[Tru2Chevy]

http://www.fquick.com/blog/New_EPA_T...d_MPG_for_Cars

According to Wired News, new EPA test standards have forced manufacturers to lower advertised efficiency claims on most models compared to previous years. These tests now factor in real-world conditions such as speeding, varying weather and lead-footed driving. Vehicles like hybrids with smaller engines pay a higher penalty during the acceleration test, as well as the tests that simulate going up a hill and maintaining highway speeds.

The estimations are based on data from Edmunds.com that assumes 15,000 miles driven per year and gasoline at an average price of $2.70. As seen from the chart (click on the thumbnail), hybrids take the biggest hit which means an even tougher sell for dealerships to consumers.

In terms of hybrids, the only one that helps you break even in a respectable amount of time is Toyota's Prius compared to the Toyota Camry, which takes 1.2 years to break even when considering added costs when initially purchasing the car.

So in summary, the two top-selling hybrid vehicles, the Prius and Honda's Civic Hybrid, will lose 12 and 11 miles per gallon respectively from their city driving estimates. Ouch.

- Justin