While reading the forums today I stumbled upon some interesting insight that I had not been expecting: the new Ford Fusion hybrid gets great gas mileage. Sure, I should’ve paid more attention at the LA Auto Show when this car was revealed, but to be honest, I didn’t expect to see such great mileage numbers. As USA Today points out, the car’s 36/41 mpg EPA rating puts it squarely in second place behind the Prius and ahead of the Honda Civic Hybrid in terms of the overall fuel economy game.
By now, we all know that two of the Big Three have received bailout money. The missing piece of the puzzle there is Ford. Ford, which used to be seen as being in huge trouble with the rest of them is confident they can stand on their own two feet for at least a few months, and when you look at this car you can tell they don’t just mean financially. Sure, the U.S. companies lag behind the cutting edge on technology, but the problem here isn’t the ability to make a fuel efficient car, it’s just doing it.
I think this is where Ford has really succeeded. I don’t praise Ford much in these pages but I think in the last few years we have really seen them step up to the plate in terms of fuel economy and integrating new technologies. The Ford Escape hybrid was one of the first hybrids on the market in the US, and the new Fusion shows that even if they’re not there first they are able to do it well.
Sure, the $27,000 ticket on the car makes it more expensive than both the Prius and Civic Hybrid (and the upcoming Honda Insight) and that’s not a good thing in a down market, but you can’t deny that Ford has done a good job to get a rather large sedan such good EPA ratings.
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I’m surprised at those numbers too. If those fuel economy figures are to be believed, Ford could be on to something. I’ve always thought the Fusion was a classy car…a little more boxy than its competitors, it harkens back to a time before bubbly bodies (’07 Camry, anyone?). Let’s hope it doesn’t go the way of the Hybrid Accord, given that steep price tag!
I own a 2001 Insight and a 2007 civic hybrid. They both suffer as the temperature dips, and the shorter the trips, the worse they get. Could the change in seasonal fuel have something to do with it? Also the more aggressive the tire in tread design and width, the lower the fuel economy. I have found that Yohohama Avid tires provide as-good fuel economy as hybrid-specific tires, and they last twice as long. They are also much less expensive. Oil is very important. If it recomends 5w20 and 10w30 is used there is little doubt what will happen to fuel ecomomy
Just thought i’d share…
America is really taking notice of the new Ford Fusion Hybrid. With an amazing 41mpg in the city, the Fusion Hybrid is America’s most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan.
This gave us a great idea.
Just how far is it possible to travel on a single tank of gas in the new Ford Fusion Hybrid? A team of Ford engineers is going to find out when they take the car to Washington, D.C. and drive it from full to empty.
And while they do that, we’re asking for your help to raise awareness and funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). We will make it worth your while, too!
Take a moment and log on to (www.jdrf.org/fordfusionhybridchallenge). There, you will find a simple form where you can enter in your guess as to how many miles the team will travel on a single tank of gas. The contest runs thourgh April 24. To help you out, here are a few fun facts.
The Fusion Hybrid fuel tank holds 17.5 gallons
The EPA city rating is 41mpg
Our team has been in training and has already beaten these EPA numbers on a regular basis and by a significant margin
The driving team will be using their eco-driving skills to get the very best fuel economy possible
The person who gets closest to the final verified mileage (to the nearest single decimal point) will be given the opportunity to drive their own Fusion Hybrid or Milan Hybrid for two weeks, with a $50 gas card provided by our partners at BP. In addition, the second place winner will receive a $300 gas card from BP, and the third place winner to receive a BP gas card for $200.
To support JDRF, any donation amount is appreciated — it is recommended that it be $1 or more — to be made with your entry. You can place as many guesses as you like. These dollars add up and all go to help find a cure for diabetes.
So, get your calculators out and work out what you think this remarkable Fusion Hybrid is capable of and wish the team all the best for their ‘smart driving’ initiative in Washington.
Thank you for your support.
Edsel Ford
Really…..the whole hybrid thing is still mostly a waste of time. They’re squeezing sub-par numbers out of technology that could be far better improved when compared to full on electrics. The fact that people are still buying into the bs that hybrids are worth the money amazes me.
The overall cost and damage to the environment from one hybrid more than makes up the total of just driving a grocery-getter SUV and REALLY doesn’t warrant switching from anything that yields 25 or more mpg.
Thank you for the comment, ego13, but I will challenge you to provide some reputable studies or data to support these claims. Thanks!
Here you go….feel free to check out the updates as well towards the end of the article:
http://geekswithblogs.net/gaijin42/archive/2006/07/11/are_hybrids_really_green_true_cost_hybrid_TCO_utility_society_break_even.aspx
Or try this:
http://clubs.ccsu.edu/recorder/editorial/editorial_item.asp?NewsID=188
or this:
http://www.automotoportal.com/article/all-you-need-to-know-about-hybrid-cars
This was all with a minimal amount of searching….but I realize that most people don’t actually want to research what they’re posting about….happy blogging.
Ego13 –
While I appreciate your comments, I do not appreciate your tone.
While I certainly respect the opinions of other blogs, I do not think that your citations actually say much with authority. The only academic link you provided is from a story written by a sensational journalist that has been completely discredited.
This image, comparing the well to wheel impact of different vehicle types, however, is from MIT. Feel free to check out the technical paper from the SAE, one of the most respected auto research organizations that exist:
I am not opposed to the discussion, as there are valid issues with any production and disposal of a vehicle. For example, hydrogen sucks in terms of life cycle. However, hybrids do not. I will once again challenge you to find an academic study and not personal opinion. While I realize I write personal opinions, I can back them up with facts. If you find a personal opinion that you think is worthy, evaluate the sources and cite them.
Thanks again.
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