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Guest Post by Frugal, Iva is a writer for TotallyMoney which is a website that helps you compare loans for people with bad credit and cards for bad credit. She also runs a popular personal finance blog where she shares moneysaving ideas and frugal tips.
For years and years it was considered un-American to buy a car or truck that wasn’t manufactured by one of the major American manufacturers. Whether it was Ford, General Motors or Dodge, you’d better have had one of these vehicles parked in your driveway, or you weren’t doing your civic duty.
Right around the 1973 gas and energy crisis, and again during the 1979 energy crisis, it suddenly became okay to buy foreign cars – especially Japanese cars – because of their remarkably better fuel economy as well as their increased life span.
Ever since, it seems that American auto manufacturers have been playing catch up, and lately, it seems the distance in popularity between Japanese and American cars is as large as it has ever been. This is probably linked to the fact that as gas prices have dramatically increased, foreign car manufactures – especially Japanese cars – have introduced a myriad of gas saving measures, with the most popular being hybrid technologies.
All that being said, I wanted to see how vast the difference in gas mileage really is between the top five most fuel efficient American cars vs. the top five most fuel efficient Japanese cars:
Top 5 Most Fuel Efficient American Cars:
- Ford Escape Hybrid – 36 mpg city / 31 mpg highway
- Chevy Aveo – 26 mpg city / 35 mpg highway
- Ford Focus – 26 mpg city / 34 mpg highway
- Chevy Cobalt – 25 mpg city / 34 mpg highway
- Ford Fusion – 24 mpg city / 32 mpg highway
Top 5 Most Fuel Efficient Japanese Cars:
- Honda Insight – 60 mpg city / 66 mpg highway
- Toyota Prius – 60 mpg city / 51 mpg highway
- Honda Civic Hybrid – 49 mpg city / 51 highway
- Toyota Corolla – 32 mpg city / 41 mpg highway
- Toyota Matrix – 30 mpg city / 36 mpg highway
After doing some math, I figured the average of the top five American cars gets 27.4 mpg in the city and 33.2 mpg on the highway, while the average of the top five Japanese cars get 46.2 mpg in the city and 49 mpg on the highway. This equates to 68% better gas mileage in the city and 48% better gas mileage on the highway for Japanese cars.
The most obvious cause for the difference is due to the fact there are three hybrid cars included on the Japanese list while there is only one hybrid car on the American list.
While gas mileage certainly isn’t the only indicator as to why certain cars sell better than others, I don’t think you can discount the fact Japanese cars tend to get much better gas mileage than their American counterparts when looking at the dramatic rise in sales of Japanese cars vs. an equally dramatic fall in the sales of American cars.
{ 73 comments… read them below or add one }
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This info came directly from the government’s fuel economy site.
anonymous – how many American cars do you see driving around from the 70’s? I would suspect not that many.
okay “Anonymous” first of all, learn how to type, please, we’re not texting.
Now, why would you call someone a “scumbag” for driving a honda, they are perfectly fine cars. If anything the more American cars are the ones you should be calling a “p.o.s.” because the a lot American manufacturers do such a cob job on their vehicles and don’t even try to reduce gas waste, in my opinion.
