Edmunds: long-term, real-world MPG update shows you can get just 26 mpg in a Prius

The good people over at Edmunds Inside Line maintain a fleet of test vehicles for their flogging pleasure. And they've just released the latest fuel economy numbers from their real-world tests. Not surprisingly, the 2004 Toyota Prius came in first place overall averaging 41.0 miles per gallon. What is surprising is that, while the Prius was able to squeeze out 59.3 miles-per-gallon on the high end, the same car also returned 26.7 mpg on its worst tank. What on earth do you have to do to a Prius to make it return less than 27 mpg? Were they autocrossing it? Edmunds also managed to get only 18.3 mpg out of a Ford Fusion Hybrid, apparently using it to re-enact of the chase scene from Bullitt.

Other notable stats: their 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 returned a combined 20 mpg, the same as a 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour. WTF, Honda? For a full list of the test cars and how each one did, check this out.

[Source: Edmunds – Image: Larry Page – C.C. 2.0]