While some folks have complained that their hybrid cars’ gas mileage falls short of the stated numbers, we found quite the opposite to be true. We were able to meet or beat the estimates with every hybrid we tested.

But here’s the rub …

Hybrid gas mileage depends largely on technique. If a driver fails to use the tools at their disposal and drives in an inefficient manner, they’ll struggle to hit the numbers.

Truth be told, it can take some effort to beat the official gas mileage estimates, no matter what you’re driving.

This is amplified with a hybrid car or SUV, where the right techniques can pay off with eye-popping numbers under the right conditions.

To achieve the best gas mileage in a hybrid, you’ll want to use the data provided by the dashboard to alter your driving technique.

When you minimize the pressure put on the pedals and maximize the use of inertia, you’re light footing.

The accompanying video shows the dashboards of three hybrid cars that deliver the highest gas mileage results: the Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion Hybrid, and Honda Insight.

Each manufacturer takes a different approach when displaying real-time fuel efficiency.

The 2010 Toyota Prius tops the charts with an estimated 51 city / 48
highway miles per gallon (MPG).

Although the center-mounted real-time fuel-efficiency display in the Prius can draw the eye away from the road to a degree, our 55.1 MPG combined results – calculated from tank fills – proved the capabilities of a conscientiously driven Prius.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid official ratings of 41 city / 36 highway provide a hint of the car’s potential.

Using the configurable (although somewhat distracting) Smart Gauge dashboard display, we were able to easily trounce the estimates in the Fusion Hybrid, scoring an average of 44.5 MPG combined. The Smart Gauge display is an excellent training aid for light footed driving.

We found the 2010 Honda Insight to be conservatively rated at 40 city / 43 highway, and were able to easily trump the numbers with an average of
46.5 MPG combined.

The Insight’s subtle glowing ambient meter surrounds the speedometer allowing the eyes to maintain focus on traffic conditions. With a change in color from green to blue, the driver instantly senses fuel efficiency, without the need to draw attention away from the road.

Hybrids have been traditionally touted as shining over conventional vehicles in stop-and-go traffic. But the benefits clearly carry through to more open roads, when driven appropriately.

The Fusion Hybrid’s ability to cruise under electric power at speeds up to 47 miles per hour is a case-in-point. If you can adapt not just your driving technique, but also the route traveled, you can achieve remarkable results.

Although road conditions can prevent you from getting the optimum gas mileage at all times, the more in tune you are with your vehicle, the better the results.

Stay tuned for more videos on techniques and tactics that you can use to dial up your fuel efficiency.

2010 Hybrid Gas Mileage Ratings

Surfrider’s CNG Camry Hybrid rolls on 20-inch rims wrapped with Toyo Proxy 4 tires. Ride height has been dropped with an adjustable coil over suspension. The custom front bumper features tweaked grilles, while the rear bumper hides the exhaust system. Dual CNG tanks are mounted under the trunk floor. Toyota tapped Metal Crafters to handle the CNG conversion, with Street Image tackling the cosmetic work.

The 2010 Prius features an upgraded Hybrid Synergy Drive system with a DOHC 1.8 liter 16-valve VVT-i four cylinder engine and permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor mated to an electronic continuously variable transmission (ECVT). The gasoline engine produces 98 horsepower (HP) and 105 foot pounds of torque, while the electric motor adds 80 HP and 153 foot pounds of torque. The engine in the 2010 Prius is significantly larger than the 1.5 liter engine used in earlier models.

The official gas mileage estimates for the 2010 Toyota Prius are 51 city/48 highway miles per gallon (MPG), a slight improvement over earlier models, despite the increase in displacement.

We travelled more than 750 hundred miles on our Blue Ribbon Metallic 2010 Prius and dismissed the official fuel economy estimates, landing an average of 59.2 MPG on the highway, and 55.1 MPG combined. With those numbers, the 11.9 gallon gas tank provides a generous cruising range.

Interstate Mileage Testing:

• Cruise control set to 68 MPH, A/C off, ECO mode, windows up (1-inch gap): 56.5 MPG
• Cruise control off, target speed 60-72 MPH, A/C off, ECO mode, windows up (1-inch gap): 61.9 MPG

Overall test period temperatures ranged from the seventies to eighties, with Interstate highway testing temperatures in the seventy degree range.

