Even as recently as 2002 you could buy a 44mpg highway Civic. No, not a hybrid - it was the "HX" model with lean-burn engine.

The EPA recently changed the way they measure fuel efficiency (MPG). With the new standard: "the city mpg estimates for the manufacturers of most vehicles will drop by about 12 percent on average, and by as much as 30 percent for some vehicles. The highway mpg estimates will drop on average by about 8 percent, and by as much as 25 percent for some vehicles", according to the EPA web site. This follows an early revision (also downward) in the 1980s.

In addition, Hybrids have the most benefit on stop-and-go city miles, but less impact on highway miles. Hybrids typically have other features that help, such as continuously variable transmissions and smaller and efficient engines.

This isn't some sort of conspiracy. Car manufactures are making the cars people want to buy. For those looking for fuel efficiency, something like the Prius really does reflect state-of-the-art fuel efficiency.