When you compare fuel economy between vehicles there are numerous things to take into consideration to ensure the accuracy of the use of the metrics, process, outcome and conclusions based on the data.
First of all, ensure that when you do compare fuel economy miles per gallon and/or km per liter statistics, they are consistently used.
Engine size, cylinders and where the car actually travels, city (urban), rural or highway will also make a difference. Here is an example and excerpt from the EPA and DOE annual publication on fuel economy in a fuel economy chart comparison format, to illustrate how these tools can all be useful to help you determine what the best option for your commute would be.
Make, ModelEngineeconomy city/highway Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback2.5L 4 cyl 2.5L 4cyl turbo 3.0L H-6 cylm: 23/30 a: 22/30 m 19/25, a 19/25 a 19/25Subaru Impreza2.5L 4cyl 2.0L 4cyl turbom 23/30, a 22/28 m: 20/27, a: 19/26Subaru Forester2.5L 4cyl 2.5L turbom 23/30, a 22/28 m 19/24, a 20/23Subaru Baja2.5L 2.5L turbom 21/27, a 21/28 m 19/25, a 18/23Audi A4 Avant Quattro Audi S4 Avant1.8L turbo 4.2L V8m 21/30, a 20/29 m 15/21, a 18/24Audi A6 Quattro4.2L V8a 17/23Audi AllRoad Quattro2.7L 6cyl 4.2L 8cylm 16/23, a 16/22 a 16/21BMW X32.5L 6cyl 3.0L 6cylm 17/24, a 17/23 m 17/25, a 16/23BMW X53.0L 6cyl 4.4L 8cyl16/22m 15/21, a 16/21 Make, ModelEngineeconomy city/highway Ford Escape 4wd2.3L 4cyl 3.0L V6 Hybrid-electricm 22/26, a 19/24 a 18/22 a 33/29Ford Freestyle awd3.0L V619/24Honda Insighthybrid-electricm 61/66Honda Accord2.4 4cyl 3.0 6 cylm 24/34, a 26/34 m 20/30, a 21/30Honda Civic1.7L 4cyl hybrid-elecm 32/38, a 29/38 a 47/48Honda CRV awd2.4L 4cylm 21/26, a 22/27Honda Pilot 3.5L 6cyla 17/22Lexus RX330 4wd3.3l 6cyl18/24Lexus LX 4704.7L 8cyl13/17Mazda 32.0L 4cylm 28/35, a 26/34Mazda 6 sedan, wagon2.3L 4cyl 3.0L 6cylm 23/31, a 23/28 m 19/26, a 20/27Mitsubishi Outlander2.4L 4cylm 21/27, a 21/25Make, ModelEngineeconomy city/highway Nissan Murano awd3.5L 6cyl20/24Nissan Pathfinder 4wd4.0L 6cyl15/21Saturn SC, SL1.9 4cyl DOHCm 27/38, a 25/36Saturn L 100/2002.2L 4 cylm 25/33, a 24/33Saturn L 3003.0 V6auto 21/28Suzuki Grand Vitara 4wd2.5L 6cylm, a 19/22Suzuki Grand Vitara XL7 4wd2.7L 6cylm, a 17/22Toyota Camry2.4 cylm 24/33, a 24/34Toyota Camry3.0 V6auto 20/28Toyota Priushybrida 60/51Toyota Celica1.8L 4 cylm 27/33, a 29/36Toyota Corolla1.8 4 cylm 32/41, a 30.38Toyota Echo1.5L 4cylm 35/42, a 33/39Toyota RAV2.4L 4cyl22/27, a 22/27Toyota Highlander2.4L 4cyl 3.6L 6cyla 21/25 a 18/24Toyota 4Runner4.0L 6 cyla 17/21Toyota LandCruiser4.7L 8cyla 13/17Toyota Scion xA1.5L 4cylm 32/37, a 31/38Toyota Scion xB1.5L 4cylm 31/34, a 31/35Make, ModelEngineeconomy city/highway VW Beetle1.9L diesel turbom 38/46, a 35/42VW Jetta1.8 4cyl turbo 1.9 4 cyl dieselm 24/31, a 21/29 m 38/46, a32/43VW Jetta2.0 4 cyl 2.8L V6m 24/31, a 24/30 m 19/28, a 19/26VW Passat 4Motion1.8L turbo 2.8 V6m 21/30, a 20/39 a 19/26Volvo V50 AWD2.5L 5cyl turbom 19/27, a 19/26Volvo V70 wagon AWD Volvo V70 R wagon AWD2.5L 5cyl turbo 2.5L 5cyl turboa 19/26 m, a 18/24
There are many comparison calculators and enablers online that can help you compare fuel economy for different models, makes and years, to see your best options and choices. You can also check with local dealers to find out information first hand. This will empower and educate you to better make decisions about fuel economy and choices that are available to you.
Next, when you are considering fuel economy comparisons, look at the different types of fuel, where to find them the cheapest and how your driving techniques can enable more savings and more miles per gallon, value for your gas dollar.
When you compare fuel economy in this fashion, your activity and endeavor are about more than merely picking a car/vehicle, make, model, promise, potential, EPA etc. It is about what you want from your vehicle, what your commute is like, what the incentives and motivations are you need and cannot live without. The risks and rewards, suitability and economical value proposition now and over time that it affords all round.
Not only are you utilizing these statistics to help you make up your mind about the best deal for you, but also to keep track, raise awareness and in effect SAVE GAS AND MONEY! You can effectively compare fuel economy between vehicles to enable you to get a better understanding and handle on what it will take to actually improve fuel economy!
