Diesel Still Tops In Highway Fuel Economy For 4/5-Passenger Cars

Diesel Fuel News, Oct 15, 2001

The diesel Volkswagen Jetta wagon, at 50 miles/gallon, beats all other 4/5-passenger 2002 model year cars sold in the U.S. on highway fuel economy. Only the tiny, 2-seater Honda Insight gasoline-electric hybrid gets better highway fuel economy, and it can't carry even half the load of a Jetta. What's more, Insight mpg is beaten by VW's own 78 mpg diesel Lupo 2-seater (not sold in U.S.).

Toyota's small 4-seater Prius gasoline-hybrid gets better mpg than Jetta wagon in slow city driving, but not on the highway where most fuel is consumed, EPA shows.