CR-Z MPG versus '40 MPG' Models

[gozoner]

Honda seems to have reported highly conservative EPA MPG numbers for our CR-Zs and we all know how the press has roasted the CR-Z because of our 'bad' EPA MPG numbers. Other makers seem to be getting a lot of sales traction by reporting 40 MPG numbers for their cars. I decided to use the real world Fuelly database to see how it all adds up.

I used a recent Motor Trend web site to identify 2011 cars reported to get 40 MPG (either city or hwy). I then used Fuelly to extract the real world MPG. I figure Fuelly users probably care more about MPG, they are using Fuelly after all, and are thus driving somewhat conservatively. Because of the way Fuelly groups cars I couldn't always exact numbers so I left out those 2011 models (e.g. the Chevy Cruze eco). Here is the result.



The 'Over Cmbnd' and the 'Over MAX' columns are color coded to show which cars get better real-world MPG than reported by the EPA. Green means better; pink mean worse. The only two cars that get better in 'Combined' and 'MAX of City/Hwy' are the Honda Insight and our Honda CR-Z. Thus it can be said that Honda reports conservative numbers. The Prius EPA numbers are slightly overstated; but the Prius still gets the best overall MPG. The Hyundai numbers are notably bad.

[Scotty001]

Will let others chime in.. Which I am sure will be the case.. But IMO great post and thanks for taking the time to R&D and Evaluate the stats.. Good Stuff making for great conversation..

[studytuned]

I agree, awesome post!

[atteSmythe]

Nice. Regardless of the percentage difference from the claim, it still puts us in the middle of the pack. But middle of the pack on a car that's supposedly made fuel efficiency compromises for added sportiness is not bad at all!

[Varmint]

Perhaps more remarkable for the CR-Z is the fact that many of the owners reporting on Fuelly have modded theirs for performance. Sticky tires bigger, heavier rims, air intakes, and other bolt on modifications can negatively impact fuel economy. I know my wife's Prius dropped 5 mpg off her average just by switching to all non-LRR all season tires. On top of that, CR-Zers drive their cars more aggressively than your average Prius owner.

The same is going to be true for comparable cars like the Mini, Veloster, and Golf TDi. It's impossible to quantify with the data we have available, but I think it's safe bet to say that cars like the Insight, Prius, and other dedicated MPGers have the advantage of being boring.

[gordonfc]

From my experience on the highway.
At 75 deg. F. 400 ft above sea level, at 105 kph (67 mph),
I get 44.7 mpg, U.S. gallon (55.7 imperial gall. 5.1 litres per 100 km).
All the same thing.
This is using regular fuel which contains, in Canada contains 10% Ethanol.
This tank full I'm using 'Premium', no Ethanol. MPG change !!?? yet, should improve.

MPG will drop as the outside air temperature drops though.
Silver 6mt.

[gozoner]

Originally Posted by atteSmythe

Nice. Regardless of the percentage difference from the claim, it still puts us in the middle of the pack. But middle of the pack on a car that's supposedly made fuel efficiency compromises for added sportiness is not bad at all!

'Middle of the pack' is actually 6th best MPG car (ignoring some cars w/o enough Fuelly numbers).

[atteSmythe]

I meant of the '40 MPG' cars you'd selected. It's obviously better than middle of the pack overall!

[xxxsteven]

Thanks for the great work. It is interesting research. Also noteworthy, I think, is the fact that two of the cars that beat the CRZ mpg require fuel that is generally more expensive than regular. The Smart car requires premium, and the Volkswagen requires deisel. This is also true of the other Volkswagen and the Audi on the list.

[mocmylov]

I noticed you used the EPA ratings of the manual. Did you only calculate the manual CR-Z ratings, or are CVT numbers included in the calculation?