According to this page:http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/images/icons/lightbulb.gif
lightbulb
http://users4.ev1.net/~sanaghan/main/Vehicle/Index.htmThere is this link that summarizes how the EPS generates the mileage numbers.
http://users4.ev1.net/%7Esanaghan/main/Vehicle/Isuzu_FAQ.htm#How%20EPA%20Calc%20MileageThere's also a link to this article (summary below):
Csaba Csere, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver Magazine, comments that car companies have to report the mileage reported by the EPA test. Sll vehicles perform below their EPA mileage ratings in real-world conditions, but hybrids more so. When the law was put in place, government never though that car companies would want to report a LOWER gas mileage.
Honda and Toyota are both fighting to report more real world conditions (Like numbers with the headlights, fan or A/C turned on) and "Gallons per 1000 miles", the Big 3 are resisting. The EPA decsion is currently on-going as of Aug 30, 2005.
....and sorry, I haven't really measured the gas mileage. I'd guess I do pretty well, around 22.
I think for "normal" Asian vehicles, the gas mileage is relativly accurate. I've heard from cruising boards, e-pinions, and other spots like magazines that report real world gas mileage during reviews, that Jeeps get quite a bit lower, Wranglers especially so (2 friends with unmodified jeeps confirm that).
But that's not why you buy a Wrangler or any SUV. If you're looking to use 3-5 MPG difference as a reason to get a new Rodeo vs a paid off one, it will be a very long return on investment. For most people, the hybrid option is the same--very long payoff for some, and no payoff for others. Of course, as gas keeps rising, the math changes.
My motorcycle paid for itself at $1.30 per gallon. (Gas/basic maint/insurance). At $2.50 per gallon, I'm slowly reclaiming what I spent to purchase it, too.
