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EPA Finds Prius #1 in Gas Mileage

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com

October 18, 2006

• Tax Credits On Ford Hybrids Phasing Out • Small Car Market Faces Potentially Large Problems • Ford Plans Car That Parks Itself • Drivers Wanted: Mini Developing Electric Model • GM Invests In Electric Car Engine Plant • GM Increasingly Viewed As "Green" By Online Consumers • Honda Plans New Hybrid for Earth Day 2009 • Hybrid Technology a Presidential Campaign Issue --- • More ...

The Toyota Prius is the #1 gas saver on the road according to the government's new top 10 fuel economy list. Of the ten most efficient vehicles, five were made by Toyota.

The 2007 Prius tops the list with 60 miles per gallon in the city and 51 mpg on the highway. Many Prius owners, however have disputed the government mileage numbers from previous years and have reported to ConsumerAffairs.com that average fuel economy for the hybrid is approximately 43 miles to a gallon.

The Honda Civic Hybrid rolled into second place on the list with 49 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway.

The government mileage numbers are compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy based on information from manufacturers. Fuel economy estimates are determined by averaging numbers from specific government tests.

"By fueling consumers with better information, the EPA is helping American motorists conserve their money while preserving our environment," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.

The Ford Escape is the most fuel-efficient sport utility vehicle on the list. The Escape Hybrid front-wheel drive was fourth with 36 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

Twelve vehicles were listed in the top ten and seven of those vehicles were either Toyota or Honda models.

Twelve vehicles were listed because two of them, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid four-wheel drive and the Kia Rio, are virtually the same as vehicles made by Ford and Hyundai, respectively.

The new Toyota Camry Hybrid was third on the list with 40 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

The four-wheel drive Escape Hybrid and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, were tied for 10th place with 32 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Five vehicles in the top tent were not hybrids. They are Toyota Yaris, the Honda Fit, Toyota Corolla, the Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio.

The Ford Ranger two-wheel drive was the most fuel-efficient pickup, with 24 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

The Hyundai Sonata with a manual transmission was the top large car averaging 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway

The Dodge Caravan two-wheel drive was the top minivan, with 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee four-wheel drive was the least fuel-efficient SUV with 12 mpg in the city and 15 mpg on the highway.

Here's the list:
1. Toyota Prius Hybrid
2. Honda Civic Hybrid
3. Toyota Camry Hybrid
4. Ford Excape Hybrid with FWD
5. Toyota Yaris with Manual Transmission
6. Toyota Yaris with Automatic Transmission
7. Honda Fit with Manual Transmission
8. Toyota Corolla with Manual Transmission
9. Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio with Manual Transmission
10. Ford Escape Hybrid with 4WD and Mercury Mariner with 4WD

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