Could you do a long range economy test on a hybrid vs a modern diesel?

I love diesels as they suit the terrain here in southern Spain; lots of steep hills where you do not need to change to a lower gear to easily get up them, but we have to go with the flow I guess. I have a report from a UK newspaper about five years ago when a Prius and a BMW 520d travelled from Fleet St. to Geneva in one trip as a fuel consumption test. The BMW won easily and used less fuel than the Prius. It would be very interesting to repeat the test now with new cars. The Prius could be replaced with the Focus 3-cyl and the BMW 520d by a BMW 120d. Perhaps you could suggest it?

Asked on 17 November 2012 by BD, Malaga

Answered by Honest John

Not really a fair test. Hybrids are best in hilly areas or cities and suburbs. Diesels are best long distance because long distance a hybrid gets little chance to regenerate. Best I've done in one was 63mpg delivering my dad's Auris hybrid from London to Northumberland. He has averaged around 53mpg ever since. On the same run, on the car’s meter, a BMW 320dED apparently averaged more than 75mpg and I have averaged 65mpg in it ever since.

Tags: fuel economy hybrid diesels high mileage range

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