The Australian Vehicle Affiliation (AAA) has put extra new fashions below the microscope as a part of its Actual-World Testing Program, together with automobiles it has examined earlier than, and located lots of them can’t match their gas financial system claims.
It examined new or up to date variations of the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, MG HS and Toyota Camry, and located they’d bigger gaps between their laboratory-based gas financial system claims and outcomes from real-world testing, although the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC improved for the reason that final time they had been examined.
The Camry additionally had the second largest disparity between its official declare and the real-world testing end result, at 20 per cent (4.8L/100km vs 4.0L/100km). The mid-size sedan additionally emitted extra CO2 than marketed (112g/km vs 91g/km).
Solely the Chery Tiggo 4 Professional small SUV had a wider hole in gas consumption figures, at 21 per cent (8.8L/100km vs 7.3L/100km). It additionally emitted 203g/km of CO2, towards a lab end result declare of 166g/km.
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Different fashions examined managed to match their gas consumption claims (the Mercedes-Benz GLA) and even greatest them (the BMW X5, which had 15 per cent higher gas financial system and 15 per cent decrease CO2 emissions).
In 2022, the federal authorities allotted $14 million to the AAA – the height physique for Australia’s state-based motoring golf equipment, such because the NRMA, RACV and RACQ – to conduct real-world testing of 200 automobiles beforehand solely examined below lab circumstances.
Along with testing the gas financial system claims of petrol, diesel and hybrid fashions, it has additionally just lately introduced its first checks of electrical car (EV) vary claims.
“Actual-world testing is a crucial instrument to assist customers and fleet patrons get monetary savings by figuring out which automobiles carry out as marketed and which fall quick,” stated AAA managing director Michael Bradley.
“At a time when regulators all over the world are inserting more and more stringent emissions requirements on automotive makers to cut back emissions, Actual-World Testing can be producing essential information to point how automotive makers are responding to those necessities.”
The AAA has stated the necessity for real-world testing was first demonstrated by the Volkswagen emissions scandal generally known as Dieselgate, wherein Volkswagen automobiles had been discovered to make use of ‘defeat system’ software program to trick lab checks, and it claims real-world information is essential in the course of the cost-of-living disaster for households and fleet patrons alike.
However the AAA has been criticised for inflicting confusion with its real-world testing, which is carried out from a facility in Geelong and on public roads in and across the Victorian metropolis.
“All automobiles, together with EVs, bought in Australia are examined below strict laboratory circumstances set out in Australian Design Rule 81/02,” stated FCAI chief government Tony Weber in August.
“This constant methodology ensures automobiles might be reliably in contrast, no matter model or mannequin.
“Checks carried out exterior the ADR course of are influenced by many variables, together with site visitors, terrain, climate and driving model. No two drivers or journeys are the identical.
“We help clear, evidence-based info for customers, however it have to be constant. When conflicting figures are revealed, it undermines confidence and causes pointless confusion.”
The Electrical Car Council additionally dinged the AAA for its real-world testing of EVs.
Under are the most recent gas consumption outcomes, although you may view extra detailed overviews for every take a look at car on the AAA web site.
All fashions examined had been 2025 examples, aside from the Cupra Formentor and Subaru WRX which had been from 2024. Under we’ve detailed the gas consumption claims and real-world testing outcomes for every of the automobiles within the AAA’s newest spherical.
SUVs
| Mannequin | Variant | Mandated lab take a look at declare (L/100km) | AAA testing end result (L/100km) | Disparity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X1 | xDrive20i | 7.2L/100km | 7.3L/100km | +2% |
| BMW X3 | 20 xDrive | 7.5L/100km | 7.3L/100km | -3% |
| BMW X5 | xDrive30d M Sport | 7.8L/100km | 6.7L/100km | -15% |
| Chery Tiggo 4 Professional | Final | 7.3L/100km | 8.8L/100km | +21% |
| Chery Tiggo 7 Professional | SE | 7.0L/100km | 7.7L/100km | +10% |
| Cupra Formentor | VZx | 7.7L/100km | 8.4L/100km | +9% |
| Lexus UX | 300h | 4.2L/100km | 4.9L/100km | +16% |
| Mazda CX-80 | G40e Pure | 8.4L/100km | 8.0L/100km | -5% |
| Mercedes-Benz GLA | 250 4Matic | 7.9L/100km | 7.9L/100km | 0% |
| MG HS | Vibe | 6.9L/100km | 7.2L/100km | +5% |
| Nissan Qashqai | ST | 6.1L/100km | 6.8L/100km | +11% |
| Subaru Crosstrek | Hybrid L | 6.5L/100km | 7.2L/100km | +10% |
| Volvo XC60 | Plus B5 | 7.6L/100km | 8.0L/100km | +6% |
Passenger automobiles
| Mannequin | Variant | Mandated lab take a look at declare (L/100km) | AAA testing end result (L/100km) | Disparity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru WRX | Sportswagon tS | 8.5L/100km | 8.3L/100km | -3% |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | Ascent | 4.0L/100km | 4.8L/100km | +20% |
Industrial cars
| Mannequin | Mandated lab take a look at declare (L/100km) | AAA testing end result (L/100km) | Disparity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Ranger Raptor | 11.5L/100km | 12.3L/100km | +7% |
| Hyundai Staria Load | 7.0L/100km | 7.2L/100km | +4% |
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