July 9th, 2007
Honda Sued Over Hybrid Civic MPG Claims
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
Quite some time ago Alice wrote a piece about how hybrids didn’t save money. It was obvious that the EPA estimates were way out of line. Since then, of course, the EPA has developed a new mileage rating system. Too late for John True, though.
But after 6,000 miles of driving, True said he averaged 32 mpg in mixed city/highway driving. So in March, True, an Ontario, Calif., professional jazz piano player, filed a class-action lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Riverside, Calif., in what appears to be the first legal challenge of the mileage claims of hybrid vehicles.
The lawsuit claims American Honda Motor Co. has misled consumers in its advertisements and on its Web site. The suit notes that while the Environmental Protection Agency and automobile window stickers say “mileage will vary,” some Honda advertisements read “mileage may vary.” Source: Detroit News
We Say: Laying the burden of the suit on “may” vs. “will”? Not sure about that. And honestly, these are EPA estimates. No car ever achieves their EPA estimates (at least, not the old ones) and how you can pin the blame on Honda … I don’t know.
Charles says:
People… always looking to get something for nothing. I suspect that the plaintiff’s driving habits are mostly at blame.
Nevermind that Honda correctly worded their advertisement. Mileage ‘may’ vary… and that’s exactly what happens to the plaintiff when he drives the car.
Just bought a Civic Si today, and all the buyer reviews I’ve read say the car is getting 30 in mixed driving and as high as 34 on the highway.
Of course, if someone winds it out to 8K at every stoplight, then the mileage will probably fall to 24 or so.
July 9th, 2007 at 1:37 am
Nasty Old Geezer says:
Honda has more cash than the EPA, and it is much more difficult to sue a governmental agency for damages.
IANFL, so I have no idea if he will win. One final thought though — hot McDonald’s coffee. Anything can happen in court.
July 9th, 2007 at 4:20 am
steve says:
i have one and i get 47 mpg, you drive these differently than regular
cars.
July 9th, 2007 at 9:14 am
Altair says:
I have had an ‘05 Honda Civic Hybrid for the last few months.
My average since I bought it is 49.2 and I’ve had several 500+mile tanks that came in at 52+.
The “trick” if you want to call it that is to not drive it like a race car. It even has a gauge to show you that what MPG your are getting at any time. If what you are doing is only getting you 20MPG, then maybe you need to re-think your driving habits.
I coast to stops, take advantage of the auto shutoff below 20MPH and when idling, and accelerate at an even pace.
Check out http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml
July 9th, 2007 at 10:33 am
John says:
I have the ‘regular’ Honda Civic, 2007, and I average 33mpg on my daily communte of mixed driving. On the highway I get around 42mpg. So, yes, you CAN get the EPA rated mileage or better in some cases. As was said, it’s in how you drive. Calm down and you’ll get better mileage.
July 9th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Mike says:
I just bought a 2007 regular Civic and I also got 42mpg on a 100% highway drive (even with some AC on). Around town, I’ve been getting 27mpg, although the last tank was 24mpg for some reason (probably using AC now that it’s summer and that takes a larger toll in city driving).
July 10th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Elan says:
John True didn’t bother to measure the mileage on his old Mercedes. How can he claim that he expected to meet the EPA mileage figures? Did he ever meet them on the Mercedes? If he fell short, he should expect to fall equally short on the hybrid.
I get 45 MPG on my Civic Hybrid. I get 25 MPG on my standard Honda Accord. Yes, the hybrid DOES deliver on its promise.
So ask yourself, which Big Three auto manufacturer is paying Mr. True to act as a shill to give Honda and hybrids a black eye?
July 11th, 2007 at 7:56 pm