What's MORE Important To You When Purchasing An All-new Vehicle? POWER or MPGs?

As more safety features are added and technology becomes the norm, it seems as though today's automobiles are only going in one direction. They're getting fatter. 

There's a silver lining to this, however. That's because today's automobiles are also getting significantly more powerful. 

So, how bad can it be?

Given consumer interests, which skew towards more aggressive looking designs and a more sporting driving experience, I think it's safe to say we're living in the golden age. Sure, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are widely available now but you must consider the insanity of an "entry-level" Ferrari with over 650 horsepower and the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon that boasts over 800 ponies. 

While I know customers are more environmentally conscious that before, that doesn't mean their tastes are really changing. Although there's plenty of Teslas being sold, there's far more people interested in large sport-utility vehicles and pick-up trucks. 

This means I've got to ask: What's MORE important to you when purchasing an all-new vehicle? POWER or MPGs?


It's time for another carwow drag race - and this is one of the most epic yet! This time I've assembled four performance monsters all with over 600hp and all-wheel-drive - and because, well... I can. This video will, though, settle two big scores all in one video: which brand makes the world’s fastest wagon, and who makes to most rapid luxury saloon? To find out, the Mercedes-AMG E63 Estate, the Audi RS 6 Avant, the BMW M760Li and the Tesla Model S P100d line up against each other, for one of the closest ever carwow races. You won't want to miss this!

TheSteve - 10/10/2017 12:21:31 AM

+1 Boost

Both! That's why I love my Q5 3.0 liter diesel (yeah, Dieselgate sucks, BIG TIME... still!!!) It has 0-to-62 MPH time of around 6.5 seconds. I just did a 3,176 mile road trip and I averaged 46.1 MPG (legit, not just indicated on the dash FictionMeter). That's pretty respectable, on both counts.

FWIW, I'm still waiting for the beleaguered Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) to issue a fix for my engine :-(

TheSteve - 10/10/2017 12:24:24 AM

+2 Boost

Just to add, horsepower translates more to top end, which few people make use of on roads. What's more important in torque, the torque curve, and gearing, which translates into the more usable acceleration (e.g., 0-to-60 time, ability to pass, etc.)

So for virtually all drivers on public roads, horsepower is just a sales gimmick, but torque makes a difference. My vehicle has a mere 240 HP, but a gargantuan 428 lb-ft of torque provides the brisk acceleration.

MDarringer - 10/10/2017 8:20:16 AM

-1 Boost

@TheSteve You clearly are disingenuous. You say "Just to add, horsepower translates more to top end..." which is only half correct. More horsepower--which these days comes with more torque as well--also translates to more bottom end and more passing power to boot.

atc98092 - 10/10/2017 6:34:38 AM

+2 Boost

I agree with Steve, as I too had a VW diesel. I'm old enough that overall power is no longer a factor in my driving, but I still take it. :) I swapped my rental car last week because I couldn't stand the CVT transmission in the Nissan I first had. Now I have a Jetta with the 1.4T engine, and it can run circles around the Nissan. That 1.4 has gobs of low end torque, and it's getting mileage I only saw with my Passat TDI. As in 40+MPG driving between my hotel and the Vienna Metro station.

jeffgall - 10/10/2017 7:06:58 AM

+2 Boost

I had a Nissan Sentra rental once with a CVT. Probably the worst car I have ever driven.

TomM - 10/10/2017 7:07:10 AM

+2 Boost

AS I approach 80. I note that virtually all cars go faster than I will drive them on public roads- (Few have ever reached top speed in most cars). However - I still like having enough power to merge onto the highways we have in the Northeast - where speed limit signs are a waste of money. I have passed the point where the cost of gasoline means anything - if I want to go there - I still prefer driving if I have the time and money. AND I still do plenty of long distance driving. And since I purchase large high end vehicles - the power is standard.

To me - there is still nothing like the smoothness of acceleration from a good V-12 engine - even if they TURBO a V-8 for more power -they are not the same. THAT is why I would automatically choose a Phantom over a Mulsanne - even if the Mulsanne is a better drivers car. I really love my current S-600 - I have the engine - and everything I want in a car. For me - it is the turbine like smoothness of the power of a V-12 - that makes the difference.

carloslassiter - 10/10/2017 7:23:15 AM

0 Boost

"AS I approach 80. I note that virtually all cars go faster than I will drive them on public roads-"

Do you mean 80 years-old, or 80 mph?

MDarringer - 10/10/2017 8:11:01 AM

-1 Boost

80 years old.

countguy - 10/10/2017 7:51:36 AM

+4 Boost

Both. With today's tech there is no reason I can't have good horsepower with reasonably good MPG.

MDarringer - 10/10/2017 8:10:40 AM

-1 Boost

Depends on the function. Power is of little importance on my company car because I'll just be stuck in traffic on the 405 anyway. If it's my personal car, then power trumps MPG hands down.

supermoto - 10/10/2017 11:42:17 AM

0 Boost

I spend more on champagne each year than petrol. So power for sure.

dumpsty - 10/10/2017 1:48:44 PM

+2 Boost

Mostly a balance of available power/torque vs (realistic/achievable) fuel ratings. My daily commute is maybe 80% highway driving. I do well on consumption on most days either meeting/exceeding the hwy fuel ratings. So I definitely appreciate the capability of chirping the wheels & zipping through traffic if necessary.