What happened to the cars that get good gas mileage?????

Question

In the early 2000's Honda built a Civic HX 5 speed that got about 44 miles per gallon. I noticed that the Toyota Prius is a very hot car right now and it gets about 46 miles per gallon. How could we get 44 miles per gallon 7 years ago out of a gasoline only engine and today we get only 46 miles per gallon out of a gasoline/electric car. How is it possible that we can only get 2 more miles per gallon after 7 years of technology? Also, why does a new Civic get about 36 miles per gallon and a Civic that was built 7 years ago got 44 miles per gallon? why are we going backwards????

Answer 1

Actually, the 1996, 1998-2002 Honda Civic HX only had about 34MPG combined.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.do?ac...

and that this is a subcompact model rated ULEV.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/f*g/noframes/...

(modern Civics are larger, in the compact category.)

compare that to the larger midsize eCVT (automatic) 2004-current Toyota Prius, at 46MPG combined:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.do?ac...

and that's with standard traction control, anti-lock brakes, side/side curtain air bags, and tire pressure monitoring systems...  (more safety stuff = more weight)  The Toyota Prius also is rated an AT-PZEV (so lower emissions, and zero evaporative emissions), so more emission controls = more weight.

(remember that the US EPA changed the testing for 2008, and revised all the old figures to be comparable with the current ones.)

smaller cars = lighter weight, so typically better MPG.

Cars have been trending to be larger in size over the years.  Add in more pollution/emission controls, and more standard safety features, and the weight also goes up...

you might be interested in reading:

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fetrends.htm

"Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2007" by the US EPA.  Not only do they report changes in fleet fuel economy, but also of the changing weights of vehicles over the years.

Answer 2

During about 10 years ago, people were still concerned about gas mileage.  Then somewhere (and some how) people started to lose interest in MPG and started buying cars with high horse power and low MPG.  There are lot of cars with 300 HP these days. Unbelievable.

My 94 Civic still gets 41 MPG.  It only weights 2300 pounds.  The new civic looks more like the old Accord.  

Good Luck...

Answer 3

The EPA wants cleaner cars which requires alot of emissions technology to control fuel which means bundles of more wire for the obd2 fuel injection system which includes sensors for little things like fuel tank pressure and the solenoids to release it not to mention the hoses etc. etc.

At the same time, the Government wants it to be safe so throw in ABS brake controllers and another mile of wire. Air Bags...plus more wire.

The insurance company's don't want it stolen so throw all those modules and wiring in there.

There just too heavy now! The way these new computer controls work is pretty neat in squeezing every ounce of MPG out but jeezo, the new Dodge Challenger weighs about 500 pounds more than the '71 model!

Weight reducing technology has created some great things but has also created...cheap/flimsy thing's that were once takin for granted as solid.

Answer 4

Todays cars are heavier due to crash protection regulation and they run hotter due to pollution regulations. Weight and heat reduce fuel mileage.

Answer 5

Honda is actually moving forward with their new fuel cell engine. Called the FCX clarity.  It isnt powered by gasoline. It is powered by hydrogen which then mixes with oxygen and emits water vapors. They are starting to release them in California soon.

Check it out.

http://world.honda.com/FuelCell/