“because the a lot American manufacturers”
… because a lot of the American manufacturers…
I think that this argument is a sad one. As far as fuel economy, the year is now 2009, and there are fuel efficient models in ever company’s think tank, so buying domestic or foreign you will be able to choose from a wide range of fuel friendly cars. Ironically, GM makes more fuel efficient model cars by volume out of every company on the earth, and with the most variations in TYPES of fuel efficiency around (since the mid 2000’s), so your 8-10 car argument has very big holes in it. My 2006 Mustang (a sports car mind you) gets over 20 (average, low blowing it at 17) miles per gallon city, and usually over 27 miles per gallon highway. I know this because I drove from Houston, Texas to San Diego, California and had to fill up roughly 4 times on the way there. That is unreasonably good for a car that also KICKS ASS at being cool (hahahaha!). And this is the truth for a lot of American cold-natured engines that are not even built to be flex fuel or hybrid cars. Attach therfore, some fuel friendly science on top of a well ventilated behemoth, and you have an instant upgrade with a lot less engine wear over time. Japanese cars, are infact, hot-natured engines with a low breathing environment, contributing to some life issues, typically in the radiator department. Which, if you hear a Japanese car owner complaint, its about their car stalling out and running hot. American cars are worth their weight in gold if you do some smart comparison shopping. Ford builds with roughly 80% all domestic parts, so you can rely on stronger and better rated tempered steel (do not argue with me on this one…look up tensile testing for metals in other countries like China and Japan and you will be depressed on much weaker and lower quality the metals are to save a buck). Plus this creates a turnaround of faster replacement time if anything goes, because the parts are here.To say that American cars are poorly engineered is beyond falsehood, and cannot be used as ‘fact’. A slew of sold intellectual property from American car designers are a huge part of what even fuels foreign car creation in the first place. The parts are usually better fabrication jobs in the states too. If you want to compare the health of a foreign car on a part by part basis and literal engineering, you’d be smarter to do so with BMW. The Japanese have done a wonderful job appealing to a logical sentiment though- smaller, lighter, cheaper built cars, with fun electrical upgrades (in dash treats), and good fuel economy (because the car weighs one ounce), and its also the car Mac equivalent, with colors and shapes for Americans to have a seizure over. te reality is that it is a friendly face to wear as a auto producer, and most americans, that can’t even change a tire, like their small, quiet, unassuming cars, and their well published facts and marketing. On the same token the reality is for Americans to stop desiring this belief that the American car industry cannot make ‘good cars’. The engineering is solid, and if you are not lazy and pick a myriad of cars on the road and look at their FULL specs you will see this to be true. It all comes down to us needing to be honest with ourselves and buying a car based on our own preferences without any hype around ‘Japanese cars are better’, or ‘buy American or you’re not American’, because we are killing our own industry with this attitude. Both countries make some fantastic vehicles and some shit ones (relatively speaking). Do your homework and buy intelligently. I wouldn’t trade my Mustang for a Honda in a thousand years, and it cost less brand new and gets the same gas mileage (in the higher speed range better) than my friends that have DRIVEN ALONG SIDE OF ME in their brand new Honda’s on road trips. On the flip side, i would buy a Honda in a second over the focus, because I can’t stand the wheel base in that thing or the concept of the body line.
It’s time to grow up and be real consumers and buy based on reality.
i agree with you. i think you are a few people that really understand the situation. the Japanese cars only better fuel economy and a reliable engine. as you can see the reports of cars being recalled to repair. the American cars are well build(im talking about the family cars, not the muscles, they are awesome!) and they engine improved a lot since 80 and 90, lets put one case like the ford focus, a amazing car!
the American car manufacturers made a lot of mistakes, but is just stupid what the people are saying that American cars are bad build.
Alright, how many old American cars do you see in the roads still surviving today? Not that many. I live in Virginia and it’s considered one of the wealthier states in the US. I’m on the road everyday and I see a whole lot more old Japanese cars and many NEW American cars. This means that in general, Japanese cars survive way longer than American cars. Also, I know a lot of pro-American car commenters here in this forum haven’t seen what the rest of the world are driving. The taxis used in Asia alone, the biggest continent and with the most people combined, are of Toyota. So why buy American cars? I know Americans have that pride for their country but if they are truly smart like they say they are, then they should switch to the MUCH better Japanese cars.
People should consider comparing American vs. Japanese cars not just in the US but all around the world. If you do a poll on how many people will choose American cars over Japanese cars, it will be so embarrassing for the US.
IT’S DEFINATELY TRUE. DON’T HATE.