Even with the added 3/10ths of a liter, the 2010 Prius covers the 0-60 sprint in the same ballpark as its predecessor.

The ride and handling, however, have improved significantly over earlier models.

The 2010 Prius comes configured with one of four trim levels for consumers (there’s a base model that’s intended specifically for fleets).

The interior of the 2010 Prius is more hospitable, as well, although its travels further into the spaceship realm of design. We appreciate the Prius IV’s leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, and power lumbar support.

Our Prius IV test unit was fitted with the Solar Roof Package, which includes a tilt/slide sunroof and interior fan to ventilate a parked car on hot sunny days with power from rooftop solar cells. The $3,600 option package also includes a voice-activated DVD touchscreen navigation system and an integrated backup camera.

The backup camera is especially welcome, as rearward visibility in the Prius is somewhat compromised by the car’s aerodynamic design.

The Prius IV features an eight-speaker JBL sound system along with hands-free Bluetooth and Bluetooth music streaming. While there is a auxiliary audio input jack in the center console as standard issue, the Prius oddly lacks provisions for USB iPod hookup is an added-cost option. Steering wheel controls are well thought out.

The rear seat of the Prius provides a respectable amount of headroom and leg room. Cargo flexibility is a highlight and the Prius can handle those Costco runs with ease. 60/40 rear seats fold flat and provide 21.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

Scoring higher fuel economy marks with the Prius is simply a matter of diligence. Once you learn how to drive with a light foot and max out the hybrid system’s potential, you’ll find that 60 or 70 MPG segments are easy to achieve, under the right conditions.

The transmission provides Eco, Power, and EV modes. (We performed the majority of our testing in Eco mode.) EV mode is appropriate only for short-term low speed crawling, in the absence of significant grades.

All 2010 Prius are fitted with P195/65R15 tires, with the exception of the Prius V, which is fitted with larger P215/45R17 tires. Integrated regenerative braking and anti-lock brakes are standard, with power-assisted ventilated discs in the front and solid discs in the rear. We found the regenerative brakes to operate smoothly.

All-in-all, the third-generation 2010 Toyota Prius delivers a significant step up from the previous edition, with a more comfortable interior, a smoother ride, and higher fuel efficiency. Although the car’s design might be polarizing, there’s no denying the technical achievement. When driven properly and under the right conditions, conscientious Prius drivers can achieve positively remarkable mileage results.

The 2010 Honda Insight is fitted with a 1.3-liter four cylinder engine and a DC brushless electric motor, mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The Insight’s inline four, produces 98 horsepower (HP) and 123 foot pounds of torque, while the electric motor adds 13 HP and 58 foot pounds of torque.

The crisply designed exterior harkens back to the original Honda Insight (sans side skirts) and the CRX which inspired the first generation hybrids.

The EPA’s fuel economy estimates for the 2010 Honda Insight are 40 city / 43 highway miles per gallon (MPG)

We rolled up more than five hundred miles on the odometer of our Clear Sky Blue Insight EX review unit and had no problem trumping the official mileage estimates with an average of 50.8 MPG on the Interstate highway and 46.5 MPG combined.

Overall test period temperatures ranged from the seventies to the high-eighties, with Interstate highway testing temperatures running into the the high eighty degree range. All tests were run in ECON mode.

The Insight scored significantly higher with cruise control off on the highway. There was insignificant difference when running the air conditioner at highway speeds over our test period.

Interstate Mileage Testing:
Cruise control set to 68 MPH, A/C off, windows up (1-inch gap): 48.9 MPG
Cruise control off, target speed 60-72 MPH, A/C off, windows up (1-inch gap): 54.8 MPG
Cruise control set to 68 MPH, A/C on, windows closed: 48.7 MPG

The Insight’s hybrid power train gets the 2734 pound (curb weight with Navigation system) up to highway speeds in a reasonable amount of time. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters (courtesy of the Honda Fit), provide access to seven simulated speeds, for those times when you feel the need to indulge your sporting self.

The Insight delivers crisp handling and a 36.1 foot curb-to-curb turning diameter. Some folks may consider the ride to be taught. Our only beef was with the feel of the regenerative brakes.

