US and Europe mileage differences

[ninja69]

I have noticed that in the European Insight brochures the mileage is better than in the US.

Mileage Estimates
City/Highway/Combined
MPG: 40/43/41 = L/100km 5.9/5.5/5.7 (honda.com)
MPG: 50/52/51 = L/100km 4.7/4.5/4.6 (honda.co.uk)
MPG: 50/52/51 = L/100km 4.7/4.5/4.6 (honda.gr)

From what I read in this forum the European numbers seem to match the true mileage.
My mileage ranges from 4.8 L/100km (49 MPG) to 5.4 L/100km (43 MPG) so far with mostly Highway driving.

[Tinytimmy80]

For me, being from Holland, the American figure exactly matches my 5.4 to 5.5 L/100KM. On some occasions, when it's busy on the road, or when I am in a hurry, I manage to get 6.2L/100KM.

Because the traffic situation in each country is different, they should incorporate that. Where I come from, most highways are jammed every morning and evening. Citytraffic is even worse, with trafficlights at every crossing.
Plus the speedlimits in Europe are higher than in America. Not to mention Germany, where there are no speedlimits on many highways. So driving around 90 MPH is commonplace and this will seriously hurt your MPG.

So in short, the American MPG-test is accurate for Europe and vice versa.

[wstander]

Are the European gallons measured the same as US gallons?

[CobaltDragon]

They are using imperial gallons. 1 Imp MPG = .83 US MPG, 50 Imp MPG = 41.5 US MPG.

[wstander]

Googled Imp gallon and got 1 Imp=1.2 US gallons... 1 US gal = .083 Imp

now to compute UK mileage versus US mpg....

[Tankfantry]

The reason why the Insights in other countries get better MPG then the ones in the US is because we hate the planet here and was to cause global warming.

**I assume you all reason I can being a smartass**

But I do remember somewhere on this board someone stating that European cars have been getting 50 to 60+ MPG for years and for some reason I see it being another 10 to 15 years before we get regular non-hybrid cars even getting close to that.

[CobaltDragon]

Originally Posted by Tankfantry

The reason why the Insights in other countries get better MPG then the ones in the US is because we hate the planet here and was to cause global warming.

**I assume you all reason I can being a smartass**

But I do remember somewhere on this board someone stating that European cars have been getting 50 to 60+ MPG for years and for some reason I see it being another 10 to 15 years before we get regular non-hybrid cars even getting close to that.

That's because the cars generally are smaller and many more of them are diesel cars - those two things alone lead to much higher MPG.

The Insights in other countries (and other standard gas engine cars) don't get better mileage in one place or another, assuming you are comparing two of the same car.

[jpleong]

Originally Posted by CobaltDragon

They are using imperial gallons. 1 Imp MPG = .83 US MPG, 50 Imp MPG = 41.5 US MPG.

This is half of the answer. The other half is that each side of the Atlantic (and the Pacific, for that matter) uses a different testing procedure. There's a nice Car and Driver article online that talks specifically about the EPA protocol (do a search of this forum -there's a link here) that car manufacturers use. The EU has different protocols and testing procedures and some European nations even have their own testing protocols as well.

Not five years ago, the then-EPA protocol would have spec'd the 2010 Insight somewhere in the 50-65mpg range. These were the days of the 70mpg rated Prius. Since 2008, the protocol has changed to a more conservative, realistic, and (most importantly) attainable level.

But I do remember somewhere on this board someone stating that European cars have been getting 50 to 60+ MPG for years and for some reason I see it being another 10 to 15 years before we get regular non-hybrid cars even getting close to that.

Again, two things account for these differences: 1) different test procedures and 2) different standards of measure. European cars would probably not be as fuel efficient if tested using the current EPA protocols. It's kind of like safety and emissions standards... a large number of European cars would not be street legal in the US for one reason or another.

JP

[Tinytimmy80]

Originally Posted by Tankfantry

The reason why the Insights in other countries get better MPG then the ones in the US is because we hate the planet here and was to cause global warming.

**I assume you all reason I can being a smartass**

But I do remember somewhere on this board someone stating that European cars have been getting 50 to 60+ MPG for years and for some reason I see it being another 10 to 15 years before we get regular non-hybrid cars even getting close to that.

Well that's only partly true. As said before, some manufacturers "state" these numbers....but it doesn't mean they really live up to it. Especially German cars really don't match the factory figures. For example, the new Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI is supposed to do 6.2L/100km, while in fact it's more like 9 to 10L/100KM's, even when driven responsibly.

Secondly, those numbers are usually only true for diesel powered engines. In Europe, diesel is very popular as it's cheaper and you get better MPG's (has a higher energy density). It's dirtier and worse for the environment though, even when filtered.

Lastly, a big pickup will always suck a lot of gas, regardless of engine technology. As you know, in Europe there are a LOT of tiny cars, and in America there are a lot of HUGE pickups/SUV's.

To be quite honest, if I had the money, and the government wouldn't tax the S*%& out of them, I would be driving one of those huge American cars. I can say that, cause I'm from Holland, and our country is the first to go "bye bye" if the sea level rises too much. So I understand why people don't give up on old technology.