The Tale of 2 Fusions, Hybrid versus S

[junehhan]

I thought i'd post my personal comparison between the S and Hybrid Fusions. My dad has an old Crown Victoria and recently the intake manifold gasket was diagnosed as leaking. As some of you guys are aware, many of the older 4.6 litre V8's that Ford used had composite intake manifolds that were known to be spotty. It is not a cheap repair. He has rode along in my hybrid a few times and was so impressed that he wanted a Fusion of his own. He decided on a Candy Red Fusion S because it is likely the best automotive value on the market. You get so much for so little money in that car as there are many standard features that are optional on other vehicles.

 

I have had a chance to drive his car today as he complained that something kept rattling when he was going over rough surfaces. At first, I couldn't figure it out as it sounded like the dash had a very loud rattle. It turned out that his key chain was rattling as I found out when I accidently hit it with my knee and it stopped rattling. I have to say that this is one impressive car. I drove it for 25 miles and according to the dash display, it showed that I was averaging 33mpg. The EPA rating for the S is 23 city and 34 highway. This is on a car that only has 64 miles on the odometer. I know that the in dash display can be inaccurate, but the car only has 64miles on it and that is the only info I can report.

 

The next thing I noticed was how incredibly quiet this car is. I suspect that the 16 inch tires are responsible for this, but the S was in fact quieter than my Hybrid when cruising down the highway at 68mph. Due to the 16 inch tires, I also noticed that the ride quality was very nice as it felt more Toyota Camry like. I prefer the firm ride of my Hybrid, but I know that there are some folks here who believe the Hybrid rides too firm. When doing the city portion of my driving, I also noticed that the engine is definately quieter than the Honda Accord, and about as quiet as a I4 Camry.

 

The transmission is also a gem in the Fusion S. The shifts were so smooth and seamless that I was unable to determine what gear I was in. The interior was a bit cheaper, but you would expect that in a car that costs nearly $11-12k less than my hybrid. I found that the seats are arguably better than the seats in my hybrid as well. The seats in my hybrid are definately of a sporting nature. They are very comfortable, but tend to be a bit aggressive. These base model seats were clearly designed with long range driving comfort in mind. The only fault is that the Focus comes with 6 way manual seats, while you can only get 4 way manual seats in the Fusion S. It would have been nice to be able to adjust the tilt of the bottom seat cushion.

[dogo88]

When we got our FFH in May it was very quiet. After about a month or so, I started to heard a slight rattle. Not a big deal but clearly unexpected since I had noticed how quiet it was when we first got the car.

 

Well it bugged me. It sounded like it was coming from the passengers side, right around the glove box. I figured I must have filled it up with the usual garbage; flashlight, papers, some tools, etc. So I took them all out and it still continued. It wasn't rattling all the time, just when I went over some bumpy patches in the road.

 

Then I thought is was a lose wire or cable behind the glove box. So I reached around to try and find something lose. Nope, nothing there, Finally sitting in the passenger seat I was reaching around and slightly hit the vison and it sounded familiar. Well it seems when my wife was in the car and she had used the visor she had not put it fully back into the clip, but had it so close that at certain car movements it would vibrate next to the clip. So I put it into the clip and the rattle disappeared.

 

These are well made cars.

 

Dan

[acdii]

I have been hearing a buzz in my door, thought it was one of the Sony speakers, NOPE turned out to be my water bottle. I usually have it filled, this time it was empty. Soon as I pulled it out, the buzz went away. Yep these ARE quiet cars.

[akirby]

Well it seems when my wife was in the car and she had used the visor she had not put it fully back into the clip, but had it so close that at certain car movements it would vibrate next to the clip. So I put it into the clip and the rattle disappeared.

 

This has happened to me many times. The noise always sounds like it's coming from the back passenger seat area on mine. I've since learned to check the visors whenever I hear a rattle of any kind, regardless of where it sounds like it's coming from.

[Scott A320]

Nice post and comparison, Junehhan!

