I don't know who does the research for Consumer Guide (not affiliated with Consumer Reports) but I would say their research is quite faulty and misleading.

In the current edition of 2006 cars and trucks, they stated that try as they might the Honda Insight doesn't get near the EPA estimates for mpg. Funny, I have consistently exceeded the EPA estimates for every tank since I purchased my car, and a quick look at the database reveals that many others exceed it as well.

Too bad this type of "research" gets published.

 

Yeah, I've had to actually work hard to get the car under 60mpg. Most of the time, I've been averaging about 69 mpg. I hate those articles. On the other hand, most of my friends with Priuses can't seem to get more than 45-48mpg, so they all accusse me of bluffing and lying about my mpg

 

I agree with you both, I never read any of those (comsumer guide or consumer reports) because is seems they are always BS and biased in some way. It wouldn’t be the first time they publish faulty data.