The most politically correct vehicle goes against the most politically incorrect one in this two-car shoot out: http://www.lacar.com/modules.php?name=News...article&sid=276 :mrgreen:
Near the beginning of the article, they mention that the H2 fans are firing at Prius fans because the Prius isn't consistently realizing the mpg advertised by the EPA tests. Some would argue "as much as 30% less than anticipated". (no, I am not opening this up to the myriad of people who can cite better-than-projected milage. I'm not even going to rant about how weak of an argument that is.) Rather, I'm going to point you to right near the end where they provide "real world" mpg for both cars. They say that H2s are projected for 11 but realizing between 8 and 9. So I did a little math. It turns out that if you drive an H2 and realize 8 mpg, you are "as much as 30% less than anticipated". I understand that this is not Earth shattering by any means. I just like pointing out that they are using an argument that is all too easily used against themselves. Then again, it all comes into perspective when you read the section of the article referring to the personality of the H2 owner.
subjective judgement One could conclude after reading this article that the only meaningful criterion for judging the worth of an automobile is the subjective "feeling" that people get from it. Applying this logic to, say, the Titanic, one might assume that the average first class passenger at the beginning of the voyage would value the grand piano in the first class salon more than one of the "unnecessary" lifeboats cluttering the promenade. At the unfortunate end of the voyage, however, the piano would appear useless compared to the lifeboat, and the value of each very clearly defined.
You caught it. At 8 to 9 MPG the Hummer is 30 to 20% below EPA. And gess what... at 44 MPG the Prius is 20% below EPA. Its just that 11 looks much bigger than 2 to 3.
