Fact #696: October 10, 2011
Top Ten "Real World" Fuel Economy Leaders
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy ratings on the window stickers of new cars are based on strict test cycles conducted in a controlled laboratory setting. These official EPA estimates do not reflect all the varied conditions encountered in real world driving such as congestion, terrain, weather, driving style, fuel blends and other factors. On the website www.fueleconomy.gov, drivers are encouraged to enter their real world fuel economy to compare their results with EPA ratings and with other car owners across the nation. The model year (MY) 2004 – 2006 Honda Insight is currently the vehicle in the database with the best real world fuel economy, followed by the MY 1990 – 1994 Geo Metro. Both vehicles have real world average fuel economies higher than the EPA ratings. The table also shows the number of users who have entered data for that particular vehicle type – the MY 2010-2011 Toyota Prius (#4 on the list) has 158 people who entered their fuel economy information.
If you would like to enter fuel economy information for your vehicle, go to Your MPG page on the www.fueleconomy.gov website.
| 1. |  |
Honda Insight Model Years 2004-2006 | User Average 71.2 (based on 12 Your MPG users) |
| 3 cyl, 1.0L, Manual 5-spd, Regular | EPA Combined 52 | ||
| 2. |  |
Geo Metro XFI Model Years 1990-1994 | User Average 50.4 (based on 15 Your MPG users) |
| 3 cyl, 1.0L, Manual 5-spd, Regular | EPA Combined 47 | ||
| 3. |  |
Honda Civic CRX HF Model Years 1990-1991 | User Average 50.2 (based on 11 Your MPG users) |
| 4 cyl, 1.5L, Manual 5-spd, Regular | EPA Combined 43 | ||
| 4. |  |
Toyota Prius Model Years 2010-2011 | User Average 49.1 (based on 158 Your MPG users) |
| 4 cyl, 1.8L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular | EPA Combined 50 | ||
| 5. |  |
Honda Insight Model Years 2010-2011 | User Average 48.6 (based on 18 Your MPG users) |
| 4 cyl, 1.3L, Auto(AV-S7), Regular | EPA Combined 41 | ||
| 6. |  |
Volkswagen Jetta Wagon Model Years 2002-2003 | User Average 48.1 (based on 23 Your MPG users) |
| 4 cyl, 1.9L, Manual 5-spd, Diesel | EPA Combined 39 | ||
| 7. |  |
Honda Civic Hybrid Model Years 2003-2005 | User Average 47.9 (based on 20 Your MPG users) |
| 4 cyl, 1.3L, Manual 5-spd, Regular | EPA Combined 41 | ||
| 8. |  |
Volkswagen Golf Model Years 2000-2003 | User Average 47.1 (based on 52 Your MPG users) |
| 4 cyl, 1.9L, Manual 5-spd, Diesel | EPA Combined 38 | ||
| 9. |  |
Honda Civic HB VX Model Years 1992-1995 | User Average 47.1 (based on 14 Your MPG users) |
| 4 cyl, 1.5L, Manual 5-spd, Regular | EPA Combined 43 | ||
| 10. |  |
Volkswagen Jetta Model Years 1985-1991 | User Average 46.4 (based on 13 Your MPG users) |
| 4 cyl, 1.6L, Manual 5-spd, Diesel | EPA Combined 34 | ||
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Source: U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, FuelEconomy.Gov website: Fueleconomy Top Ten. |
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