fusionTX Report post Posted January 11, 2013 It seems like the C-Max is bearing the brunt of the bad publicity when it comes to fuel efficiency and EPA standards. There have been a number of recent reviews, all of which state the 47 MPG is unrealistic. Some of these reviews lack details, and most praise the car, but they all end up with the same conclusion, that EPA estimates are way off. Not sure why the C-Max is being singled out over the Fusion. They are both rated the same by the EPA. Maybe it's because of the early Prius-killer moniker it received that is has earned the wrath of many a reviewer. Looking a Fuelly at this point, there are over twice as many C-Max fillups as Fusions. C-Max avg is around 38.5, Fusion around 37.1. C-Max may be benefitting from the earlier release (maybe warmer) whereas the Fusion was a Winter release. I do seem to note more dissatisfied C-Max owners than Fusion owners. Maybe that is just my perception, or maybe all the bad press stirs the pot more for the C-Max owners. It will be interesting to see where this all ends and what the EPA rules. Regardless, I think I will be happy with my Fusion (aside from the MPGs) as long as it is a reliable and quality car. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fusionTX Report post Posted January 12, 2013 BTW, if you want to read some of the latest reviews on the C-Max, here is a link to a thread that points to them http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/index.php?/topic/851-low-mpg-on-a-few-more-reviews/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
acdii Report post Posted January 12, 2013 The Prius Killer is what is doing it. If you plan to go against the world leader in fuel efficiency, you better have your MPG together, or face the music. I had an 07 Prius and it did get damned good MPG, and it did not take a lot of effort to do it. Right from the start I was getting high 40's in it. If the darn thing handled as well as the Cmax I would still have it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
terryb Report post Posted January 12, 2013 (edited) I wonder if the testing for EPA figures might have been messed up in the math?Remember the car is run on the dyno and then compensated for aerodynamics etc.Maybe somebody forgot they were running the numbers for a minivan rather than a sleek sedan. Edited January 12, 2013 by terryb Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lolder Report post Posted January 12, 2013 It's the difference between the real world highway speeds and the EPA highway speed and cold temperatures that is causing all the problems. The Prius apparently has less drag at higher speeds and therefore it preserves it's EPA highway numbers better when you drive it faster. It's unlikely Ford fudged it's numbers. It gamed them but that is legal and everybody does it. The EPA will probably come out with a steady speed number requirement soon which should be at least at 70 mph. The average ERA highway test speed now is, I believe 48 mph. The Ford hybrids have a - 0.6 mpg per +1.0 mph gradient. That's 13 mpg less at 70 mph! 2 hybridbear and acdii reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
acdii Report post Posted January 12, 2013 What is messing with Cmax numbers is the COD. The drive trains between the two are nearly, if not identical, the only real difference is the COD. At highway speeds the Fusion will slice through the air more efficiently than the Cmax, but lower speeds of 48 it has less impact. The EPA tests really do need to be revamped to be more realistic to how we drive. I think that is what Ford was trying to say with their press release. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hybridbear Report post Posted February 7, 2013 The Ford hybrids have a - 0.6 mpg per +1.0 mph gradient. That's 13 mpg less at 70 mph! Where do you get those numbers from? Seems realistic from the comments on here, I'm just curious what the science is behind those stats Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
