Dude you should bee running premium. The manual doesnt just 'suggest' premium, its required. The reason the 2010 has more hp than the 2009 is because they actually tuned the car differently. With the new tune you require premium fuel or you risk the chance of engine knock.

Premium fuel on its on isnt going to net you hp or fuel economy, the vehicle has to be tuned for it to be effective. For example putting premium in your parents 95 astro van isnt going to make a lick of difference as the engine isnt set-up to utilize the extra octane. However if you were to put regular in a new evo, the thing would knock and go boom.

This is why its important to use the type of fuel the manufacturer requires. The difference in price ($6 on a full tank) isnt going to kill anyone that can afford to purchase this vehicle.

Edit: I get about 400km to a tank all city driving. and when i took it out to the mountains I got about 600km to the tank on purely highway driving. That was also through the mountains and at the time was still technically in the `break-in` period as I only had about 5000km on it. I would think a highway trip through the prairies, at the speed limit, should net around that 600-650km a tank range.

 

Actually, its downhill in the morning and uphill in the afternoon. Regular 4WD auto if its raining or 2WD if not. Very light on the throttle and no A/C.
Most cars I've driven get around the same on that trip, so the Outlander isn't any worse in terms of fuel consumption.

 

I looked at my manual for my 2010 XLS it does not state that premium is required, only recommended. It says 87 or higher is required, while premium is recommended for best performance.

I'm only on my second tank (first tank was dealer filled) and used regular this tank, have noticed no difference so far.

 

I got 522 km (all high way) to a tank with my 2009 XLS (3.0L V6) which was 10.6 l/100km. My average is about 450 km per tank or 11.41 l/100km. I cruise at 110-120 kph. This is based on records I have kept over the past six months. Mine has 37,000km on it.

I get 400 km when I am towing my camping trailer (2,000 lbs) at 100 kph.

As for the premium fuel debate, it is "recomended" not "required". The compression went from 9.5:1 to 10.5:1 which is the main reason for the premium recomend and the torgue and horse power increase. You should see more of a differance after a few years when the carbon deposits in the engine limit it's ability to retard the timing. Thats what happened to my Grandfathers '05 Galant LS V6 which also had premium recomended.

 

Of course you wont notice a difference. Its not like adding nos lol. Doesnt mean that it isnt making a difference. For the small amount of price difference I'd highly recommend it.

This is why...

As for the premium fuel debate, it is "recomended" not "required". The compression went from 9.5:1 to 10.5:1 which is the main reason for the premium recomend and the torgue and horse power increase. You should see more of a differance after a few years when the carbon deposits in the engine limit it's ability to retard the timing. Thats what happened to my Grandfathers '05 Galant LS V6 which also had premium recomended.