Fusion Energi Road Trip

[B25Nut]

This is from Autoblog. Their conclusion is that the Energi is good for shorter commutes, but not worth the extra cost and loss of cargo space if you do a lot of longer trips.

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/08/27/road-tripping-ford-fusion-energi-phev/

[jeff_h]

Yeah the trunk space is a strange shape, so it's best suited to only be a commuter car... but we did take it to FL last year with 2 adults and 2 teens with normal baggage and all fit, just used soft-wall bags instead of the typical suitcases.

[hybridbear]

I read this article this morning. I couldn't believe how bad their fuel economy was! They had no idea how to maximize the value of the car. We've been able to get far better gas mileage on road trips in our Energi than we could in the FFH because of knowing how the maximize the Energi's value.

[jeff_h]

I read this article this morning. I couldn't believe how bad their fuel economy was! They had no idea how to maximize the value of the car. We've been able to get far better gas mileage on road trips in our Energi than we could in the FFH because of knowing how the maximize the Energi's value.

 

My wife is on a trip right now and I just looked at the results on MFM... 2 trips of 95 miles and 110 miles, each one showed 47 MPG. I've always gotten pretty good MPG on road trips, maybe slightly less than I used to get in the 2013 Hybrid but only a few MPG less, so I've always been happy with the results.

[machoman1337]

I just returned from a drive to Seattle and back (went to PAX Prime). Using what I learned from past trips, I managed to be strategic about my freeway driving habits and averaged a record 5.7L/100km or 41 mpg! It's around 220 km or 140 miles each way.

 

36.6 mpg on the Energi for a road trip - I guess the big battery's weight contributes to this on freeways?

[jeff_h]

36.6 mpg on the Energi for a road trip - I guess the big battery's weight contributes to this on freeways?

 

I think the cruising speed plays a much larger role... I normally set mine around 65-68 or so and get pretty good MPG as shown above. What typical cruise speed were you using when you saw the average of 36.6?

[bdginmo]

The problem with this review (and most of them) is that they are always comparing the Hybrid/Energi to the lowest cost no-option base model. A lot of us want many/all of the options that are available. I first decided on the options I wanted and then compared the prices of Standard vs. Hybrid vs. Energi. I determined that the Energi was the most economical choice. I just recently got a 2015 FFE, but take the 2016's for example. For a mostly loaded Titanium model using the build feature on the Ford website the 2.0L ecoboost was $34485, the hybrid was $36795, and the energi was $40578 - $4000 (tax credit) = $36578. That makes it about $2000 more than a standard gasoline engine and cheaper than a hybrid (if you qualify for the tax credit). I save about $800 per year on energy expenses compared to the 2.0L engine so I will breakeven on the investment in 2.5 years even if gas prices are only $2.25/gallon. Plus, the car is really fun to drive!

Edited September 25, 2015 by bdginmo

[machoman1337]

The problem with this review (and most of them) is that they are always comparing the Hybrid/Energi to the lowest cost no-option base model. A lot of us want many/all of the options that are available. I first decided on the options I wanted and then compared the prices of Standard vs. Hybrid vs. Energi. I determined that the Energi was the most economical choice. I just recently got a 2015 FFE, but take the 2016's for example. For a mostly loaded Titanium model using the build feature on the Ford website the 2.0L ecoboost was $34485, the hybrid was $36795, and the energi was $40578 - $4000 (tax credit) = $36578. That makes it about $2000 more than a standard gasoline engine and cheaper than a hybrid (if you qualify for the tax credit). I save about $800 per year on energy expenses compared to the 2.0L engine so I will breakeven on the investment in 2.5 years even if gas prices are only $2.25/gallon. Plus, the car is really fun to drive!

 

Exactly! The cost difference between a 2.0 SE Ecoboost with the options I want, and a Hybrid SE with the same level of equipment, is just over $2000 CAD.

 

It doesn't take long to recoup that difference in British Columbia, especially during rush hour traffic where the 2.0 Ecoboost would idle pointlessly.

 

Note that I'm comparing to the 2.0 and not the 1.5 because only the 2.0 presents all the options that the Hybrid gets (the 1.5 is excluded from BLIS and adaptive cruise I think).

[Hybrider]

From looking at the 2016 Fusion Order Guide, a gas Fusion with the 1.5 EB engine can have the BLIS/Lane-keeping and Adaptive Cruise options on it as long as it is an SE and also has the SE Luxury Package.

[machoman1337]

From looking at the 2016 Fusion Order Guide, a gas Fusion with the 1.5 EB engine can have the BLIS/Lane-keeping and Adaptive Cruise options on it as long as it is an SE and also has the SE Luxury Package.

 

Ah for 2016 they added BLIS and lane keep to the 1.5. Still gotta step up to the 2.0 for adaptive cruise though.

 

I wonder if the reviewers bothered to use cruise control when they got the 36 mpg figures from the Fusion. Use of cruise control, whether adaptive or regular, is a great way to maximize efficiency on the freeway, in both hybrids and non hybrids.

[bdginmo]

And if you want leather heated seats you have to get the Titanium trim which locks in the 2.0L ecoboost engine. However, leather is available on the SE trim for both the Hybrid and Energi models.

 

I agree that the reviewers must be driving these cars like every other car they review and that probably at least partially explains why they get terrible MPG numbers. The Hybrid/Energi models are not marketed to those with the heavy braking/acceleration style of driving so trying to review them like they are is obviously a problem.