Article: Larger, yet more fuel-efficient than before. (What the...)

[MetroMPG]

I'm posting this link to a review about the new Toyota Highlander SUV mainly because it threw me a little off balance.

First, keep in mind this is a main stream press review from a national newspaper. But the title of the story has "fuel-efficient" in it. In an SUV review?

Second, the "teaser" paragraph says:

"Makes you wonder how fuel-efficient they could have made the Highlander if they'd kept it the same size and made it lighter than the old one."

Exsqueeze me? *rubseyesvigorously* I've read it three times now, and it still says the same thing. What - is the reviewer an ex-Lotus employee?

The improved aerodynamics and engine and transmission efficiency helped boost the fuel economy ratings, which are now 12.3 litres/100 km city and 8.8 highway, compared with 12.7 city/9.0 highway for the old model. On the info readout, I saw averages as low as 9.4 on the highway, but overall fuel usage seemed to hover at a little over 11.0 L/100 km the rest of the time, in mixed rural and town driving.

OK, that's about it. If you're interested in reading about the vehicle itself, you can go here (at least until the article slips into the archive and becomes inaccessable):

http://www.globeauto.com/servlet/sto...GlobeAuto/home

It mainly caught my attention because of what I thought was the unusual focus on efficiency issues. I'm sure it's just a temporary glitch, and we'll now return to regular programming...