2023 LE fwd mpg, what are you getting?

That is ideal hypermiling territory, my friend. Show us what you've got!

If the speed limit is 40, get up to 45ish in a lightly spirited manner, then drop your foot back to low-ECO levels so the engine turns off and then gliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide... for as long as you can. Try to make the lights. So if it's between you giving it some gas (and turning the engine back on), or regenerating energy while you stop at the light... try to make the light.

And when you're not sure if a light is going to change, or if a car is going to get turned before you reach it, try and keep the pedal at the position where you are neither regenerating (braking), or using battery. No arrows will be showing on the energy monitor display. I guess THIS is actually called gliding, but I also call driving with the engine off gliding. Sue me.

The idea is, not to waste any momentum until you are sure you have to stop. This takes a lot of practice to get good. You also have to get a bit lucky, which is why some drives will be more efficient than others. I get a little sense of victory when I have a great run (score above 100) lol.

 

I'm considering switching from the Eco Game screen. I'm starting to notice an MPG improvement when I accelerate beyond the "Eco Zone" and into the power zone. I did that today and went from 59 MPG's on one miserable run, to 75 MPG's and 82 MPG's in subsequent runs while accelerating much quicker. Acceleration score was like 45 lol. I'm kind of just letting the "natural" power band get the car up to speed and then I lift off when I've got some gliding room. I'm not too far into the power zone, but I'm definitely out of the Eco. In fact, I would have to work at it to stay in the Eco. This feels more natural (and fun!) with the power this car has.

I'm also getting the sense that the traction battery charges faster/more on each acceleration run. Could be wrong. I also sense that the car fires the ICE more quickly than the G4. But once it gets up to speed, it seems to hold it without as much throttle.

 

I live in a community of <10k; not all that many lights. lol

That's my problem. I'm either driving in town where there are more stop signs than stop lights, or I'm out on the highway at 60ish mph. I'm scoring 90-100 about a third of the time(when there's no one behind me), 80-90 about a third(when I have to adjust to people around me), and <80 about a third. The <80s are in areas where there's just no alternative but to hit it hard. One spot near me that I use quite often is turning onto a reasonably busy two-lane bypass where the typical traffic is around 50mph. If there's someone coming, you got no choice but to accelerate fairly hard. I normally get a first line score of about 35 on that one. lol

 

I had fun doing this a couple of weeks ago. No one behind me and I was gliding as far as I could all the way home and into apartment parking lot.

Funny thing is that lately I get my best mileage on the highway. Took a 3 hr highway trip this past weekend and was at a steady 49.6 mpg with my 2009 most of the way while going 60-70 mpg. I know it’s an overestimated number but still surprising. I do better on the highway unless I’m running late for an appointment. : /

 

Probably the worst scenario for Prii are short drives. I get abhorrent numbers when only driving a couple miles and the ICE has to fire at least once.

One thing I try to do if possible is to be moving when the ICE does fire. Sometimes you can strategize when you're going to have to hit the gas and trigger the motor. Of course when I'm using the car as a 1st class pup kennel, all MPG bets are off!

 

That's interesting! Very unusual. Usually you'll get your best numbers driving on slow, flat roads and not stopping. It's ironic that NOT using regen, the thing everybody talks about in a Prius, is the key to the highest MPG's.

 

You can't please all people all the time. Some people will always be pissed off at others' mere existence.

I never let myself be goaded into speeding up for a tailgater. As a natural people-pleaser, it's an even more difficult skill to learn than hypermiling.

 

Got another 86 MPG 9 mile run last night on a familiar track with the AC off. All city driving.

I'm rethinking my earlier comments on accelerations that exceed the max Eco zone. It's really going to depend on how many lights you are getting caught with. On average, it's probably safe to say that following the Eco guidance will be your best bet. In some instances a faster acceleration will yield a better MPG, but in others, a worse. The car's guidance will be the average best choice unless you have a stretch of road that you know won't cause you to stop for a while.

One thing on the power: Even on Eco mode, acceleration is more sensitive than in the G4's IMO. Just so much more power. It would be helpful if we could dial it back (think: retarding boost on a turbo), for mundane/commuter trips where needing the extra juice isn't expected. It would make throttle mgmt. much easier. G4 Prii had PLENTY of zip to merge onto highways, pass, etc. I've easily hit 90+ mph passing on two-lane highways, never once feeling like I was under-powered. The G5's are power overkill for basic commuter driving.

