When the latest Toyota Prius debuted in 2023, it caught our attention for a couple of reasons. Its sleek design was surprisingly attractive, and hitting the gas resulted in unexpectedly strong acceleration. It almost made us overlook its impressive fuel efficiency. Now, its efficiency is back in the spotlight with a new coast-to-coast record.
No, the Prius didn’t pull off a Cannonball run, but Wayne Gerdes managed to drive from Los Angeles to New York City, achieving an impressive 93.1 mpg. This feat has earned him a Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption on a cross-country drive. The previous record of 76.6 mpg was set in 2016 with a Kia Niro, making Gerdes’ achievement all the more remarkable.
Gerdes, known for his hypermiling skills, covered 3,211.7 miles in a base-model LE Prius, which only drives the front wheels. This is the most economical version of the Prius, with EPA ratings of 57 city, 56 highway, and 57 combined mpg. Gerdes surpassed these ratings using hypermiling techniques such as very gradual acceleration and braking, although we suspect his efforts were more extensive. He also planned a route focused on efficiency, though he still had to navigate through mountains and urban traffic.
Basic calculations show that Gerdes used just 34.5 gallons of gasoline for the trip. With the Prius’s 11.3-gallon tank, that means he would have needed about 3.05 fuel stops. This is purely theoretical, as we don’t know his exact number of stops. However, if he managed to squeeze in a bit more fuel, he might have completed the trip with just two stops. Regardless of your opinion on the Prius or fuel efficiency, this achievement is impressive.
Now, imagine taking a Prius Prime from the Red Ball Garage in Manhattan to the Portofino Hotel in Redondo Beach. While such a journey might not match the fuel efficiency of Gerdes’ trip, it would surely be a lot more thrilling.
Source and Images: Motor1