Hybrid Vehicle Makers Overstating EPA Mileage

Hybrid cars are moving to mainstream America very quickly.   Ford and Toyota continue to see increases in sales of hybrid vehicles despite the scrutiny and attack of greedy lawyers and their clients waiting for the opportunity bring lawsuit against the automakers.  All of the major automakers have increase production of hybrid cars.   Some companies under the hot-seat of litigation admitted to having overstated their mileage claims. 

CNN money wrote in 2012,  that Hyundai and Kia admitted to overstating their gas mileage estimates and that the testing process was difficult.  The EPA(Environmental Protection Agency) lowered the EPA estimates and prepared new stickers for the vehicles. The mileage figures were lowered two miles per gallon in certain vehicles and other gasoline powered vehicles.  The automaker issued debit cards to the customers involved. 

These are the cars affected but not all of these vehicles are hybrids. http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com
Hyundai: Accent 2012-13, Azera 2012-13, Elantra 2011-13, Genesis 2012-13, Santa Fe Sport 2013, Sonata Hybrid 2011-12, Tucson 2012-13, Veloster 2012-13, Veloster Turbo
KIA: Optima Hybrid 2011-12, Rio 2012-13, Sorento 2012-13, Soul 2012-13, Sportage 2012-13
    
 Gasoline powered and hybrid vehicles were included.  I believe if every automaker were under this scrutiny they would have a few vehicles would not measure up to the retests.
     
Automakers , beware of overstating your EPA estimates.  The automakers are aware of the lawsuit happy consumer  looking for the opportunity for attention and gain.  It is not worth claiming a higher EPA to sell cars.  It may be better to make your EPA estimates lower to stay out of trouble.  Who says that they are allowed to declare lower EPA than reported by the agency?       

 Ford is involved in a case in Massachusetts over the gas mileage of the C-Max hybrid .  Some customers are pleased with their hybrid cars and some are greatly disappointed.     Here are two quotes from customers.. Lawers and Settlements.com

I disagree I guess with everyone I guess.
The MPG from car manufacturers are estimates, real MPG varies based on a person's driving habits, this used to be posted on the stickers that gave a person the guesstimate.
I own a 2012 Veloster and yes I do get 41 - 42 MPG when I am driving approx. 55-60 MPH. But as I accelerate to 65-70 the MPG goes down to 37-38; again BASED ON YOUR DRIVING HABITS!
Also another factor is the quality of gas a person puts in the vehicle.
There are many variables that determine gas mileage.
The only people that really made or will make money off this suit is the lawyers!! As usual!!

   

Jane leasing a 2012 Hyundai sonata hybrid Posted by
   on April 2, 2013
have photo of window sticker saying 35 MPG and 40 MPG/HWY
 not even close, we were scammed!
CLASS ACTION, CLASS ACTION, CLASS ACTION!!!
Tips
Before any owner cries class actions suit,  let another hybrid driver drive your vehicle and compare it to your previous mileage.    Don't forget to brake earlier. 
www.competitionhybrid.com