New Improved EPA Mileage Estimates for 2008+ Models
Most drivers have complained that their cars could not get the mileage promised by the EPA fuel economy figures. Starting with 2008 models, the EPA revised its testing procedures to more accurately reflect real driving conditions.
J. D. Power surveyed owners of 2008 cars and found that drivers said there were getting 5% better gas mileage than the EPA estimates.
Writing in the NY Times blog, Wheels , Cheryl Jensen reports that before the agency adopted the new method, owners of hybrids were often among the most disappointed that they couldn’t achieve the optimistic estimates on the window sticker. Now, more hybrid owners said they were getting fuel economy closer to what the E.P.A. predicted, or even more.
The Toyota Prius is an example. In the 2007 survey, consumers reported getting only 81 percent of the E.P.A.’s estimates, which were 60 m.p.g. in the city and 51 m.p.g. on the highway. In the 2008 survey, drivers reported getting 94 percent of the new estimates, which are 48 m.p.g. in the city and 45 on the highway.
