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Toyota Prius Tops Consumer Reports Mileage Tests

January 20, 2006

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The Toyota Prius turned in the best gas mileage in a Consumer Reports test of cars, trucks, minivans and wagons, getting 44 miles per gallon in a series of tests intended to determine real-world fuel consumption.

The Dodge Ram 1500 SLT with a 5.7-liter engine got the worst mileage: 11 miles per gallon.

Consumer Reports engineers run vehicles through a series of tests to determine real-world fuel economy numbers for city, highway, and overall fuel consumption. Those numbers can help the consumer determine which vehicle may best suit his or her needs, and household budget.

"Fuel costs for a full-size pickup truck or sport-utility vehicle can easily cost you thousands of dollars per year," said Consumer Reports' Automotive Editor Rik Paul.

"Fuel costs need to be factored in by new-car buyers along with such other key factors as the vehicle's purchase price, performance, safety, insurance cost, and predicted reliability."

Consumers Reports' best and worst in fuel economy lists are based on overall miles-per-gallon (mpg) performance in CR's real world fuel economy tests. The best and worst vehicles selected are the most notable standouts from each vehicle category.

Here's a quick look at the best and worst in each category from among all the vehicles CR has tested based on overall mpg ratings:

Small SUVs

Best:
• Ford Escape Hybrid, 26 mpg;
• Honda CR-V EX, 21 mpg;
• Subaru Forester 2.5X, 21 mpg.
Worst:
• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (6- cyl.), 14 mpg;
• Jeep Liberty Sport (V6), 15 mpg;
• Kia Sorento EX (V6), 15 mpg.

Midsized SUVs

Best:
• Lexus RX400h, 23 mpg;
• Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited, 22 mpg;
• Nissan Murano SL, 19 mpg.
Worst:
• Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT LT (V6), 13 mpg;
• Land Rover LR3 SE (V8), 13 mpg;
• Hummer H3, 14 mpg.

Large SUVs

Best:
• CR's testing results showed no vehicles with unusually good ratings for fuel economy in this category.
Worst:
• Dodge Durango Limited (5.7), 12 mpg;
• Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer, 12 mpg;
• Chevrolet Suburban LT, 13 mpg.

Pickups

Best:
• Subaru Baja (4-cyl.), 20 mpg;
• Toyota Tacoma (V6), 17 mpg;
• Chevrolet Colorado LS (5-cyl.), 16 mpg.
Worst:
• Dodge Ram 1500 SLT (5.7), 11 mpg;
• Dodge Ram 1500 SLT (4.7), 12 mpg;
• Chevrolet Avalanche (5.3), 13 mpg.

Wagons & Hatchbacks

Best:
• Toyota Prius, 44 mpg;
• Scion xB (AT), 30 mpg;
• Pontiac Vibe (FWD), 27 mpg.
Worst:
• Volvo XC70, 18 mpg;
• Dodge Magnum SXT (V6), 19 mpg;
• Mazda6 s (V6), 19 mpg.

Minivans

Best:
• Honda Odyssey EX, 19 mpg;
• Mazda MPV LX, 19 mpg;
• Toyota Sienna XLE, 19 mpg.
Worst:
• CR's testing results showed no vehicles with unusually poor ratings for fuel economy in this category. >/p>

The Test

Consumer Reports' overall fuel economy results are calculated by an equally weighted average of city, highway and one-day trip mpg ratings.

CR's city mpg tests are stop-and-go driving simulations, which have 18 stops, a total of 4 minutes of idle time, and speeds up to 40 mph. CR's highway mpg tests are run on a section of highway near CR's testing facility.

Two testers make eight 5-mile runs at a constant 65 mph. The tests are run in both directions to limit the effects of wind and grade differences. CR's one-day trip test represents a mixed driving cycle.

Five different engineers drive vehicles back-to-back on the same day over a 31-mile route that includes 26 percent freeway, 11 percent highway, and 63 percent stop-and go-driving conditions.

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