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1,000 Mile Road Test – 2010 Prius
My 2010 Toyota Prius had 76 miles on it when I officially drove it off the lot for the last time. From what I can tell, those first few miles were driven with the electric pedal to the metal, so to speak. When I finally figured out how to check my mileage (around the 100th mile) I was disappointed to discover that it was only getting about 37 mpg. While that was almost twice what I had been getting with my V6 Highlander, it was a far cry from what was promised to me on the window sticker.
Fortunately, this story has a happy ending. I am excited to tell our readers that when my odometer hit 1,000 miles – my average fuel economy was 51.6 mpg. And, while using Trip A to track my overall (long term) Prius mileage, I also started using Trip B to keep track of my fuel economy for each tank of gas. With roughly 60% of my time spent on the highway and 40% in the city, my last tank was my best so far – 54 m.p.g.
No doubt, gas mileage is important…but I have lots more to tell you about the first 1,000 miles behind the wheel of my Prius. Be back soon!
Comment by Priuslover on 28 October 2009:
cool
Comment by TaB on 23 February 2010:
I presume the 51.6MPG and 54MPG were what was indicated on the dash of the Prius. If you actually calculate it from mileage driven divided by how much gasolene you put in the tank you’ll find that it’s much lower! For indicated 48PMG actual was 46. For a 54MPG indicated it was actually 49!
Comment by Jim Ferrell on 25 June 2010:
I came up with the same problem while checking my MPG from the dash vs. the actual fillup. As you said, they don’t match. However, I have been told that the Prius fuel tank is actually a bladder, and the amount of gas it holds will vary according to the temperature.
Comment by Bill B on 31 October 2010:
I found the instrumented MPG to be about 4 miles higher than computed (e.g. mileage / fuel replacement). Even so, my last fill-up was 57.5 with mixed hwy / city driving. Car only has 2500 miles and I’ve read that the engine “loosens” (bearing, rings, cylinders, etc.) during the first 10k. I still don’t believe it when filling up that. Almost 500 miles with 2 bars left and I only drop 22 bucks!
Comment by Felix on 15 December 2010:
Just drove my P3 off the lot yesterday morning. Love it. 59 Miles of ‘hey everybody get a pruis and save the planet.’ Coming off of a 04Tacoma which sucked up $50 per 200 miles. Drove from the lot to work and home and back to work – and only one bar has been consumed! Lord help me keep my pants on this is so exciting!
Comment by Tom on 16 December 2010:
I somewhat agree with you that the actual mileage is less than indicated. However, when I calculated the actual over a 4200 mile trip with a variety of driving conditions, the 55.2 mpg shown was really 52.5 and STILL makes me happy!
What affects the mpg will be use of the Heater, AC, and even lights. Now that cold weather is here, using heat, defrost and lights on the trip to work, the indication is now at 49. Still not bad!