Ford Fiesta: 40 mpg Hwy

[atomsareenough]

OK, let's go over that list.

Toyota Prius Hybrid - Hybrid engine, not pure gas engine
Smart Fortwo - As noted, it beats the Fiesta, but it's tiny
Honda Civic Hybrid - Again, hybrid
Suzuki Alto - 3 cylinder engine, model not sold in the US
Fiat 500 - Not sold in the US yet, though we're supposed to finally get it later this year
VW Polo - Not sold in the US
Mitsubishi Colt - Not sold in the US
Proton Savvy - Not sold in the US
Honda Jazz - Not sold in the US
MINI Cooper - That seems to have a better rating than the Fiesta, but here in the US they say it's 37mpg.

Also, the Fiesta has about 119-120 hp, and it weighs a few hundred pounds more than the Yaris, so all things considered, 40MPG on the highway isn't bad.

[mick.wheelz]

Originally Posted by atomsareenough

OK, let's go over that list.

Toyota Prius Hybrid - Hybrid engine, not pure gas engine
Smart Fortwo - As noted, it beats the Fiesta, but it's tiny
Honda Civic Hybrid - Again, hybrid
Suzuki Alto - 3 cylinder engine, model not sold in the US
Fiat 500 - Not sold in the US yet, though we're supposed to finally get it later this year
VW Polo - Not sold in the US
Mitsubishi Colt - Not sold in the US
Proton Savvy - Not sold in the US
Honda Jazz - Not sold in the US
MINI Cooper - That seems to have a better rating than the Fiesta, but here in the US they say it's 37mpg.

Also, the Fiesta has about 119-120 hp, and it weighs a few hundred pounds more than the Yaris, so all things considered, 40MPG on the highway isn't bad.

The point i was trying to make is that there are lots of super efficiant small cars out there that get much more than 40mpg... thats all.

I didnt realise that the US had such a small subcompact market.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by mick.wheelz

The point i was trying to make is that there are lots of super efficiant small cars out there that get much more than 40mpg... thats all.

I didnt realise that the US had such a small subcompact market.

After the oil embargo in the 70s you had to weight six weeks to get a subcompact. With todays prices they sell prolly less than 100,000 SCs yearly here now.

[mick.wheelz]

Originally Posted by bronsin

After the oil embargo in the 70s you had to weight six weeks to get a subcompact. With todays prices they sell prolly less than 100,000 SCs yearly here now.

wow... yet here with a population of 20M people the sales of subcompacts for this year are over 40,000...

in europe it would be even higher again...

[SailDesign]

Originally Posted by mick.wheelz

wow... yet here with a population of 20M people the sales of subcompacts for this year are over 40,000...

in europe it would be even higher again...

Yup! Here in the States they don't learn - and the "bigger is better" philosophy still rules. It's sad.
That said, things are improving. The guy that owns our local plumbing company drives a Yaris - he was sick of putting $200 per WEEK into his SUV just to drive round and check on his guys. Things are changing - but it is God-awful slow going....

[bkrownd]

Originally Posted by atomsareenough

Honda Jazz - Not sold in the US

This is the same as the Honda Fit, though it comes with a 1.6 liter(?) engine in the US.

[atomsareenough]

Originally Posted by bkrownd

This is the same as the Honda Fit, though it comes with a 1.6 liter(?) engine in the US.

Ah, okay. I didn't look at the picture, but with the different name, tiny engine, and vastly better fuel economy, I just figured it was a different car.