Why choose the Hybrid?

[B25Nut]

There are many reasons I chose the Hybrid over the standard Fusions, but I realized one more last night. At least once a week I stop by In-N-Out Burger so I can bring home dinner. For the past five years it just became a habit of going inside instead of using the drive-thru. I didnt like wasting gas while moving 20 feet at a time, but I also never felt comfortable waiting for my order inside. I don't know why it took me three months to realize I can now go into the drive-thru, sit in comfort listening to my music and not use any gas. I'm really living now!
A good number of people probably find it hard to justify spending about $2500 more for the Hybrid option, but there are many reasons to do so. In addition to the drive-thru, the extra money is made up for in the gas you save in probably three years. I love not having the ICE run in my garage. I love having it be completely quiet when driving on EV. I also love experiencing every day the very latest in car technology, especially since it cost me less than $34K. The Ford Fusion Hybrid just makes me feel good.
Do you have any other reasons?

Edited May 9, 2013 by B25Nut

[GrySql]

For starters, I personally think it's the best looking hybrid sedan out there.

 

( Off their secret menu the other day I got an In/Out 3 patty, one cheese slice, pickles, whole grilled onion, lettuce/tomato, secret sauce --mmmm - mmm - ;) )

Edited January 17, 2013 by GrySql

[coach81]

You get to play the MPG game everyday!!!

[hermans]

I used to live in So. Ca. - I miss In & Out burgers.

Edited January 17, 2013 by hermans

[HenryVIII]

There are savings in gas, especially with longer commutes. The Hybrid gets better mileage than the 1.6L EB, has fairly similar performance compared to the 1.6L EB, and I can order the Hybrid in Titanium package unlike with the 1.6L EB. The difference in price will pay for itself in probably around 2 maybe 3 years (Pricing out a loaded 1.6L SE vs loaded Hybrid Titanium).

 

 

My tailored fuel economy comparison and what I'm looking at.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=33083&id=20796&id=33086&id=33280

 

Even if the fuel economy isn't at 47 mpg for the Hybrid (which I think it will be closer come spring/summer time), fuel savings is still better than even what I'm currently driving. And it has the same performance! lol

 

 

Edited January 17, 2013 by HenryVIII

[wazzul]

I, like you did a ton of breakeven analysis on the different models. Even assuming the Hybrid got 10mpg less than advertised (I do a lot of hwy driving). It still broke even in about 4 years and that was in worst case scenario analysis were gas prices stay where they are today, which will never happen.

No matter what if you can give up the performance of a GDI Turbo engine, the Hybrid is by far the better choice to save $!

[acdii]

I used to drive an F350 Dually diesel. When diesel started to get obnoxiously high, we bought a Prius(sorry for the vulgarity), and our fuel costs dropped so much, it paid for the car. Since that car was a PITA to drive, horrible with cross winds, and forget about tire slip, you go nowhere, we traded it in for a Hyundai Veracruz, there wasnt enough room in the p for 6 people, nor 3 children. I got back more than I owed on the car, and also got nearly $2000 back in cash from the warranty and overpayment of the loan. The F350 sat, diesel was just too expensive, and we really had no use for the truck. We had a Crown Vic that was showing its age that we also traded in on the Veracruz, so we were really down to one car. Turns out we needed a second car, especially where we live, nothing in walking distance.

 

I then got a good deal on a 2009 Camry Hybrid. This was before Ford came out with the FFH in 2010. Since we put at least 500 mile a week on one car, the cost savings in gas made up the difference. We eventually got rid of the Camry, mainly due to we just did not like it, and it had this weird quirk of shutting off the regen while slowing from 55 MPH, and suddenly no braking, so you had to push further down on the brake, which caused us to pitch forward from a sudden stop. We couldnt afford the new FFH, but found a really nice Sport model, and man what a great car, drove it 2 years, put over 40K on it, and then gas prices spiked over $3.50 a gallon, and suddenly we were taking from savings to pay for gas.

