around 30, and my RPMs were under 2k the whole time with an average of 26 mpg. That doesn’t add up. There must be something wrong.
The car, like any other gas vehicle, has a break-in period to become more efficient since it isn’t fully electric. I started at 25-26 mpg too. Just a heads up, my mileage jumped around 10k miles. Now I get about 32-35 on average, and sometimes I even hit higher depending on the conditions. The highest I’ve gone is 38-40 with nearly 480 miles on a single tank of gas. Remember to go easy on the gas and brakes. Soft starts and stops help keep the momentum and regenerative braking active. Coasting when possible is key too. Keeping it in eco mode or smart mode helps a lot.
@ElantraEnthusiast2
Totally, it’s almost like a challenge learning how to drive a hybrid and make the most of the batteries.
GuyBolding said:
@ElantraEnthusiast2
Totally, it’s almost like a challenge learning how to drive a hybrid and make the most of the batteries.
You get used to it. The art of good mileage is all about physics and energy. Every bit of energy spent to start or stop can be saved. It’s really satisfying to get in sync with it.
@ElantraEnthusiast2
Yeah, the dealer didn’t share any of this. I’ve just been driving it like I normally would, and I’ve had some hard stops and starts because I didn’t know to avoid those.
NinaCaldwell said:
@ElantraEnthusiast2
Yeah, the dealer didn’t share any of this. I’ve just been driving it like I normally would, and I’ve had some hard stops and starts because I didn’t know to avoid those.
Driving a hybrid is different from a regular car and there’s definitely a learning curve. The good thing is, it encourages a slower pace if you’re trying to save on mpg. You might notice some hesitation in eco mode if you need to accelerate suddenly. If you’re an aggressive driver that can be tricky. You can switch to sport mode, but that will decrease your efficiency. I like to track how much charging I’m getting, then try to gently brake to maximize my recharge at stoplights. Sounds a bit nerdy, but it’s fun, especially when you see 40+ mpg and only spend $40 on gas twice a month compared to the $80 I used to spend on my gas SUV every week.
NinaCaldwell said:
@ElantraEnthusiast2
Yeah, the dealer didn’t share any of this. I’ve just been driving it like I normally would, and I’ve had some hard stops and starts because I didn’t know to avoid those.
It’s all in the owner’s manual. You should check it out for more tips and features you might not know about.
@VeracruzVanguard
Wow, buying an expensive car and not reading the manual. Sounds familiar.
NinaCaldwell said:
@ElantraEnthusiast2
Yeah, the dealer didn’t share any of this. I’ve just been driving it like I normally would, and I’ve had some hard stops and starts because I didn’t know to avoid those.
Don’t forget to look into regenerative braking settings too.
NinaCaldwell said:
@ElantraEnthusiast2
Yeah, the dealer didn’t share any of this. I’ve just been driving it like I normally would, and I’ve had some hard stops and starts because I didn’t know to avoid those.
Treat it like a game. Speed up a bit above what you want, then take your foot off the gas. When your RPMs drop, gently press the accelerator again. The Tucson might switch to just electric, so you maintain speed without the engine. If you apply the accelerator softly, you could do that for miles. But if you hit the gas hard, the engine kicks in right away for more power. Also, set regenerative braking to auto in the setup since it’s usually off. You can adjust it while in eco mode by pressing the left paddle on the steering wheel. There are three levels, and higher levels enhance regenerative braking, charging the battery quicker when you ease off the gas instead of using the brakes completely. I keep it on level 2 for city driving and only use the brakes at complete stops.
@madisonwilson
But driving like that in a gas vehicle works the same way. I could do that with my last car and get around 28, which is better than I’m getting now.
NinaCaldwell said:
@ElantraEnthusiast2
Yeah, the dealer didn’t share any of this. I’ve just been driving it like I normally would, and I’ve had some hard stops and starts because I didn’t know to avoid those.
I drive pretty normally, and after the break-in period, I’m averaging 32 mpg overall (that’s weighted with the break-in period and having a heavy foot). I found that being overly gentle actually hurt my mileage, unless I was on a 25 mph road. Just drive normally, let the car settle in (and Google break-in practices so you understand better), and your mpg should improve after 2,000-4,000 miles.
I’m getting around 34 mpg, and my wife is probably at 28. She’s harder on the gas and brakes than she should be. Besides what others have said, I noticed that weather plays a role too. The sweet spot seems to be between 50 and 80 degrees for the best mpg.
@Williamson
I didn’t even think it was possible to get that low. I mostly drive in the city, and I rarely get the chance to push the RPMs. My last gas-only vehicle averaged 28, and during my highway commutes, I could hit 33.
I’ve found that my 2022 performs better on non-highway roads. Your mileage will vary based on the roads you drive, like flat versus hilly. I usually run a couple of miles over the speed limit but keep it on cruise control to let the car handle most of the effort. On some trips, I can hit as high as 45 mpg.
I got a 2024 hybrid two months ago and I’m about to hit 1k miles. I average only about 10 minutes of driving in town each day since I live close to work. After filling up, I average 26-28, but after a longer highway drive, it jumps to 36-38. I think the mpg displayed is your average for that tank, and you can reset it after filling up.
I’m at 4,500 miles now and consistently getting 40.5 mpg, sometimes as low as 38 during a 70-mile commute. Once, I drove down a hill and circulated around gas stations a few times while waiting for a spot, and it said I got 269 mpg, which was hilarious. Usually around the neighborhood, I hit 45 mpg. Smart mode is the best.
How often are you driving over 70 mph? In my experience, you have to be extra gentle at the start to get good numbers.
Nolan said:
How often are you driving over 70 mph? In my experience, you have to be extra gentle at the start to get good numbers.
No one mentioned this when I got the car. I’ve driven probably 100 miles over 70.
@NinaCaldwell
I did about 200-400 miles at 80 and got around 26.