The article is a bit misleading in the synopsis where it mentions that the Prius' fuel economy will never be realized through mainly highway driving. In my experiences where I've driven long distances on the highway/freeway, I achieved 45-46 miles per gallon at speeds of 75-85mph. IMO, that's not too bad of FE, especially for a midsized vehicle.

312 mile trip yesterday 1-way, numerous elevation changes, winding roads, etc, speeds up to 70+, but most of trip at speed limit(s). Trip took 6.5 hours, 53.0 MPG

" Source: New York Times "

???

I thought this was a reliable news source...

Does anyone do actual research before they write articles? No, renting a Prius and driving it like its a racecar is NOT good method of research.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(electricity_guzzler @ May 30 2006, 12:34 PM) [snapback]262903[/snapback]</div>

Odd...I get my best fuel economy on the freeway! Before making a trip to LAX, I refilled the tank. At the end of the trip (home to LAX and back), the MFD read 58 mpg...I suppose it depends on how you drive the car. Then again, I didn't go 70 mph...traffic wasn't that fast. Started with a near full SOC, too...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(electricity_guzzler @ May 30 2006, 12:34 PM) [snapback]262903[/snapback]</div>

I don't think that BMW, Porche, or Mercedes owners ever recover their (brand) price premium either. And yet no articles ever seem to mention that. For whatever 'premium' you pay for the hybrid technology in a Prius, you do get exceptional all-around mileage, and stunningly low emissions. A good deal in my estimation.

And it's a hell of a lot better looking car than a Corolla too.

Peter.

P.S.: And speaking of good looking cars, my picture up and to the left there is actually a Toyota hybrid. From Toyota's site:

Wow... 31mpg from a 408-hp drive train... now that's cool.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(benighted @ May 30 2006, 01:01 PM) [snapback]262924[/snapback]</div>

What I an guessing is that they take their "research" from the highest bidder for their services. God help the third estate.

75-80 mph for about 1200 miles (straight) through the eastern half of the country. mountains, hills, flat land, a little of everything.

42 mpg, a consequence of driving up north in january.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(electricity_guzzler @ May 30 2006, 03:34 PM) [snapback]262903[/snapback]</div>

Hmmm.. I do maybe 75% in interstate... Guess my warm weather 55mpg must be a mistake.... Maybe if I did 75mph I would only avg 50mpg

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(electricity_guzzler @ May 30 2006, 01:34 PM) [snapback]262903[/snapback]</div>

Over 1500 miles on my 2006 Prius now. Took a 498 mile trip at about 350 miles got 53.9 mpg in 38 degree weather at 55 mph on the first 1/2 of the trip. A few days later drove back in 70 degree weather and got 56.4 mpg average driving at 65 mph most of the way home for a total of about 55.15 mpg overall. Since then two trips to Chicago one over 200 miles at 54.2 mpg. , one trip over about 150 miles at 53.9 mpg weather ranging in probably the 50 - 80 degree weather since were weeks apart. The speed was by traffic law between 45 - 65 mph. (Construction is 45 mph now with $375 1st fine, $1000 2nd fine and loss of liscense...though it doesn't seem to slow very many down). So far since March average is about 50.7 lifetime and 52.45 MFD. Car seems to do better average wise on trips then for city driving. My work route is 8 miles and usually averages about 55 mpg but short trips kill the mileage and the air conditioning lately (been up to 97 two days in a row this week) kill my average mpg.

Where do they get this stuff. I've found that it's MUCH easier to get the EPA hwy rating than the city one. If the road is at all level it's pretty easy to push 60 MPG with the AC on (lower settings) and drive the speed limit or up to 5 over (between 55 and 65 mph).

I agree with other posters. I have a 100 mile round trip commute. I keep it basically on 74 mph. There are several slopes both ways. My 2006 has over 16,000 miles at this point. The MPG have been between 45-55 consistently...except when it is windy. I find that wind is the biggest inhibitor of good mileage for me. When it is windy I get between 30-40 mpg...still better than the '92 Fleetwood I was driving last year!

I drive like a maniac most of the time. I have curtailed a LOT of that since I got this car...thanks to the advise of some of you here. I am completely satisfied with the performance of my car. It will take more than some newspaper story for me to think about getting a different car. As a matter of fact...I am about to talk to my car salesman about getting an '07.

I just took a 520 mile trip at night, with no A/C, 50-60 degrees. On the interstate portion I noticed low-40's mpg on the MFD driving 70-75mph. On a highway (55mph limit, ~30 miles) portion I noticed ~55mpg at 55mph. As I had about 1/4 tank used prior to the trip in lower speed driving, and had ~58mpg avg at that point, I ended the tank with 49.6mpg.

Across a longer highway portion at ~60mph avg for ~220 miles I got 52.6mpg avg.
FWIW............

We just drove a brand new Prius from Boston, to Burlington, VT, then down to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. We had the a/c cranking the whole way, and were driving 70-80 mpg. We were averaging 48 mpg. This article is nuts. Maybe they did their research in a simulation station, or sitting on a couch or something. Looks to me like they are the only ones getting bad gas mileage. Hmmmm....perhaps there's a pattern here. We love the car, and we like that girl who tells us where to go too. What is her name anyway?? Is it Lucy??

Just have to chime in ... South Texas from SA to Houston and back at 75 mph (CC) with the a/c on all the way and we got 45 mpg. That trip put a small dent in my lifetime FE. I wanted to go around 60 mph but my passengers revolted.

Remember that to get published an article needs to be provacative. After all, newspapers are in the business to make money and provacative sells.

I'm a owner for just three weeks with bad driving habits and like the others get close to 50 mpg.

First, let me start by saying I love my Prius.

My 2006 was purchased the last week in January 2006 and I put on about 14,000 miles already. My work commute is 120 miles roundtrip and 95% is interstate 95 Highway driving. My average speed ranges from 65 to 75 MPH. I average 50 to 53 mpg every tank. Loved the spring, with no wind and mild tempatures my baby brought me 57mpg.

Gotta agree with most, sounds like this journalist pulled figures out of the air. Caaarraazzzzy!

I think this means Toyota forgot to take out that full page add.

Maybe the Author of the article just had a case of bad gas... Or was it a Bad Case of gas :lol: