Contact Us

Newsroom

All News Releases By Date

 

Model Year 2004 Fuel Economy Numbers Now Available

Release Date: 10/23/2003
Contact Information:


Contact: John Millett, 202-564-7842

(10/23/05) Americans looking to buy a 2004 model car can choose one that gets as much as 60 miles per gallon (mpg) or one that gets only 9 mpg. To help consumers make good environmental choices when purchasing passenger vehicles, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy today released the 29th annual Fuel Economy Guide.

“Well-informed consumers are key to energy conservation and environmental protection, said Acting Administrator Marianne Horinko. “With this fuel economy information, Americans can choose the vehicle that’s right for them with a good understanding of its environmental impact, its fuel consumption, and its costs.”

“Drivers who purchase fuel efficient and alternative fuel vehicles are doing their part to protect the environment, conserve resources and reduce our dependence on imported oil,” Energy Department Secretary Spencer Abraham said.

For the fourth year in a row, the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicles continue to be the fuel economy leaders. And for the first time, a hybrid-electric vehicle is available as a mid-size sedan, the Toyota Prius. In addition to being fuel-efficient, these vehicles are also among the cleanest vehicles available.

A joint EPA and Department of Energy Web site, http://www.fueleconomy.gov, provides detailed information on vehicle fuel economy, including a complete version of the Fuel Economy Guide. The site includes fuel economy information going back to 1985, which can be helpful for buying used cars. The Web site also includes emissions and the Department of Transportation's safety data for model year 2004 vehicles as well as fuel-saving tips for drivers. The “2004 Fuel Economy Guide” will be available at car dealerships, public libraries and credit unions later this fall.

Fuel economy estimates are determined by averaging numbers gathered through tests conducted by manufacturers and verified by EPA. Vehicles are tested in a controlled setting and the results are adjusted to reflect actual driving conditions. All vehicles are tested in the same way so consumers can compare the results when choosing a vehicle type or class. The mpg ratings appear on window stickers on all new cars and light trucks prior to sale. Consumers can use this information to identify the most fuel efficient vehicles to purchase.

EPA has also posted the 2004 models on the Green Vehicle Guide Web site to give consumers a full picture of fuel economy and automobile emissions. Consumers can use this guide to locate the cleanest and most fuel efficient vehicle that meets their needs. To access this guide, visit: https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles .

The 2004 fuel economy leaders overall and by class as well as the lowest fuel economy models are listed below.

2004 Model Year Fuel Economy Leaders

MPG
Rank Manufacturer/Model city/highway

1. Honda Insight (hybrid-electric, manual) 60/66

2. Toyota Prius (hybrid-electric) 60/51

3. Honda Insight (hybrid-electric, automatic) 57/56

4. Honda Civic Hybrid (automatic, lean burn) 48/47

5. Honda Civic Hybrid (automatic) 47/48

6. Honda Civic Hybrid (manual, lean burn) 46/51

7. Honda Civic Hybrid (manual) 45/51

8. Volkswagen New Beetle/Golf/Jetta (diesel, manual) 38/46

9. Volkswagen Jetta Wagon (diesel, manual) 36/47

10. Honda Civic (manual) 36/44


Highest Fuel Economy by Vehicle Class
2004 Model Year
MPG
Class Model city/highway
Two Seater Honda Insight (manual) 60/66

Minicompact Car Mini Cooper (manual 5-speed) 28/37

Subcompact Car Volkswagen New Beetle Diesel (man.) 38/46

Compact Car Honda Civic Hybrid (automatic, “lean burn”) 48/47

Midsize Car Toyota Prius (hybrid) 59/51
Large Car Chevrolet Malibu Maxx 22/30

Small Station Wagon Volkswagen Jetta Wagon Diesel (manual) 36/47

Midsize Station Wagon Ford Focus Station Wagon (manual) 26/33

Sport Utility Vehicle Toyota RAV4 2WD 24/30

Minivan Chrysler Voyager/Town&Country 2WD 20/26
Dodge Caravan 2WD

Pickup Truck Ford Ranger Pickup 2WD 24/29
Mazda B2300 2WD

Cargo Van Chevrolet Astro 2WD (Cargo) 16/21
GMC Safari 2WD (Cargo) "

Passenger Van Chevrolet Astro 2WD (Passenger) 16/20
GMC Safari 2WD (Passenger)
Lowest Fuel Economy Models*
2004 Model Year

MPG
Rank Manufacturer/Model city/highway

1. Lamborghini L-147/148 Murcielago (manual) 9/13

2. Lamborghini L-140/141 Gallardo 9/15

3. Bentley Arnage, Arnage LWB 10/14

4. Lamborghini L-147/148 Murcielago (automatic) 10/15

5. Ferrari 360 Modena/Spider/Challenge (automatic-2mode) 10/16
Ferrari 575 M Maranello (manual) "

6. Ferrari 575 M Maranello (automatic-3mode) 10/17
Lamborghini L-140/141 Gallardo "

7. Ferrari 360 Modena/Spider/Challenge (manual) 11/16

8. Maserati Spider Cambiocorsa/Spider GT (automatic) 11/17
Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa/Coupe GT (automatic) "

9. Ford F150 Pickup 4WD 12/16
Land Rover Land Rover Discovery Ser II "
Land Rover Range Rover "

10. Maserati Spider Cambiocorsa/Spider GT (manual) 12/17
Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa/Coupe GT (manual) "
Mercedes-Benz Maybach 62, Maybach 57 "

*Trucks over 8500 pounds gross vehicle weight rating are exempt from federal fuel economy requirements.

Lowest Fuel Economy by Vehicle Class*
2004 Model Year
MPG
Class Make/Model city/highway

Two Seater Lamborghini L-147/148 Murcielago 9/13

Minicompact Car Aston Martin V12 Vanquish 12/19

Subcompact Car Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa/Coupe GT 11/17

Compact Car Mercedes-Benz CL600 Coupe 13/19

Midsize Car Bentley Arnage 10/14

Large Car Bentley Arnage LWB 10/14

Small Station Wagon Audi S4 Avant (manual) 15/21

Midsize Station Wagon Mercedes-Benz E500 Wagon 4MATIC 16/22

Sport Utility Vehicle Land Rover Discovery Ser. II 12/16
Land Rover Range Rover "

Minivan Kia Sedona 16/22

Pickup Truck Ford F150 Pickup 4WD 12/16

Cargo Van Chevrolet Astro AWD (Cargo) Conv 14/17
GMC Safari AWD (Cargo) Conv "
Ford E150 Econoline 2WD "

Passenger Van Ford E150 Club Wagon 13/17

*Trucks over 8500 pounds gross vehicle weight rating are exempt from federal fuel economy requirements