Final answer:
The question touches on the trend of increasing fuel efficiency in cars, such as the Toyota Prius which gets 51 MPG. Fuel economy is a significant factor in automotive purchase decisions and is influenced by national policies and consumer databases like the EPA's "Your MPG".
Step-by-step explanation:
George's decision to purchase a new Toyota Prius for its fuel efficiency highlights the increasing trend in the automotive industry where cars are becoming more fuel-efficient. The Toyota Prius, getting 51 MPG, reflects the efforts made by auto manufacturers in response to policies such as the 2009 national fuel economy and emissions policy. It's becoming easier to find cars with good fuel economy performance as manufacturers aim to meet or exceed the average fuel economy standards set by legislation and demanded by consumers.
As an example, the Toyota Prius Hybrid's fuel economy can be tested on a trip from San Francisco to Seattle, where one could calculate the MPG during the trip and the associated fuel costs. Such calculations give a real-world insight into the car's performance, similar to what the "Your MPG" program by the EPA offered for drivers to compare their vehicle's fuel economy against others and official EPA ratings.