image credit Toyota pressroom
The Toyota Prius (shown above) has been at the forefront of the hybrid vehicle market in the U.S. since the very beginning. This year, with EPA mpg ratings at 48 mpg in the city, 45 mpg on the highway, and 46 mpg combined, the Prius has the best mileage ratings of all the major hybrid vehicles. The Prius also has the lowest Annual Fuel Cost at $993 per year. The Honda Civic Hybrid, hailed by many as having slight technological and design advantages over the Prius, comes in a close second on mileage with 40 mpg city, 45 mpg hwy, and 42 mpg combined, and it only costs $96 a year more for fuel to drive.
If these mileage figures look a little lower then you thought they would be, then you may have researched the mileage statistics last year, when the EPA used a less strenuous, and less exact, method for determining mileage. Many environmentalists and scientists decried the old statistical methods as inaccurate, and some even claimed the figures were slanted to improve mileage numbers, thereby helping auto manufactures to sell more cars. The heat of the global warming debate convinced the EPA scientists to redo their mileage figures, and predictably, the ratings were not as impressive as before. For example, the Prius went from a rating of 55 mpg to 46 mpg combined, while the Honda Civic Hybrid went from 50 mpg to 42 mpg combined.
See the latest mileage ratings here.
Why does the EPA claim that they changed the mileage figures this year? According to their website, the new estimates account for "Faster Speeds & Acceleration, Air Conditioner Use, and Colder Outside Temperatures". Uh-Huh --- yeah right. In any case, the new numbers are more accurate and useful.
The EPA and the Department of Energy deserve kudos for their informative website
www.fueleconomy.gov, which lists the mileage ratings, annual fuel costs, and much more for all U.S. vehicles, even non-hybrids. Go there to compare vehicle statistics, get gas mileage tips, or just to find out how your current vehicle performs against the competition.
