I drove one tonight!

[rjent]

Well we finally got the opportunity to drive a FFH tonight. I had the route laid out in my mind a week ago, and knew it would be a good test of everything I would put the car through as an owner. Some hard uphill, steep down hill, freeway, city stop and go, the works. Probably about 10 miles. The dealer gave me the keys and my wife and I took off. I turned the car "on" and it is a strange feeling to see "ready to drive" but no sound. (I wonder if they could make hybrid women .... :reading: .... well anyway) We started out using the tips and techniques that I have learned on this forum. Remember I have never driven a hybrid before (a prius once for a few miles). My first impression is that I have not been that impressed with a car for decades. Fit and finish, ride, comfort, dash, everything, just as good as you can get and the car far exceeded my expectation. I have owned a lot of luxury cars and SUV's through the years. This car, IMHO, really does impress.

 

Started the roll with EV until 10 or so, kicked the ICE in and accelerated to speed limit. Gee, I didn't even hold anyone up????? Performance was smooth and the car is the quietest car I have ever driven. Got about a mile from the dealership in heavy traffic and I was getting 35+ MPG. Amazing! Made many starts and stops and curvy road turns and lane changes. climbed the long hill and hit the I10 and did the down hill on the Interstate and finished the loop and as I turned on the street the dealership is located looked at my battery and saw that I was over half. Was already in EV mode so just let it cruise in EV back to the lot.

 

Result? 41.8 MPG 56* outside with a strong head wind half of the way, 95 percent brake score. I have to say that I would not have done near as well if I hadn't gotten the great coaching from this forum, but still, I am an old dog .... LOL

 

I am impressed! I can see how this car, with a lot of MPG driving care, can easily hit 47. Just my 2 cents, but there it is.

 

I am hooked. Will probably order a Titanium in a week or so....

 

I am stoked! :)

[GrySql]

I am a first time hybrid owner.

Stoked, you describe my feelings about driving this car each time I drive it.

To get a car this size to provide the comfort, amenities, mileage and satisfaction each time I drive it is amazing.

We are relaxed when we exit the car, the compliments from strangers about the appearance of the car are exceeding my expectations.

The simple fact that I am saving 1/2 (and more) of the gasoline cost from my previous vehicle are nice but the traveling experience is the most surprising.

True, if you drive to get the maximum mileage it can be rewarding, but I don't do that.

I drive it like I want to, sometimes playing the EV game and sometimes not, traveling the freeways here in SoCal high speed is the norm.

Basically, this is a very complicated, very well balanced vehicle and the mileage I get from the way I drive it is above adequate.

Yesterday we had a local trip, 45 miles, I used 1.1 gallons of gas.

It made me smile to think that travel can be that pleasant and economical.

 

I just finished washing it in the garage, it pleases me to have it sparkle when we travel in it.

[B25Nut]

Rjent & GrySql have expressed exactly the sensation that is in store for future FFH buyers. Owning and driving a Fusion Hybrid is truly an emotional experience. It won't give you the adrenalin rush of doing 0-60 mph in under 5 seconds, but that is not what over 95% of new car buyers are looking for (although the auto magazines will give you a different impression). I'm also a first time hybrid owner, and the FFH is the hybrid for skeptics. As Elle stated, it is the anti-Prius.

One recent professional reviewer complained that the FFH didn't have any features that shouted out to the world "I am a Hybrid", I think very few people following this forum are concerned about that. The outstanding styling of the Fusion gives anyone all the attention they desire. This thrill is then enhanced by telling onlookers "and it gets over 40 MPG".

[Toz]

Ok this is't making it any easier to wait for my car to be built. Happy owners just make me want my car even more! :doh:

[coach81]

<<< happy owner... :)

[BatCat]

I picked my Ingot Silver up on Monday and the FFH is more fun to drive than my MKX. The FFH is quiet and nimble. Haven't had it long enough to evaluate the MPG. There are three drivers of the FFH with the wife being the primary our 17 year old daughter being second and me being third. Now my MKX sits in the drive most of the time.

 

We are all enjoying the FFH.

[Toz]

our 17 year old daughter being second

 

I haven't gotten mine yet, but I can't even imagine letting one of my boys ANYWHERE near it !

[elle]

Count me in the happy owner column. I find myself looking for excuses to drive places nowadays. That never happened in my Prius :)

[acdii]

our 17 year old daughter being second

 

I haven't gotten mine yet, but I can't even imagine letting one of my boys ANYWHERE near it !