When driving the Insight, you’re constantly aware of gasoline consumption. The Ambient Meter surrounds the digital speedometer with glowing color that changes from green – when driving in a fuel-efficient manner, to a blue-green – for the times when the engine is under moderate load, to dark blue – when you’re really on the pedal. The speedometer’s placement keeps your eyes centered and on the road.

When you come to a full stop, the Insight’s gasoline engine may shut down, depending on conditions. This can save a considerable amount of fuel in city traffic.

Pressing the ECON button optimizes the drive train for economical driving. This function delivers more MPGs with a bit less performance. The Assist/Charge meter lets you know when the electric motor is providing power or in recharge mode.

The Multi-Information Display (MID) provides instant and average fuel economy data, along with an Eco Guide and the fuel economy results for previous trips. There’s even an “Eco Scoring” feature that turns saving gas into a game.

MPGomatic Note: While the Insight’s glowing Ambient Meter is wicked cool (and quite effective), we always recommend driving with the instant fuel economy or Eco Guide display active, in order to develop a light-footed driving technique to ensure the greatest amount of mileage from every gallon of fuel.

The Insight’s 10.6 gallon gas tank allows for very generous range, with the fill ups few and far between.

The Insight EX features a six-speaker 160-watt audio system that provides a handy USB interface, along with a standard audio input jack. (The base LX model has four speakers.) Our test unit was equipped with the satellite-linked Navigation package with voice recognition and hands-free Bluetooth. Steering wheel controls are excellent. The Insight’s iPod and USB flash drive integration is comprehensive. The USB interface allows for access to playlists, artists, albums, and songs from the Navigation system’s touchscreen display and steering wheel controls.

Note: The 2010 Prius may deliver higher gas mileage, but it does not provide an USB interface.

The rear 60/40 fold down bench seat allows for flexible cargo arrangement, with 15.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity when the rear seats are up and 31.5 cubic feet of capacity when the rear seats down.
Headroom in the back seat is tight for taller folks.

The Insight EX includes a number of welcome safety features, including Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and heated side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals.

All-in-all, the 2010 Honda Insight is an extremely thrifty ride for the budget conscious. While its pure fuel economy numbers may fall a bit short of the Toyota Prius, the Insight’s lower sticker price make it a more economical choice. With crisp handling and tight lines, the Insight seeks to widen the niche.

2010 Honda Insight EX Navi Specs at a Glance:
Engine: 1.3-liter inline SOHC i-VTEC four cylinder with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system.
Transmission: CVT
Fuel: Regular Unleaded Gasoline
Tank Capacity: 10.6 gallons
Drive: Front-wheel
Brakes: Front-Disc / Rear-Drum (Anti-Lock)
Curb Weight: 2734 pounds with navigation (2727 without)
CARB Emissions Rating: ULEV/AT-PZEV

The Smart Gauge is highly configurable. For example: while the spiffy green efficiency leaves appeal to some folks, we prefer the time bar graph.

There are four basic configurations, from Inform (with just the basics), to Enlighten, Engage, and Empower (which provides the greatest amount of detail).

In order to maximize gas mileage, you’ll need to develop a disciplined right foot. Once you’ve learned how to lighten up on the accelerator pedal, you’ll increase the frequency and duration of driving segments that deliver 60 MPG or more.

With that in mind, here are some ways to boost your gas mileage:

Accelerate at a Crawl

We’re going to start with perhaps the most difficult technique, accelerating at a crawl under purely electric power.

Lift your foot off the brake pedal and press the accelerator as lightly as possible. Watch the green EV bracket in the Power monitor. Do not exceed the top of the bracket … if you do, the gasoline engine will spring to life. This takes a good bit of patience. As the red needle approaches the top of the EV bracket, let off the gas.

You only want to use this tactic if there’s no traffic behind you. It works best when heading downhill or on a level surface. Attempting to accelerating from a stop in EV mode while heading up a hill can be futile.

Accelerate and Glide

Under most situations, you’ll need to accelerate from a stop using the gasoline engine. When you head off from a stop, the Power monitor will show an orange sweep as the red needle moves upward.

Accelerate past your target speed, then take your foot completely off the accelerator pedal. The red needle will drop to the bottom of the Power monitor and the green EV bracket will expand. Now you can lightly reapply your foot to the throttle … you’re gliding under EV power. The MPG gauge will display 60+.

