Hybrid car owners wonder: Where's the mileage?

USA Today | 2/3/2004 | David Kiley

[alnitak]

Crikey. I used to get a steady 40mpg in my Nissan Primera (4 door sedan). No swanky technology, sweet engine though. Driving style matters a lot...

[cinFLA]

I am a cynical Rebel - I have believed that the Japanese carmakers have been tinkering with their vehicles to optimize the tested fuel economy for a long time now. I have not seen any study comparing reported actual fuel economy versus EPA tested mileage, but I know I never got anywhere near the number printed on the window sticker.

My mother's I35 exceeds the published numbers (even when I drive it).

[jtminton]

No doubt! I lived in the U Dist and worked in Bellevue and it would take me 45 min+ to make the 8 mile commute on 520. That's why I got a motorcycle. HOV lanes rock!

Too bad here in Texas I-35 is too d@mn straight to be any fun on a bike. Oh well.

[BrooklynGOP]

I get 21-22 mpg in my maxima se.

[38special]

I don't keep track of gas mileage because I don't really care. Comfort, safety and performance matter more to me than gas mileage. I'd estimate 15mpg in my truck and 20 in my cars. Good enough for me.

[KOZ.]

dont like the subaru? i've heard good things about em.

[Squantos]

TDI BTTT !

[Bryan24]

I have a '93 Civic. I STILL get 38 mpg driving back and forth to work (17 mile trip one way) in Huntsville, Alabama.

I get upwards of 40 mpg on the highway. And it will still run over 110 MPH....

[camle]

to hell with it all, i'm buying a jag.

[pt17]

But Bartell says he actually is getting between 34 and 36 mpg.

Hmmm. My wife's (older) BMW gets between 30 and 40 mpg, depending.

[AppyPappy]

It's great but it can't hold a candle to a big heavy SUV. The best thing is that I can climb any hill in snow and ice. But it will get out from under you in a heartbeat if you use the gas too much.

[dts32041]

My non-hybrid diesel beetle gets 40 mph for city driving and as high as 50 mph on the interstate.

Probably cost 10 15 thousand less than a hybrid.

[Constitution Day]

The cars "intend" to get higher gas mileage that's what is important!!!

The path to more 'green' legislation is paved with such intentions.

[Constitution Day]

Was that the one you posted the pic of a while back? Sweet!

[DeFault User]

Our '03 Civic (automatic) gets low 30's in town and about 36-37 on highway trips. No complaints here especially since they improved the interior room compared to previous models. For comparison, the '03 Accord gets 24-25 city and low 30's on the highway.

[brianl703]

I've gotten 27-28 MPG highway in my 1988 Mustang 5.0 before. City driving usually around 20 MPG.

[Darksheare]

Well, I did drive a Geo Metro for a bit.
Even with an automatic transmission it got something approaching 43 MPG.
My VW Jetta is currently getting somewhere near 32 MPG.

The Hybrid cars should get best mileage when normal cars would get their worst.
The hybrid owners would get best mileage in stop and go traffic where normal cars get 17 MPG or less.
*snicker*
The hybrid car owners buy these cars and expect their highway mileage to be sky high as well.
Not gonna happen.
Hybrid cars also aren't getting the good performance promised.
They can barely get out of their own way.

Thanks for posting the article.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Have they fixed the electrical problems that have plagued it for +40 years?

[traumer]

Sorry only in Europe.... :o(
Honda Accord DIESEL !!!

http://www.channel4.com/apps26/4car/jsp/main.jsp?lnk=220&pageid=5776