By Leftlane Staff
Wednesday, Jul 19th, 2006 @ 7:50 am

The average fuel economy of passenger vehicles in the United States was 21 mpg in 2006, the EPA announced this week. In 1987 it was 22.1 mpg, and in 1997 it was 20.9. Average weight now stands at an all-time-high of 4142 pounds — more than the typical 4060 in 1975, when most vehicles averaged 13.1 mpg. Average vehicle weight dipped to 3220 pounds in 1987, and then climbed over the next 19 years, which fuel economy remained flat. Clearly, automakers have opted to add more safety, performance, and luxury features, which negate the increased efficiency of modern engines. Since 1987, the average 0-60 time has improved from 13.1 seconds to 9.7 seconds. Average horsepower went from 118 to 219 hp during the same time span. Although more than 100 30+ mpg vehicles are on the road, the mix of trucks is much higher today than in the past. In 1987, 19 percent of the passenger vehicles on the road were SUVS or pickups. Today, 50 percent are. What’s more, four-wheel-drive has increased from 10 to 29 percent, and manual transmission use has fallen from 29 to 8 percent. [data sheet]. [via].

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