2008 Gas Milage Drop

Toyota didn't actually change the car any. The EPA changed the way they calculate the mileage. Before, they tested the car based on being warmed up, no A/C, easy start-ups from traffic signals/signs etc. They changed the ratings in an attempt to make the testing more like the average person drives.

 

Toyota changed nothing. The US EPA changed their test procedures to make them more realistic and representative. (New cars for sale in the US must report the US EPA fuel economy figures and cannot report them from any other source.)

 

Toyota didn't change anything. Your government did. Toyota doesn't get to choose the MPG numbers that are assigned to the cars. The United States EPA tests the cars and then assigns them the MPG rating. In 2008 the EPA changed their procedures. This lowered the reported MPG numbers for most cars (not just Toyota), however it is most noticeable in cars that get really good mileage.

If a car used to be reported at 17 MPG and drops 20% due to the new methods its new rating is 14 MPG (a loss of 3.4 MPG rounded off to 3)

If a car like the Prius used to be reported at 61 MPG and drops 20% due to the new methods its new rating is 49 MPG (a loss of 12.4 MPG rounded off to 12)

 

Yes, but unfortunately the EPA MPG ratings are now "more realistic and representative" of the results a typical hotrod or Hummer driver would get behind the wheel of a Prius.

On the positive side, we caring Prius drivers can now routinely beat the EPA estimates without trying.

 

I just bought a Prius for my wife a week ago after visiting three dealerships. At each dealership the words from the sales people about this change was, to a man, - Toyota has to reveal realistic figures, that the 60 mpg figure was never reached by the average user.

 

I'm sure they were singing an entirely different tune a year ago when the cars carried the 60/51 MSRP sticker.

 

I am sure they were!