[MetroMPG]

Have you had the chance to drive one? They respond fantastically well to ecodriving or hypermiling techniques. Definitely not stuck at 51 mpg.

Edit, just an example:

On the 100% city route I use for ecodriving coaching...

• 40 mpg US in a 2007 Civic LX 5-speed, using moderate techniques. It's EPA rated at 26 city. (45 mpg was doable with more advanced stuff, like engine-off coasting.)

• 72 mpg US in a 2013 Lexus 200h (think: 3rd gen Prius wearing fancy clothes), EPA rated 43 city, on the same route. (With a driver who understood gliding.)

And while hybrids are definitely closer to peak potential out of the box than the typical Accord or Corolla, they're also definitely not at their peak. There's still lots of room for mods/improvement and people around here are doing just that.