Toyota Prius named "Top Green Car" for 5th year in a row by Consumer Reports

Sweet! :car:

 

From the link I was watching LS460L and they mention about huge rear leg room for the long wheel base version.

After digging for the info the 460L has 36.9 inches. Prius has 38.6 inches rear leg room -- almost 2 inches more.

 

Fools! They should award it to the GM's Volt which will be available any year now!

 

Nope, somehow, their numbers are correct, they did report getting 35 mpg in the city. As far as I can recall, they don't say what type of commute this was, but I can only assume really short trips or a red light every couple of blocks. Still, the consistent top pick is good. I am still annoyed at their hybrid hype articles with miscalculations...ah well.

 

Actually, I get 35 city (in the winter) and 50 highway. Of course, my commute is really short trips and red lights every couple of blocks (plus it's hilly - downhill going away from home when the engine's still cold, uphill coming back, gee, thanks).

In warmer weather it's much better...

 

Oh no doubt, I can imagine getting 35mpg on pretty much the worst possible scenario as you described in your commute. Going back and looking at a somewhat recent test, CR got 16 mpg out of a Scion xD (rated for 22 city). So the Prius getting a little over twice in the city than the xD, similar to the EPA estimates for two, I'm guessing the CR city test is pretty rough, but equally applied.

 

Yeah, I don't know the details of CR's fuel economy tests (not sure if they publish them) but you can see the most efficient vehicles that they've tested at ConsumerReports.org - Most fuel-efficient cars.

Note, some more recent ones are missing like the Altima Hybrid which they got 27/36, 32 overall. That'd make it #7 on the list.

 

ound:

 

Yeah, I'm not complaining about 35 MPG, because I know it would be much worse in any other vehicle.

 

Yup. That's pretty how my swing works. So many lights here in town, and hilly. Lots of hills on the highway too, but I still manage about 45/65 (city/highway) avg. Overall about 56 now.

A happy guy.

 

You know what really irritated me a few weeks ago was read a Popular Science best of 2007 and one of the Autos was the Chevy Volt Concept. Now I don't know if PS normally gives best of for concepts, but just seems pretty silly to give an award for a car that may or may not ever be built. I could be misunderstanding the best of, but it seemed to be all products that were at least made in 2007. Kudos to GM's ad gurus

Agreed, but don't worry, I didn't think you were complaining.

 

I would like to see also the quantity of ethanol or other fuel components, when reports are published regarding the mpg of any gasoline powered vehicle. In California it seems that 15% ethanol is about the only fuel available at the pumps (in regular grade).

Archer Daniels Midland may have influenced other states to buy their ethanol, too. Does anyone know of reports showing use of ethanol, by states or countries?

 

How far and how downhill? My travels through Northampton have been limited to I/91 exit 20 to Damon Road with an occasional stop at the Bluebonnet. Not much for hills there.

If your morning commute is REALLY short and "ride the brakes more than not" downhill, you might be a candidate for the EV mod. You won't get more than about a mile on the flat with few stops and a 7 green bar battery status, so don't jump on this if your morning trip doesn't fit the parameters.

The idea is that you MIGHT be able to make it to work without starting the ICE at all. Ending at work with the battery just hitting 2 pink/purple (when the ICE will start automatically) is no benefit. Plus, you still want to have enough battery left that the car can favor the electric motor over the ICE while it warms up on the trip home so 4 blue is a better starting point.

BTW, if it is too cold, EV requests will be ignored.

 

I wish they had their numbers wrong, 35/60.

But, that is exactly what I get. I know, I know, I mostly take short trips in the city. My brother suggests I go out of the way to get to work in order to increase my mpg.

I don't think so, that's counter productive.

Vaughn

 

I look at it this way - my total commute is 4 miles each way, 40 miles total per week. In winter, at 37 mpg for short trips only, I'm using slightly more than one gallon of gas per week. In the summer, at 47 mpg, I'm using less than one gallon per week.

Works for me.