CONSUMERS PLAN TO EMPLOY GAS-SAVING TIPS TO ACHIEVE GREATER FUEL ECONOMY ACCORDING TO NEW STUDY

Kbb.com Editors Name Top Picks: Great Vehicles with Good Fuel Economy in Every Category

 

CONSUMERS PLAN TO EMPLOY GAS-SAVING TIPS TO ACHIEVE GREATER FUEL ECONOMY ACCORDING TO NEW STUDY
Kbb.com Editors Name Top Picks: Great Vehicles with Good Fuel Economy in Every Category

IRVINE, Calif., June 14 - With gas prices on the rise this summer, there is no shortage of fuel economy advice available to consumers who want to save a few dollars at the pump. Drivers are often encouraged to improve their vehicle's fuel economy by reducing air conditioning use, changing filters regularly, checking tire pressure, having fuel injectors cleaned and using a fuel additive to increase engine performance. But how likely are consumers to actually use any of these gas-saving tips to help save money?

According to a recent Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research study on fuel economy, nearly six out of 10 consumers say they would be likely to change their filters at scheduled intervals and/or check their tire pressure regularly to achieve greater fuel economy or save money. In addition, nearly seven out of 10 consumers (68 percent) believe that by performing some or all of the recommended gas-saving maintenance to their car, they would save up to $200 annually.

"Gas prices have reached levels that are causing consumers to take steps they may not have when pump prices were more moderate to improve fuel economy and save a few dollars," said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "If these consumers actually perform all of these gas saving tips, it's likely they could save up to 15 or 20 percent of their entire fuel costs annually." However, only 23 percent say they would be willing to reduce air conditioning use. Even less popular options include having fuel injectors cleaned (17 percent), and using a fuel additive in each fill-up to increase engine performance (five percent).

More than a quarter of consumers (26 percent) say they would employ all of these recommended fuel-saving tips to achieve greater fuel economy or save money, and a contrasting five percent say they would do none.

When thinking about their next new-vehicle purchase, 69 percent of consumers are likely to change the vehicle they drive in order to improve their fuel economy or money situation: 22 percent would buy a hybrid version of a vehicle they already have; 21 percent would take a step down in vehicle size; 14 percent say they would buy a vehicle with a smaller engine or an engine with less power; and 12 percent say they would buy a diesel vehicle. Thirty-one percent of consumers say they would not change their next vehicle to improve fuel economy.

The Toyota Prius is in its second generation and approaching its fifth model year, and it continues to dominate the hybrid market. However, because the Prius doesn't necessarily fit every lifestyle, the editorial staff at Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com put together a list of fuel-efficient favorites filled with something for everyone.

"We certainly think there is an important place in the market for hybrid vehicles today and in the future," said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "But today's market offers a wide variety of vehicles that both fill individuals' needs and provide better-than-average fuel efficiency, and this list includes our top choices."

 

Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com Editors' Top Picks for Best Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

 

Category Vehicle Kbb.com Editorial Staff Comments MPG* (city) MPG* (highway)
Small Sedan Honda Civic Hybrid The Honda Civic Hybrid is the Prius alternative with more mainstream styling, if not all the fuel economy. 40 45
Mid-Size Sedan Nissan Altima Hybrid Beneath its sporty-sedan sheet metal, Nissan's Altima Hybrid uses licensed Toyota hybrid technology. 35 33
Luxury Sedan Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec Powered by a state-of-the-art clean diesel engine, the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec is as powerful and smooth as you'd expect anything wearing a three-pointed star to be. 23 32
Compact Pickup Toyota Tacoma The Toyota Tacoma's bulletproof reputation for reliability is backed up by some of the category's best fuel economy. 20 26
Full-Size Pickup Chevrolet Silverado GM's excellent new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are just about the most fuel-efficient full-size pickups out there. 15 20
Coupe Audi TT The 2008 Audi TT deftly maximizes turbo power and efficiency in one fun and fuel-frugal coupe. 23 31
Small SUV Ford Escape Hybrid Revamped for 2008, the Ford Escape Hybrid combines excellent mileage with SUV versatility. 31 30
Mid-Size SUV Toyota Highlander Hybrid The Highlander Hybrid is Toyota's only hybrid SUV, and the only one to boast a lineage that includes the revolutionary Prius. 28 25
Large SUV GMC Acadia With more total cargo volume than the brand's own Yukon, the three-row GMC Acadia delivers everything most families require from a traditional full-size SUV but with significantly better mileage. 16 24
Convertible Mazda MX-5 Some of the same characteristics that make the small and lightweight Mazda MX-5 one of the purest driver's cars of all time help make it a joy at the gas pump, too. 22 27
Minivan Honda Odyssey What some consider the best minivan available, the Honda Odyssey, also delivers the best mileage. Under light loads, the Odyssey can cruise on just three of its six cylinders. 17 24
Hatchback MINI Cooper A secret weapon in the fight against fuel prices, the extremely fun MINI Cooper delivers highway mileage of up to 36 mpg. 27 36
Wagon Toyota Matrix/ Pontiac Vibe The Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe cousins are small but tall wagons that have been delivering outstanding fuel economy since the 2003 model year. 26 33

* (Note: All fuel economy figures reflect the new-for-2008 model year guidelines, per fueleconomy.gov).

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company’s top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. Kbb.com is rated the No. 1 automotive information Web site among both new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com.  Kbb.comis a leading provider ofnew car prices,car reviewsandnews, used car blue book values, auto classifiedsandcar dealer locations. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com.
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