Consumer Watchdog Urges EPA to Re-Test Elantra 40 MPG Claim, Hold Hyundai to Account
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WASHINGTON--Dec. 1, 2011: As automakers make their annual pitch for holiday sales, Consumer Watchdog has asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to investigate Hyundai's high mileage claims for its popular Elantra model (29/40 MPG city/highway, 33 MPG average).
The Elantra has attracted an unusual number of consumer complaints about real-world MPG averaging in the mid-20s, far from Hyundai's stated average of 33, said Consumer Watchdog.
"Gasoline remains well above $3 a gallon and MPG is a key factor for car buyers, who expect to match the window-label MPG if they drive carefully," said Judy Dugan, research director for Consumer Watchdog. "A loss of 6 or 7 miles per gallon, a conservative average for the Elantra based on tests and complaints, adds up to real money for drivers."
The letter said, in part:
"As the holiday season commences, automakers are touting discounts and
year-end deals; record-high gasoline prices for the season will make MPG a
significant part of their red-bow advertising. "
"This makes the accuracy of EPA MPG estimates all the more important,
to prevent any maker from marketing autos on a stated city or highway MPG
that substantially misstates the result that drivers will get on the road.
In general, the new EPA MPG estimates seem to comport closely to real-world
results. "
"However, a notable exception to this rule has caught the attention of
Consumer Watchdog. For the two most recent model years, Hyundai Motors has
actively marketed its base models of the Elantra on their very high 29/40
MPG, and 33 MPG average, leaving a trail of disappointed drivers. An
Edmunds online Town Hall discussion on the Elantra attracted scores of
drivers who can't, no matter how hard they try, duplicate such numbers. One
very public example of this was USA TODAY
tech writer Jefferson Graham, whose Sept. 22 article on his new Elantra expressed his
disappointment that he averaged only 22 MPG, a gap that no 'break-in'
period seems likely to fill.
"Additionally, while Motor Trend named the 2011 Elantra Car of the Year
in its class, the magazine's on-road testers achieved only a very
disappointing 26.5 MPG average, bad enough to get special note in the
review. Consumers Union found similar fault in with the 2012 Elantra, a
redesign. While CU's highway mileage was 39, its city mileage, with
experienced drivers who know how to drive a low-mileage auto, was only 20
MPG--very far from the listed 29 MPG. "
"Gasoline prices remain at record high levels for this season, making
efficiency a top purchasing issue for consumers. Neither Hyundai for any
other car company should be allowed to misrepresent its efficiency
standards or dupe consumers into buying its cars. We ask you, through
prompt re-testing and action as needed, to send a message to the company
and the auto industry that MPG misrepresentation will not be
tolerated."
See the complete letter at: Consumer Watchdog Resources
Consumer Watchdog asked the EPA, if re-testing finds flaws with Hyundai's original EPA-mandated tests, for fines against Hyundai and owner compensation.
"The popularity and increasing sales of the Elantra make it all the more important that drivers get the same or nearly the same results as the EPA mileage," said Judy Dugan, research director of Consumer Watchdog. "EPA's current MPG testing model has been close to real-world results for other high-efficiency models, so at the very least Hyundai has some hard explaining to do about the Elantra's shortfalls."