Lackluster hybrid MPG not necessarily just a driving style issue. My 2 weeks with a loaner...
I've posted repeatedly about the disappointing MPG I get in my AWD hybrid--disappointing as compared to the EPA estimates and the even higher reported MPG from owners here. Basically every response has boiled down to "it's your driving style." After trying to adjust to a more hybrid friendly driving style (which I've had to determine on my own since no one bother's to provide instructions in their "it's your driving style" comments), I've managed to increase from a 29.X lifetime MPG, to a 30.X MPG! After all that tinkering, I decided to just be happy with fuel efficiency that's still great for an SUV even if it's like 3/4 to 2/3 of what others get.
But then my car was in the shop for 2 weeks to deal with the B-Pillar rattle and I was set up with a 2026 hybrid loaner. Without changing anything meaningful about my driving style, typical routes, operating temperature, whatever other external variable you can think of, I averaged over 42 MPG.
The biggest thing I've noticed between the two cars is that my Santa Fe constantly runs at higher RPMs in the 30-38 MPH speed range--typically 2k RPMs throughout that range. Whereas the loaner ran around 1.5k RPMs through that speed range. I have to really make deliberate efforts to get my car out of the 2k RPM zone, whereas with the loaner it just happened naturally. I first noticed this because the loaner had much quieter engine noise on my drive. This is significant for fuel efficiency because the most common speed limit on city streets in my driving area is 30/35. And comports with what I've previously noticed and commented on--that I often get better MPG feedback at highway speeds than at city speeds.
Now, the cars weren't perfectly identical. I have a hybrid AWD 2025 calligraphy. The loaner was a hybrid FWD 2026 SE. That said, I'm hard pressed to think of how those differences could make a 10+mpg impact. All in all, this is the best comparison, and closest to a 1:1 comparison, I'll probably ever have. After that, I'm prepared to say that lower than expected MPG can be due to the car, not the driving style.
edit: to clarify, yes it's always in eco mode