I just got back from a 1000 mile trip to SC in my '98 zetec, and i got 40.5 mpg.
That's cruising at 60-70+, although I don't have cruise so it varied some. And it pulled up every hill (some were pretty steep) in 5th without losing speed, and that's with 4 people in the car.
I drive my car pretty easy in general, but I've never got less than 32 mpg in any of my driving.
The zetec isn't a powerhouse, but it seems to hold it's own well enough as far as I'm concerned, but it just depends on what you want your car to do.
-Peter
