Here's an article in which they made a ranking chart based on the car's city mpg and their horsepower (most power for least gas comsumption).

The Highlander Hybrid 2WD earned 1st place.
The Xterra ranked 184th (2WD version).
Jeep Wrangler, 476th.

I wonder where they got their mileage numbers... they are way off on the Honda S2000.

LOL

we beat the civic!

I'm guessing that's the '05.

Pre-'05 would have ranked the X a pathetic dead last for sure.

Too bad that Horsepower is only a small part of performance and that the index doesn't take into account vehicle weight, use, or anything else important. I mean, the Beetle TDi is like 349, but it gets excellent mileage and has spirited performance due to high torque. Sorry, too many other factors to consider besides horsepower and mileage.

I’m not sure where they got their numbers for the article, but I used to work for an automotive manufacturer in the R&D emission testing department. We did the same type of tests the EPA did at the time. Those numbers you see on the sticker of the vehicle at the dealer come from the EPA’s city and highway tests which were developed in the mid 70s. Now it has been a while since I worked in that field but I’m not sure the EPA has updated those tests. They were of course based on typical driving habits of people in the 70s so unless they have updated their tests, those numbers can be way off from reality these days!!!

I'm sure if we could find the formula, we could manipulate the X to look like it was sent from God.

It's (mpg * hp) / 100.

Uh, why are you getting excited that a 2WD Xterra rated higher than a 4WD Wrangler?

If you want to keep things in perspective, look at #166, Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE OVERLAND 4WD Sport Utility 4D. That's higher on the scale, and a 4WD.

Yes, Wranglers get terrible gas mileage. In the 32,000 miles I put on mine last year, it got 15 MPG consistantly (hwy or city). The pre-05 Xterras aren't doing too much better, from what people have been posting over the years.

Glad I have an 05 X now. Better fuel economy, more power! But I didn't see a 4WD Xterra on the list, hmmm.

Highlander or Z06... hmmm?
Kinda nice to see my favorite car 2nd on that list!

I could forsee this being a markating ploy for the gas guzzlers. I mean seriously, my hyundai goes 320 miles on a 9 gallon tank and its one of the LAST. Sure it only has 102 horsepower, on a good day, but this "index" will be used to sell gas guzzlers to the uneducated.

This here truck makes 450 hp and 10 mpg but with the "Muscle per gallon" its better than a Camery!

Marketing genious even go the MPG (Muscle per gallon) route to confuse people even further. Useless statistic if you ask me... Weight/torque/miles per tank not even factored in.