A TOYOTA PRIUS JUST AVERAGED BETTER FUEL ECONOMY THAN MOST PLUG-IN HYBRIDS
When it comes to talking about fuel efficiency, if the Toyota Prius doesn’t come up, then you’re probably in the wrong company. As the car that essentially kickstarted the hybridization evolution, being the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, the Prius continues to draw strong sales after more than 20 years on the market across five generations.
That in itself is downright impressive, but now it has something else to brag about as Toyota Prius LE, piloted by known hypermiler, Wayne Gerdes, just averaged more than 90 mpg across more than 3,000 miles of coast-to-coast driving. This is a new Guinness World Record that literally smashes the old record of roughly 70 mpg coast-to-coast.
2023 Toyota Prius
The 2023 Toyota Prius redefines the hybrid segment with its bold new design, improved performance, and advanced technology. Featuring a sleek, futuristic exterior with a lower stance and sharper lines, the Prius offers enhanced aerodynamics and a sportier appeal. Under the hood, the updated hybrid powertrain delivers increased efficiency and up to 196 horsepower on the all-wheel-drive model, providing a more dynamic driving experience. Inside, the Prius boasts a modern cabin with a larger infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a host of driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. With an estimated fuel economy of up to 57 mpg combined, the 2023 Prius blends eco-friendliness with style and practicality, making it a top choice for hybrid enthusiasts.
The Highest Mileage Toyota Hybrid In The World
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The Craziest Fuel Economy Figure Weve Ever Seen
The Prius is alive and well after nearly 2.5 decades on the market because it’s literally the symbol of fuel economy that’s hard to beat. It has changed a lot over the years, with the most recent generation being the sportiest, fastest, and most efficient Prius to date. According to the EPA, the standard Prius, which is what Gerdes drove during his coast-to-cast trip, manages to deliver 57 mpg. Yet, during his 3,211.7-mile journey from Los Angeles City Hall to New York City Hall, Gerdes managed to average exactly 93.158 mpg.
Of course, this figure would be low if he were in the Prius Prime, one of the greenest cars on earth with an EPA rating of 113 MPGe, but for a standard Prius, it’s close enough to double to raise some eyebrows, so how did it happen? It’s called Hypermiling, and it requires a few sacrifices, a lot fo patience, and some serious dedication.
Different Hypermilers will tell you different techniques, but the basic idea is to drive like grandma and be extra easy with the accelerator. Use the car’s weight to slow you down early when you know stops are coming and accelerate as lightly as possible. You can even let the car’s weight and gravity give you a boost of fuel-free speed when you’re travelling downhill. Some of this even falls in line with what Gerdes suggested in Toyota’s press release about the world record.
He suggests slower take-offs from stops and keeping even pressure on the accelerator pedal. He also says when stops are ahead, easing off the accelerator early and using the vehicles momentum to glide as you approach the stop helps greatly with fuel economy.
In general, some of this stuff will make you a better driver anyway, but if that’s not enough motivation for you, just think of how much money was saved on fuel alone during that coast-to-coast trip.
Generational Evolution Of The Toyota Prius Hybrid
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