One would think that in life, there is no free lunch.
There usually is some sort of inverse relationship, or compromise.
We got terrible fuel economy with our 2011 Buick Enclave. I say this today, but would never have said it openly when we had it, I know V6's are poor from a physics standpoint, but the GM 3.6 V6 is thirsty junk. In 2025 it was installed in only two GM models. There is no way, no how it ever met its 16/22 self-reported EPA rating. It was closer to 12/19. For an underpowered V6 without much torque. Tow capacity of 1500 lol
One day in 2011, we were loaned a 2011 V8 Chevy Tahoe. I thought the fuel economy was surprising, is it the same, maybe a little better I didn't know what engine it had only it has to be over 300 for HP and torque and more than sufficient? Maybe I got it wrong we only had it 2 days.
2016, we were loaned a Chevy Suburban, and I thought, man, if I'm not mistaken, the fuel economy is better. How can this be? It's also in auto and I didn't touch it, I bet 2 WD is even better. That's odd. My conclusion is it must have cylinder deactivation (that's controversial too).
Now that we own a 2025 Tahoe with the dreaded L87, I can confirm the fuel economy is better both city and highway. Purchasing a 2025 over a 2011 is not free, it's costly. But for one vehicle to have 460 ft lbs vs 270 ft lbs, and to get superior fuel economy, is a tease, as if one is getting 132 HP and 190 ft lbs as a bonus.
Cherry picking highway miles (I have filled the tank, gotten on the highway, driven 50+ miles with cruise, exited, then filled again to calculate), the Tahoe can get 24-27 mpg, and no not a diesel. It typically does over 20 mpg on the highway. Many say that's terrible! Not really, it's 5,900 lbs. and doing a lot of work esp when 7 people and their stuff is inside.
I bet there are countless examples out there where some benefit seems to be a bonus, and free (although not truly free, there is some cost, sometimes no more complicated than payment for something better). I also think that we may make assumptions in life, which can hide some hidden benefits, aka bonuses that we could obtain.
One would think that in life, there is no free lunch.
There usually is some sort of inverse relationship, or compromise.
We got terrible fuel economy with our 2011 Buick Enclave. I say this today, but would never have said it openly when we had it, I know V6's are poor from a physics standpoint, but the GM 3.6 V6 is thirsty junk. In 2025 it was installed in only two GM models. There is no way, no how it ever met its 16/22 self-reported EPA rating. It was closer to 12/19. For an underpowered V6 without much torque. Tow capacity of 1500 lol
One day in 2011, we were loaned a 2011 V8 Chevy Tahoe. I thought the fuel economy was surprising, is it the same, maybe a little better I didn't know what engine it had only it has to be over 300 for HP and torque and more than sufficient? Maybe I got it wrong we only had it 2 days.
2016, we were loaned a Chevy Suburban, and I thought, man, if I'm not mistaken, the fuel economy is better. How can this be? It's also in auto and I didn't touch it, I bet 2 WD is even better. That's odd. My conclusion is it must have cylinder deactivation (that's controversial too).
Now that we own a 2025 Tahoe with the dreaded L87, I can confirm the fuel economy is better both city and highway. Purchasing a 2025 over a 2011 is not free, it's costly. But for one vehicle to have 460 ft lbs vs 270 ft lbs, and to get superior fuel economy, is a tease, as if one is getting 132 HP and 190 ft lbs as a bonus.
Cherry picking highway miles (I have filled the tank, gotten on the highway, driven 50+ miles with cruise, exited, then filled again to calculate), the Tahoe can get 24-27 mpg, and no not a diesel. It typically does over 20 mpg on the highway. Many say that's terrible! Not really, it's 5,900 lbs. and doing a lot of work esp when 7 people and their stuff is inside.
I bet there are countless examples out there where some benefit seems to be a bonus, and free (although not truly free, there is some cost, sometimes no more complicated than payment for something better). I also think that we may make assumptions in life, which can hide some hidden benefits, aka bonuses that we could obtain.
Happy New Year!