Colder weather has zapped my mileage to 44mpg

Mundane? Sorry but I have to chime in here. After much research and checking out 15 cars or so (including the Jetta TDI), I ordered a 2011 Sonata limited. There is nothing ordinary about the car and the 2010 looks nice too considering how much it is costing now in February with the incentives/specials. You might wonder why I considered the Prius and Sonata; they seem to be completely different cars, but, somehow, as I started to narrow down my choices, I ended up with both in my radar for a decision. Went for the Sonata mainly because of value but also some limited concerns about comfort and quality. I know the Prius would get me better gas mileage but better FE was not a pay off in my situation and opinion. The Sonata does get decent MPG for its size and I got 41 MPG on my test drive when I reset the trip computer going in the hwy. Likely not the real world but still very impressive. Did you know that the new Sonata’s cost is the same as Prius III? Have you noticed the differences in standard features? Anyway, I just thought calling a mundane car what the media is praising as a luxury sedan recently (interior and exterior) was a little bit of an unfair call. Hope you understand.

 

His trip on Oct 25th, he got 48.9 MPG with average speed of 67.7 MPH. EPA test average speed is 48 MPH. This is why you look at average. John has provided the entire year average with the breakdown of the seasonal changes.

You are cherry picking the data to justify your Sonata purchase. All car MPG will fluctuate with season, not just Prius. I wish you collect data for all year round and share with us as well. I really want to see your average MPG will be like.

 

Cherry picking your data again. What was the average speed of your test drive? Was it snowing or raining? What was the outside temp?

With Sonata, you get more of the same. That's great if you want that. Prius offers something unique and different. Other than eye the MPG, you get electric drive, Smart Key, Touch Tracer, superior electric transmission (eCVT), etc... It also has option to get LED headlight, radar assist cruise control, solar panel and remote A/C. None of these options are available for Sonata.

 

All I know is with the current price of gas, IK will be spending an extra $1000 per year with the number of miles he's doing - that's assuming the Sonata can maintain 33mpg year-round, and assuming that the Prius averages no higher than 48. And that doesn't count the difference in maintenance costs.

As for the (relatively new) "comfort" argument, if that's your ONLY priority, and other costs are unimportant, why would a family mid-size even be on your radar? It's not apples-to-oranges, it's apples-to-hamburgers... You should be looking at Cadillacs or a used Lexus or something similar. And if you know beforehand that you will be spending hours in your car seat, you should be examining that component very closely during your test drive.

As for all the complaints about EPA, it's clear to me that some people are just plain thick-headed about the following:
1) cold weather losses are offset by warm-weather gains (often exceeding overall EPA estimates). So unless you live in Antartica, your net overall average will likely beat EPA - but you'll have to wait for it. Don't be a child and cry about it unless you're getting below-EPA when temps have returned to normal.
2) EPA is clearly labeled as an ESTIMATE, and is always accompanied by the statement "your mileage may vary". Do I need to explain what "vary" means? It means you won't get the same mileage every year, month, day, or even every minute. (It varies...)
3) 44.7mpg is less than 10% below EPA, for very adverse conditions. In normal or better conditions, Prius owners often see 55mpg or higher - 15% above EPA. Do the math: what's the average of +15 and -10? (A: +5)
4) traditional ICE designs are inherently inefficient - this is why their mileage doesn't fluctuate as easily: it's already bad. My Accord used to get "about" 26mpg, and even if it did have a 10% fluctuation, I probably wouldn't have noticed - that's only 2.6mpg different... It never matched the EPA rating (30mpg highway), except in optimum conditions (60mph and cool, dry air).
5) traditional ICE designs also waste a lot of heat - this is why their mileage doesn't go down very much in winter. (It's also why their mileage doesn't go up very much in summer.)


I'm not denying that cold weather is non-optimum for the Prius - cleary, it's an inefficient condition, and I wouldn't recommend a Prius for Norwegians unless they can stomach "horrible" FE of 44mpg. But those of us living below the Arctic circle should be doing just fine by the end of March or thereabouts. Just don't panic...

 

This thread has turned into a running joke....

 

Guys please; I don't want to bring any discomfort here.

I can see now the reasons behind some of the arguments with Indyking. Remember there is a whole world out there made of non-PC members. Just because the Prius fit well your needs it does not mean everybody else is fool to pick something else. I hate to say this but with this kind of attitude towards anyone who challenges a little bit the value of a Prius, I’m afraid someone is looking for justification to a less than perfect car, at least, that’s what it is sounding like.

I checked both, drove both, and the decision for me was a no-brainer despite of the better FE in the Prius, indisputably!

Anyway, like I said, FE is important, but just not the most important value in a car for me. If I can get a nice balance between quality, comfort, handling, and essential features to my taste at a decent fuel efficiency, then that's the car I'm buying. That’s just my logic. The Prius is just not quite there yet IMHO. It is too expensive. The high price for the hybrid technology is just not worth it, again, IMHO. Go online and check yourself the differences in standard features between a 2011 Sonata and Prius III, which are similarly priced. The differences are outrageous. I’m sorry but I’m not paying 25K in car just for extra FE, even if I drive it a quarter million miles or more hoping for the savings on gas to pay off.
And even if gas prices escalade to 10 a gallon (very unlikely with that many hybrids hitting the market and demand decreasing), I still like the Sonata better for the car it is.


The Sonata leverage better what I need. Don't judge me for my decisions.

 

I'm judging you for posting OT garbage about your crap car in this thread. GTFO.

 

To your first paragraph. I will also be spending more on fuel but I did save 8K for buying a car which I felt much more fun and comfortable to drive as opposed to buy a similarly equipped Prius (Prius 4 with moonroof with added 17” wheels and fog lights). I can't speak for IK, but based on his issues with his Prius and how much he is enjoying his 2010 Sonata now, I don’t think he really cares about the extra cost with FE, I wouldn’t frankly. Besides, trading a 20K Prius that has had body work for a brand new 2010 Sonata and return just 1K? Just Hyundai would make such deal possible. Did you know most trade-ins for Hyundais (about 15%) are coming from Toyota cars now? I can forward you the article if you’re interested.

To your second paragraph, Cadillac, Lexus, BMWs are all nice cars but were all out of my radar because of price. The new Sonata is not much (or not at all) behind a 35-40K Lexus in comfort, features, and luxury. My Dad has a Lexus and I know very well how they feel.

 

Sorry, but I do not subside to that level.

I'm not staying much longer here anyway. I'm here mostly for curiosity, I discovered this chat when my final decision was almost taken, but there were some questions about the Prius I had and I have been able to find them here.

If you guys want to have a nice, civilized chat, I will be glad to participate if I have anything to contribute for now on at all. But if this is about being rude with those who may not fit your little niche of devotion, forgive me the attitude, then I'm out.