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Mileage Moment of Truth - We Put 40Mpg Claims to the Test

Popular Mechanics -- The 2012 Hyundai Elantra and Ford Focus SFE are among 20-plus cars that now claim 40 mpg highway. But given the peculiar way in which the EPA calculates its fuel economy estimates, do those mileage numbers truly reflect real-world driving? We tested the Elantra and Focus on the streets and roads of Michigan to find out, with some surprising results.

PM Mileage Test at a Glance

We took two closely matched, high-mileage vehicles on multiple test loops to see if they could hit their EPA window-sticker numbers on real roads...

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Submitted Feb 05, 2012 By: sluggopyle

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Edpap Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,527 Points:149,000 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2012 2:31:02 PM Ignore Edpap Report Abuse Nice to know you can get a 40 mpg vehicle that isn't a hybrid. The Elantras are great little cars at a reasonable price with lots of options included. I haven't driven a new Focus, the older ones are junk and in the same category as the "famous" Dodge Neons.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,957 Points:1,245,100 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 7, 2012 6:15:40 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse CAFE standards for ICE are a joke, why do we expect them to be different for non-ICE?
sluggopyle Champion Author North Carolina Posts:22,767 Points:1,052,300 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 6:59:34 PM Ignore sluggopyle Report Abuse => So the numbers used for CAFE compliance are not those on the window sticker but rather markedly higher numbers produced by unrealistic testing. Does that make sense to anyone? <= I'm sure it makes sense to the automakers since it's a lower bar to reach. Gotta wonder if they arranged it that way...
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,759 Points:1,248,150 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 3:20:08 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse “Further complicating matters is that for the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE), the government uses the uncorrected data.” So the numbers used for CAFE compliance are not those on the window sticker but rather markedly higher numbers produced by unrealistic testing. Does that make sense to anyone?
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,759 Points:1,248,150 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:26:16 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse “All [EPA tests] currently use 100 percent gasoline, something consumers generally cannot buy because 10 percent ethanol mix is what most pumps dispense.” Interesting. I have been assuming that one of the reasons I get much better mileage than the EPA rating is that I use E0 gas exclusively. Apparently that is not the case. How I drive is even more important than I thought it was.
RonTheRunner77 Veteran Author Michigan Posts:343 Points:119,115 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 3:57:20 AM Ignore RonTheRunner77 Report Abuse my car is rated at 32 mpg but I can get 44mpg out of it, its all in how you drive.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:26,020 Points:1,981,410 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 3:28:00 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Mileage Moment of Truth? Tests should be performed using real world driving conditions. The EPA uses five different test procedures: city cycle, highway cycle, air conditioning on, high-speed driving, and cold starting for carbon monoxide emissions, with 100 percent gasoline. Drive the way GasBuddy recommends and the MPG should be higher the rated vehicle MPG. It does Not matter what size or shape the vehicle is, Produce and ‘drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money and everything else will fall in line. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
must87searcher Champion Author Maryland Posts:7,159 Points:1,416,875 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:20:14 AM Ignore must87searcher Report Abuse In tests like this, there is always a chance that different results will come up. This has been proven for a number of this we use. The EPA is not perfect.
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:9,039 Points:1,767,585 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:11:45 AM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse My 2001 Ford Focus 4dr Sedan (2.0L 8V I4 4spd auto) has EPA ratings under the new system of 24/32. I average better than 32 overall and get over 40MPG driving 55MPH on the interstate. I get 32MPG when driving about 70MPH. Newer models do quite a bit better (their ratings show that). 2001 European models with smaller displacement get even better (a 1.6L Ti-VCT 8V I4 outputs 105HP and gets 49.0MPG). Their diesel versions do better than that with a 1.6L TDCi 8V I4 Turbo Diesel rated 95HP getting 63.5MPG on the highway. There is supposedly a 1.0L 6V I3 EcoBoost variant coming making 100HP and getting 58MPG on the highway. That should be good enough for most people. The 1.6L 8V I4 105HP turbo diesel HEV variant (ECOnetic) is targeted for 80MPG. That would likely satisfy the new desired fuel mileage standard.
umitb Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,853 Points:491,160 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 12:01:55 AM Ignore umitb Report Abuse ok
PoohMcGoo Champion Author South Carolina Posts:1,890 Points:475,715 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:52:35 PM Ignore PoohMcGoo Report Abuse They want to get us mpg so we won't complain as much when they raise gas prices..
cimilluca1 Sophomore Author New York Posts:193 Points:156,425 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:51:13 PM Ignore cimilluca1 Report Abuse It shouldn't seem like a stretch....I used to get over 40 mpg with my 1983 Dodge Charger.
crazycow2332 All-Star Author Nashville Posts:921 Points:185,280 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:49:56 PM Ignore crazycow2332 Report Abuse they are all estimates. I tend to get higher than what the sticker says.
sljbc475 Champion Author Tucson Posts:2,380 Points:507,525 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:49:11 PM Ignore sljbc475 Report Abuse Terrain, weather and other factors affect MPG.
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:1,444 Points:234,430 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:48:16 PM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse It really depends on how you drive... EPA and PM test differs somewhat.. More test by others may also differ some... But, they are all in the same ball park...
fenster66 Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:1,498 Points:309,915 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:47:05 PM Ignore fenster66 Report Abuse drive less, save more....
JesseJack52 All-Star Author Virginia Beach Posts:612 Points:124,640 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:46:36 PM Ignore JesseJack52 Report Abuse IN OUR GREAT COUNTRY WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHAT WE DRIVE
