All US EPA estimates are going down beginning with the 2008 model year. (The EPA has already adjusted figures on their website for older vehicles so you can compare them with the new figures.) The new tests and downward multipliers are there because people were complaining that the MPG estimates weren't matching real-world driving, so now the tests take into account colder weather, AC use, and faster acceleration and high speeds.
See:
The EPA estimates are the MPG figures that the manufacturers are required to post on the window stickers and in advertisements. The figures are there to help you compare one car against another, and aren't so great at telling you what MPG you can expect from your real- world driving (since your driving and terrain/climate and car condition is likely to be different from mine and also the lab site that does the testing...).
I recall that you stated previously that your 1993 Corolla was a wagon. EPA MPG on that is 23 city/30 highway, and about 25-26MPG combined.
It is plenty zippy - just floor it. Some people unconciously back off the accelerator on a test drive when they hear the eCVT spin the engine up, thinking (incorrectly) that the engine is straining (it's not, it's just responding to the power output you asked for), and then wonder why it doesn't accelerate (because they took their foot off of the pedal). Best for fuel economy is to get to speed and then coast at the speed limit, just drive it! But avoid the jackrabbit start/ stops - no need to brake more than you need to, anticipate your stops (just like on any car!)
as for color, you're free to repaint your car however you like. ;-)