Hiding Behind The MPG Curtain

   

    Improper mpg figures have plagued vehicle owners for the entire duration of ownership. Loosely claimed mpg figures entice buyers to purchase specific vehicles. Owners or automotive journalists never achieve their claims of sky-high mpg figures. Hyundai and Kia have recently come under scrutiny for improper mpg claims for numerous vehicles in their lineup. While they are under fire for being the most recent culprit, this phenomenon has occurred for many automakers. So, what’s the big deal with erroneous     mpg claims?

The main cause for these faulty mpg figures is due to the way the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts their fuel economy testing. Automakers are given EPA test protocols and test their vehicles without supervision. The automakers provide the EPA with their fuel economy results, with the EPA conducting quality checks later in the year. With the EPA allowing this type of testing, I’m amazed that the majority of automakers are able to fly under the radar.

Besides the EPA’s lack of actual testing, one would think that the EPA would conduct mpg tests similar to actual driving conditions. While that would make sense, the EPA does not test vehicles in any way that is similar to driving.  According to Auto.Howstuffworks.com, the EPA runs their vehicles on a dynamometer, which is essentially a car treadmill that mimics road conditions. Drivers with extensive dynamometer experience “drive” the vehicle through two computerized simulations. These simulations are meant to imitate road conditions, but in actuality, achieve elevated mpg figures.

The 13 vehicles in question from Hyundai and Kia have been given new mpg ratings, which are marginally different from the original estimates. Although the automakers have admitted to exaggerating their mpg figures, the new claims do not match testing completed by automotive journalists. Motor Trend completed a thorough fuel economy test for the 13 vehicles in question. Only one of the vehicles, the 2012 Hyundai Accent SE, achieved it’s newly lowered mpg claim. The other twelve vehicles did not come close to achieving its new mpg figure.

Even though Hyundai and Kia were found exaggerating their mpg figures, it’s something most automakers do. Most of the time, the automakers are able to fly under the EPA’s radar because of the way they test for fuel economy. Automakers can drastically overestimate their mpg figures because they can get away with it. The EPA needs to enforce stricter methods for fuel economy testing. Their current methods allow automakers to lie to future customers and owners.

As for Hyundai and Kia, their rise to fame may have been short lived. This mpg scandal has made a large dent in their recent success and will surely hinder them in the long run. While these automakers were never on my radar, interested buyers should think twice before buying from them. MPG is important, but not as important as honesty, which is a hard commodity to find when dealing with automakers.