The King is dead: Hyundai Ioniq (58 MPG US EPA combined) beats Prius ECO rating (56)

[MetroMPG]

Looks like the rumours that Toyota had delayed the release of its 4th gen 2016 Prius to make it as efficient as possible in the face of looming competition from Hyundai may have been true:

In a fuel efficiency trial recently conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency, Hyundai’s Ioniq Hybrid Blue received a combined fuel rating of 58 miles per gallon (mpg), a highway rating of 59 mpg and a city rating of 57 mpg (assuming 15-inch tires), Hyundai Motor announced on Dec. 6. The Ioniq scored 2 mpg higher than the Toyota Prius Eco hybrid, which was certified at 56 mpg in combined fuel efficiency.

Source: Hyundai?s Ioniq hybrid takes first place in fuel efficiency : National : News : The Hankyoreh

The Prius has ruled the roost as the most efficient non-plug-in in America for 10 years -- since the 1st gen Insight left the market.

But the big question: do you trust Hyundai's fuel economy ratings over Toyota's?

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...epa-19675.html

[Daox]

I'm not sure if I totally trust their numbers. However, that won't really matter to the vast majority of customers out there. They'll care about one thing, price. That is why consumers flocked to Hyundai in the first place even when they were still making garbage for cars. I think today they're better, but their prices are pretty much in line with everyone elses too now.

I'd say they have an uphill battle to fight though. Toyota is known for quality / reliability, and the Prius is at the top of the list for most reliable cars on the road.

I do find it great to see the competition though!

As for real world mileage, thats yet to be seen. We here know that the different hybrid systems vary wildly from manufacturer to manufacturer and EPA ratings can mean very little if the hybrid system doesn't work well in real world situations.

[Stubby79]

Hyundai needs to bring back an equivalent to the original Insight for us cheap-bastiches.

[MetroMPG]

It'll be interesting to get the nitty-gritty on how Hyundai's design makes it so efficient.

So far I'm not seeing any news about this on the U.S. eco car blogs.

[NeilBlanchard]

There will be 3 drivetrain options for the IONIQ - EV, hybrid, and plugin hybrid is coming in a year or so.

The EV version is the new efficiency king, I think. It has ~110 mile range on a 28kWh pack, if my memory serves.

[Hersbird]

The ev and the hybrid are up on the EPA page. The plug in hybrid is not up, says coming spring 2017 on Hyundai's page. The ev is 136 combined, 150 city, 122 highway.

[Daox]

Wow, thats a good jump higher than other current EVs.

[vskid3]

About time the Prius got some 50+MPG competition. Hopefully it can live up to those numbers and help spur other manufacturers into making cars that give similar numbers. I'm going to need some good options in the used car market, my Prius can't live forever.

[ksa8907]

I'm with daox. The prius has taken several iterations to get to the current level of FE, now hyundai suddenly can do better on its first try? Call me skeptical.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by ksa8907

I'm with daox. The prius has taken several iterations to get to the current level of FE, now hyundai suddenly can do better on its first try? Call me skeptical.

Gen I insight beat the prius on MPG on the first try 17 years ago.

When they are here in the real world on our shores we can see what the differences are between a PRII and an Ioniq, my guess is the PRII will stay more "practical" regardless of smallish MPG differences.

That said, like GM I do not trust Ioniq fuel economy numbers in Apples to APples.

EPA should require the "crossover" MPG at about 50 degrees farenheit to be listed on the placard.

That way if you see the car continuously gets the EPA at say 45mph, you know you have a dud.