Autoweek's "Top 5 Fuel-Efficient Cars You Actually Want to Drive"

July 10th, 2008 2:46 PM

While top 5 and top 10 lists are the crack of the automotive nickel press (cheap, low quality, likely to give you brain damage and felonious), Autoweek's Top 5 Fuel-Efficient Cars You Actually Want to Drive" is just too asinine, too absurd not to pass on to TTAC's Best and Brightest. Not only do they choose bad cars (that, according to Autoweek, bring a smile to your face), but their stats are largely incorrect.

— 2008 Tesla Roadster (Exotic)

– $109,000 MSRP

– 220 miles per charge (256 mpg equivalent)

– 0-60 in 3.9 seconds

Oh, it's exotic alright. So exotic, it's not in production and you can't buy one. Autoweek should know better than to swallow the load from Tesla’s PR department. The Tesla isn’t in full production, the range is completely unverified, they are likely going to be selling for way over the $109,000 sticker. Then again, Autoweek’s list is “cars you want to drive” and in fact, we all do want to drive the Tesla.

— 2008 Audi TT 2.0 TDI Quattro (Weekend Warrior)

– $49,000 MSRP (estimated)

– 44 mpg (hwy)

– All-wheel drive handling

Does Autoweek know something Audi doesn’t? This model wasn’t confirmed for US production. Audi is bringing a 3.0-liter V6 diesel for the A4 and Q5/Q7, but the TDI four-banger is VW only for now. If they want to go off on the European cars tangent, that’s fine, but in such a case I’m going BMW 120d.

— 2008 Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC (Executive Sedan)

– $53,075 MSRP

– 32 mpg (hwy)

– 210 horsepower, 400 lb-ft of torque

— 2008 MINI Cooper (Cheap Thrills)

– $18,700 MSRP

– 37 mpg (hwy)

– 2546 lbs and go-kart handling

They were bound to get two out of the five right. But you still have to ask yourself if the diesel price premium actually makes sense over a Benz E350, which unlike the oil burner, is available with 4Matic. There’s no denying the diesel Benzes are wonderful. And as for the Cooper, it’s a gem.

— 2008 Lexus RX 400h (Family Fun)

– $42,980 MSRP

– 27 mpg (city)

– 84.7 cubic feet of available cargo space

The only “family fun” thing about the Lexus RX hybrid is parking it on a set of train tracks and walking home. This is a terrible vehicle, with observed mileage guaranteed to be much lower. Also, just try finding one without the $6000 navigation package.

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2 of 28 comments

Lzaffuto on Jul 11, 2008

Miata, Mazda3, Civic Si, Fit?

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William C Montgomery on Jul 11, 2008
So exotic, it's not in production and you can't buy one. That's not entirely true. You can buy a Tesla Roadster. You just cant have it. It's like paying to have a star named after you.

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Syke Thanks, somehow I missed that.
285exp I am quite sure that it is a complete coincidence that they have announced a $7k price increase the same week that the current administration has passed legislation extending the $7k tax credit that was set to expire. Yep, not at all related.
Syke Is it possible to switch the pure EV drive on and off? Given the wonderful throttle response of an EV, I could see the desirability of this for a serious off-roader. Run straight ICE to get to your off-roading site, switch over the EV drive during the off-road section, then back to ICE for the road trip back home.
ToolGuy Historical Perspective Moment:• First-gen Bronco debuted in MY1966• OJ Simpson Bronco chase was in 1994• 1966 to 1994 = 28 years• 1994 to now = 28 yearsFeel old yet?
Ronnie Schreiber From where is all that electricity needed to power an EV transportation system going to come? Ironically, the only EV evangelist that I know of who even mentions the fragile nature of our electrical grid is Elon Musk. None of the politicians pushing EVs go anywhere near it, well, unless they are advocating for unreliable renewables like wind and solar.