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- mikerowave, on 10/12/2007, -3/+69Notice how not a single one of 'em is made by a US auto maker....sigh..
- Chompy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+49When California was considering allowing hybrids to use the HOV lanes (which they now can), Ford wrote them a letter basically stating that the mileage requirements were "unpatriotic" and "anti-american" because no american vehicles qualified. That should give you some sense of the disconnect with reality they have going on in the upper echelons of American carmakers.
- buss, on 10/12/2007, -4/+49And yet they still wonder why they're losing so much money.
- Clayfoot, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12Since government tests can be way off the mileage you get, Consumer Reports does its own mileage tests. The top 10 list by their tests is (overall, city, highway):
1. Honda Insight 51 36 66
2. Toyota Prius 44 35 50
3. Honda Civic Hybrid 37 26 47
4. Toyota Camry Hybrid 34 28 41
5. Volkswagen Jetta TDI 34 24 46
6. Scion xB (MT) 32 25 36
7. Scion xA (MT) 31 22 38
8. Honda Civic EX (MT) 31 22 40
9. Mini Cooper (base) 30 23 38
10.Scion xB (AT) 30 23 37
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/fuel-economy-1005/fuelefficient-vehicles/index.htm - Rymep, on 10/12/2007, -4/+15Too bad E85 is far from the best option.
- mtmal, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12and also notice that 3 on the list are diesels...
I can't quote a source specifically, but it is my understanding that hybrids do less well in real-world conditions than their epa numbers would suggest. (I remember one review of the Lexis SUV hybrid where the journalist claimed no improvement in fuel efficiency in his daily driving versus the all-gas version.)
It strikes me that if we want to really get serious about fuel efficiency, given the way we drive in America (i.e., mostly on highways), we would do more to make diesel the fuel of choice. It is proven and inexpensive technology, there is apparently no performance hit relative to current cars, and the new engines are extremely clean-burning. - Artifez, on 10/12/2007, -4/+15Yeah, that really pisses me off, the designers of american cars are so myopic and off the mark that I want to personally kick every one of them.
- Artifez, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12If they had a motorcycle that protected me from the -10 F winters and protected me from retarded, cellphone addict soccer moms with 4 ton trucks I'd use one too, untill then, I'll drive a car for at least minimal protection.
- KissTheRing, on 10/12/2007, -5/+15I think the Civic Hybrid is a pretty snazzy looking car
- robbh66, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10It capures energy from braking and uses it to run the motors. On the highway its pretty much the gas engine doing all the work.
- cartwheels, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9Of course, the reason why GM makes more cars that get over 30mpg than other manufacturers is a simple one. GM makes so many more cars (I won't even bother to list every individual brand) than other manufacturers, period.
- RadiantBeing, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11The market is already kicking them pretty good right now. Even the President said they need to start making a product that's relevant.
- edge10, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9I'll be darned, a quck check on Wikipedia show you are correct sir!
- ckelly5, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7I think all the answers are correct.
Toyota's hybrid system works on 100% battery power below a certain speed (as long as there is battery power to use), and it traps energy when you are coasting/ braking to charge said battery. If you get to a certain speed (I want to say somewhere in the range of 25-40MPH) or the battery runs out, the gas engine will kick in and propel the car/ assist in charging the battery. As was stated, city driving is usually slower speeds (under 40MPH) with a good deal of stop and go activity - a perfect situation for the electric portion of the hybrid system - Artifez, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9My dad was a cop for 33 years and he calls motorcyclists "organ donors" and asked me to never ride one.
- wmarcello, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Here in Canada the Yaris is the successor to the Echo. I think the Yaris existed in Europe for a couple years before it came to North America. From what I've seen here they definitely have a different styling to them.
- mrmots1, on 10/12/2007, -4/+10Isn't YARIS and ECHO the same?
- robbh66, on 10/12/2007, -5/+104 replies, 4 different answers. Obviously most people dont really know the correct answer.
Not saying I do either- just an observation. - rokinroj, on 10/12/2007, -4/+9GM still offered last year's top-selling subcompact, the Chevy Aveo, and the well-regarded Chevy Cobalt compact. In fact, GM offers more vehicles that get 30 mpg or better EPA highway mileage than any other automaker. More than Toyota. More than Honda. More than Nissan.
