City MPG better than Hwy??? REALLY?

[RAV4outnbout]

I think it is just a bad design in gearing for these 4.1's. My 1999 gets about 23-25 in town and about the same on the highway. Mine is a 5-speed manual and at 70 the engine is turning about 3200 rpms. My 2011 Sport with the 3.5 gets 27.8 on the highway and the motor is turning around 1900 rpms. I just find it hard for the 4.1's to achieve the projected highway figures at such high rpms.

[myrav497]

RAV4outnbout, I am thinking the same. But from what I understand, pretty sure all 4cyl vehicles are designed this way. To get the most power out of a small motor. Like my corolla it raps out pretty tight too and it gets great hwy mpgs. I know body design is different, but I also had a 87 toyota pu with the 22r 2wd with a 4sp manual, it got 26mpg, it too was wound pretty tight at 70. I just don't know, I am gna try changing the tranny fluid and gear oil and see what that does. But I can't believe that is gna get me 4-6 more mpg on the hwy.

And wow, 23-25 in town? Thats awesome, I thought I was doing good at 18-19 in town. If I could get 25 on the hwy I'd be fine with it. I still think something isn't right.