Civic Hybrid Owner Sues Honda Over Mileage Claims

Iria · Jul 7, 2007, 04:25 AM

Source: Detroit News
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Impressed by the gas-electric hybrid's advertised mileage -- 49 miles per gallon in the city, 51 mpg on the highway -- True plunked down $28,470, at least $7,000 more for a comparable nonhybrid Civic EX.

But after 6,000 miles of driving, True said he averaged 32 mpg in mixed city/highway driving. So in March, True, an Ontario, Calif., professional jazz piano player, filed a class-action lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Riverside, Calif., in what appears to be the first legal challenge of the mileage claims of hybrid vehicles.

Iria · Jul 7, 2007, 04:27 AM

As a Prius owner, I knew better than to expect the MPG estimates. But I am getting 47+ MPG overall and have hit 53+ MPG for one week.

Zelig · Jul 7, 2007, 04:36 AM

Like it says in the news article, those aren't Honda's numbers, they're the numbers the EPA gives. Those numbers are well explained, generally understood to be an overestimate, and are revised for 2008 to be significantly lower.

FWIW, in good weather, with good roads, a properly maintained/tuned car, and careful driving, it's possible to exceed the EPA estimates.

Jul 7, 2007, 04:25 AM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	Civic Hybrid Owner Sues Honda Over Mileage Claims Source: Detroit News ________ Impressed by the gas-electric hybrid's advertised mileage -- 49 miles per gallon in the city, 51 mpg on the highway -- True plunked down $28,470, at least $7,000 more for a comparable nonhybrid Civic EX. But after 6,000 miles of driving, True said he averaged 32 mpg in mixed city/highway driving. So in March, True, an Ontario, Calif., professional jazz piano player, filed a class-action lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Riverside, Calif., in what appears to be the first legal challenge of the mileage claims of hybrid vehicles.

Jul 7, 2007, 04:36 AM	#3
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 69 System Specs	Like it says in the news article, those aren't Honda's numbers, they're the numbers the EPA gives. Those numbers are well explained, generally understood to be an overestimate, and are revised for 2008 to be significantly lower. FWIW, in good weather, with good roads, a properly maintained/tuned car, and careful driving, it's possible to exceed the EPA estimates. __________________ --

Jul 7, 2007, 04:27 AM	Thread Starter #2
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	As a Prius owner, I knew better than to expect the MPG estimates. But I am getting 47+ MPG overall and have hit 53+ MPG for one week.