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Driver's log: One week and 59 mpg with the new 2016 Toyota Prius

After it exceeded our fuel economy estimates, we look back at our week with the new Prius to shed light on our testing conditions and what we learned along the way.

The HSD powertrain is down about 13 horsepower overall, but -- thanks to the new battery pack -- the vehicle has less weight to accelerate than before, which helps its city fuel efficiency. Further, the Prius is more aerodynamic, which boosts the highway efficiency. The body sits 20mm lower, active shutters in the grille reduce turbulence at speed and the hybrid's new look hides elements that help lower the coefficient of drag from an already impressive 0.25 CD to 0.24 CD -- you'd be hard pressed to find a more slippery production car for sale.

Additionally, the electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT) that links the gasoline and electric motors has undergone a redesign, replacing the second of its two planetary gearset with a simpler two-axis design. That's a lot of engineering babble, but the result is less friction in the transmission, which allows the Prius to make better use of its reduced power.

And now the answer to the question you've come here for: how much more efficient is this new Prius. The stated EPA estimated fuel economy for the 2016 Toyota Prius sits at 54 mpg city, 50 mpg highway and 52 mpg combined -- up 2 to 3 mpg across the board. As I learned during my hundreds of miles of testing, that's just the start...