Give Toyota credit for the Prius hybrid. But if you look at the growth in Toyota's business in the United States over the last decade, it has come primarily from expanding into the truck segments - including full size pickups and SUVs. GM entries in those segments, by the way, have better EPA mileage ratings than Toyota's. And which automaker is building a large new assembly plant in Texas to build its biggest full-size pickup yet? Toyota.
And the bottom line is the top 2 best selling vehicles in America across all categories is the Ford F-150 and the Chevy Silverado. So are the American auto makers so far off base? Or are they just making what people are driving/buying? - suckfone, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6I've had a Jetta TDI for about a month now, and its been awesome. Around 40 mpg city and 50 mpg highway. Plus, there are plenty of places to buy bio diesel cheap around here ($2.75/gallon), so its easily more environmentally friendly than my old gas car was.
- typo180, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I don't quite understand why everyone thinks fuel-efficient cars are so ugly. My criteria for a car (and I'm in my early twenties) are fuel efficiency, reliability, room (I'm a bit tall), and - if all else is in place - a nice stereo system (one that sounds nice, not one that blasts bass throughout a 3-block radius). Of course price is always an issue too, I wish there were more options available to students and others without a whole wad of cash to spend on a car.
- greyghst168, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5If it weren't for the safety issue of riding a motorcycle, I'd have already made the switch, but for now, I'll stick to my car.
- wmarcello, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Can anybody explain why the Prius gets better mileage in the city then on the highway?
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6At your age the Honda CBR600 should fit your profile. It's snazzy, sexy, fast, cheap, and gets great gas milage. ;)
- sacherjj, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Our diesel fuel is years behind Europe, with so much sulphur that they are terrible with emissions. This is why VW has to limit the number of TDI (Turbo Direct Injection) Diesels they sell in the US. They bring down the "whole fleet" emissions. This is also why it is (are was very recently) nearly impossible to get a new TDI registered in California or New York. People wanting the benefits of low RPM torque and high mileage had to register the car in a neighboring state and then transfer into state as used, after 7500 miles. Yet, there is no restriction on a Hummer getting 8 mpg...
- Menel, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5And you trust some random blog?
- sacherjj, on 10/31/2007, -1/+5Just make sure you have Organ Donor selected on your license if you decide to ride without a helmet.
- wardrive, on 10/12/2007, -4/+8My motorcycle gets me about 60 mile to the gallon. And it's big, Honda VTX (1800cc engine)
So if you really want fuel efficiency, motorcycles are the way to go, since most people already drive alone anyways. Most people don't carpool at all. - billybob476, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Motorcysles are great except if you live anywhere where it snows.
- astatine, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Yep, and more likely to be used by anyone who actually buys those cars...
- cartwheels, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Try the Honda Fit on for size. Those things are small, efficient, and according to every article I've read, extremely fun to drive. The sport model is cheap too, I think around $17,000 fully loaded.
- Clayfoot, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5MT = manual transmission
AT = automatic transmission - edge10, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5And that doesn't include the new Yaris which gets 40mpg Highway and 34mpg city!
- shoover, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Or, unless you want to, you know, buy groceries or something.
- bigtrouble77, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I'm 6'4" 29 and have an insight. I could care less about the looks, the damn thing gets 65mpg in the summer and it's the cvt version- the car only cost me $17k. I get about 600 miles between fillups so I only pull up to the gas station about once a month. People need to get over their egos and buy something simply to be responsible for once.
- Artifez, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5You are correct
It recaptures breaking as electricity, so in the city it is more efficient - GooBoy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4GM, Chrysler, Ford et al don't really compete in the small car market that well. However, once you get into the mid-size, full-size, sportute/X-over category, then they become very competitive.
Don't sweat it, with the increasing popularity of the small car segment in North America and with rising gas prices, the domestics will start releasing competitive vehicles in that market too. - RealityMonster, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3One of the best ways to reduce your energy usage is to move closer to the places that you need to be, like work or shops. It's not always practical or possible, but if that's really your goal -- to be good to the environment -- it makes a huge difference.
