High gas prices continue to dominate the American buyers’ choice of vehicle. As a result, fuel economy is one of the priorities while buying a vehicle. More consumers are now looking for more information about the most fuel-efficient cars currently sold in the U.S.
According to a survey conducted by Strategic Vision, researchers of consumer buying trends, 44,320 buyers of new cars between September 2007 and March 2008, expressed their views on factors such as quality, price, performance, innovation and styling, value, emissions control and fuel efficiency. Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision’s automotive division said that, while flex-fuel and hybrid options provided buyers with green choices, very often the vehicle finally purchased was not always the greenest option. And that though sales were down since the beginning of the year, there were still people who wanted the performance, space and conveniences that luxury cars, SUVs and pickups offered.
Chris Chaney, vice president of special projects at Strategic Vision observed that even when fuel prices were at their peak, people still showed preferences “for more than a little box with good fuel economy”. Respondents of the Strategic Vision survey listed the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Lexus IS 250, Lexus IS 350, Mini Cooper Clubman and Toyota Prius, as the top five choices. Other favorites were Audi Q7, Honda Odyssey, Chevrolet Tahoe and Mazda3 Sedan.
The results of this survey clearly outline the fact that, despite being sensitive to green issues, new buyers would be looking at “styling and performance along with increased fuel economy”, a message to automakers struggling with consumer buying trends in today’s markets.
According to MSNautos, Hybrid vehicles continue to dominate consumer preferences for city driving. MSN Autos say, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranking of fuel economy reveals five gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles on the top of the 2008 model list.
According to combined EPA fuel economy data, the top 10 fuel-efficient vehicles for 2008, include: the Toyota Prius 48/45/46 mpg; the Honda Civic Hybrid 40/45/42 mpg; the Nissan Altima Hybrid 35/33/34 mpg; the Toyota Camry Hybrid 33/34/34 mpg; the Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD (tie); the Mercury Mariner Hybrid 2WD (tie); the Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD 34/30/32 mpg; the Toyota Yaris (manual) 29/36/32 mpg; the Toyota Corolla 28/37/31 mpg; the Honda Fit 28/34/31 mpg; the Nissan Versa (tie); the Scion xD (tie) 27/33/29 mpg; and the Hyundai Accent 27/32/29 mpg.
The list reveals that there are no luxury cars, vans, pickup trucks, or large sedans in the top ten; and only two U.S. automakers vehicles - the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid figure on it. The top-ranked non-hybrid vehicle for 2008 is the Toyota Yaris with combined 32 mpg; the Honda Fit follows delivering combined 31 mpg. In 2009, it is expected that new diesel models will be introduced, which will run on clean fuel and deliver more efficiency.
