HA! The reverse corollary here is "there are reports of great mileage and it all can't possibly be a conspiracy, so, clearly, I'm doing something wrong". I would respectfully suggest LFS, or "leadus footus syndrome". Plying the turnpike at 75+ and jackrabbit starts/stops is hell on mpg, especially in the E.
I regularly see 27-29 in ours these days even with 100K miles on it, and gnash my teeth when it drops to 25 because of prolonged freeway driving. Granted it's a six-speed manual and our favored routes are leisurely country two-lanes, but, still - it's possible.
Also, on teaching my wife to: 1) quit the hard braking at every stop sign, 2) not wind it out on every shift and 3) get to 5th or even 6th before 40 mph, she improved her running-around economy by 10-15%. It clearly is possible to teach an old dog new tricks (and good thing she doesn't read the forum!).
I regularly see 27-29 in ours these days even with 100K miles on it, and gnash my teeth when it drops to 25 because of prolonged freeway driving. Granted it's a six-speed manual and our favored routes are leisurely country two-lanes, but, still - it's possible.
Also, on teaching my wife to: 1) quit the hard braking at every stop sign, 2) not wind it out on every shift and 3) get to 5th or even 6th before 40 mph, she improved her running-around economy by 10-15%. It clearly is possible to teach an old dog new tricks (and good thing she doesn't read the forum!).