Mirror, mirror on the wall, which hybrid is the most fuel efficient of them all?
That was the question the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asked as motorists continue to show interest in hybrid cars as a way of battling high petrol prices. The EPA has ranked ten hybrid vehicles with the most famous hybrid of all – the Toyota Prius – coming out on top.
The Prius, which manages 48 miles per gallon on city streets and 45mpg on the highway came top of the new fuel efficiency rating, narrowly ahead of its biggest selling rival the Honda Civic Hybrid which racks up 40mpg for city driving and matches the Prius on the highway.
In at number three, came the Nissan Altima Hybrid, which is available in the US but not here in the UK – it manages 35mpg in the city and 33mpg on the highway.
Three cars tied for fourth spot – the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD, which all manage 31-34mpg.
Fifth place was shared between the Smart Fortwo convertible and coupe models, which offer 33-41mpg. Then comes the big selling Toyota Camry Hybrid, a huge hit on American soil, with 33-34mpg.
Completing the list were the Volkswagen Jetta and Jetta Sportswagon at 30-41mpg in seventh; the companion automatic Jettas at 29-40mpg in eighth; and the Toyota Yaris with 29-36mpg in ninth. The final place also went to the Toyota Yaris – an automatic transmission version which gets 29mpg.
