Advertisement

Real-world gas mileage winners and losers

  • <span><b>Winners</b></span><b><a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/honda/cr-z/" data-ylk="slk:Honda CR-Z;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Honda CR-Z</a></b><br>EPA: 34/37 mpg combined (manual/CVT)<br>Real world: 37-40 mpg<br><br>The economy of Honda's sporty compact hybrid might have disappointed some critics at launch, but in the real world the hybrid hatchback actually does a lot better--averaging as high as 40 mpg for many drivers. Dive further into the figures, and there's no clear distinction between manual or auto either--suggesting driving style, rather than transmission, matters most for the CR-Z.
    1/9

    2013 Honda CR-Z

    WinnersHonda CR-Z
    EPA: 34/37 mpg combined (manual/CVT)
    Real world: 37-40 mpg

    The economy of Honda's sporty compact hybrid might have disappointed some critics at launch, but in the real world the hybrid hatchback actually does a lot better--averaging as high as 40 mpg for many drivers. Dive further into the figures, and there's no clear distinction between manual or auto either--suggesting driving style, rather than transmission, matters most for the CR-Z.
  • <span><b>Winners (cont.)</b></span><b><a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/honda/insight/" data-ylk="slk:Honda Insight;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Honda Insight</a></b><br>EPA: 42 mpg combined<br>Real world: 43-46 mpg<br><br>Another much maligned Honda, the Insight seems able to beat its official 42 mpg figure by as much as 10 percent. 2012's sample of 48 cars is faring best, with up to 46.4 mpg on average. Figures well into the 50s aren't uncommon for individual users, and only a handful are doing less than 38 mpg--the Insight really does punch above its weight. It's also one of the cheapest hybrids on sale, and it represents a good way of getting high mileage for less money.
    2/9

    Honda Insight

    Winners (cont.)Honda Insight
    EPA: 42 mpg combined
    Real world: 43-46 mpg

    Another much maligned Honda, the Insight seems able to beat its official 42 mpg figure by as much as 10 percent. 2012's sample of 48 cars is faring best, with up to 46.4 mpg on average. Figures well into the 50s aren't uncommon for individual users, and only a handful are doing less than 38 mpg--the Insight really does punch above its weight. It's also one of the cheapest hybrids on sale, and it represents a good way of getting high mileage for less money.
  • 2013 Volkswagen Jetta.Click here for high-resolution version
    3/9

    Volkswagen Canada présente la Jetta 2013

    2013 Volkswagen Jetta.Click here for high-resolution version
  • <span><b>Good effort</b></span><b><a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/honda/civic-hybrid/" data-ylk="slk:Honda Civic Hybrid;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Honda Civic Hybrid</a></b><br>EPA: 44 mpg combined<br>Real world: 43-44 mpg<br><br>Honda's highest-mileage hybrid on paper isn't quite as good in the real world as the cheaper Insight, but most drivers are still matching the official 44 mpg combined rating. That means you can either appreciate the Civic Hybrid for what it is--a usefully economical sedan--or save a few thousand and buy an <a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/honda/insight/" data-ylk="slk:Insight;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Insight</a> instead...
    4/9

    Honda Civic Hybrid

    Good effortHonda Civic Hybrid
    EPA: 44 mpg combined
    Real world: 43-44 mpg

    Honda's highest-mileage hybrid on paper isn't quite as good in the real world as the cheaper Insight, but most drivers are still matching the official 44 mpg combined rating. That means you can either appreciate the Civic Hybrid for what it is--a usefully economical sedan--or save a few thousand and buy an Insight instead...
  • Toyota Prius
    5/9

    Green Vehicles at the LA Auto Show

    Toyota Prius
    LA Auto Show
  • FILE - This Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012 file photo shows the 2013 Toyota Prius c during its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
    6/9

    FILE - This Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012 file photo shows the 2013 Toyota Prius c during its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

    FILE - This Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012 file photo shows the 2013 Toyota Prius c during its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
  • Toyota Prius V
    7/9

    Green Vehicles at the LA Auto Show

    Toyota Prius V
    LA Auto Show
  • <b><a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/ford/fusion-energi/" data-ylk="slk:2013 Ford Fusion (Energi);elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">2013 Ford Fusion (Energi)</a></b><br>Top-tier safety ratings fit right alongside available accident-avoiding features like blind-spot monitors.
    8/9

