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Japanese cars rated best in fuel efficiency

By The Associated Press

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WASHINGTON — Japanese vehicles dominate the government's annual list of vehicles with the best fuel economy, but Ford can claim the most fuel-efficient pickup and sport-utility vehicle.

The manual version of the hybrid Honda Insight tops the list of 2005 vehicles with 61 miles per gallon in the city and 66 mpg on the highway, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy said yesterday. Eight of the top 10 cars are made by Honda and Toyota; the other two are Volkswagens.

The Big Three U.S. makers fared well in some categories. The new Ford Escape hybrid is the most fuel-efficient SUV, with 31 mpg on the highway, and the Ford Ranger is the most fuel-efficient pickup with 29 mpg. Chevrolet makes the most fuel-efficient large sedan, the Malibu Maxx, as well as the most fuel-efficient cargo and passenger vans.

Best and worst The most and least fuel-efficient vehicles, according to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Department (numbers for 2005 models listed): Most fuel efficient: Mpg (city/highway) 1) Honda Insight (manual, hybrid) 61/66 2) Toyota Prius (hybrid) 60/51 3) Honda Insight (automatic, hybrid) 57/56 4) Honda Civic Hybrid (automatic, lean burn) 48/47 5) Honda Civic Hybrid (automatic) 47/48 Least fuel efficient 1) Dodge Ram Pickup (2-wheel-drive automatic) 9/12 2) Lamborghini L-147/148 Murcielago 9/13 3, tie) Dodge Ram Pickup (2-wheel drive manual) 9/15 Lamborghini L-140/141 Gallardo 9/15 5) Bentley Arnage/Arnage LWB 10/14 The Associated Press

The automatic version of the Dodge Ram pickup, which gets 12 mpg, was least fuel-efficient vehicle in this year's survey. Luxury cars, including models from Lamborghini, Ferrari and Bentley, rounded out the list of the 10 least fuel-efficient vehicles.

The Mercedes G55 AMG (14 mpg) had the worst fuel economy among SUVs.

The EPA and the Department of Energy compile the annual list based on information from manufacturers. Fuel-economy estimates are determined by averaging numbers from a set of tests.

EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt and Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said the list is designed to help consumers make wise decisions.

Environmentalists say the EPA's tests are inaccurate and overstate fuel efficiency. The tests, in use since 1985, continue to assume a national speed limit of 55 mph and don't take into account increasing congestion in cities.

EPA plans to propose changes to its fuel-economy tests in the coming year to reflect current conditions more accurately, agency spokesman John Millett said.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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