Hybrid Car Review

The US Dept of Energy and US EPA released the 2007 Fuel Economy Guide yesterday. According to their charts hybrids lead the pack taking best of class in compact (Honda Civic Hybrid), midsize (Toyota Prius), and SUV (Ford Escape Hybrid).

The top four best vehicles for fuel economy were hybrids, as well, with hybrids taking five of the top ten spots in the ranking by the EPA. Ranks were determined based on the system the EPA has used for decades to test fuel economy. The EPA is due to revamp their system in the next year due to consumer complaints on not being able to obtain these idealized ratings. Since the system was created before air conditioners became standard, you can imagine why some cars are getting significantly less than the measures released by the EPA.

What you won't see on this list is the Hummer, which may surprise some people. But the EPA does not rate trucks over 8500 pounds, making the Hummer excempt.

Highest Fuel Economy Models by Vehicle Class - 2007 Model Year

Class Model city/highway

• Two-Seater Mazda MX-5 (manual) 25/30
• Minicompact Car New Beetle Convertible 22/30
• Subcompact Car Toyota Yaris (manual) 34/40
• Compact Car Honda Civic Hybrid 49/51
• Midsize Car Toyota Prius (hybrid) 60/51
• Large Car Hyundai Sonata (manual) 24/34
• Small Station Wagon Honda Fit 33/38
• Midsize Station Wagon Ford Focus Wagon (manual) 27/37
• Sport Utility Vehicle Ford Escape Hybrid FWD 36/31
• Minivan Dodge Caravan 2WD 20/26
• Pickup Truck Ford Ranger Pickup 2WD (manual) 24/29
• Mazda B2300 2WD (manual) 24/29
• Van (Cargo&Passenger) Chevrolet G1500/2500 Chevy Van 2WD (4.3 and 5.3 liter engines)15/20
  
• GMC G1500/2500 Savana 2WD Cargo (4.3 and 5.3 liter engines)15/20
  

2007 Model Year Overall Fuel Economy Leaders

Rank Manufacturer/Model city/highway

1. Toyota Prius (hybrid-electric) 60/51
2. Honda Civic Hybrid 49/51
3. Toyota Camry Hybrid 40/38
4. Ford Escape Hybrid FWD 36/31
5. Toyota Yaris (manual) 34/40
6. Toyota Yaris (automatic) 34/39
7. Honda Fit (manual) 33/38
8. Toyota Corolla (manual) 32/41
9. Hyundai Accent (manual) 32/35, Kia Rio (manual) 32/35
10. Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD 32/29, Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD 32/29

Lowest Fuel Economy by Vehicle Class - 2007 Model Year

Class Model city/highway

1. Two Seater Lamborghini L-147/148 Murcielago 9/14
2. Minicompact Car Aston Martin DB9 Coupe, Volante (manual) 11/18
3. Subcompact Car Bentley Azure 11/16
4. Compact Car Bentley Continental GT 12/19
5. Midsize Car Ferrari 612 Scaglietti 10/17
6. Large Car Bentley Arnage LWB 10/15
7. Small Station Wagon Audi S4 Avant 15/21
8. Midsize Station Wagon Mercedes-Benz E63 EMG Wagon 14/20
9. Sport Utility Vehicle* Jeep Grande Cherokee 4WD 12/15
10. Minivan* Ford Freestar Cargo Van FWD 17/23
11. Ford Freestar Wagon FWD 17/23
12. Mercury Monterey Wagon FWD 17/23
13. Pickup Truck* Nissan Titan 4WD 13/18
14. Van (Passenger and Cargo)* Chevrolet G15/25 series 14/18
15. Chevrolet H1500/2500 series 14/18
16. GMC G15/25 series 14/18
17. GMC H1500/2500 series 14/18

*Trucks over 8500 pounds gross vehicle weight rating are currently exempt from federal fuel economy requirements.

Lowest Overall Fuel Economy Models*
2007 Model Year

MPG
Rank Manufacturer/Model city/highway
1. Lamborghini L-147/148 Murcielago (automatic) 9/14
2. Bentley Arnage LWB 10/15
3. Lamborghini L-147/148 Murcielago (manual) 10/16
4. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (automatic) 10/17
5. Ferrari 599 GTB 11/15
6. Bentley Azure 11/16
Bentley Arnage 11/16
7. Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder 11/17
Lamborghini L-140/715 Gallardo (manual-LR) 11/17
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (manual) 11/17
8. Aston Martin DB9 Coupe, DB9 Volante (manual) 11/18
Bentley Continental Flying Spur 11/18
Bentley Continental GTC 11/18
9. Jeep Grande Cherokee 4WD 12/15
10. Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG 12/16
Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG 12/16

*Trucks over 8500 pounds gross vehicle weight rating are currently exempt from federal fuel economy requirements.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency - EPA Press Release: EPA/DOE Release Top Fuel Economy Lists for 2007 Models

The following online sources provide more fuel economy information:
-The joint DOE-EPA Fuel Economy web site, http://www.fueleconomy.gov , offers detailed information on vehicle fuel economy, including a complete downloadable version of the Fuel Economy Guide.

-Comprehensive information about EPA's Fuel Economy program: epa.gov/fueleconomy

-The Green Vehicle Guide web site, epa.gov/greenvehicles , provides browsers with a guide to locate the cleanest running and most fuel efficient vehicle that meets their needs.

The 2007 fuel economy leaders within each class as well as the lowest fuel economy models are listed below and available: epa.gov/fueleconomy/overall-high.htm