 

My dealer worked some magic and found us a nearly new used 2010 FFH, only 850 miles on it, and we sadly swapped rides, but again cut gas bills in half. We all miss the Sport, it was a fun car. Went through a few more vehicles for the second car, a 2010 Flex EB, and that was a great vehicle, but again 18 MPG, but the whole family fit in it. Finally decided to replace the F350 garage queen with a new F150, and got rid of the Flex at the same time. Had the F150 for 8 months, drove it to CA and back, and it really was a nice truck, but 16 MPG, and I used it to haul my planes, and take the family out to dinner.

 

Finally decided, why do I have a pickup? I can put a hitch on our old Grand Marquis and pull a trailer instead, so made a great deal on the 2013 FFH for the F150, so now down to 2 Ford Fusion Hybrids. Even though the new one is not getting what my old one does, it still is nice to drive all week and only put in $25 in gas. It would cost over $100 to fill the F150.

[KingJL]

My rational for getting the FFH was fairly simple... I wanted to get equal or better MPG than my 2012 Focus (which was a great little car) but with a little bit more room and comfort for long trips. I never expected to get EPA mileage... Never have. I use it only as a indicator for relative comparison. The comparison is not "does this model meet the EPA sticker or how close this model comes to meeting EPA mpg" but does ( or can ) "this model get better MPG in the real world than the other" (in other words, 37 mpg beats 36 mpg in thr real world).

The FFH has met or exceeded my goals/objectives. So far (at 1100 mi), my 2013 FFH is at 39.6 MPG lifetime (and still climbing)... My 2012 Focus was 33.5 lifetime and I currently ride in much more comfort.

[acdii]

With that same rational, can the new 2013 meet or beat my 2010 Fusion Hybrid. The answer on mine so far is nope! It is a nicer car, and has some cool tech, but it so far does not come close to its potential.

[HenryVIII]

Here's the other things about the competitors, they're all vanilla. Safe? Yes. Dependable? Got it. Boring? You bet! That's my opinion at least coming from a Toyota owner.

Edited January 17, 2013 by HenryVIII

[acdii]

Here's the other things about the competitors, they're all vanilla. Safe? Yes. Dependable? Got it. Boring? You bet! That's my opinion at least coming from a Toyota owner.

100%!

 

Although Prius lovers would say otherwise.

[coach81]

Oh.. you guys wanna go there...

 

I have been wanting a hybrid vehicle for over 8 or so years... I have already discussed my experience with the Prius on another thread.. so when they launched this vehicle.. I knew if we could financially afford it, it would be MINE, all MINE!!!

 

I priced out a "regular" '13 FF decked out as opposed to a hybrid model and saw VERY LITTLE difference in price.. so for me -as I hybrid lover- the decision was a no-brainer. Now almost my first full week in... I KNOW I made the right decision.. family loves the vehicle.. and I can't stop smiling when I think about getting back into it again...

[hybridbear]

For us it was a no brainer to save gas. Even coming from our Accord Hybrid which did ok in the city and great on the highway with cylinder deactivation we're saving money. We also wanted the ability to drive at low speeds in silence in EV mode, something the Honda couldn't do. The Honda was also full of cheap interior materials. We looked at the TCH and the FFH and the C-Max and decided on the Fusion because it was the most comfortable of those 3 cars we considered. And we love it!!

[djminfll]

For me, it was also a no-brainer. For a small premium in price, I am getting twice the fuel economy. In South Florida, it also gives me the benefit of being able to use the HOV (Carpool) lanes by myself, and 95 Express lanes (usually a toll) for free. In addition, I have to admit, I do love the ability to do the drive through without wasting a drop of gasoline. But is it weird that after I get the food, I pull out of the line and then put it in the trunk? I just want to keep as much of the new car smell as I can for as long as I can!

[LASooner]

Gas prices and my commute length forced me to buy a more fuel efficient car as I could no longer accept spending $60 a tank every 4 days. For me it was going to be either a diesel or a hybrid, and when I saw the photo of the 2013 Ford Fusion on Top Gear last year and they said there was going to be a hybrid version, I instantly decided that if it drove as good as it looked, that would be the car I was going to buy.

 

If you're going to drive everyday, you also want to be happy with how it looks inside and out, and not settle for an ugly car. It's good for the spirit.

