Future of Gas Mileage Improvements
The auto industry is responding to government and public pressures for better gas mileage in the 2011 model year. The U.S. Department of Transportation notes that the average fuel mileage in 2011 will be 27.3 miles per gallon compared to 25.3 miles per gallon in 2010. The fuel mileage goal of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 looks within reach for 2011. This act of Congress set a fuel mileage goal of 35 miles per gallon for all vehicles by 2020.
Automakers are also concerned about the future of their brands. Consumers are equally concerned about vehicle safety, performance and fuel economy in 2010. Ford Motor Company© survived the economic downturn but needs to develop better cars to keep consumers worldwide. Foreign automakers like Honda© and Toyota© want to capture more consumers in the American market. The rest of the auto industry is lagging behind with hopes that their alternative fuel and all-electric vehicles can succeed.
2011 Honda Insight®
Honda© has developed a legacy of fuel-efficient cars and SUVS over the past decade. The leader of the green-vehicle vanguard seems to be the Honda Insight®. This popular hybrid vehicle is known for its covered rear-wheel wells as well as its affordability. The 2011 version of the Honda Insight® is slated at $19,800 MSRP, making it the most affordable vehicle on this list. Honda® uses a variety of technologies to make the Insight® a steal for this retail price.
The 2011 Honda Insight® is the leader in fuel economy ratings for the upcoming model year. The EPA states that the 2011 Honda Insight® can achieve a combined fuel economy of 41 miles per gallon. This hybrid car can achieve up to 43 miles per gallon in highway driving. This high rating is accomplished in part due to an efficient 1.3-liter, four cylinder gas engine. Honda© also incorporated a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that shifts gears more efficiently than standard transmissions. The Integrated Motor Assist function in the 2011 Honda Insight® turns on the electric motor and the engine without using any fuel. Though the 0-60 miles per hour time is only 10.9 seconds, the 2011 Honda Insight® is a favorite among consumers more interested in fuel economy than power.
2011 Lexus HS 250h®
Lexus© and its parent company Toyota© are hoping to capture the market for fuel-efficient luxury vehicles. The 2011 Lexus HS 250h® is the automaker’s effort to bridge the gap between traditional and hybrid cars. This fuel-efficient sedan is powered by a 2.4-liter, four cylinder gas engine. The hybrid drive system is the next generation of the Toyota Camry Hybrid® system and produces 187 horsepower. The top speed of this luxury hybrid is 112 miles per hour, demonstrating the brand’s historical commitment to power. This power is also evidenced by the tested 0-60 time of 8.4 seconds. The 2011 Lexus HS 250h® is able to travel up to three miles at a time on all-electric power.
This five-seat sedan is a strong competitor for the top cars with the best gas mileage for 2011. The EPA states that the 2011 Lexus HS 250h® has a combined gas mileage of 35 miles per gallon. This combined figure comes from a highway rating of 34 miles per gallon and a city rating of 35 miles per gallon. This consistency no matter the street is an attractive feature for drivers with sufficient means. The suggested retail price of the 2011 Lexus HS 250h® is $34,200 with higher prices coming with different trim levels.
2011 Mercury Milan Hybrid®
The Mercury© brand was recently announced on the way out by its parent company Ford Motors©. The automaker is going out with a bang thanks to the 2011 Mercury Milan Hybrid® set to hit showrooms. This hybrid model is powered by a 2.5-liter, four cylinder engine along with a nickel-metal hydride battery. Mercury© incorporated a CVT system into the Milan Hybrid© to improve responsiveness as well as fuel economy. Owners of the 2011 Mercury Milan Hybrid® are privy to new safety features like side impact airbags and integrated spotter mirrors. Mercury© also included LED brake lights in this model to reduce electrical consumption during frequent starts and stops.
Consumers concerned about balancing fuel economy with affordable prices should look at the 2011 Mercury Milan Hybrid®. This hybrid model has a combined EPA rating of 39 miles per gallon. Drivers can expect to get up to 41 miles per gallon in city driving thanks to efficient drive systems. The suggested retail price for the 2011 Mercury Milan Hybrid® is $31,235, keeping it in the same ballpark as other vehicles on this list.
2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid®
The final entry in the list of best gas mileage for 2011 is the Ford Fusion Hybrid®. This hybrid version of the popular sedan is seen by Ford® as an entry point into the green vehicle market. By using the Fusion® design, Ford® wants to attract loyal customers to a more fuel efficient drive system. The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid® achieves a combined gas mileage of 39 miles per gallon with a city rating of 41 miles per gallon. The retail price for the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid® is $27,270, which is a competitive price for any hybrid vehicle.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid® is powered by a 2.5-liter, four cylinder gas engine with an output of 191 horsepower. The automaker offers this hybrid in front or all-wheel versions that achieve similar gas mileage. Ford© is not skimping on the standard features with its 2011 Fusion Hybrid®. The Sync system allows the driver to switch between handless phone use, music and navigation using voice commands. The AdvanceTrac system automatically adjusts brake application, wheel pressure and other factors to account for changing road conditions.
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