Interesting test. If I got the columns lined up correctly, they actually did 4 mpg better in the TCH than the HCH on the Pacific Coast Highway! In the city, though, the HCH got over 11 mpg better. Since the TCH is too new to know what type of mileage the GH drivers will get, it is impossible to tell where it will fall, but it sounds interesting.

You have to realize that the way you drive, and your driving conditions, make all the difference. One GH participant is trading his HCH on a TCH because he likes to drive fast on the highway, but still wants good mileage and good performance. I think he's probably making the right choice. But if you want to drive reasonably, and get the best gas mileage possible, you need to pick the car that best fits your particular situation.

My guess is that the road and track drivers did a lot of hard acceleration and a lot of high speeds (on the highway, at least) - after all, it is road and TRACK. If this is how you drive, and don't want to change, then DON'T get an HCH - you'll probably be disappointed. The larger power train in the TCH will likely serve you better.

And, as others have said, you really can't compare the cars - too many things different, size being a biggie....

If you care to, I'll bet if you lay out how many miles you drive on a typical day, what type of terrain it is, city or highway, what the weather's like where you live (year round), and what your driving habits are (fast, slow, moderate, don't mind taking it slower to save gas or don't have time for that stuff), etc., there are people on GH that will probably help to recommend the right hybrid for you!

Best of luck.

I'll throw this out there, for what it's worth. For me, I can't imagine ever again driving a car that gets less than 40 MPG.

I was bemoaning a very bad sequence of lights, weather, etc., that caused me to get about 42 MPG for a spell. I felt horrible! And then I thought to myself: Wait. If I were to own a Fit, or a Yaris, or a Scion, or (as in this case) a Camry Hybrid, and I had a bad MPG spell, I would be getting low-to-mid 30s.

And that would *really* depress me.

So for me, the difference between "in the 40's" versus "in the 30's" is psychologically just too great. I'd go for the HCH.

Buyer beware:
Camry 2007: 1st year of new model/concept first year hybrid in model
Civic 2006: 1st year of new model
Prius 2006: Mature

-Charlie...

Thanks Lakedude for the catch. My bad.

Funny, I feel the exact same way. I notice a lot of 2000-2001 BMW 3 series, Acrua TLs on the way home and often think about what my commute would be like in one, but to go back to 25 MPG seems beyond my means. Once you realize you can travel comfortably and get mid-40's MPG, seems like anything less is just burning money. Only go 300 miles on a tank? You must be kidding! When I toyed with purchasing an HAH, the mid-30's MPG just didn't do it for me. It's not enough. Seems wasteful once you spend some time with the alternatives. Which is odd, becuase mid-30's is good by any measure - ironic it's a step backward for any HCH/Insight/Prius owner.

Seems like every time I fill up I get validated for making a good decision.

*** Retired after 65,000 outstanding miles ***

I agree Tim.
But frankly I see Prii and HCHs doing 75 miles per hour, and I can't imagine only getting only mid-40s out of an HCH.
Seems like such a waste of a perfectly good hybrid and a ton of gas.

Those drivers in the BMW 325s may have given up their Navigators for better MPG.
Then someone getting 80 MPG with their Insight, or a guy on on his bicycle may think I'm wasting gas because I only get 60 MPG.

I guess it's all relative.

Need fewer troops to support.
Drive a hybrid.
Best tank 71.65 MPG.

Before this car I spent two years learning hypermiling on my 2004 HCH1.

Here's what my drives are like during the year.

I live in Minnesota so the terrain is generally flat. My daily 15 minute commute, one-way, is mostly highway without heavy traffic. I come in "late" so there is very light traffic and no stopping on the highway.

I don't spend a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic in the city but it does happen.

When driving to see relatives, it is about a 3 hour drive with more hills though there are no mountains. I do this about 6 times a year.

Too true on the 'being relative' remark. I get co-workers all the time justifying their 20s car MPG..."it could be worse, like in my old SUV". Yeah, one step at a time! 40 plus is the threshold for me. Again, unless you're actually filling a vehicle with passengers/cargo, etc.

So far, in my own personal situation, I've accomplished all my Pathfinder did and more in the Prius. It never went off-road, and I engaged 4WD 2 times a year in snowstorms...

'04 Seaside Pearl #7. Fumoto oil drain, mudflaps, rear bumper scuff protector & rear warn system, compass mirror, EV mode button, 8" subwoofer in right rear cubby & 6" subs under seats, power lumbar in the front seats, Coastaletech hitch w/ Aspen bike/snowboard rack. iPod2car, 2 amps, Alpine component speakers, and DVD video, solid 47 MPG @ 70000 miles.

I switched my order from Civic to Camry. It wasn't ALL about mileage. The Camry gives me about 10% more interior room, and options for leather, keyless remote, and a few other things I had hoped for on the Civic.

Steve Villatoro
www.stevenvillatoro.com
“An enlightened guide to small business mastery.”

I test drove the 2007 non-hybrid Camry and chose to purchase the HCHII; my previous car was a 1998 Volvo as a baseline.

The 2007 Camry non-hybrid didnt drive that much more powerfully than the Hybrid. It is a much larger car on the inside and the Camry is a nice car. FYI- Real world mileage has been documented in two reviews; one in a magazine I get-- ( I think its the latest car and driver--not sure--) and there is one online real MPG test as well. The results? 30 MPG combined and 33 MPG combined. Not good enough to qualify for a purchase in my book based on what I wanted.

Driving the 2007 non hybrid Camry was fine. Its a good car and should sell well in all lines. But the HCH II is more fun to get into every morning. Its a drivers car to me.

Lastly, I fell that Honda customer service and garage are much better than Toyotas. I'll leave it at that.

The 30 MPG Camry hybrid result is in a review at cars.about.com FYI. Still looking for the other one....