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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg The redesigned Toyota Prius remains the most fuel-efficient car consumers can buy at 44 mpgUS overall according to Consumer Reports' latest tests. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=235917)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Prius.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) - Oct. 5, 2009

Of course 44 mpg means they were driving both inefficiently and definitely not safe.

The Prius has been CR's Top Pick for Green Car in the Annual Auto Issue for the past six years and the redesigned model received a Very Good Road Test score of 80 in Consumer Reports' November issue.

Long the standard-bearer for hybrid cars, the new third-generation Prius has several small improvements. A firm, steady ride, a better driving position, and improved rear seating are pluses. Highway fuel economy has improved to 55 mpg from 50 mpg, in Consumer Reports' own fuel economy tests, but city mileage has dropped to 32 mpg from the 35 mpg of its predecessor???

"The redesigned Prius has several small improvements," said David Champion, senior director of CR's Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut. "It feels more substantial to drive, and still gets great fuel economy."

Handling on the Prius is sound, but unexceptional and the ride is well controlled overall. The Toyota Prius IV ($26,750 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price as tested) is powered by a 134-hp, 1.8- liter 4-cylinder engine and separate electric motor that provides adequate acceleration, but works hard while merging on the highway or climbing hills and gets 44 mpg overall in CR's own fuel economy tests. The continuously variable transmission is very smooth. Braking is Very Good. The interior is well assembled and most panels fit together well. Cargo space beneath the rear hatch is reasonably good, and the 60/40-split rear seatbacks fold down to extend it farther.

Our take?

2010 Prius-III P&G,_SHM and WS_FE techniques rehashed, defined and refined (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25579)

80 + mpgUS around town after the warm up hit has been overcome in warmer temperatures. 65 mpgUS from cold. 60 mpgUS as a minimum on the Interstate with 70 + mpgUS possible...

What the heck are they doing??? Flooring it at every lite and then slamming the brake, tires at 22psi??? AC on full blast all the time even when they don't need it?? Even in freezing weather my 2005 4x4 FEH does better in town then what consumer reports pulls in a prius.

CR does a good job of reflecting what your typical uncaring driver should expect to get. They are consistently terrible with FE and I believe they go through a standard loop course to determine mpg that obviously doesn't include driving for max FE. Believe it or not a lot of Prius owners get what CR got or worse and are happy with that.

I've found CRs hy FE is about what I get(any car) with the CC set at 63-65 mph on a level hy at sea level.

Their city FE is about what I get on a .8 mile trip with a cold motor-any car.

They are consistent.I guess their city driving is gas, brake, gas, brake-no gliding.Fairly typical USA driving pattern.

Has anyone reported poorer city FE with the new Prius?I guess they keep that 1.8 spinning, and never lift except to brake.

Charlie

PS- In light of this poor FE , if any of you poor 2010 Prius owners would like to trade-straight up- for a "BETTER" FE 2006, just let me know. Guess I won't hold my breath!

CR calculated overall FE for the 2010 Insight as 38mpg to which we Insight owners hoot-and-hollered about. Nice to see they're, at least, consistent in producing lower-than-EPA estimate results.

JP

CR's testing has always resulted in city numbers well below the EPA's and hwy numbers well above. They've always been pretty consistent, but show a wider range of what people might get with a particular car. I've relied on CR numbers as a supplement to the EPA ratings for a long time -- but it has gotten more difficult in recent years as they rarely test MT cars anymore.