As you approach the next intersection, let off the gas and apply the brakes as necessary. Three circular arrows will appear to indicate that the system is charging the batteries by regenerating electric power.

Inertia and a Light Foot

The Fusion Hybrid’s ability to glide under electric power at speeds up to 47 miles per hour is one of its strongest features. In day-to-day driving, the efficient use of vehicle inertia and a light-footed technique will save a remarkable amount of fuel.

By keeping the Power display’s needle in the green EV bracket, you won’t be using any gasoline during those segments. The trick is to maximize those segments.

Keep Track of MPGs

The Smart Gauge presents a Trip Summary screen each time you turn off the ignition. This feedback provides positive reinforcement for conscientious driving techniques. The more you practice these techniques, the more efficient you’ll become. Before long, you’ll be producing 50 and 60 MPG segments under optimum conditions.

Think that the American auto industry isn’t capable of producing a world-class hybrid? Think again. The Ford Fusion Hybrid takes the crown among the current crop of stealthy hybrid sedans.

The Fusion Hybrid is fitted with a 2.5-liter Atkinson-Cycle Hybrid inline four that produces 191 horsepower (HP) and 136 foot pounds of torque, along with a permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor and 275-volt Nickel-Metal-Hydride (NiMH) battery pack. An electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) transfers the power to the front wheels.

The EPA’s fuel economy estimates for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid are 41 city / 36 highway miles per gallon (MPG).

We put roughly four hundred miles on the odometer of our Light Ice Blue Metallic review unit, easily rolling past the official mileage estimates with an average of 42.7 MPG on the Interstate highway and 44.5 MPG combined. There’s little doubt that we would have scored much higher in town and on the back roads, given the time to implement the right strategies.

Test period temperatures ranged through the seventies to eighty degrees. Due to time constraints, we did not highway test with the air conditioning running. However, the combined numbers do reflect use of A/C, overall.

• Cruise control set to 68 MPH, A/C off, windows up, roof partially open : 41.8 MPG
• Cruise control off, target speed 60-72 MPH, A/C off, windows up, roof partially open: 43.5 MPG

The Fusion Hybrid’s generous 17.5 gallon gas tank allows a remarkable amount of range.

While there’s enough punch to deal with the day, it’s the way cool LCD dash display that allows the driver to actively tap into all the power and efficiency under the hood. (In the second part of the review, we’ll show you how to use the display to cruise effortlessly at speeds up to 47 MPH in electric mode.)

Out on the road, the Fusion Hybrid rides and drives like a perfectly normal sedan. It doesn’t stand out or wave flags about your EcoConsciousness. It just does what a competent modern car should do, only far more fuel-efficiently.

There’s a certain weight to the wheel, with a solid and reassuring ride. 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) are standard.

The Fusion Hybrid’s cabin is both high-tech and familiar. You needn’t be NASA-certified to glide this bird.

Our test unit was equipped with optional leather-trimmed and heated front seats, along with dual-zone climate controls. An 8-way power driver’s seat is standard, as is lumbar support.

There’s a 12-volt outlet at the base of the dash, a 110-volt outlet at the back of the center console, and another 12-volt outlet inside the console. Auxiliary audio and USB iPod inputs are tucked away inside the center console, as well.

Although Microsoft’s Sync is standard, the 12-speaker Sony audio system is included with the Moon and Tune option package. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and voice controls ensure that your attention stays on the road, whether you’re placing a Bluetooth call or picking a playlist.

The Driver’s Vision Group option package includes blind-spot sensor side mirrors and a slick rearview mirror mounted camera display.

Ford’s signature color-adjustable LED lighting sets the mood with tasteful accents throughout the cabin.

Passengers will appreciate the Fusion Hybrid’s spacious and comfortable rear seat, with 37.8 inches of headroom, 56.5 inches of shoulder room, 53.3 inches of hip room, and 37.1 inches of leg room.

There are 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk. The backseat does not fold down (due to the placement of the battery pack). If there’s one downside to the Fusion Hybrid, it’s the limited cargo capacity.

All-in-all, the Ford Fusion Hybrid is a standout performer and a shining example of America’s competitiveness in these challenging times. This car should be standard issue for energy-conscious consumers, municipalities, and corporate fleets.

