Comments on: Smart Car – But No Smart Gas Mileage In U.S.

By: Terry Smith

Terry Smith — Sun, 13 May 2012 23:23:24 +0000

Yes, the European and EPA test cycles are totally different. My CRZ is rated 48 MPG in Europe, 37 in US. I have found the US ratings useful for comparison only, I’ve never had a small car which didn’t blow them away. My “34″ MPG Pontiac Fiero easily got 45-48 MPG on trips. My “37″ MPG Honda CR-Z gets 45-48 MPG commuting to work (haven’t taken a trip yet).

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:31:35 +0000

Say, I would purchase a European Diesel tomorrow if I could buy one in the USA, and had a dealer to service it.

By: jack f

jack f — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:52:39 +0000

Ps i love the dividends my oil company stocks pay. Buy some and share the wealth.

By: jack f

jack f — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:44:21 +0000

Youall are just plain nuts. I drive a caddy escallade ext, gets 17.8 safe mpg and holds lots of tools plus luggage plus 4 passengers in comfort st 75 mph. For better mileage i drive a bmw m6 getting 26mpg at 80mph, sgain in relative safety. When i really want economy i drive my 1966 porsche 912 getting 30 mpg at 75mph.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:12:36 +0000

Everyone on this blog is joking themselves if they think increasing the “peppiness” of such a small engine (3 cylinders) in such a small car would result in 36 mpg. That is a JOKE. People COMPLAIN about the acceleration in this car. I own an 87 Chevy Sprint that gets up to 55 mpg highway. The 0-60 time is much better in my car (which by the way is a four door). Also, the “Smart” car requires premium fuel. The fact that no cars get fuel economy like mine today makes me point my accusational finger at huge oil corporations and their business deals with government and car manufacturers. Smart? I think Stupid.

By: trevor

trevor — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:18:09 +0000

…. Ok just so everyone doesn’t have to panic… that 60 mpg is on the european cycle. They measure differently. Their 60 mpg does equal our US EPA 60 mpg. Look up any car thats sold in both places. Ford Focus, Buick Regal, etc.

By: D WINTER

D WINTER — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:47:55 +0000

We’ve owned our Smart for almost 2 years now. The best mileage we’ve ever seen is 23 mpg city. Granted, Asheville NC is hilly. But I can’t believe hills would bring the fuel economy down that much.

Anyone else get fuel economy that poor?

By: Constantine Palaeologos

Constantine Palaeologos — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 05:08:56 +0000

My 2008 Smart Passion car, got about 32-33 mpg for about 6 months, it’s now down to about 22 mpg. Leff, from SF, thanks for posting. I thought I was the only one..

P.S. I wouldn’t believe the mpg’s a smart owner tell’s you he get’s while talking at the pump..Kinda like “fish” stories..

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:18:27 +0000

I have owned a smart car for 1 year, bought it used. get 40 mph most of the time driving some city, rest hwy.It is bad it doesn`t get better gas miliage,but it beats the 23mph my other (suv) car gets, and beats the 17mph my old truck gets. Car is small and doesen`t like big wind. We love the little car and it is fun.

By: drew

drew — Mon, 09 May 2011 19:32:19 +0000

I haven’t read all the comments to see if this has been answered, but it is extremely simple. The EPA environmental / emissions regulations are very tough in the US, and all those systems have a significant impact on fuel economy on our cars. I worked for Honda for years, and the same model in Europe would always post much better fuel economy then their American counterparts. So the real question is where is the balancing point of lower emissions vs higher fuel economy. You can point at oil company conspiracy all day long (they might even be partially behind it…?), but the EPA has strict guidelines for emissions that have come at the cost of fuel consumption.