This is a poor comparison mainly because the vehicles that you selected form the American side only had one hybrid vehicle. All the Japanese cars you picked were hybrids. You can’t compare two different powertrains. you should have compared them to the gas only versions of the japanese cars/ I think if you did that you see that there isnt much of a difference between them. After i think you will see that the chevys get good gas mileage and better performance than their comptetitors. For intance the cobalt SS gets 30 miles per gallon on the highway and it has 260 horse power. The civic Si has only 197 horse power and has the same size engine and gets 29 miles per gallon. How is that chevy can make a car with better performance and better gas mileage. Also i remind you that the cobalt has a turbocharger to bat.
What is the cost of putting an American out of work? Stupid Americans will never learn.
I see a hell of a lot more old American cars on the road than Jap cars. Old Jap cars don’t look good or hold up. The new Lexus Rx looks like a Pontiac Aztec ha ha nice job!
The gasoline cost saving of driving a Prius will take 20 years to recoup. What a joke. Plus you put an American out of work and send your dollars over to Japan. The American worker looses his job and is unemployed. This make no sense when are Americans going to wake up? Young Americans go off to war and comeback to no jobs. Billion and Billions of dollars are sent off to Japan Korea Germany and you still think it dosen’t matter what you drive?
Looking at, and reading; most of the responses I see some fair minded individuals. Unlike myself who really doesn’t have any real love for foreign imports, but let’s be objective.
Anyone that says American cars are not as good as foreign imports has been brain washed. Ok, the US did have a problem a while ago with their manufacturing process. That has been remedied long ago. American cars are now as sound as any import. Yes, you will get an occasional lemon. You’ll get that from anything that is mass produced.
I’ve only owned American cars, going back to my 1970 Dodge Charger (man I loved that car)! I can see the transformation to the modern cars. The US car industry got lazy and careless. In steps the imports. I think a little competition is good. So the USA stepped her game up, and started taking a renewed pride in her work. (I can hear the mumbling) Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think the import countries take less pride in their work. It’s just the the USA had to get knocked off her high horse to realize that she isn’t the only game in town.
I’ve now started hearing stories of whoa about the imports nowadays (shocker). By and large if you take care of your vehicle, you will get many years out it. You must keep up with the maintenance. The imports learned this a long time ago.
Let me stop now before I drag this out any further.
Bottom line – Buy the car because you like the look, the feel, handling, and it fits your budget (USA needs to work on the budget part). Not because some left wing tree hugging, socialist, or a RIGHT WING,gun carrying, got to war at any cost, Nut job tells you that one country’s car is better than another,s.
Angel, yes timing belt failure is common, but is a result of stupidity on owners parts. Cars have maintainence schedules for a reason, you do not follow stuff breaks. Timing chains are much more expensive and can cause just as big an issue as a belt, and chain guides go on chains and are cheap parts with hundreds of dollars in labor. Volkswagen uses chains and at a dealer cost over 1000 dollars to change in labor! I would assume similar cost with domestic vehicles with chains. As for the economics of the issue, everything is overseas now, and our own politicians and greedy corporate leaders have created the monster of foreign trade. If it wasn’t for corporations trying to squeeze every last penny out of their manufacturing process they could just pay american workers to do the jobs for a bit more, and keep jobs and our money here in the country, but we all know they do not and will not do so
I love it love it love it. I am definitely buying AMERICAN!!!!!!
Question? If you go to a car show, how many people are drewling over an American classic, and how many are eyeing up the foreign brands? My brother drove a Chevy Impala with 3.4 liter v6 on numerous trips. He obtained a remarkable 34 mph right along with an impressive 36 mph on a couple of occasions. How many Toyotas in that size and horsepower range are getting those figures. I owned a ‘93 Oldsmobile 88 with the 3.8 liter v6 and knocked out a steady 33 mpg when highway driving. How many Japanese and Korean manufactures in that weight and horsepower catagory are getting that kind of mileage? Comfort goes without saying.
The truth is Anonymous, your a flat out dumb ass, that is one sided. ” how many old American cars do you see in the roads still surviving today? Not that many”
” I’m on the road everyday and I see a whole lot more old Japanese cars and many NEW American cars. This means that in general, Japanese cars survive way longer than American cars.” honestly, this is the dumbest shit i have ever heard anyone say, and ive came across some dumb ass people in my time. The truth is, i dont give a shit what kinda of car you buy, but when people start bashing American car companies, saying foreign cars are better then American cars, and American cars are shit, thats when i have a problem.
