EPA Mileage Estimates Still Need Work

[SuperTrooper]

I was looking at the Saturn Aura Hybrid and the Saturn Vue Hybrid. They both get the SAME EPA mileage ratings of 24 city/32 highway. Same engine and trans, yet the Aura weighs 260 pounds less (3529 lbs vs 3789 lbs) and has a better Cd (0.26 vs 0.36).



I would expect SOME difference, wouldn't you?

[SVOboy]

I think the vue is a real hybrid and the aura is just a bas hybrid, right?

[Bror Jace]

Wait, are you saying the government put out statistics that are less than accurate?



I found the same situation when I owned a 2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V. It had the same engine as the Altima and the EPA gave both cars the same mileage figures. Problem is, my car was 500lbs. lighter.

[Smog]

so far I found the canadian ratings a lot more realistic than the new epa ratings; driving on highway 95% @ 60mph I get 32mpg while the truck is rated at 25 in the US and 30 in Canada

[ebacherville]

IMHO, belt assist is just absurd... have not seen any good numbers from a belt assist model yet.. Just a patch job by the automakers..