The 2008 EPA mileage estimates reflect new EPA fuel economy methods. The former decade-old EPA standard of calculating mileage gave hybrids a marketing edge, though unrealistic real-world view of fuel consumption.
The Toyota Prius formally "got" 60 mpg in the city and a Honda Civic hybrid 51 on the highway. The two cars, which haven't changed much mechanically since 2007, now get about the same, 45 mpg, on the highway according to their manufacturers' site.
EPA estimates are really out the window with these cars as a number of fuel sipping technology tricks built into the cars are compounded and translated by the driver's ability and desire. I have often been able to exceed 51 mpg/highway on a 2005 Civic hybrid, but I have also had harried, lead foot days that come in the low 40's. My total fuel use average for 53,000 miles is 45 miles per gallon.
Mileage Estimates (mpg city/highway/combined) 48/45/46
www.toyota.com/prius
EPA-estimated 40 city/45 hwy mpg.
honda.com/civic-hybrid
A survey of 200 Toyota dealers by CNW Marketing Research shows 33% of dealers still tout the 2008 model year Prius as a 60-mpg machine gminsidenews.com
Note the source: It's a competitive world, and numbers regardless of reality, fight going backwards.
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