Are some non-hybrid cars easier to "hypermile" than others?
 

If I apply the same set of hypermiling techniques to several manual-transmission, non-hybrid cars of different makes with the same EPA mileage, will I be able to achieve about the same improved mileage in each car when I drive it with hypermiling techniques, or are there certain brands that can be HMed more effectively than others? My guess is the latter; if so, which cars are best?

Top of my head, Geo Metros, Civics, CRXs, Saturns, Rangers to name a few

Results will vary. You want to start with a good higher mileage car and go from there rather than start with a gas hog.

Your suspicion is right: some cars are much easier to hypermile "out of the box" than other cars. I'm only talking about relative improvements compared to the EPA estimates.

A simple example is straight highway cruising. Drive over about 100 km/h (60 mph) in a 3 cylinder Metro 5-speed in warm weather, and you won't be able to achieve its (old) EPA highway rating.

My mom's Camry, however could be driven up to 112 km/h before the mileage dropped below its EPA highway estimate.

So it's not a level playing field.

according to rh77 reviews. The new Malibu and Toyota Corolla are easy to beat the epa. I would check out www.fueleconomy.gov and look at the user submitted mpg. The drivers submitting information on that site are generally normal, non-hypermilling, drivers.

Corolla's been real easy for me, and its an auto! (ps: last week was a record tank for me @ 39.45 mpg vs EPA 29 combined...)

The Wife's Hyundai Accent is getting great results but I find my Aveo is not as good. But it's also brand new and hasn't passed break in yet, which is suppose to make a slight difference "they say".

igo -

I would make the distinction that any new car is probably going to be easier to beat in terms of the new EPA figures. The new EPA figures are more realistic, but they "lower the bar" relative to the old EPA figures.

But as others have said, drivetrains are different. You have to get to know each one to see how it behaves. From my POV, you need to be a member of at least two forums to get good MPG. You should be a member of ecomodder.com and a forum strictly devoted to your car, like saturnfans.com .

CarloSW2

I object to that! I have yet to find a civic forum that isn't full of 16y/o make-believe street racers!

While most online forums for cars are oriented around performance there usually is still good info there. Common problems and such info are abundant on those forums and can be quite useful.

I will admit though, my threads on performance get MUCH more attention than my threads on mileage.