I'm so glad I found someone who thinks the same thing...my dad thinks I'm an idiot for saying that...My 2004 Alero is also a V6 and is terrible on gas...I can't say I get that few MPG, but its very close...I love the car to death as well, but that is one thing I can't stand about it. One possible way to find out your real MPG would be to fill the gas tank completley and set your trip to zero...then, let the tank get as low as possible, and before you fill it back up, check the trip and see how many miles you have gotten...thats just one way I have heard of doing it. Hope it helps.