If you do a poll on how many people will choose American cars over Japanese cars, it will be so embarrassing for the US.
IT’S DEFINATELY TRUE. DON’T HATE
Your probley right, its called a misconception, what your dumb ass has.
Hay, i have a poll… who would agree, that if the Japanese car companies had one dick Anonymous would be deepthroating it right now? one vote already says yes.
wow…youre a dumbass!
Fact is American cars last longer than Japanese cars, i see a LOT more American cars on the road than Japanese cars. Japanese cars are so over rated it is sad! they don’t get better gas mileage. and everyone is talking about the Japanese Hybrids, what they don’t tell you is that American cars had Hybrids in the 1990’s! LONG BEFORE THE JAPANESE CARS!
Not to mention a Toyota truck from the 1980-1990’s would only last about 10-15 years before the frames would rust in two and the truck would literally break in half!
Also, American cars have been getting just as good and even BETTER gas mileage for decades! seems everyone has forgotten all about all the 41 mpg Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliants, all the Pontiac Sunbirds, Chevy Chevette, Ford Pintos, Ford Fiestas, etc. And for that matter how about the old 1976 Dodge Dart Light, and Feather Dusters, with a slant six and 4 speed Overdrive? These cars were reported to get 30 mpg! and many of them are STILL on the road today! how about all the Ford Falcons with the 6 cylinders, or the Chevy Novas, Plymouth Valiants, All the way back into the 1960’s!
The problem is that most of the people that say Japanese cars get better gas mileage are the biased brainwashed morons, that are comparing the little Japanese cars like a Honda Civic, to a big Chevy Impala, or Ford Crown Vic, or even a Cadillac, or Chrysler Imperial! HIGHLY UNFAIR!!! They NEVER compare a Toyota Corolla to a Dodge Aries, or a Honda Civic to a Plymouth Horizon! Compare the same year Honda Civic to a Dodge Aries and you will see the Aries gets just as good or even BETTER mileage than the Honda, and is a bigger more comfortable car!
My sister and her family had a 1973 Honda Civic, and made a 600 mile trip in that thing with their 3 kids, and they said it was the biggest mistake of their lives! they said they were miserable in that little shoebox!
So don’t tell me Japanese cars last longer and get better gas mileage, because it is a bunch of crap, and a bunch of brainwashing nonsense the automotive media types would have us all believe. but if you compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges, you will see American cars have always had the upper hand. even today, not to mention most of the technology in today’s Japanese cars CAME FROM AMERICAN CARS! Dodge for example had an ALL electric minivan back in 1995 called the TEVan which was made for commerical use it was all electric not a hybrid, and had power steering, and even Air Conditioning! and that was back in 1995! what Japanese car had an all electric car or even a hybrid in the 1990’s????
Also don’t forget the Dodge Daytonas, Spirit R/T, Shelbys, and Dodge Omni GLH/GLHS, these cars were know to be the fastest small cars on the road back in the 1980’s-1990’s! a Daytona IROC or Spirti R/T would do 0-60 in about 5.8 seconds, making it the world’s FASTEST 4 door sedan in 1991, this along with the Dodge Daytona R/T and IROC, and they still got 25-30 MPG. from a turbochaged 2.2-2.5 4 cylinder! Dodge even had a racing version of the 2.2 that put out 425 HP! FROM A 4 CYLINDER! and MANY of these cars are STILL one the road today! So NO Japanese car could Touch these cars back then, not to mention where do you think the Japanese car makers got the idea and the technology for their later little turbocharged engines?
So basically a Japanese car is just a cheap imitation of an American car anyway!
