Car Myth Busters #24: A Prius gets worse MPG than a BMW By Frank-Ling / Mar 14, 2014 share Facebook Twitter Google + LinkedIn Pinterest Email Share... By Frank LingThis bit of modern urban folklore is based upon a 2009 episode on BBC’s television program Top Gear.In this challenge a standard Toyota Prius went head-to-head with a BMW M3 not for speed but for gas economy.The final results showed that the hybrid Prius, known for astonishing gas mileage near 50 MPG, performed worse than the BMW. These results of the test went viral and have been quoted by hybrid haters and skeptics since. But there’s more to the story.10 laps at full blastThe showdown was done on an oval test track where the Prius was pushed to its maximum speed, while the BMW M3 barely broke a sweat humming at low RPMs while following the Prius.After 10 laps, the average MPG was calculated and the Prius registered 17.2 miles per gallon. The BMW M3, surprisingly, clocked in at 19.4 miles per gallon, thus beating the Prius or “Pryus” as they pronounce it across the sea.The victor? The BMW M3.Another conclusionAt the end of the program, the hosts admitted that the test was not so much in disproving hybrid vehicles were MPG savers as much as it was the way you drive any car, that can affect overall gas mileage.Another testTo be fair, another test would be needed and done under real life circumstances and not at maximum speeds on a race track. In a test run on city and highway speeds, the BMW M3 would average 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 miles per gallon on the highway.A 2009 Toyota Prius would average 48 MPG on the highway and 45 MPG on the freeway at normal speeds. However, pushing the little hybrid to maximum speeds would give you the worst overall gas mileage.Final ConclusionYou can just about prove anything if you know how to manipulate the circumstances. An 18-wheeler can average over 100 miles per gallon—if the engine is in neutral and it’s going on a steep downhill grade on the freeway.Source: Top Gear