Best prius for hypermiling? G2, 3, C, V?

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by theaveng

I might hold off for G4 though, just to see how if it improves economy. Maybe Toyota has some trick up their sleeve to make the car even more sleek or less fuel guzzling. (And if not then I'll get the G3 clearance price.)

If I were buying new, I'd wait for the next gen. I forget where I read it, but Toyota's stated goal is to improve efficiency by 10% each generation. That amounts to about 5 mpg better, 55 total mpg for the fourth generation.

[theaveng]

So is there a place where Hypermilers track their max MPG for the Prius?

[RedDevil]

This one tracks it on Spritmonitor. And EM .

The recent Prii do slightly better than the 2nd gen Insight, several beat my economy.
(there are a few plugin Prii messing up the FE ratings, but there remain enough genuine unplugged Prii still doing better)

Check the stats sorted by FE:
Overview: Toyota - Prius - Spritmonitor.de
Overview: Honda - Insight - Spritmonitor.de

[Hersbird]

For pure interstate economy isn't the whole hybrid thing mostly lost? I would think that there are better choices out there especially with a price factored in.

[Baltothewolf]

OP, if you have the money for a new Prius, get a immaculate G1 insight and put the rest of what you would have spent aside for future repairs, and get 500k+ miles in repairs. Not to mention, even without Hypermiling you will still get 100-120% of EPA.

[vskid3]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

For pure interstate economy isn't the whole hybrid thing mostly lost? I would think that there are better choices out there especially with a price factored in.

On a recent 2600 mile trip in my '05 Prius with nothing but LRR tires at sidewall max for mods, I averaged 49MPG. Approximately 90% highway miles, probably half of them on 75+MPH roads doing the speed limit plus a few on cruise (even going up steep hills). Average speed was probably 65-70MPH. The '06 Escape Hybrid we used to have would get about 30MPG doing 70MPH.

So yes, hybrids generally do better in city than highway driving. But they will still beat almost any other car when it comes to highway MPGs. Buying used will reduce the price difference quite a bit.

[Hersbird]

Don't get me wrong but I'm a little skeptical there is enough magic in a Ford Escape hybrid system to allow it's lack of aerodynamics and large frontal area to achieve 30mpg at 70 mph steady state. Steady state at 70 mph it's mostly aerodynamics and a little bit rolling resistance. I can believe a small aerodynamic hybrid will do well, I just think something like the 1.0 ecoboost fiesta will do even better even if the EPA numbers (which don't measure steady state interstate numbers) say it won't. Again, long time 65-75mph cruising how does the hybrid system help? At lower speeds yes, and pulse and glide, yes, and for short times after a full charge, yes, but driving all day down an open interstate?

[vskid3]

The smaller engine, atkinson valve timing, and CVT are probably the biggest contributors to the Escape Hybrid's numbers. Mine was FWD as well, so that helped vs AWD. I believe the last few years before the major redesign ('10-'12) would do nearly the same on the highway with the conventional 4 cylinder and FWD. Here's the Fuelly page for the one I had: Green Brick (Ford Escape) | Fuelly

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

For pure interstate economy isn't the whole hybrid thing mostly lost? I would think that there are better choices out there especially with a price factored in.

CdA 5.84 ft^2 and 38.5% efficient ICE? I can't think of anything better off the top of my head that is sold today and isn't an EV.

[Hersbird]

The CdA and efficiency have nothing to do with hybrid part 500 extra pounds does. Basically they should make a non-hybrid Prius for highway commuters. I think that is what the new 1.0l fiesta is going for. I bet in the hands of a hypermiler it goes 55mpg highway or more pure stock, then add some aeromods. They start about $17,000.