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How to Average 59 MPG Combined in a Toyota Prius

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2016 Toyota Prius Four Touring 59 mpg combined rating

The 2016 Toyota Prius Four Touring

Earlier this year, the fourth-generation Toyota Prius was released for sale in the US. This new hybrid boasts improved fuel efficiency, top technology, and a new, sleeker shape that helps separate it from its slightly frumpy predecessor. One of the biggest deals about the new Prius was its jump in efficiency—from 50 mpg combined to 52 mpg combined, and even up to 56 combined in the Two Eco model. But you know those disclaimers that tell you your mileage will vary from the EPA estimates? That’s exactly what happened when CNET’s Road Show took the new Prius on a week-long test drive.

The exact model tested was a 2016 Toyota Prius Four Touring, which is the one with the EPA-estimated 52 mpg combined. However, after six days and 561 miles of testing, the Prius returned an unprecedented 59 mpg combined. In order to do this, the tester had to employ a bunch of weird hypermiling techniques, right? Well, no, actually.

2016 Toyota Prius Four Touring interior 59 mpg combined rating

Inside the 2016 Toyota Prius Four Touring

In fact, tester Antuan Goodwin reported that all he did to achieve this high combined rating was drive the Prius close to the speed limit and in Eco mode for most of the miles. That’s nothing dissimilar to what a regular Prius driver would do. It should also be noted that Goodwin did much of his driving over the six days in heavy San Francisco traffic, and the lowest average rating he saw was 57.7 mpg combined—almost 6 mpg more than the EPA’s estimate.

So, if you’re wondering how you too can average 59 mpg in a Toyota Prius, the answer is actually quite simple: buy a Prius, drive it on a mixture of city and highway roads, obey speed limits, and utilize Eco mode. Of course, just as with the EPA’s disclaimer, your actual mileage may vary—but it’s possible it could end up reaching 60 mpg or even higher.

Gallery: 2016 Toyota Prius Four Touring

News Source: CNET.com