    Ford Fusion Hybrid and Energi plug-in

    2013 Ford Fusion (Energi)
    Top-tier safety ratings fit right alongside available accident-avoiding features like blind-spot monitors.
  • <span><b>Losers (cont.)</b></span><b><a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/lexus/rx/2013/450h-4x4/" data-ylk="slk:Lexus RX 450h;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Lexus RX 450h</a></b><br>EPA: 30 mpg combined (FWD)<br>Real world: 24-28 mpg<br><br>It's not just Ford drivers failing to match sky-high EPA numbers--Lexus is at it too. We've included the RX as we've experienced its lackluster real-world economy first hand, on more than one occasion. Drivetrain does play a part here (better with front wheel drive than all four), but ultimately it's a struggle for economy-minded RX owners.
    9/9

    Lexus RX 450h

    Losers (cont.)Lexus RX 450h
    EPA: 30 mpg combined (FWD)
    Real world: 24-28 mpg

    It's not just Ford drivers failing to match sky-high EPA numbers--Lexus is at it too. We've included the RX as we've experienced its lackluster real-world economy first hand, on more than one occasion. Drivetrain does play a part here (better with front wheel drive than all four), but ultimately it's a struggle for economy-minded RX owners.
<span><b>Winners</b></span><b><a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/honda/cr-z/" data-ylk="slk:Honda CR-Z;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Honda CR-Z</a></b><br>EPA: 34/37 mpg combined (manual/CVT)<br>Real world: 37-40 mpg<br><br>The economy of Honda's sporty compact hybrid might have disappointed some critics at launch, but in the real world the hybrid hatchback actually does a lot better--averaging as high as 40 mpg for many drivers. Dive further into the figures, and there's no clear distinction between manual or auto either--suggesting driving style, rather than transmission, matters most for the CR-Z.
<span><b>Winners (cont.)</b></span><b><a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/honda/insight/" data-ylk="slk:Honda Insight;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Honda Insight</a></b><br>EPA: 42 mpg combined<br>Real world: 43-46 mpg<br><br>Another much maligned Honda, the Insight seems able to beat its official 42 mpg figure by as much as 10 percent. 2012's sample of 48 cars is faring best, with up to 46.4 mpg on average. Figures well into the 50s aren't uncommon for individual users, and only a handful are doing less than 38 mpg--the Insight really does punch above its weight. It's also one of the cheapest hybrids on sale, and it represents a good way of getting high mileage for less money.
2013 Volkswagen Jetta.Click here for high-resolution version
<span><b>Good effort</b></span><b><a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/honda/civic-hybrid/" data-ylk="slk:Honda Civic Hybrid;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Honda Civic Hybrid</a></b><br>EPA: 44 mpg combined<br>Real world: 43-44 mpg<br><br>Honda's highest-mileage hybrid on paper isn't quite as good in the real world as the cheaper Insight, but most drivers are still matching the official 44 mpg combined rating. That means you can either appreciate the Civic Hybrid for what it is--a usefully economical sedan--or save a few thousand and buy an <a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/honda/insight/" data-ylk="slk:Insight;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Insight</a> instead...
Toyota Prius
FILE - This Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012 file photo shows the 2013 Toyota Prius c during its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Toyota Prius V
<b><a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/ford/fusion-energi/" data-ylk="slk:2013 Ford Fusion (Energi);elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">2013 Ford Fusion (Energi)</a></b><br>Top-tier safety ratings fit right alongside available accident-avoiding features like blind-spot monitors.
<span><b>Losers (cont.)</b></span><b><a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/lexus/rx/2013/450h-4x4/" data-ylk="slk:Lexus RX 450h;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Lexus RX 450h</a></b><br>EPA: 30 mpg combined (FWD)<br>Real world: 24-28 mpg<br><br>It's not just Ford drivers failing to match sky-high EPA numbers--Lexus is at it too. We've included the RX as we've experienced its lackluster real-world economy first hand, on more than one occasion. Drivetrain does play a part here (better with front wheel drive than all four), but ultimately it's a struggle for economy-minded RX owners.

We decided to browse some of the more well-known gas-sipping models using Fuelly.com's roster of driver-inputted numbers, to see which models fare best, and which aren't so good in the real world. It's looking good for Honda and Volkswagen, but not so much for Ford... | By Antony Ingram, High Gear Media

More at High Gear Media
Video Shows Just How Deceptive Fake Ferraris Actually Were
2014 Chevrolet Volt Price Cut By $5,000, To $34,995
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Edition Mustang Sells For $398k
Is This Ford's Four-Cylinder EcoBoost 2015 Mustang? Sure Sounds Like It