Eric Trytko can tell you first hand. He had the opportunity to spend time with Wayne Gerdes, pilot a Fusion Hybrid on one of the two Washington DC-area routes that the record setting team followed, and drive one of the Fusion Hybrid media cars back to Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.

The experience (and all that time behind the wheel) provided Eric with some interesting insight on the Fusion Hybrid and how it operates in the real world. While he wasn’t able to come anywhere close to the 81.5 mile per gallon (MPG) mark on his one attempt on the event route, Eric was able to easily break the 50 MPG mark. Eric’s real world highway mileage results on the drive back to Michigan provide tangible proof of the Fusion Hybrid’s fuel efficiency while at speed.

In his Ford Fusion Hybrid review, Eric gets down to the details on the car’s interior and delivers unbiased driving impressions. If you’re thinking about buying a new fuel efficient four door sedan, this is a must read.

We’re hoping to put a 2010 Fusion Hybrid to a week long test drive at some point this summer …

The team set out on Sunday morning with a goal of breaking the 1000 mile mark, in an effort to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The Fusion Hybrid was a standard production model, running on 87 octane gas. It was not modified for the event. After driving for 69 hours continuously, the tank finally ran dry early this morning.

Edwards was at the wheel at the 1000 mile point. He was flown up to the Washington DC area shortly after crashing out of Sunday’s Talladega NASCAR race.

In order to achieve the remarkable results, the Fusion Hybrid was driven at speeds between 20 and 45 miles per hour (MPH), with cruise control off. (The Fusion Hybrid has the ability to glide under electric power at speeds under 47 MPH.)

When asked (during a Twitter session) what special techniques he used during his high-MPG driving stint, Edwards replied, “Special Driving style today? Took off my right shoe and hardly used the brakes.”

Driving techniques used by the team included:

• Slowing down and maintaining even throttle pressure;
• Gradually accelerating and smoothly braking;
• Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and anticipating traffic conditions;
• Coasting up to red lights and stop signs to avoid fuel waste and brake wear;
• Minimize use of heater and air conditioning to reduce the load on the engine;
• Close windows at high speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag;
• Applying the “Pulse and Glide” technique while maintaining the flow of traffic;
• Minimize excessive engine workload by using the vehicle’s kinetic forward motion to climb hills, and use downhill momentum to build speed; and
• Avoiding bumps and potholes that can reduce momentum

A quick trip to eBay is an indicator of the current level of discounting. At least one dealer was slashing seven thousand dollars off the Tahoe Hybrid’s MSRP. Buyers can also expect another $2,200 off for the federal hybrid tax credit.

It can take a while to get accustomed to driving the Tahoe Hybrid. Stomping on the accelerator pedal from a standing start is an interesting experience, to say the least. In this video, the system is in Auto Stop mode, with the engine off, as it launches.

Over our week of testing, the 2-mode hybrid system switched flawlessly between modes. With a 300 watt battery pack, two sixty kilowatt electric motors, and active fuel management on the 6.0 liter V8, we had no problem exceeding the official estimates of 20 city / 20 highway. (While those numbers might not seem all that large, keep in mind that the 4WD Tahoe Hybrid weighs in at 5835 pounds.)

This MPGomatic exclusive segment from SEMA 2008 with Joel McGuire from GM provides a bit of detail on how the Tahoe’s 2-mode hybrid system works …

Getting the most out of the system can take some patience. We rolled through a good bit of tape this week and have some sifting to do, so it might take a day or two to post the video(s) for our full Tahoe Hybrid review. Stay tuned!

But in these crazy times, it seems, there are still vehicles that are commanding premiums over the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). We’ve heard numerous stories about Volkswagen dealers charging well over the MSRP sticker price for new Jetta TDI clean diesels. And needless to say, it doesn’t make us very happy.

We can understand the demand. Our week-long 2009 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI test drive proved the point … this is one of the best vehicles for the money in America today.

For the good of the brand – and for clean diesel’s acceptance in America – market demand must not be allowed to provoke greed.

If Volkswagen is to market their cars as the People’s Cars, they must exert pressure on their dealers to stop the unfortunate practice of selling Jetta TDIs for above MSRP. We fully understand that it’s tough to be a car dealer at the moment, but a smash and grab sales tactic sullies the brand over the long run, purely for short-term dealer gain.