Consumer advocates have complained for years that EPA fuel economy tests, which are performed in a lab-like setting rather than on public streets, don't reflect the real-world performance of vehicles. The EPA itself has cracked down on various automakers, including Kia and Hyundai, for submitting data that overstated their cars' mileage performance.
But when engineers from the American Automobile Association analyzed gas mileage records submitted to the EPA by actual drivers, they found something surprising.
In the self-reported data, covering 37,000 mileage records and 8,400 different types of cars, AAA's analysis showed that eight out of 10 drivers reported mileage that was higher than the official combined city and highway EPA mileage rating.
"The vast majority of drivers that submit their vehicle's fuel economy to the EPA report mileage that beats the window sticker rating," said John Nielsen, AAA's managing director, Automotive Engineering and Repair. "Although self-reported data has limitations, it's encouraging to see real-world fuel economy that more closely aligns with, or even exceeds, automaker promises."