I have a 1967 Oldsmobile 442 thats in mint condition. nothing has been done to it. I rebuilt the engine once, just to keep it mint. I have had many other cars such as Buicks, Chevys, Acura, Nissan, Honda, Jeep, Jaguar, and Infiniti. The Acura constantly squeeks no matter what, we fix one thing and another thing goes. The foreign parts have cost us thousands. It’s a v6 and only gets 20 mpg, the worst mileage out of all of the cars I have ever had except for the Olds 442. The Nissan had a steering problem and sent my sister off the road and it got totaled. The Jaguar had and it’s engine replaced and transmission replaced 6 times. The Infiniti just recently rusted away too much for me to deal with (it was a 97). It gave us many problems. The Jeep had two transmission replacements in the 12 years we had it, totalling to 600 for both (cheap). One of the Chevrolets needed a head gasket. The Honda fell apart and I sold the engine for 300 dollars. The only cars that I NEVER had one problem with were Buicks. I have 2 and I love them.
Buick is also makes the number one luxury car in America (and number one selling in Japan haha) the Lacrosse. There other car is, in my opinion even better than that one. The only other vehicle they have is a cross-over, the Enclave. It was rated by a few different important players in the auto industry as the ‘best looking luxury crossover’ Not to mention the Chevy Volt, or the Ford fusion Hybrid, or the Malibu hybrid that get 40 or greater highway mpg. Turbo diesels are the best of all the fuel savers though, which makes a Volkswagen a good choice too.
I cant believe someone would try to compare the gas mileage rated back in the 80s-90s when we all know the formula for computing this info was far from realistic (no ac, one passenger, no cargo etc.) so that 25-30 mpg. is more like 20-25. Even so when I look up the MPG of those cars they state 19 city 24 hwy. so dont know where those #s are coming from. And yes we all know american car makers had electric cars (EV1) but killed that because of GREED over all else, even the fellow man. Which is why I buy japanese because they have an ability to look at the big picture (pollution, oil consumption etc.) American car makers only got on the bandwagon because they are forced to and now see $’s. GM doesn’t care about americans, only what gets them there million dollar house and $70,000 car. I now only buy honda cars and NEVER had any major problem with any of them. My current ‘03 Acura rsx has 155,000 miles and the only problem aside from brake pads,tires etc. was a clutch change last week. show me an american car that has no problems but general maint. my prelude before that only had a water-pump change and that was at over 250,000 miles. Nobody doubts the artistic design of the classic muscle cars. The reason people drool over them at a car show is because there numbers are few, thats what makes them desireable.If there where tons on the road you wouldn’t have to go to a car show to see/buy them!?
I think a lot of Americans just don’t understand how bad their cars are – Even the foreign brands sell “American” versions of their vehicles to the US that are extremely inefficient because they are cheaper and the US accepts them.
I lived in the UK until i was 16 and have been in the US for over 7 years now. When i left the UK, the average car did about 50mpg. I went back for vacation this christmas and my brothers skoda fabia did around 60-65mpg. These are just regular cars, not hybrid, no flashy technology. Everyone drives these, it’s the norm – 50mpg+…
It infuriates me back here in the US that we talk about 35mpg+ as being some breakthrough figure. Furthermore, a hybrid car that can get 40-45mpg… If a regular car can already do 60-65mpg then i’d say these hybrid cars are complete failures.
America needs to stop being so selfish, start using proper engines, stop driving huge trucks and SUV’s, learn how to use roundabouts and stop using traffic lights at every junction (causing idle polluting) and start setting real goals for preventing traffic pollution. This talk of hybrid technology sickens me – If i can by a regular car that does 65mpg i’m not buying a hybrid car that does 40mpg…
dont you guys get it??? AMERICA you suck soo much as making automoblies!!!!!! Japanese imports will always be the best. better fuel mileage, better reliability, better quality, better everything. sucky lazy ass americans. Oh yeah and stop with the technology in cars and this and that fancy stuff and whatever in the interior, US, y do you think you guys sux so much. japan kicking ass since they worry bout the outside, exterior, gas, this that, not some stupid, microsoft, ipod , bologna. GO JAPAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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