When the latest Toyota Prius hit the market in 2023, it grabbed our attention for two standout reasons. The sleek design was genuinely appealing, and a quick press of the accelerator delivered unexpectedly powerful acceleration. It almost made us overlook the fact that it's also quite fuel-efficient. Now, its efficiency is back in the spotlight with a new coast-to-coast record.
No, the Prius didn't set a Cannonball Run speed record, but Wayne Gerdes did manage an impressive feat. He drove from Los Angeles to New York City, averaging a remarkable 93.1 mpg. This achievement not only secured a Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption across the US but also shattered the previous record of 76.6 mpg set by a Kia Niro in 2016.
Gerdes, a renowned hypermiler, covered 3,211.7 miles in his Prius, a front-wheel-drive base-model LE. This trim is the most fuel-efficient in the Prius range, with EPA ratings of 57 mpg city, 56 mpg highway, and 57 mpg combined. Gerdes surpassed these ratings through hypermiling tactics such as very smooth acceleration and braking, though his methods likely went beyond these basic techniques. He also planned a route designed for efficiency, despite having to navigate mountains and city traffic.
Using simple calculations, we estimate Gerdes used just 34.5 gallons of gasoline for the entire trip. With the Prius's 11.3-gallon fuel tank, this translates to approximately 3.05 fuel stops. While the exact number of stops isn't disclosed, if Gerdes managed to squeeze in a bit more fuel each time, it could have been a two-stop journey. Regardless of your views on the Prius or fuel economy, this is undeniably impressive.
Now, let's see if someone can take a Prius Prime from Manhattan's Red Ball Garage to the Portofino Hotel in Redondo Beach. We suspect such a journey might not be as efficient, but it would certainly be more thrilling.
