The results 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 peak body for Australia’s state-based motoring clubs, such as 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 results of 84 vehicles it has tested, with the latest, sixth round detailing 14 vehicles.
Of these 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 only vehicle to use less fuel than what the carmaker achieved in lab testing, consuming two per cent less petrol in the AAA’s testing.
Nissan’s Patrol and Isuzu’s MU-X 4×4 both had negligible differences to their lab test claims, however they were among the two thirstiest vehicles tested.
However, that left 11 vehicles with real-world fuel consumption figures higher than those in 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.
In the case of the Mazda 2, it was found to use 35 per cent more fuel when tested by the AAA compared to what the carmaker claims. It was a similar story for the new Suzuki Swift Hybrid, consuming 31 per cent more petrol.
While the MU-X may have been one of a few vehicles to not exceed its fuel consumption claim, it was the only vehicle to produce 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 this is less 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.
As opposed to previous results announcements, the AAA hasn’t included the baseline lab test results of the CO2 emissions of each vehicle, only what its testing found.
This article will be updated accordingly when the data becomes available.
All of the AAA’s real-world road testing is conducted on a 93km loop in and around Geelong. Testing protocols are based on European Union legislation but developed for Australia with consultation between the peak group and local regulators and industry.
“These results again show real-world testing is needed to help consumers and fleet buyers avoid buying a vehicle that produces more emissions and higher running costs than advertised,” AAA managing director Michael Bradley said in a media statement.
“While some cars perform as per the information at point of sale, our Program is revealing that many, if not most, do not.
“Testing cars in real Australian driving conditions will help sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to cars delivering fuel consumption that matches their mandated laboratory test results, and it will act as a complementary audit regime for the NVES [New Vehicle Efficiency Standard].
“The Program is working with the NVES to help make the national vehicle fleet cleaner and more fuel-efficient.”
The AAA has not yet released testing results for EVs, which are due to be put to the test this year.
Fuel consumption results
| Model | Fuel type | Lab testing result (L/100km) | AAA testing result (L/100km) | Disparity vs lab test claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Outlander | Petrol | 8.1 | 7.9 | -2% |
| Nissan Patrol | Petrol | 14.4 | 14.5 | 0% |
| Isuzu MU-X 4×4 | Diesel | 8.3 | 8.3 | 0% |
| Mitsubishi Triton 4×4 | Diesel | 7.7 | 7.9 | +3% |
| Nissan X-Trail | Petrol | 7.8 | 8.2 | +5% |
| Kia Cerato | Petrol | 6.8 | 7.3 | +8% |
| Ford Everest V6 4×4 | Diesel | 8.5 | 9.2 | +8% |
| Toyota C-HR hybrid | Petrol | 4.0 | 5.2 | +10% |
| Hyundai i30 | Petrol | 6.1 | 6.8 | +11% |
| Kia Picanto | Petrol | 6.0 | 6.7 | +11% |
| MG 5 | Petrol | 6.6 | 8 | +21% |
| Mazda CX-5 | Petrol | 7.4 | 9 | +22% |
| Suzuki Swift hybrid | Petrol | 4.0 | 5.2 | +31% |
| Mazda 2 | Petrol | 5.0 | 6.8 | +35% |
CO2 emissions results
| Model | Fuel type | AAA testing result (g/km) |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota C-HR hybrid | Petrol | 100 |
| Suzuki Swift hybrid | Petrol | 123 |
| Kia Picanto | Petrol | 151 |
| Hyundai i30 | Petrol | 154 |
| Mazda 2 | Petrol | 154 |
| Kia Cerato | Petrol | 166 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | Petrol | 181 |
| MG 5 | Petrol | 182 |
| Nissan X-Trail | Petrol | 186 |
| Mazda CX-5 | Petrol | 205 |
| Mitsubishi Triton 4×4 | Diesel | 210 |
| Isuzu MU-X 4×4 | Diesel | 219 |
| Ford Everest V6 4×4 | Diesel | 241 |
| Nissan Patrol | Petrol | 340 |
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