U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #696: October 10, 2011
Top Ten "Real World" Fuel Economy Leaders

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy ratings on the window stickers of new cars are based on strict test cycles conducted in a controlled laboratory setting. These official EPA estimates do not reflect all the varied conditions encountered in real world driving such as congestion, terrain, weather, driving style, fuel blends and other factors. On the website www.fueleconomy.gov, drivers are encouraged to enter their real world fuel economy to compare their results with EPA ratings and with other car owners across the nation. The model year (MY) 2004 – 2006 Honda Insight is currently the vehicle in the database with the best real world fuel economy, followed by the MY 1990 – 1994 Geo Metro. Both vehicles have real world average fuel economies higher than the EPA ratings. The table also shows the number of users who have entered data for that particular vehicle type – the MY 2010-2011 Toyota Prius (#4 on the list) has 158 people who entered their fuel economy information.

If you would like to enter fuel economy information for your vehicle, go to Your MPG page on the www.fueleconomy.gov website.

Top Ten "Real World" Fuel Economy Leaders
1. 2006 Honda Insight Honda Insight Model Years 2004-2006 User Average 71.2
(based on 12 Your MPG users)
3 cyl, 1.0L, Manual 5-spd, Regular EPA Combined 52
2. 1994 Chevy Geo Metro Geo Metro XFI Model Years 1990-1994 User Average 50.4
(based on 15 Your MPG users)
3 cyl, 1.0L, Manual 5-spd, Regular EPA Combined 47
3. 1991 Honda CRX Honda Civic CRX HF Model Years 1990-1991 User Average 50.2
(based on 11 Your MPG users)
4 cyl, 1.5L, Manual 5-spd, Regular EPA Combined 43
4. 2011 Toyota Prius Toyota Prius Model Years 2010-2011 User Average 49.1
(based on 158 Your MPG users)
4 cyl, 1.8L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular EPA Combined 50
5. 2011 Honda Insight Honda Insight Model Years 2010-2011 User Average 48.6
(based on 18 Your MPG users)
4 cyl, 1.3L, Auto(AV-S7), Regular EPA Combined 41
6. 2003 VW Jetta Wagon Volkswagen Jetta Wagon Model Years 2002-2003 User Average 48.1
(based on 23 Your MPG users)
4 cyl, 1.9L, Manual 5-spd, Diesel EPA Combined 39
7. 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid Honda Civic Hybrid Model Years 2003-2005 User Average 47.9
(based on 20 Your MPG users)
4 cyl, 1.3L, Manual 5-spd, Regular EPA Combined 41
8. 2003 VW Golf Volkswagen Golf Model Years 2000-2003 User Average 47.1
(based on 52 Your MPG users)
4 cyl, 1.9L, Manual 5-spd, Diesel EPA Combined 38
9. 1995 Honda Civic HB Honda Civic HB VX Model Years 1992-1995 User Average 47.1
(based on 14 Your MPG users)
4 cyl, 1.5L, Manual 5-spd, Regular EPA Combined 43
10. 1991 VW Jetta Volkswagen Jetta Model Years 1985-1991 User Average 46.4
(based on 13 Your MPG users)
4 cyl, 1.6L, Manual 5-spd, Diesel EPA Combined 34

Source: U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, FuelEconomy.Gov website: Fueleconomy Top Ten.

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