I’m curious as to why small crossovers have tiny fuel tanks. I’ve seen the Buick Envista and that vehicle is plenty big enough to accomodate a 15-16 gallon tank to enable it to go at least 600 miles if not more at the 32mpg interstate rating. Why do automakers keep putting 11-13 gallon tanks in vehicles that only allow it to go around 300 miles on a tank. Wouldn’t the bigger fuel tank be the better and more sensible option?
In: Engineering
If it was something the market wanted, the automakers would add larger tanks. But their sales and market research likely indicates a bigger tank is not a significant selling point. They’re not making the costly design, engineering, factory retooling, and safety testing changes that adding a larger tank would require when they don’t see it improving profitability.
And your math doesn’t math – adding 3-5 gallons to an 11-13 gallon tank doesn’t more than double the range. 32 mpg times 16 gallons is just a bit above 500 miles, not at least 600 if not more.
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