Which Automakers Could Be Fudging Their EPA Mileage Numbers?

An executive of one U.S. automaker suggests there might be some sleight of hand going on and that the EPA is not catching the offenders.

The issue: There's a noticeable difference between the mpg number posted on some cars' window sticker and an analysis of the data submitted by automakers to the EPA.

The executive raised a red flag earlier this year. He told me his company was unable to replicate the city, highway and overall fuel economy numbers achieved by some automakers for their 2011 car models.

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Joe_Limon - 9/2/2011 3:39:32 PM

+4 Boost

hmmm a very vague article that will nonetheless lead to a lot of finger pointing.

grenouille - 9/2/2011 3:54:36 PM

+6 Boost

H-Y-U-N-D-A-I and K-I-A

chewy - 9/2/2011 4:08:01 PM

+3 Boost

The EPA only "fact checks" about 10% of the figures submitted by the manufacturers, I would certainly believe that some brands are very aggressive with what they put on the window sticker.

JRobUSC - 9/2/2011 4:30:21 PM

+2 Boost

Audi. The A4 and A8 ratings are ridiculous (nice cars, just ridiculous EPA ratings).

chewy - 9/2/2011 5:00:11 PM

+3 Boost

Look at the latest R&T comparison test of the A8 and its competitors. The A8 had significantly higher observed fuel economy than the competition. 18/28 does appear high but the A8 is better than the competion. The A4 if anything has lower ratigs than what it can achieve as the 2.0T is rated marginally above the A6 or even the same A8.

In both cases the EPA test favors low revs/bigger engine as evidenced by the new 5 series being rated higher than the 3 series. I also think that German brands didn't bother to preprogram their cars for the EPA test before but it looks like they do now.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 9/2/2011 6:11:31 PM

+2 Boost

Ah, Yes !!!

The token " Audis Are Bullshit" comment is up already.

JRobUSC - 9/3/2011 9:47:03 AM

0 Boost

no one said Audi's are bullshit (yet). Just their EPA ratings. The cars are fine.

kussimek - 9/3/2011 1:53:43 PM

+5 Boost

Hyundai and Kia, already tested and proven that it's not getting what their claiming. I think Consumer or Edmunds ran the test.

MorePower - 9/3/2011 10:19:11 PM

-1 Boost

They all fake their EPA numbers! Every manufacturer knows the step by step process, from acceleration to timing, of the mileage certification. All it takes is a few extra lines of code, optimum tire pressure and a good core set of engineers.

asafianow - 9/4/2011 1:22:51 AM

-1 Boost

90% of hybrid car models have inflated EPA ratings... it's a pissing contest...

Audi's legitimately get good gas mileage... especially the TDI models... the Q7 TDI gets way more than 25mpg

asafianow - 9/4/2011 1:23:07 AM

0 Boost

***highway

sogac6 - 9/4/2011 8:38:23 AM

-4 Boost

I seriously doubt that it is Hyundai. I EXCEED the EPA mileage numbers for my Genesis all the time. Same thing for my wife's Vette. Personally I think it is Chrysler. I've never achieved the EPA numbers for any of their products.

truckman - 9/5/2011 4:22:06 AM

-3 Boost

The EPA is the one that finalizes the fuel consumption numbers, not the manufacturer, the EPA revised how they do it not too long ago, but I still think it should be done with real world numbers.