Top 10 High-MPG Cars’ Sales in 2014 (August check-up)
Electric Cars, Plug-Ins Electrics, Diesel Sales Look Good Two-Thirds of the Way Though the Year August sales reports are in and the Nissan Leaf set … Read more
Road Test: 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage ES Hatchback
The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage (in its first year in the Mitsubishi line-up) is carried-over in features and design for the 2015 model year. In both years you will find a basic transportation, high fuel economy car that is about as inexpensive to get into as anything on the market.
First Drive: 2015 Volkswagen Golf
The new 2015 Volkswagen Golf. VW is launching the seventh generation of its worldwide best-seller this year and it’s stepping up its game. The Golf has completely redone both gas and diesel engines as well as added a brand-new electric motor in the soon-to-be-on-the-market (finally) e-Golf.
Road Test: 2014 Nissan Versa Note SV
The 2014 Nissan Versa Note SV is a comfortable commuter with actual room for four full-size adults (five if some are less than full-size) with excellent fuel economy.
Welcome To the New MPG Clubs
We live in amazing automotive times. The best testaments to that are the three new “MPG clubs” that we’re introducing at Clean Fleet Report.
Comparison Road Test: 2014 Toyota Prius & Prius Plug-in
Whether you spend your time tooling around in-town or are venturing out on the open road, if you value paying as little as possible for each mile driven, then the Toyota Prius should be on your shopping list. Not many cars get the outstanding fuel economy of the Prius family.
Yes, you will pay a bit more for a hybrid versus a gasoline-powered car. But, if you are putting a lot of miles on your car or like the ability to cruise around town in pure electric mode like the plug-in version offers, then the additional initial expense will be worth it to you. The reliability of the Prius and being the market-leading hybrid should give you confidence that this car will be in your garage for many, many years.
Comparison Road Test: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid vs. 2013 Jetta TDI
Diesel and hybrid owners have very different reasons for owning each vehicle. After my back-to-back drives, I will suggest that anyone considering a Jetta hybrid for its environmental statement also add the diesel to your shopping list.
The hybrid gets better fuel economy, rides smoother, is quieter and fun to drive, especially when the Boost mode kicks-in. But the diesel engines of 2013 burn clean, are smoke-free, get very good fuel economy and offer a torque/acceleration experience found on more expensive cars.
So which to buy? You will have to run the numbers of an approximate $2,000 base price premium for the hybrid against the number of miles you drive and of course, your personal needs. If you drive mostly in the city or with significant freeway stop-and-go traffic, then making the hybrid investment may well be worth your while. If you do mostly open freeway driving, then the diesel will deliver mpg in the high 40 range, which is oh so great.
Cruze Diesel – High MPG Without Battery
Finally, February 2013 at the Chicago Auto Show, the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel was introduced to the media.
The new Volkswagen Beetle – 40 mpg blast from the past
The 2013 VW Beetle TDI is no longer that bare-bones icon of the Sixties nor the note-perfect cute revival New Beetle of the past decade. With the 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine, the Beetle will regularly turn in 40+ mpg on the highway. The EPA numbers are 28 city/ 41 highway with the manual and 29/39 with the automatic. As is the case with most diesels, and in contrast to most gasoline-fueled vehicles, beating EPA fuel economy numbers are not hard.
Toyota Plans 21 New Hybrids and New Electric Cars
By 2015, Toyota will be selling 21 hybrids globally. The Prius family will expand beyond the current four models: Liftback, Compact C, Crossover V, and Plugin. I was once asked, “Why would anyone buy a hybrid when you can’t cost-justify the premium?” I paid about a $4,000 premium to buy my 2002 Prius, and then sold it seven years later for a $3,000 premium. The Prius had saved me over $5,000 in gasoline when gas was cheaper than today.