Richard,

I can only vaguely speak to your concerns, but here's what I can tell you from my personal experience if it helps.

Most of my driving is commuting; for me, that means 45 miles each way at Virginia's highway speeds of 55 to 65 miles per hour. I usually drive about 59 and 69, respectively. I haven't done the manual calculations, but from the computer, I have received a pretty reliable 40 MPG under such conditions since I bought the car two months ago. When driving at 70 MPH on a stretch of flat road, my consumption needle is pegged at the 60 MPG marker; my problem is that my commute is largely rolling hills with a mountain crossing thrown in at one end.

I will definitely go the "other way" on the TCH to say that it is NOT a great "around town" car but is a great highway car. If I can stay under 40 miles per hour on flat roads, I can keep it largely in electric mode. However, the speed at which I need to start would guarantee me a rear-end collision in Northern Virginia, so I have to hit the gas a little harder than I would like. I find that normal "in town" driving here gets me about 25-30 MPG. Traffic jams are much more bearable in the TCH than in a regular car, as I almost never leave electric mode until the jam breaks.

I hope that helps. I've been very happy with mine so far. A reliable 40 MPG with the size and comfort of a Camry is a **** fine combination in my book.