FFH - 2013 vs 2014 a Casual Comparison

[wmpwi]

If I knew I was going to be in this position, I would have kept better track of specific metrics when I had the ’13 so that I could provide an empirical review rather than one based on memory. Since I didn't anticipate owning a '14, all I have are some mushy feelings about what’s the same, improved, or just different, but I am optimistic nothing is worse.

 

In no particular order:

• EV+ recognized my home and work much much quicker. I thought it took over 300 miles for the ’13 to figure out where I was while the ’14 picked it up both work and home in less than 100 mile.
• I find that the battery is fully charged quite a bit in the ’14 where as the ’13 never quite made it to a fully charged state.
• The ’14 engages the EV mode much more frequently at lower speeds that the ’13, but I haven’t been able to notice any difference at higher speeds of 60 or more.
• The noise dampening / active noise cancelation system is far more effective in the ’14 than the ’13, so much so that I’m not sure it was working at all before.
• Voice recognition seems significantly improved in ’14. While it’s possible I’m articulating better this year over last, but I doubt it. The improvement seems particularly noticeable in the NAV system.
• The Blue Tooth connection in the ’14 is very unstable and disconnects randomly. It wasn’t a problem in the ’13.
• Occasional problems w/ the auto windows one-touch not working properly seems to have been fixed in the '14 (added 12/08)

In the category of didn’t change, but should have:

• The touch controls for HAV and radio / CD player are every bit as sensitive in ’14 as they were in ’13
• The fast / jump forward in the media player still sucks in both the ’13 and ’14. The fastest advance is 10 seconds. That’s fine for CD’s but when you’re playing a one hour audio track in the USB input is extremely annoying.
• The front passenger seat still doesn’t go up. Foreword and back, but not up. Unless you’re 6 foot, you want a pillow under your ass.
• A great number of competitors have dropped the whip antenna in favor of the lower profile shark fin style. Sadly, Ford has not seen fit to follow suit.

In the category of did change and shouldn't have:

• loss of the Lifetime Summary (hybridbear)

I will supplement this thread as I find other noteworthy points.

Edited December 9, 2013 by wmpwi

[Toz]

 

• The front passenger seat still doesn’t go up. Foreword and back, but not up. Unless you’re 6 foot, you want a pillow under your ass.

This is the only area I feel qualified to comment on, because I don't even have my car yet, but the 14's do have a OPTION to have a 10 way passenger seat. You just have to order the heated/cooled seat option. BTW I disagree with Ford on this. You should be able to get the 10 way passenger seat as a stand alone option.

[hybridbear]

Don't forget: the 2014s lost the Lifetime Summary :(

[alpha754293]

Don't forget: the 2014s lost the Lifetime Summary :(

 

Seriously? Hmmm....lemme check on that. You're talking about how when you start the car, and then turn it off again, how it would give you the trip details and then also the vehicle lifetime summary details, correct?

Edited December 3, 2013 by alpha754293

[ptjones]

Don't forget: the 2014s lost the Lifetime Summary :(

I find this very annoying, because how are you suppose to keep track if you are getting better MPG's, BKS, etc. Never reset trip #2? I'm currently averaging 48.2mpg's going up to 49-50mpg's by the time I refill up the tank, Grill Covers work. Would have been 51mpg's if I hadn't done the FWY testing, not bad for new car, 2Kmi. :)

 

Paul

[hybridbear]

 

Seriously? Hmmm....lemme check on that. You're talking about how when you start the car, and then turn it off again, how it would give you the trip details and then also the vehicle lifetime summary details, correct?

Check out this thread: http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/7527-lifetime-mpg-no-longer-computed/

 

Job 3 2013 C-Maxes and 2014 FFHs no longer have the Lifetime Summary when you turn off the car. This means that there is no long-term tracking of your brake score or regen miles. Your ICE/EV miles can still be tracked long-term with Trip 1/2. The Energi models also lost the ability to display MPGe.

 

It would be really nice if you could get some clarification of why this happened. In the thread above there is some speculation.

 

I find this very annoying, because how are you suppose to keep track if you are getting better MPG's, BKS, etc. Never reset trip #2? I'm currently averaging 48.2mpg's going up to 49-50mpg's by the time I refill up the tank, Grill Covers work. Would have been 51mpg's if I hadn't done the FWY testing, not bad for new car, 2Kmi. :)

 

Paul

That's awesome! I'm guessing the FFH rental you have is pretty stripped down? Can you post the VIN so we can see the window sticker? I'm curious if it's a Hybrid S or still an SE since 2014 introduced a cheaper Hybrid S trim.

[ptjones]

It is an SE, I will get VIN

 

Paul

[ptjones]

the VIN# 3FA6POLU9ER188146 on my rental 2014 FFH SE, up to 48.8mpg and 5gal to go.

 

Paul

[hybridbear]

the VIN# 3FA6POLU9ER188146 on my rental 2014 FFH SE, up to 48.8mpg and 5gal to go.

 

Paul

It's a well equipped car for a rental! Has luxury package!

Here is the window sticker link

[hermans]

Edit

Edited December 4, 2013 by hermans