[mokee]

My wife chooses cars and I choose tow vehicles. She refused to look at anything but Fords and wanted a hybrid because of a perceived need to reduce our carbon footprint. The C-Max is too much like a SUV for her tastes. What really sold her was the Fusion's dashboard (we basically bought all our cars based on what the dashboards looked like.) I really like the looks, the way it drives, comfort of the driver's seat, gas mileage and the technology, but it still comes back to how the dashboard looks to my wife. However, she doesn't like the height of the passenger seat and lack of a spare tire (not that she's ever going to change a spare tire.)

Edited May 4, 2013 by mokee

[corncobs]

Not really the reason why I chose a hybrid but it has its perks.

 

[gkinla]

For me it was, I just had to have one! I was driving a 2010 Sterling Gray FFH. When I saw the Ruby Red FFH in advertisements, it was love at first sight. I waited until the 2010 was 3 years old and had 65,000 miles on her in December of 2012. I was at the dealer getting some minor work done on the 2010 when I first saw Ruby in the showroom. Luckily she had all the add-on's I wanted, which was everything, I took down the VIN number drove home, looked up the VIN number on the web. I downloaded the window sticker, sent it to my friend at Autoland. I told her the dealer's name and this was the FFH I wanted. This was a Monday, registration was issued 12/12/12, by Friday the 14th, I was the happy owner of a brand new 2013 FFH.

 

 

 

Edited May 7, 2013 by gkinla

[wazzul]

For me it was replacing a tiny two door Civic with a MUCH bigger Sedan and keeping the same or better mpg. That, and the Ruby Red!!

[rjent]

I am a hotrodder and generally fast car kind of guy. I have 2 Corvettes and never saw me driving a Prius. We were driving a Pontiac G6 GT hardtop convertible which we loved but the Pontiac was getting old and out of warranty. I saw a gas Fusion in town and it was love at first sight. I thought European exotic at first glance but when I saw blue oval, I was hooked. I then realized that it came in a hybrid configuration. I talked to my wife about 5 dollar gas (which may or may not happen soon), and we decided that it was time for a new car anyway, I just retired and we are planning a few long road trips. I figured what the hell. Well, we are very happy. The car is incredible. Lifetime average is 41. Can't beat that!

I am looking forward to our road trips, not only for the comfort of the ride, but to see how we can coax out the MPG's with the on board video game ..... :)

[hybridbear]

We also have a few hybrid parking spaces at the office building where I work. There are 10 total, 2 on each level of the parking ramp and they fill up fast. There are 6 or 7 Prii in the building, 1 Escape Hybrid, 1 first gen FFH, 2 Camry Hybrids, 1 Civic Hybrid and a couple newer GM e-Assist models and me with the 13 FFH. Those are more than 10 hybrids so not all of us can get a dedicated hybrid parking space. Recently I've been parking next to a loaded first gen FFH as shown below

Now I just wish they'd put in EV Charging stations here to make it more attractive for people to purchase PHEVs...

Not really the reason why I chose a hybrid but it has its perks.

[hybridbear]

http://www.chron.com/cars/article/Why-Prius-owners-drive-like-that-4270897.php

 

This is an interesting article about how driving a hybrid can change your driving style

[rjent]

God, that could be me ..... :)

 

Delightful read .....

http://www.chron.com/cars/article/Why-Prius-owners-drive-like-that-4270897.php

 

This is an interesting article about how driving a hybrid can change your driving style

[corncobs]

@ rjent

 

You will be more than pleased with the comfort of your FFH as long road trip car. With our Chicago / LA road trip we have about 4200 miles logged so far and it's still fun. I usually have a problem sitting for a long period of time in the same spot if the seat is uncomfortable; not once did I have an issue with the seat of the Fusion (Lux Pkg) it's very very comfy.

Now I have realized that with lane assist and ACC it would have been even more relaxing.

One last point enjoy the driving and don't worry about the MPG too much; the FFH does well in long distance MPG but 47 MPG at Interstate speed is not possible and we all agree it wasn't built for this purpose.

[elle]

I couldn't see replacing my Prius with a regular gas model. It had to be a hybrid.

 

BTW, I LOVE In-n-Out Burger and only wish my waistline felt the same. One opened pretty close to my house this past year. Oh, joy!