 

While I'm happy the FFH has a sportier nature than the competition, these attributes have nothing to do with hybrid efficiency. Did Ford purposefully target the

demographic with these characteristics to further distinguish the vehicle? OTOH, they could have created a "base" offering with an optional handling package as available with the Prius.

[acdii]

Nice post and comparison, Junehhan!

 

While I'm happy the FFH has a sportier nature than the competition, these attributes have nothing to do with hybrid efficiency. Did Ford purposefully target the

demographic with these characteristics to further distinguish the vehicle? OTOH, they could have created a "base" offering with an optional handling package as available with the Prius.

 

Tires play a big part with fuel efficiency, so they may have chosen a type of tire that gets the best FE, while maintaining good handling. The tires on the Prius were lousy for traction, but great for MPG, the tires for the TCH were lousy for handling but good for MPG, and it looks like Ford has found a tire that does both. Other than that I don't think there is much in the way of difference between all models except for the Sport in the way of suspension. The S gets a 60 series the rest except the Sport get 50 series, the Sport 45 series. When I test drove the Hybrid, and SEL V6, they rode and handled the same. They are not as stiff as the Sport.

[Cary28]

This has happened to me many times. The noise always sounds like it's coming from the back passenger seat area on mine. I've since learned to check the visors whenever I hear a rattle of any kind, regardless of where it sounds like it's coming from.

Its funny this came up, as the exact thing happend to me on a drive with my wife shortly after we picked up our new FFH last November. The rattling noise was more noticeable due to the quiet cabin of the FFH. We thought it was the glove box first, but isolated it to the visor mount, and the quiet bliss was retored once she latch the visor properly.

 

I've also noticed another area of rattle around the door of the passenger seat. Its a rattle sound which gets started when going over bumps or uneven pavements, but is not consistent. I only notice it when I'm driving alone, and I was going to bring it into the dealer when I accidentally discovered the cause. It was the seat belt buckle rattling against the plastic piece on the right side of the passenger seatback. I would never have found it seating in the passenger seat, as the seat belt would be buckled. And a driver vantage point would not be able to see between the seat back and the door. So it was purely luck that I was able to isolate this one, when I was driving while rocking the passenger seat and hitting different areas to try to discover the noise, all this while driving carefully to avoid hitting anything on a quiet road. :shift:

 

I don't know if anyone else have noticed this, but that was the culprit!

[junehhan]

Nice post and comparison, Junehhan!

 

While I'm happy the FFH has a sportier nature than the competition, these attributes have nothing to do with hybrid efficiency. Did Ford purposefully target the

demographic with these characteristics to further distinguish the vehicle? OTOH, they could have created a "base" offering with an optional handling package as available with the Prius.

 

 

What absolutely impresses me, is how quiet these vehicles are whether you get an S, or Hybrid. I have only driven the S, Hybrid, and test drove an SE last year. I have test driven a Lexus ES330 a few years ago, and I honestly have to say that these Fusions are almost as quiet as the Lexus was(at lower speeds as the Lexus was clearly quieter on the highway). These are some well designed vehicles with incredible build quality. Having owned an Escort before with my mom owning one as well back in the 90's, I have always been impressed with Ford's Hermosillo plant. However, the build quality of these new Fusions have given me even better respect for what they do down there, and seems to be an incredible preview of where Ford is heading with their vehicle engineering, design, and assembly teams.

 

My belief with Ford is that Ford wanted a vehicle that would not compete directly with the Toyota Camry Hybrid. There are plenty of hybrid owners(like many of us) who like the Fusion because it isn't a mushy Camry. Ford gave it a unique flavor that has really shown people that hybrids can actually be very fun cars to drive. I suspect that Ford could have gone with a much lighter 16 inch tire/wheel combination, but then it would likely no longer be a unique vehicle among the sea of vanilla hybrids.

