Toyota Prius Replaces Honda Insight as Fuel Economy Leader in 2007

The 2007 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy rankings placed the Toyota Prius at the top of the fuel economy charts.

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The Prius replaced the Honda Insight, which had topped the list since its introduction in December 1999. The Insight was retired by Honda in September 2006.

Half of the cars on the list were hybrids, and only one of them, the Ford Escape Hybrid (both the 4WD and FWD versions) came from one of the big three U.S. automakers.

The EPA is the government agency responsible for testing and posting fuel economy data for all new cars and light trucks sold in the United States. They provide a variety of fuel economy lists, including a bottom end of the fuel economy scale, which features the Lamborghini L-147/148 Murcielago (automatic) as the least efficient car on the market. It gets an estimated 9 mpg in the city and 14 mpg on the highway.

The big three automakers fared a bit better when judged according to vehicle class, where they were leaders in five of the twelve classes: Midsize Station Wagon, Sport Utility Vehicle, Minivan, Pickup Truck and Vans.

EPA fuel economy data has been criticized for painting too rosy a fuel efficiency rating for the vehicles it tests. Traditionally the EPA has tested vehicles under optimal driving conditions such as in temperate weather and at slower speeds than the average driver. Earlier in 2006, the EPA announced that it will use a new set of tests, reflecting more real world driving conditions, starting with the 2008 model year.

The EPA suggests that new tests will lower fuel economy ratings for a majority of the cars and light trucks its tests. However, test results will also provide consumers a more accurate guide for comparison shopping.

© 2006 Patricia A. Michaels.