[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by sendler

Fuelly IS probably slightly skewed from what the total population of any car really gets. I get that complaint all the time when I quote Fuelly on motorcycle forums.
They always say things like: "Anyone that takes the time to log fuel economy cares more and is trying to get a better number." and " If they get a bad fill up they will just throw that one out." So yeah, Fuelly data may be slightly high. Oh, Wait! A percent too high.

Mocking me, are you? But you are missing the point I make.
People who buy small cars often use them for short trips, that skews the data more than anything.

There can be a number of reasons why people log their fuel consumption. Some may skew it - but who wants to fool himself?
Fuelly does not seem to be a hangout for the eco minded, esp. when you compare the averages to the fuel logs on EM.

Anyway, you buy the car that fits your needs and if those are mainly short trips in town, you do best buying something small. Which gets worse than EPA city average because of all the short cold start trips.
Maintaining a fuel log does not change the reason you got that car.

So that was what I think, based on what I expect is really happening.

If you buy a Yaris Hybrid or 2014 Fit Hybrid and replicate the Japanese test cycle with it for your commute, no doubt you'll get over 80 mpg.
If you use it for just the school run and the groceries, expect less than 40 mpg.
If you just do long high speed trips on the motorway you'd probably choose something else.