A disappointing if not suspicious discovery after driving a short period on pure battery, was realizing that the Trip MPG summary screen (when shutting the car off), only allows for 2 digits (99.99). What's that all about? For me to match my G4 MPG records, accounting for the prior optimistic calculations, I'm gonna have to be able to notch some 100-110 MPG runs on the G5. I guess I won't see them now? Perhaps the gauge has another digit and was only showing the 99.99 because the engine never turned on. But wouldn't it have been 199.99 then?

 

Finally did my 2nd fill up on Sunday. Getting 60.7 MPG. That’s with mix uses of the AC on and off. I try to keep the AC off when it is bearable. Living in Florida that can be tough. I also use adaptive cruise control most of the time.

edit: XLE

 

Put up a big number tonight while driving home. Around 14 lights and 7 turns. City driving w/ no AC. Accelerating from stops to max eco and sometimes a tiny bit into power. No sluggish hypermiling-style driving. Tires 39/38. Temps 82F.

I'm going to be annoyed when I notch a 99.9 mpg someday. Why did they drop the 3rd digit?

 

When I test drove a 2020 I was thrilled with the increased acceleration for merging onto the highway. I’m wanting to time travel again back to the new 2022 silver XLE AWD.

Do you think after some getting used to the change in acceleration that it can be managed/controlled somewhat or is it really that sensitive?

 

Nothing slow about my 2019 - especially up to 40 mph. They say HP sells cars and torque wins races. The little traction battery definitely added some zip. I've raced some pretty potent cars up to 40 mph and stayed neck and neck. But once you drive the 2023, you'll forget all about the prior generation.

Pedal sensitivity is higher IMO, but it's manageable. It also feels like the ICE kicks in a bit earlier. But once you get up to your cruising speed, EV can hold it forever it seems.

 

So just FWIW, with my 2023 Prime XSE running in HYBRID mode with the battery depleted, I am averaging about 40-41 mpg. Mind you, those are almost all short trips and on relatively hilly terrain. It seems to be slowly climbing, and this is my first tank of gas. Is there a good thread on the 2023 Prime MPG? I haven't been able to find one. I know the big wheels cut things down, and I have been running AC as it has been hot, but that still seems a it low to me (and this is my third Prius, I'm not new to this!).

 

Short trips, new tires,, and AC use. That could be normal. The amount of wear on the tires for the EPA test is in the 3000 to 4000 mile range. Unless there is something else you notice with the car, I wouldn't worry too much about mpg results until the tires are broken in. Wouldn't hurt to check the tire pressure. With a separate gauge, my Camry's display was several psi higher than my hand gauges.

 

I've been running 38/36 psi or thereabouts. Gauge and tps seem to agree, more or less. I figured mpg would go up as things break in. The lack of level ground definitely makes it hard to stay in EV when in hybrid mode. When I am in pure EV I am getting 40-41 miles per charge, which is great. Just trying to break in the ICE and see how it runs.

 

Been awhile since I've been in a hybrid, but I'm going to suggest to not trying to do that. With each new hybrid generation, the algorithms controlling the system have gotten better. So the cars can get great fuel economy without the effort from the driver required in the first models. Trying to use techniques that worked in past generations might end up working against fuel efficiency.

With the above, in trying to get the car to stay in EV operation, it might lead to discharging the battery too much. Then the car ends up running the engine longer to replace the charge. The car being difficult to get into EV could be because the system knows it is more efficient to use the engine during those conditions.

 

Well, got my SECOND tank of gas, and was able to accurately calculate MPG - MFD said 40.8 but actual MPG turns out to be more like 46, which makes me much happier. We'll see how this tank goes (though I am planning to go back to charging it up at night, so who knows when I'll start burning gas again!)

 

Driving in brutal temps lately (105+ heat index). AC is running solid (Eco mode). Getting mid-50 to low 60 MPGs driving easy.

 

Trip up



Trip back



Round-trip total

Had a longer journey the other day. Fairly heavy traffic. 100f heat index. Sunny skies. AC @ 75f.

 

Is that with the battery charged, in Hybrid mode, or with the battery depleted?