Cars.com Puts New EPA Fuel Economy Guide to the Test
December 05 2007 - 1:10PM
PR Newswire (US)
CHICAGO, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- With gas prices skyrocketing,
Cars.com recently put four vehicles to the test to see how close
the fuel efficiency experienced by Cars.com editors matched the new
2008 EPA fuel efficiency ratings. In October, the EPA released its
2008 Fuel Economy Guide, which rates mileage using stricter
standards for acceleration, air-conditioning use, cold weather and
top speeds than were used in the past. The new measures purportedly
reflect real-world driving better than before and offer consumers a
more accurate look at fuel efficiency for new cars. As a result,
MPG ratings dropped from 5 to 15 percent per car using the new
standards. In the past, the EPA guide had been criticized for
offering fuel efficiency ratings that were too high and not
achievable for consumers in real-world conditions. "As gas prices
continue to rise, fuel efficiency becomes an even larger factor in
the buying decision for many car shoppers," said Cars.com managing
editor Patrick Olsen. "We wanted to see if the new rating system
was in line with our own experiences, so that consumers could see
whether to put confidence in the fuel efficiency ratings that are
posted for various cars." The cars tested included four 2008
models: a Nissan Rogue, Subaru WRX, Dodge Grand Caravan and Hyundai
Sonata -- a mix of body styles with manual, automatic and
continuously variable automatic transmissions, two- and four-wheel
drive, and four- and six-cylinder engines. Cars.com's test results
came in near -- and in some cases slightly above -- the EPA's
highway estimates for all four cars. "Our little test suggests that
the EPA's latest numbers -- at least the highway ones -- can be
easily attainable. With the pre-2008 figures, you really had to
drive conservatively to match the estimates," Olsen said. "With the
agency's new figures, you can drive like you normally would and
expect to achieve the ratings, which of course is the idea behind
the EPA estimates. For regular drivers, these numbers seem much
more usable, and helpful, than previous pie-in-the-sky figures."
Here are the details of the Cars.com test, with the EPA's 2008
ratings for each: EPA 2008 gas Trip mileage computer Gallons Miles
estimates MPG Cars.com TOTALS Car of gas driven (city/hwy., mpg)
readout Results Time: 7.13 Rogue 11.27, 304.2 21/26, *** 27.0 hours
regular 23 combined Miles: WRX 12.26, 305.3 19/24, 25.8 24.9
approx. premium 21 combined 305; 43 Grand mph avg. Caravan 14.11,
306.9 16/23, 22.0 21.8 regular 18 combined Traffic: Sonata 10.07,
302.5 21/30, 29.0 30.0 Medium regular 24 combined (4/10) *** The
Rogue was the only car tested that didn't have a trip computer
Methodology To test real-world mileage, Cars.com took the cars
across interstates and rural roads between Chicago and Madison,
Wis., in October. The unscientific experiment took place over nine
hours and some 300 miles. The tires were filled at cold pressure to
their recommended rates, each trip started and ended at the exact
same gas pump, drivers (and their weight) rotated between all four
cars throughout the trip, the windows were kept shut and A/C and
cruise control usage were tracked. Otherwise, the cars were driven
as each driver would normally drive. "The results are strictly
unscientific, but we definitely feel that it was reflective of
real-world driving," Olsen said. "The varied driving styles of the
Cars.com reviewers added to the real-world conditions, as those
behind the wheel range from lead-footers to Sunday drivers."
Cars.com plans to do more MPG comparison tests in the future. For
more information on Cars.com's MPG challenge, visit Cars.com About
Cars.com Cars.com is the most comprehensive destination for those
looking to buy or sell a new or used car. The site lists more than
2 million vehicles from more than 15,000 dealer customers,
classified advertisers and private parties to offer the more than 8
million unique visitors who log on to the site each month the best
selection of new and used cars online, as well as the content,
tools and advice to support their shopping experience. Cars.com
combines powerful inventory search tools and new-car configuration
with pricing information, photo galleries, buying guides,
side-by-side comparison tools, original editorial content and
reviews to help millions of car shoppers connect with sellers each
month. Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of Classified
Ventures, LLC, (http://classifiedventures.com/), which is owned by
leading media companies, including Belo (NYSE:BLC), Gannett Co.,
Inc. (NYSE:GCI), The McClatchy Company (NYSE:MNI), Tribune Company
(NYSE:TRB) and The Washington Post Company (NYSE:WPO). DATASOURCE:
Cars.com CONTACT: Jackie Brennan, Public Relations Specialist,
+1-312-601-6229, mobile, +1-219-577-6106, , or Steve Nolan, Public
Relations Manager, +1-312-601-5163, mobile, +1-630-310-2468, , both
of Cars.com Web site: http://www.cars.com/
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