Tell Us Your Toyota Prius Real World MGP Results and If You’re Happy

The Toyota Prius is the original high-volume green vehicle. From the outset, it has always promised to deliver great mileage - and it does. In fact, many owners find that the Prius returns better than the promised fuel economy. “Promised” is a tricky word when it comes to fuel economy because nobody, not Toyota, not the EPA, and not the dealer actually promise you anything. The EPA, in particular, goes out of its way to try to make clear that its numbers are its estimates. The EPA even offers three numbers, the Highway number (typically the highest), the City (Typically the lowest, but not with hybrids), and the Combined number which is sort of a ratio of the two. Without fail, automakers put their best foot forward and will advertise whatever number is the best.

The EPA number is actually an estimate based on an annual schedule and it takes into account a lot of seasonal factors. Changing fuel formulas, temperature, HVAC usage, and other factors can swing MPG by 10% without much difficulty. This is where a lot of new car buyers become confused and often frustrated. “My brand new AMC Glutton cannot even match the EPA Highway number!” Well, maybe it is the dead of winter and your Glutton will do better over time.

Related Story: 3 Ways the 2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e Exceeds Expectations and One Way It Does Not

The Prius is surprisingly true to its MPG estimates. And it does not have to be babied to earn its high numbers. We recently pushed a Prius around some country mountain roads (legally, as far as you know) and it beat the estimates. With the AC on full. And the drive mode set to Power.

Our own Patrick Rall, owner, and racer of multiple race cars took a Prius on an epic road trip to see Guns and Roses and he beat the EPA numbers. If lead foots like us can beat the EPA numbers by accident, imagine what you can do with your best efforts!

Watch how to check Toyota Prius MPG consumption on your Prius dashboard and click to subscribe to Torque News Youtube channel for daily Toyota and automotive news analysis.

Our owner and managing editor, Armen Hareyan, reports that his 2012 Prius is now returning a lower number than it did in the past due to some wear and tear and a move to a different area (as he explains in the video accompanying this story).

We’d like to ask our readers what MPG they are getting with the Prius. Please tell us the trim, year, and mileage. Also please let us know if you are measuring the MPG by dividing miles driven by fuel added, or if you are trusting the in-vehicle display.

In addition to seeing him here, John Goreham can be followed on Twitter at @johngoreham.