[cchaos]

My belief with Ford is that Ford wanted a vehicle that would not compete directly with the Toyota Camry Hybrid. There are plenty of hybrid owners(like many of us) who like the Fusion because it isn't a mushy Camry. Ford gave it a unique flavor that has really shown people that hybrids can actually be very fun cars to drive. I suspect that Ford could have gone with a much lighter 16 inch tire/wheel combination, but then it would likely no longer be a unique vehicle among the sea of vanilla hybrids.

 

I agree. While I've never been in a Camry Hybrid, I have driven regular ICE Camrys and have found them to be way to cushy and boring. Ford made the right move by giving the FFH some fun-factor and a firmer ride. I think they found a good balance of comfort and handling, and I hope they don't ever change that.

Edited February 5, 2010 by cchaos

[tonifan]

Here's a funny FYI:

 

For about 6 months, I had leased a new Lincoln MKS. Not an MKZ, but an MKS. I wasn't so bothered at first by the ride quality, as I was so dazzled by all the technology that I'd not even known about with my previous ride, a Lincoln Zephyr (before it was re-named MKZ). After about 4 months, (and no less than 12 trips to the service department at The Ford Store of San Leandro, CA) I was getting a little nervous about the fact that I had no less than 2.5 years left on my lease, and the car was, to put it simply, too much technology and not enough Lincoln. The car rode like my grandad's F100 Ford truck, to put it mildly, and was about as noisy over rough pavement (especially old concrete) as a Model T. Remember, the only shock absorbers in the Model T were the passengers.

 

Luckily, the dealer took my complaints seriously enough to offer me a way out of my lease... I bought a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Well, it rides like my dad's 61 Lincoln Continental, and is as quiet as it can be as well. No problems to report (AT ALL) and I'm one happy, satisfied customer. Oh, and did I mention, I'm getting 41.5 mpg, city and highway COMBINED. 693 miles on a tank of gas is also a real plus. And I used to own a Lincoln LS (still a favorite, despite the lousy gas mileage, but oh, could she handle!).

 

So, when others say the Ford Fusion Hybrid's ride is "rough," I wonder what they would think if they rode in a new MKS... A real teeth rattler! :shift:

 

I'm now a real fan... :happy feet:

[junehhan]

Here's a funny FYI:

 

For about 6 months, I had leased a new Lincoln MKS. Not an MKZ, but an MKS. I wasn't so bothered at first by the ride quality, as I was so dazzled by all the technology that I'd not even known about with my previous ride, a Lincoln Zephyr (before it was re-named MKZ). After about 4 months, (and no less than 12 trips to the service department at The Ford Store of San Leandro, CA) I was getting a little nervous about the fact that I had no less than 2.5 years left on my lease, and the car was, to put it simply, too much technology and not enough Lincoln. The car rode like my grandad's F100 Ford truck, to put it mildly, and was about as noisy over rough pavement (especially old concrete) as a Model T. Remember, the only shock absorbers in the Model T were the passengers.

 

Luckily, the dealer took my complaints seriously enough to offer me a way out of my lease... I bought a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Well, it rides like my dad's 61 Lincoln Continental, and is as quiet as it can be as well. No problems to report (AT ALL) and I'm one happy, satisfied customer. Oh, and did I mention, I'm getting 41.5 mpg, city and highway COMBINED. 693 miles on a tank of gas is also a real plus. And I used to own a Lincoln LS (still a favorite, despite the lousy gas mileage, but oh, could she handle!).

 

So, when others say the Ford Fusion Hybrid's ride is "rough," I wonder what they would think if they rode in a new MKS... A real teeth rattler! :shift:

 

I'm now a real fan... :happy feet:

 

 

I continue to hear about how harsh those Lincoln MKS' ride, and I wonder what Ford was thinking. I have never been in one, but I would probably like it since years of owning performance vehicles have given me a love for firm riding vehicles. However, most people who buy a Lincoln are not necessarily looking for something that rides that harsh. Even the car magazine people are complaining, and those guys tend to love vehicles that compromise comfort for handling. I wouldn't mind an Ecoboost MKS, but it stickers for about $24k over what my budget was.