Two Eco missing "Safety Plus" package

True, you technically get more for stuff for the two over the Two Eco, don’t forget the rear wiper, but I think the biggest difference is the li-ion battery over the nimh. I easily get 64 MPG though. I would have liked to have the extra safety features honestly but didn’t want the Three and didn’t want the NiMH battery of the Two.


iPhone ?

 

There is a supposed increase in mpg with the Eco, Wayne Getz at CleanMPG reported it, still: why it's getting better mpg is not necessarily due to the battery type: US levels 3 and 4 all have the same battery as the Eco.

 

Yeah, I got that, just Tideland misread me. Tough job for a salesman, pitching the Eco?

 

I'm amazed at how sensitive mileage is to weight. 100 lbs makes a huge difference. I'd better go on a diet!

 

Didn’t need the radio and didn’t want softex. I also like the extra cargo space and the extra cost didn’t justify it for me for the added features.


iPhone ?

 

I'm fairly confident that the Eco's lack of some of the sensors, among other things, is a 'cut weight at all costs' strategy. The net result is a vehicle that tops the EPA charts..with arguable 'real world' significance.

 

I'd speculate there's some changes to the software as well; the car does deliver better numbers. But it's really stripped down at the same time. The lack of spare for example, would cross it off my shopping list.

 

The extra cargo space is nice. I only use it as a commuter car so the lack of spare is not a huge deal to me.


iPhone ?

 

Ok..find me some evidence of software differences and I'll believe it. However, seems highly doubtful(?) as I've never seen anything like that in any of the 'technical' papers I have browsed ( admittedly, not very in depth though )!

BTW the curb weight difference is :
Two = 3075 lb
Two Eco = 3010 lb

 

Yes, they use the weight in the calculation of mileage. Hence my comment above. It's a cheat to get to claim super high mileage. If driven poorly, the small weight difference might make a difference in mileage, but driven reasonably probably not.
Note - "driven poorly" means like they did on that British TV comedy car show. Whose name I have conveniently forgotten (it IS forgettable!).

 

I am pretty certain I could drive a 3 though and get similar gas mileage is the point I think you're trying to make.

 

So buy the 2, remove the rear wiper, the spare tire, and get better mileage (the other options weight almost nothing).

 

And after you have it a month, you'll get tired of having a wiper and spare tyre in the living room - put them back in the car and discover it made almost zilch difference to the cost of running. And have confidence in the tried-and-tested NiMH battery compared with the lighter, but not time-tested Li-ION.

Stop worrying - buy the one you like driving best.

 

You are likely as not correct, but I'd guess that's because those Eco drivers are the ones aiming for the best fuel economy in the first place. They're not gonna be stamping on the pedals while they're driving for economy - like I do in my Prius. BTW, I'm averaging 70 UK mpg on my current tank with ambient temperatures in the mid teens to low 20s Celsius. Just for info, mine is a '16 UK Business Edition, which is something close to between your 3 and 3 Touring. It has a donut spare, dual-zone HVAC, full speed cruise control, bsm, rcta and 15"wheels and a rear screen wiper with no sun/moon roof, or parking assist.