kkimes All-Star Author Illinois Posts:844 Points:1,181,785 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:43:54 PM Ignore kkimes Report Abuse "SO, how did this affect the price of gas?" Quite simple, really. Use less gas, the demand and thus the price goes down. We may never get off gas (from crude oil) all together but we can sure reduce the demand for it.
my2002m Champion Author Tulsa Posts:4,249 Points:1,306,420 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:39:58 PM Ignore my2002m Report Abuse They all very.
mrreferee All-Star Author Savannah Posts:652 Points:263,990 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:37:26 PM Ignore mrreferee Report Abuse they should change it to GMPG- Guesstimated Miles Per Gallon
davenles Champion Author Texas Posts:1,371 Points:354,810 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:36:09 PM Ignore davenles Report Abuse It's just a numbers game.
sit Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,399 Points:1,571,115 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:35:30 PM Ignore sit Report Abuse OK
CptnCanada Champion Author Saskatoon Posts:5,503 Points:708,400 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:34:34 PM Ignore CptnCanada Report Abuse Yep I get 40 mpg too... when I am going downhill with a 100 kph tail wind
tippybuddy Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,339 Points:181,010 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:34:10 PM Ignore tippybuddy Report Abuse I agree to take these cars onto roads we would actually use and then see what mileage they get..
Thomtec All-Star Author Nashville Posts:713 Points:249,945 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:30:26 PM Ignore Thomtec Report Abuse Hey this is from Popular Mechanics.
ccf_jeff Champion Author St. Louis Posts:13,248 Points:2,200,935 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:29:44 PM Ignore ccf_jeff Report Abuse That just shows the extent of the deliberate government BS. That government is best which governs the least. They need to quit wasting so much of our money. Especially when they use it to distort the figures they give us.
granitestater Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:6,851 Points:1,097,870 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:29:17 PM Ignore granitestater Report Abuse My '73 Subaru 1400GL coupe and '76 Honda Accord hatchback got 40 MPG easily. But that was on good 'ole LEADED gasoline...
idigau22 Champion Author Washington Posts:21,119 Points:2,904,710 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:26:46 PM Ignore idigau22 Report Abuse I love my big 4x4 truck!!!
fuelsaverMN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,943 Points:404,100 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:24:17 PM Ignore fuelsaverMN Report Abuse No one matches the toyota prius.
goodbuy Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,010 Points:1,092,245 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:24:07 PM Ignore goodbuy Report Abuse SO, how did this affect the price of gas?
fuelsaverMN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,943 Points:404,100 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:23:49 PM Ignore fuelsaverMN Report Abuse That still doesn't match to the toyota prius.
72_Monte Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,953 Points:1,634,225 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:22:38 PM Ignore 72_Monte Report Abuse Have fun with that.
radiorumor Champion Author Texas Posts:1,049 Points:393,495 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:16:20 PM Ignore radiorumor Report Abuse Some claim 40 but pull up short
orcar Champion Author Boise Posts:1,854 Points:521,260 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:15:39 PM Ignore orcar Report Abuse The EPA rating is right on for my 4 cyl Malibu.
DrLyon Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,917 Points:852,450 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:15:34 PM Ignore DrLyon Report Abuse Never get best millage at 70MPH!!!!!!!!
RedRam2005 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:6,152 Points:1,156,365 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:15:08 PM Ignore RedRam2005 Report Abuse Mileage claims are all smoke and mirrors.
pse91 All-Star Author Calgary Posts:617 Points:280,640 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:13:50 PM Ignore pse91 Report Abuse Take the cars on the road where we would normally drive. Then give us the average.
LCSTEELERBOB Champion Author Gary Posts:2,239 Points:548,800 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:11:36 PM Ignore LCSTEELERBOB Report Abuse makes you think about this
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:6,129 Points:1,215,180 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:08:09 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse intersting
nvwarped All-Star Author Corpus Christi Posts:881 Points:189,900 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:04:06 PM Ignore nvwarped Report Abuse ok
Buck_on_Bass Champion Author Tennessee Posts:5,691 Points:1,129,220 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:03:05 PM Ignore Buck_on_Bass Report Abuse This just shows how unrealistic the tests are. Instead of applying a correction factor, the test procedures should be revised to better represent the actual driving.
mikerroy All-Star Author Albuquerque Posts:772 Points:372,805 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:01:43 PM Ignore mikerroy Report Abuse ok
Alfied Champion Author Riverside Posts:6,114 Points:1,397,935 Joined:Jun 2001	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:58:25 PM Ignore Alfied Report Abuse It's for comparison purposes only.
lightninjack Sophomore Author Ohio Posts:173 Points:13,570 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:57:45 PM Ignore lightninjack Report Abuse I always thought mine got more than what it is supposed to..of course those figures are all based on factory settings...if you know what your doing you can tweak them and get more mileage.
trinda1 Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:1,739 Points:398,955 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:55:41 PM Ignore trinda1 Report Abuse O Kay
AnObserver Champion Author New Jersey Posts:6,730 Points:1,933,285 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:55:06 PM Ignore AnObserver Report Abuse Regardless of the measurement method, there are the most efficient vehicles on the road today
baconnie Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,676 Points:535,815 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:54:05 PM Ignore baconnie Report Abuse They should be tested by real people
carman11 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,449 Points:326,670 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:52:44 PM Ignore carman11 Report Abuse Ok this is interesting
slowpoke63 Champion Author Louisiana Posts:1,312 Points:618,260 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:48:51 PM Ignore slowpoke63 Report Abuse Interesting.
Stooker Sophomore Author Ontario Posts:158 Points:67,270 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:45:56 PM Ignore Stooker Report Abuse wow