fueleconomy.gov revised mpg ratings today 05-29-07

[44mpg by 2010]

Today, 5/29/07, EPA updated its' database to reflect the "more realistic" mpg values (2008 methodology). http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byMPG.htm

Using this database and searching for 2007 vehicles over 40 mpg average city/highway here is what you will find: Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius, 42 and 45 mpg(US) combined average respectively!

Again, searching the database for 2007 vehicles over 30 (and less than 40) mpg average city/highway you will find: Toyota Yaris; Toyota Corolla; Honda Fit; MINI Cooper; Nissan Altima Hybrid; Toyota
Camry Hybrid. And that is the list for 2007! By the way, all of these are less than 35 mpg(US).

In fact, if you exclude the Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, and Toyota vehicles and then evaluate the remaining "19 BEST combined city/highway mpg domestic" vehicles, the average is 25.9 mpg(US) for
2007 using the 2008 methodology.

However, I do have to give FORD credit ... they do have the 2008 Escape/Mariner/Mazda Tribute hybrids that are rated 32 mpg(US) combined average. But, that does not take much strain off the wallet
unless your current vehicle is getting 10 to 15 mpg.

Sadly, anyone looking for fuel economy certainly can't look to Detroit for purchase of a new High MPG Vehicles since ... THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY ! !

It appears that WE would have a better chance for over 35 mpg with some of 1987 to 1995 used vehicles. You can look them up using EPA's 2008 methods (the 2007 methods was apparently replaced by the
2008 methods as of 5/29/07) from 2008 as far back as 1985. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byMPG.htm

I guess our "domestic" low fuel consumption transportation remains: walking, bicycle, mass transit (where available) ... any other ideas?