Long Term Tests: Reminiscing by the Numbers

2016 Suzuki Ciaz 1.4 GLX A/T

As we were about to conclude the series of long term test reports on our 2016 Suzuki Ciaz 1.4 GLX A/T, we stopped to reminisce about our former long term test vehicles. We felt that a comparison was in order – not to compare absolute results – but just to see how gas mileages have evolved since we started our series of long term tests more than seven years ago.

Our 2006 Kia Picanto 1.1 LX A/T with our 1971 Chevy Camaro RS project car.

Comparing the absolute results of our former long term test vehicles would be like comparing apples and oranges. Our first real but informal long term test car was a 2006 Kia Picanto with a 1.1-liter engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. We didn’t publish any report on the Picanto because it was an exchange deal with the then distributor of Kia Motors in the Philippines –Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC) for our sister publication, MotorCycle Magazine.

2010 Foton MP-X

Our actual first formal long term test vehicle was a 2010 Foton MP-X 9-seat passenger van with a 2.8-liter CRDI diesel engine and 5-speed manual transmission. We were lucky to secure a 2011 Kia Soul 1.6 LX A/T with a 1.6-liter DOHC 16V EFI gasoline engine and 4-speed automatic to test along with the Foton. Then, we acquired the 2014 Suzuki Ertiga 1.4 GLX A/T with the same 1.4-liter engine and 4-speed automatic as our current Ciaz long term test unit.

2011 Kia Soul 1.6 LX A/T

The traffic conditions were lighter and different from when we first conducted the tests compared to the frustrating gridlock that we experience nowadays. As we all know, sitting in traffic returns ZERO kilometers per liter so we can only surmise that our earlier tests yielded different results because our test vehicles were accumulating more mileage since they were actually moving. Conversely, the fuel prices are also fluctuating so our fuel costs per kilometer will also be skewed. Of course, newer cars like the Ertiga and the Ciaz are now equipped with more fuel-efficient EFI systems and transmissions to compensate for the fuel mileage lost sitting in traffic.

2014 Suzuki Ertiga 1.4 GLX A/T

Still and all, we thought it would be worthwhile to tabulate our tests results just for the heck of it.

Long Term                  Length of           Ave. Mileage                        Costs per Kilometer

Test Unit                     Test (Km)        Km/L               Fuel                 Maintenance    Total

2010 Foton MP-X       29,125             8.17                 P5.50               P2.04               P7.54

2011 Kia Soul             34,995             7.56                 P6.97               P2.14               P9.11

2014 Suzuki Ertiga     20,115             7.68                 P5.65               P0.46               P6.11

2016 Suzuki Ciaz        31,250             8.96                 P5.01               P0.63               P5.67