I dont even let my wife drive mine!

[BatCat]

our 17 year old daughter being second

 

I haven't gotten mine yet, but I can't even imagine letting one of my boys ANYWHERE near it !

She is an excellent driver, better than my wife. She took my MKX on a regular basis, but now it is the FFH. I will trust her until she proves otherwise. A cheerleader and an honor student. :)

[erichFla]

I'm on the fence about the Fun in driving this Hybred right at this point in time. We have 750 miles on the OD and have not seen 40+ yet EXCEPT for the Salesman doing 52 MPG on a short 15 mile round trip..

I just did a reset on the MPG and on a 15 mile trip I drove, I was only able to barely get just 32 MPG and a Brake score of 98.

I only get to drive the FFH 1-Day a week, when the wife lets me. We bought it for the wife Mostly to use to drive to work for at least the next two years.

The reason I'm on the fence is it's a challange to get 40+ and you are always looking at the guages to make sure you are in the Blue range as much of the time as possible. That to me right now is NOT FUN.

Edited March 24, 2013 by erichFla

[ace8726872]

I picked my Ingot Silver up on Monday and the FFH is more fun to drive than my MKX. The FFH is quiet and nimble. Haven't had it long enough to evaluate the MPG. There are three drivers of the FFH with the wife being the primary our 17 year old daughter being second and me being third. Now my MKX sits in the drive most of the time.

 

We are all enjoying the FFH.

 

Great choice in the car and the color too! Ingot Silver is a very nice choice, although I am biased because I have the same color!!!

[ace8726872]

I'm on the fence about the Fun in driving this Hybred right at this point in time. We have 750 miles on the OD and have not seen 40+ yet EXCEPT for the Salesman doing 52 MPG on a short 15 mile round trip..

I just did a reset on the MPG and on a 15 mile trip I drove, I was only able to barely get just 32 MPG and a Brake score of 98.

I only get to drive the FFH 1-Day a week, when the wife lets me. We bought it for the wife Mostly to use to drive to work for at least the next two years.

The reason I'm on the fence is it's a challange to get 40+ and you are always looking at the guages to make sure you are in the Blue range as much of the time as possible. That to me right now is NOT FUN.

 

Instead of trying to stay in EV, especially on the highway/freeway, have you tried to just drive the car and forget about this whole EV thing? You do have to follow a few basics tips like not flooring the throttle from the standing start, and staying at or under the speed limit, trying to use the cruise control as much as you can, etc. You are doing really well in braking as you mentioned above.

 

If you are so inclined, you can find a bit more info on this thread. I really hope it helps out.

[ace8726872]

Duplicate.

Edited March 25, 2013 by ace8726872

[erichFla]

Instead of trying to stay in EV, especially on the highway/freeway, have you tried to just drive the car and forget about this whole EV thing? You do have to follow a few basics tips like not flooring the throttle from the standing start, and staying at or under the speed limit, trying to use the cruise control as much as you can, etc. You are doing really well in braking as you mentioned above.

 

If you are so inclined, you can find a bit more info on this thread. I really hope it helps out.

We don't exceed the posted speed limit 65 max and no jack rabbit starts. We take off in a smooth start and slowly get up to posted speed limit then back off on the throttle and try to maintain with very light pressure on the gas pedal.

I will look at the posted link though, Thanks.

[Riggo]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="erichFla" data-cid="46807" data-time="1364176290"><p>

We don't exceed the posted speed limit 65 max and no jack rabbit starts. We take off in a smooth start and slowly get up to posted speed limit then back off on the throttle and try to maintain with very light pressure on the gas pedal.<br />

I will look at the posted link though, Thanks.</p></blockquote>

 

When was your car built?

[erichFla]

Riggo Re: When was your car built?

 

 

 

I want to say car was built in Early Dec. 2012. How do I find out exactly when it was built. It seems I read that somewhere but can't remember right now and car is with the wife at work.

 

Update: I was right, the date on the Drivers side door sticker says 12-12. as the Manuf. date.

Edited March 26, 2013 by erichFla

[neod192]

I want to say car was built in Early Dec. 2012. How do I find out exactly when it was built. It seems I read that somewhere but can't remember right now and car is with the wife at work.

Look up your VIN on the Etis tool: http://www.etis.ford.com. You'll see a build date in the top right corner, in the DD/MM/YYYY format.