How many miles per gallon does a 2005 Acura El get?
The 2005 Acura EL, a Canada-market sedan based on the Honda Civic, typically delivers fuel economy in the low-to-mid 30s on the highway and the high 20s in city driving, with a common combined figure near the upper 20s to low 30s depending on transmission and maintenance. In practical terms, you can expect roughly 29–32 miles per gallon combined under normal driving conditions.
Overview of the El’s fuel economy
The EL uses a 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine common to Civic-based designs of that era. Depending on whether the car was equipped with a manual or automatic transmission, and how it’s driven and maintained, actual miles-per-gallon can vary. Canada’s market reporting also uses liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km), which some sources convert to mpg for readers in the United States.
EPA estimates vs. real-world numbers
Because the Acura EL was a Canadian-market model aligned with the Civic, official EPA mpg figures aren’t always published in the same way as U.S.-market Civics. Real-world fuel economy is influenced by driving style, maintenance, tire condition, and load. The figures below reflect typical ranges seen by owners and reviewers.
General mpg ranges you might see, depending on driving style and transmission:
- City driving: roughly 25–28 mpg
- Highway driving: roughly 34–37 mpg
- Combined economy: roughly 29–32 mpg
In practice, staying within maintenance schedules, keeping tires properly inflated, and driving smoothly can push numbers toward the upper end of these ranges.
Factors that influence fuel economy
Multiple variables affect the EL’s fuel economy. Understanding these can help you estimate what you’ll actually get in daily use.
- Transmission type (manual vs automatic)
- Engine condition and maintenance (air filter, spark plugs, oil changes)
- Tire pressure and rolling resistance
- Load, aerodynamics, and use of accessories (air conditioning, roof racks)
Regular maintenance and mindful driving practices can help you stay closer to the higher end of the ranges above.
Tips to maximize mpg
- Keep tires inflated to the recommended pressure and rotate them as advised.
- Drive smoothly with gradual acceleration and gentle braking.
- Plan trips to minimize idling and combine errands when possible.
- Remove unnecessary weight and reduce aerodynamic drag (e.g., roof racks when not in use).
- Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule and use the recommended fuel grade.
Following these steps can improve the EL’s efficiency and overall reliability over time.
Summary
For a 2005 Acura EL, typical combined fuel economy sits in the high 20s to low 30s mpg range, with city driving in the mid- to high-20s and highway driving in the mid-30s mpg. Actual results depend on transmission, maintenance, and driving habits, but the numbers above provide a practical benchmark for planning fuel costs.
