Hybrids, Diesels Dominate EPA Economy List

WASHINGTON Oct 13, 2005; Reuters reported that Toyota Motor Corp.'s Corolla was the sole gasoline-only car to make a U.S. government list issued on Wednesday of the ten most fuel-efficient 2006 model vehicles.

The Corolla's 32 miles per gallon in the city and 41 miles per gallon on the highway earned it last place on the list of top fuel sippers that was otherwise dominated by gasoline-electric hybrids and diesels.

Honda Motor Co.'s Insight hybrid was in first place, with 60 mpg city and 66 mpg highway, followed by Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius hybrid with 60 mpg city and 51 highway.

Volkswagen AG grabbed four of the top ten spots with diesel versions of its Beetle, Golf and Jetta models.

Ford Motor Co. was the only U.S. automaker to make the top ten with the hybrid version of its Escape sport utility vehicle.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy produce the fuel economy guide to help buyers compare vehicles.

"We know that when consumers are provided the information they need to make informed, educated decisions they choose products that will both save them money and help protect our shared environment," EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson said in a statement.

Among classes of vehicles, the Honda Odyssey was top of the minivan segment with 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway for the two-wheel drive version. Best large car was the manual version of the Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd. Sonata with 24 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway.

The top pickup trucks were the two-wheel drive Ford Ranger and its Mazda Motor Corp. B2300 cousin with 24 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

The automatic version of DaimlerChrysler AG's Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck, with an 8.3 liter engine, had the worst fuel economy of any vehicle rated, getting 9 mpg in the city and 12 mpg on the highway.

The fuel economy guide is available at fueleconomy.gov