response from Car Guy

Here's some correspondence for you: I wrote to the Car Guy about an article he wrote reviewing, and I thought, panning the Prius:

Greetings, Bob:

Didn't mean to dog the Prius, or suggest that mileage and conservation aren't important; I tend
to prefer smaller, higher-mileage cars myself. And you're right, the emissions part of the
equation is where the Prius excels, and certainly more Americans are seeing that as an important
feature.

The numbers we reported were from hundreds of miles of actual testing in each model, including
for the Escape Hybrid (we test vehicles before they go on sale). They were also based on actual
consumption, not the cars' mileage computers, which are notoriously inaccurate. I'd add that
Toyota itself has tested the Prius at about 42-43 mpg in combined real-world driving, though
that's not a number they're hot on publicizing. I have managed to get various Priuses to 40-plus
mpg, but steady state driving at 65-70 mph, or city runs where you're not getting a lot of
stop/start cycle, do tend to drive down the average.

My one knock on hybrids vis a vis the EPA test is that I can and do match or sometimes exceed
EPA ratings on gas-only models, but I've never come close to EPA on hybrids; the EPA itself has
acknowledged that its decades-old fuel economy test is especially inaccurate when it comes to
hybrid models, and they're trying to develop a better real-world test.

There's no doubt the Prius is a huge success for Toyota, its owners are a hugely loyal and
satisfied bunch.
I'm very excited to test their next round of hybrids, those being the Lexus RX400h (hybrid
version of the RX300 SUV) and Toyota Highlander. But we're big on value at MONEY, and it was
really only the price premium versus cars like the Corolla or Mazda3 that kept it off the list.
Again, for people willing to pay a premium for the mileage and emissions, it's about the best
thing out there.

Thanks for reading, and writing -- much appreciated.

> ----------
> From: Bob Allen
> Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 9:26 PM
> To: Car_Guy - Money <[email protected]>
> Subject: Prius
>
> I read your article about gas saving cars, and noted especially your
> comments about the Prius. I've owned a Prius for six months and have never
> recorded mileage as LOW as 39 mpg. I consistently get mileage in the high
> 40's low 50's depending on the length of my trip. On a 2,000 mile trip to
> California, I averaged 53 mpg at freeway speeds. Prius owners around the
> country are consistently getting these numbers which are, admittedly lower
> than the EPA numbers, but much higher than you suggest. And, the EPA
> numbers for ALL cars are skewed in the same way; why punish the Prius and
> accept the EPA numbers for all other cars in your survey?
> You threw in a comment about "wearing green credentials on your sleeve",
> as if being concerned about the environment and the cost of operating
> automobiles was somehow suspect, or beneath your serious consideration. The
> Prius is about conservation and emissions, not just gas mileage.
> Where did you get 39 mpg and why do you so readily discount the Prius
> EPA numbers but accept without question the 33 mpg posted for the Escape
> hybrid which isn't even on the roads yet?
> You would serve your readers better by doing some research before
> writing.
> Sincerely,
> Bob Allen
>
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