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E-mail this ArticleFuel economy for U.S. vehicles didn’t get any worse last year—but, then again, it didn’t get any better, either. According to the annual report on mileage trends by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, model year 2007 cars and trucks averaged 20.2 mpg, exactly the same as they did in model year 2006.
Although it doesn’t represent an improvement over ’06, the 20.2-mpg figure in ’07 is significantly better than the 19.3 mpg posted in 2004—the lowest average for the U.S. fleet since 1980. Furthermore, several factors created a drag on overall fuel economy last year. The average ’07 vehicle was heavier (4,144 pounds) and faster (9.6-second acceleration from 0 to 60 mph) than at any time since the EPA started keeping track in 1975. And more than one out of every four ’07 cars and trucks came with four-wheel or all-wheel drive, which also significantly affects gas mileage.
Honda produced the most fuel-efficient fleet, averaging 22.9 mpg across their model line. Toyota (22.8 mpg), Hyundai (22.7 mpg), Volkswagen (21.4 mpg), Nissan (20.6 mpg), General Motors (19.4 mpg) and Ford (18.4 mpg) followed.