- misfit815, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I've got a '98 Jetta TDI. I get 43mpg. What's impressive about that is the fact that my driving could best be described as 'digital'. Try driving one of those hybrids like you're Mario Andretti and see what kind of mileage you get.
- Clayfoot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3For fun, the 10 worst mileage list from Consumer Reports. Note that the Hummer H3, often much maligned for fuel economy, does not top the list.
(overall, city, highway)
1 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7 SLT 11 8 17
2 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7 SLT 12 8 17
3 Nissan Titan SE 13 9 18
4 Jeep Commander Limited (5.7) 13 9 19
5 Land Rover LR3 SE (V8) 13 9 21
6 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer (V8) 14 9 21
7 Hummer H3 14 10 20
8 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7-liter (V8) 14 9 21
9 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (6-cyl.) 14 10 19
10 Kia Sorento LX 15 10 21
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/fuel-economy-1005/fuelefficient-vehicles/index.htm - Clayfoot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3To get km/l from miles per gallon, multiple the mpg number by 0.425
- nTensify, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I thought the Yaris was supposed to be better than the Echo due to its practically from the ground up redesign (including a ton more airbags and a smaller, more fuel effecient engine).
*shrug* learn something every day. - Artifez, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Sadly, that handfull holds a lot of the currency so it sticks in the collective zeitgeist. The conversions arent hard and I think google will do them for you.
- MrTimmay, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7What happened to Saturn? I drive a 2002 Saturn SL1 and I get 40 mpg Highway and 36 City. Last I checked that car was made in the US...
- i64X, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I'm sorry but "318i" and "performance" shouldn't be used in the same sentance. I had a 325is and even that wasn't very fast, and didn't handle well at all. 318 is the same car with a smaller motor in it and still has all the weight.
- rokinroj, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3@macattacks10 - "Plus the government is taking a hit making the E85 cheaper than it costs to make so people will buy it"
You couldnt be further from the truth.
This revelation comes directly form the Renewable Fuels Association :
"Most ethanol is sold under long-term contract. These contracts are private agreements between ethanol producers/marketers and petroleum companies. According to industry observers, roughly 90 to 95% of ethanol is sold under these long-term contracts (6 to 12 months). Many of these contracts are "fixed price." In other words, the price a petroleum company pays for the ethanol doesn't change, regardless of changes in the spot (wholesale) market price. Some of these contracts may be "pegged" to a gasoline benchmark. In this case, when wholesale gasoline prices move up or down, the price a petroleum company pays for ethanol moves accordingly.
This collusive relationship ensures that E85 can never be a true pricing alternative to Gasoline and also ensures the two industries will never need to actually compete against each other. Instead of competing they simply make these agreements that ensure massive collusive profits for each Industry , once again at the consumers expense.
So, it is in fact manufactured much cheaper than oil, but the big oil companies are buying it up and selling it at an inflated price. There is no government absorbed incentive that you implied, but rather a back scratching, lobbyist deal that allows big oil to buy up the competitive difference.
The best support that our Politicians can offer their constituents is a legal separation of Ethanol and Oil . The consumer cannot win if these industries are allowed to continue to collusively come together and create collusive pricing agreements. - Topher06, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The numbers are from very controlled in lab testing and are unrealistic. The Hybrid numbers (as usual) do not reflect the way people actually drive these things, and so of course are skewed to look more fuel efficient then other cards with REAL world fuel efficiency, like the Golf TDI.
I watched some british car show (forget which one, but the more popular one), and they test drove hybrid's comared to a Golf TDI, and the TDI spanked the hybrid's silly. For best fuel economy, get a deisel. EVERY report I have seen for real world Hybrid efficiency shows them to perform as good as, or even less, then other gas engine only cars. Lets face it, unless you want to drive 40km/h to work in an 80 km/h zone, your never going to get the fuel efficiency rated.
Hybrid's are for rich yuppies that think by paying more for something, they are saving the environment. - eyeats, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3google is your friend
http://www.google.com/search?q=8+mpg+to+km%2Fl - ricksite, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Our diesel was years behind. Not anymore: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-low_sulfur_diesel
- SmeRndmGy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I happen to know for a fact that you can get laid, and often, without purchasing a "cool" car. Buying certain items will not make people like you. These items continue to sell because people THINK they do.
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