Kurt Lochner wrote:

> AKA sniveled ineptly:
> >
> > So I began to wonder what vehicle would get an
> > average of 35 mpg. Since I was at a Toyota dealership
> > and Toyota has been a leader in fuel efficient vehicles,
> > I started checking out the vehicles on the lot.

I'll make a very simple statement: The Toyota Yaris D-4D is a
staggeringly good little car.... I have never driven another car that
could happily tootle along at 80–90mph, nip past obstructive drivers in
old-shape Merc CL500 coupes, and still take me 63 miles on a gallon of
diesel.
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/?id=52

OK that's a UK gallon but it's still 50.4 US mpg !

Diesel engines are a large part of the answer. The USA has an irrational
fear of them though. Modern European diesel engine design is making even
SPORTY diesels possible. They have exceptional torque which most drivers
like too.

Graham