The 2010 Prius is described, on American websites, as generally attaining 50 mpg. As a US gallon is of a different size from a UK one (1 UK gallon = 1.2 US ones), this translates into 60mpg in UK terms. But the second generation Prius was already advertised as, according to European standard tests on new cars (probably a different test than the US one), said to get 65.7 mpg (56.6 urban and 67.3 extra-urban, ie motorway/freeway). In practice, I averaged 58 mpg. The 2010 Prius is advertised as getting 70.6 to 72.4 mpg, depending on the version, so I would expect to average 63 to 65 mpg in real world driving, = 52.5 - 54.2 US mpg. I'm wondering why the US version looks like it will get lower mpg (without hypermiling) than the UK one.
If you get a chance, comparing the different driving profiles helps: www.fueleconomy.gov - the USA EPA page that includes links covering the technical aspects of our driving profile Search Google for "extra urban" - this should provide the European standard What is really 'funny' is the USA CAFE standard uses the old EPA testing profile. What this means is the window sticker EPA rating is not the same standard used to fine a manufacturer for failure to meet our CAFE fuel economy standard. Bob Wilson
Actually, the US version is getting the gas (petrol) mileage you quote: fueleconomy.gov: 53.1 mpg PC poll: "what mpg are you getting in your gen 3?" 52.2 mpg I should imagine both the UK and US numbers are slightly inflated from the inclusion of MID data versus distance/fuel calculations.
