Car with highest gas mileage OVER the EPA rating (in %)?

slugg

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
4,723
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This is a weird search criteria. Believe me, I've looked. It's not easy.

What I'm looking for is a car that has an extremely under-estimated EPA rating. For example, let's say the EPA rating is 20 mpg combined, but drivers actually average 25 mpg; that's a 25% increase over EPA.

Let me be clear: I don't actually care about good gas mileage; I just care about percentage OVER the EPA rating.

FAQs:
What? That makes no sense! Why are you looking for this criteria in a car?
Local autocross buddies are putting on an economy run contest. We drive to a location and back. He who maximizes gas mileage over the EPA (in proportion) wins.

So you're going to buy a car to win a dumbass contest?
No. I have a connection to rent cars at negligibly cheap prices. Will I rent a car for peanuts to kick my friends' asses and talk shit for a while? Why as a matter of fact, hell yes!

There are other ways to get better gas mileage. Are you stupid?
Perhaps. But I assure you, ignorance is bliss and I won't let you ruin my fun ;)
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
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Where would you get reliable info on what drivers are actually averaging?
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,344
126
The TDI's are the first that come to mind. Sticker values of around 40MPG highway but many users claiming mid 40's to low 50's highway.
 

slugg

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
4,723
80
91
How many miles and terrain? Speed limits? All probably a factor too.

Oh believe me, all angles of this have been thoroughly explored. The only thing left is to try to find a better car for the job than my Accord.

The TDI's are the first that come to mind. Sticker values of around 40MPG highway but many users claiming mid 40's to low 50's highway.

Noted. I'll look into it.

Personal anecdotal experience from your own daily drivers or rentals is greatly appreciated! :)
 

AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
81
The TDI's are the first that come to mind. Sticker values of around 40MPG highway but many users claiming mid 40's to low 50's highway.

Users claim a lot of things.

I'd go to an MPG sharing website. Someone suggested Fuelly; I personally use mpgtune.com but I think Fuelly might have more users and it definitely has a better interface with graphs and stuff. There will always be a few people cheating the system but if you look at aggregate data it'll give you a better sense.

For instance, going to Fuelly and only looking at diesel Jettas you see that the average overall MPG is around 38, with the bell curve tailing off by the time you reach the mid 40s. Of course that's overall, not highway only, but it's hard to measure highway-only fuel economy unless you go on a road trip and fill up immediately before you leave and immediately when you're done.
 
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slugg

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
4,723
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This contest would have mixed condition driving (highway, city, rural), so I'll definitely be looking at "overall." Thanks for the sites, guys.
 
Feb 24, 2001
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I haven't had any problems hitting 60+ consistently in my Prius C. Some drives have been over 74.

If you really want to destroy traffic just to win a bet, you could hypermile it and risk getting shot.
 

AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
81
Here's something to keep in mind:

http://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/epa-overhauls-fuel-economy-estimates-for-2008.html

Long story short, the EPA tested cars in ideal conditions before 2008. Rolling road (so no air resistance), no accessories on, maximum speed of 55 mph. Starting for model year 2008 cars, they made their testing procedures much tougher, with higher speeds, running the heater or AC, and accelerating faster. They still use a rolling road so they still don't actually get true highway miles per gallon, but mileage figures are more down to earth.

So that's one point in favor of looking at a 2008 or newer car - you're more likely to be able to break the EPA estimates.

EDIT: That article also mentioned changes in 1985 where they made downward adjustments on the recorded numbers. So if you go with an old car, get an '85 or newer.
 
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NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,104
597
126
Basically what you want is a small car, manual trans and a steady 55mph. That will typically beat EPA estimates pretty easily.
 

DominionSeraph

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2009
8,386
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An electric is going to win hands down. They have an equivalent EPA rating but use no gas, so its actual gas mileage is an infinite % above estimated MPG.
 

SithSolo1

Diamond Member
Mar 19, 2001
7,740
11
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An electric is going to win hands down. They have an equivalent EPA rating but use no gas, so its actual gas mileage is an infinite % above estimated MPG.

Are we sure an electric will win this?

In the strictest sense, going by highest gas mileage over EPA estimates then an electric is automatically excluded since it uses no gas.


However...
Using both fuel/energy per mile standards, MPG and MPGe, how much percentage wise over the MPGe ratings are electrics getting?