[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by sendler

Just trying to keep the conversation straight. People could be reading your hype and get the totally wrong idea.
.
Apparently no one out of competition comes close to the Japan test cycle as is shown to be true on Fuelly and Spirit Monitor. The USA sticker for the Prius C is 50. A huge sample of real user's in many different countries are showing 51 mpgUS. Perfect bell curve.
.
By comparing the only data we have, the Japan test cycle for each car, the Fit hybrid can be expected to beat the Prius C by a few percent. Only. Which is a good accomplishment considering it will be bigger and better equipped than the spartan Toyota. Now we have to see what the comparative pricing will be.

It is not my hype - blame Honda, Toyota, etc - but agreed.

That said, the EPA ratings are not really set high.
I never had a tank below EPA despite some sometimes very adverse conditions.

With a year in I barely equal the European FE rating over that year. Conditions were not optimal, but I did a lot to compensate for that and yet can't beat it consistently; would need a longer commute and less wind. A good south-western storm can double my consumption.

So - EPA ratings give a reasonable estimate of what most people can expect under 'normal' conditions.
The European & Japanese ratings show what it can do under ideal conditions. That is pretty accurate for my use, trying to hypermile and all: a challenge to meet, an achievement to pass it.
Unfair? Sure. Useful? For me it is.
What rating suits you best depends on how you drive.

I don't expect a Fit Hybrid would yield me 86 mpg just like that, but I sure would like to try. With gas prices at about $9 a gallon over here (more than 60% tax...!) I wonder why these cars don't get more attention.