Clarifying the Differences Between Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

CUSTOMER RELATIONSClarifying the Differences Between Fuel-Efficient Vehicles IRVINE, CA - Only 35 percent of the car shoppers recently polled by Autobytel.com say their current vehicle gets at least 25 mpg. Yet 71 percent say that their next vehicle purchase must get at least 25 mpg, while 43 percent say it will have to get better than 30 mpg and 15 percent say it will have to get at least 40 mpg. This reflects a stunning shift in car-buying priorities, and the automakers are ramping up their efforts to keep pace. In fact, with all the unfamiliar new models and technologies hitting showrooms, the factories may actually be building fuel-efficient / alternative-fuel cars faster than consumers can learn about them. To help car shoppers close this knowledge gap and make smart buying decisions in what's becoming something of a "Wild West" marketplace, Autobytel's Web site now features a section called, " Clearing the Air."  The buying guide covers the four basic categories of fuel-efficient vehicles - hybrids, diesels, small cars and flex-fuel vehicles - and describes the pros, cons, key issues and available vehicle options for each. Clearing the Air also provides context and clarity for issues important to today's environmentally and fuel-conscious buyers, including an explanation of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations, EPA and emissions ratings, and how these standards may be changing in the near future.  Here's a brief overview from Clearing the Air: Diesels: Diesels are loud, smoky and you can only buy the fuel at truck stops, right? Maybe not. Coming soon is a new kind of diesel vehicle, powered by cleaner fuel called Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), and by quieter, more powerful and efficient engines that are clean enough to be legal in all 50 states. The Web site starts with a basic definition of what a diesel engine is and discusses the potential impact of these upcoming changes, as well as the pros and cons of diesel-powered vehicles.* Pros: Better fuel mileage than gasoline and flex-fuel vehicles; comparable fuel economy to hybrids. Markedly better emissions than the diesels of previous model-years. Diesel engines are traditionally more durable than gas-powered engines. * Cons: Despite improvements, diesel engines still produce higher overall emissions than E85 or hybrid vehicles and many gasoline-powered vehicles. Diesel is generally more expensive than gasoline per gallon, and consumers may find limited availability of diesel fuel at gas stations "Economy" hybrids: All hybrids are not created equal. V6 "power" hybrids, including the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid and the Lexus RX 400h and GS 450h, offer excellent torque and improved efficiency compared to similar vehicles but not compared to four-cylinder "economy" hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid, or Honda Civic Hybrid. Economy hybrids have other bonuses as well: They rate a larger tax incentive compared to other, less efficient hybrids, and may qualify for access into HOV lanes in some states. * Pros: Environmentally friendly with low emissions, reduced oil consumption and the best fuel economy available. In addition, they qualify for tax incentives and potential access to HOV lanes (laws and incentives vary). * Cons: Generally higher-priced than comparable gas, diesel or flex-fuel vehicles. Reduced performance, limited availability and potential long-term issues regarding nickel-hydride battery recycling are other concerns. Flex-fuel vehicles: Flexible-fuel vehicles are a great idea that may one day prove to be a significant answer to our fuel consumption needs - but not quite yet. Led by domestic automakers, flexible-fuel vehicles run on gasoline or E85, which is an 85 percent to 15 percent mix of ethanol and gasoline. That makes it a cleaner fuel, at least in terms of greenhouse emissions. It also reduces national oil consumption and even offers a slight improvement in performance. Unfortunately, E85 is only available at a few hundred pumps nationwide. And while E85 costs about the same per/gallon as gas, it's less efficient - meaning drivers actually spend more to drive the same number of miles.* Pros: Cleaner burning fuel and better tailpipe emissions than gas and reduces overall oil consumption. Flex-fuel vehicles have the same sticker price as a non-flex-fuel vehicles. They can run on straight gasoline or E85 and offer a slight improvement in performance vs. gasoline.* Cons: E85 ends up costing more than gas per mile of driving because it is a less efficient fuel than gasoline. In addition, E85 production still requires a significant quantity of petroleum. Presently, available flex-fuel vehicles are mostly trucks and SUVs, and there is a lack of fuel stations carrying E85 fuel.Small cars: Small cars are big again, and the contemporary offerings include many stylish cars that maximize interior space, offer great fuel economy and are not only inexpensive to buy, but also to build. Still, there are potential drawbacks.  Shoppers, for example, should be aware of emissions ratings that can be less than what they expect. The 2007 Honda Fit, for example, has an emissions rating of Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV), which some may view as quite poor for a subcompact. There are performance and safety tradeoffs inherent to small car design. No matter how many air bags, a subcompact will not fare too well against a large SUV; performance-wise, most small cars lack the punch and quiet ride we've grown accustomed to enjoying. * Pros: Provide excellent fuel economy, nimble driving character, improved interior space vs. past small cars, low sticker price and most models produce low emissions.* Cons: Loss of performance and questionable safety based on curb weight disadvantage. Some subcompacts rate poorly in emissions testing. (Source: Autobytel)