Howdy, I'm in THIS one, too!

[BoomerGer]

Yeah, I'm here also. This is Ger (Half of Gerald, but still prefer the shorter version and don't growl at me, as I have requested in the C-Max forum) and you'll find me in the other forum as well. I like both cars, but still need to get all the info I can on both before I make my mind up. I see the Max as a sportier car that is more susseptible to rough roads, RR tracks and such, and also questionable to pulling a small utility trailer, whereas the Fusion is more of an "executive image" car, easier on the bumps and able to pull said utility trailer easier. I'll be running around both forums, grabbing as much info as I can to see what floats my boat. SEEEE ya!

 

Ger "BoomerGer" Brassfield

The Southern California Connection

[GrySql]

Welcome to the Forum!

Be sure to check out the Welcome section, it's a good place to find useful data about the Fusion Hybrid.

 

The C-Max Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid share the same basic Hybrid drivetrain.

You mentioned towing a utility trailer, unfortunately Ford does not recommend doing that with these vehicles.

While some folks have installed trailer hitches, regular use of a trailer will have negative effects on the Hybrid drivetrain.

Just how a Dealer might view a Warranty repair of the eCVT or other driveline component when a car has a trailer hitch installed is unclear.

 

On Page 223 of the 2015 Fusion Hybrid Owner's Manual this bold Warning is prominently displayed.

There is no ambiguity in that Ford statement.

 

 

[tr7driver]

Welcome Ger! We have a Fusion Ti Hy and a C-max energi. I really like them both, but they do have very different characters which some times leaves me scratching my head wondering what Ford is thinking. Both cars ride and handle very well, are extremely quiet, and very comfortable for longer trips. I prefer the higher seating position of the C-max for around town. It is not equipped with memory seats/mirrors, but it has HomeLink, not available on the Fusion unless you get the sunroof pkg. No drivers side key pad available on the C-max with intelligent key. Both cars have decent rear seats for adults, but the fusion seat rear position is a little more reclined and comfortable for longer trips. The C-max has a little more rear leg room, and the panoramic sunroof that is available makes the rear seat ride more interesting and the car feel larger than it really is.

 

The major drawback to the energi is there is no good place to permanently store a spare tire. The same spare/jack will work with both cars. The lug nuts are the same size, but one car (can't remember which) has deeper threads on the nuts. I wish the C-max had a little more storage bins around the driver. I use the L1 charger at home and can charge when I go to the gym.

 

There are some very good deals on both the Fusion and the C-max energi versions right now, especially if you can find a '13 left over equipped to your liking, the energi can cost less than the hybrid version, especially after the tax credits are factored in. My energi is currently showing 103.6 mpg, my Ti Hy 39.5 MPG. My wife mainly drives the Ti Hy and she isn't in to maximizing the mpg, she just sets the climate to auto, turns up the radio and rock & rolls the car like the Avalon it replaced.

 

Ford has a phone app for the energi models of both cars that lets you track the car's location, state of charge, and adjust your charging strategy. You can also unlock/lock the car and remote start it with the app, and set the charger to have the car charged and the cabin temp set to warm/cool to a specific temp. It also keeps a charge and mile log, handy when the kids use the car. You can tell how hard they are abusing it, lol. All in all, pretty neat stuff.

 

Don't be afraid to ask questions here, this is a great group of very knowledgeable and helpful people

[mwr]

Since we're comparing the FFH and C-Max Hybrid here, I'm surprised that the gas mileage numbers are less in the latter (and smaller) car. Has that been discussed here?

 

Also, Does the C-Max Hybrid have more ground clearance than the FFH, eliminating the issue for many people of scraping the front end on dips?

[hybridbear]

The C-Max has much higher drag due to a less aerodynamic design which is why it has lower MPG numbers.

[BoomerGer]

Actually, I am not going to be towing a drag sled at a tractor pull contest. A small 800 # utility for some trips to the dump maybe 5 times a year. Maybe load someone's motorized wheelchair or Hooveround from point A to point B and back to point A empty. I had no problem with a Escape Hybrid, but then again, that's a bigger vehicle. I can most likely carry stuff from Home Depot/Lowes that's too large or long by dropping the seats and sticking it inside. I'm not moving furniture. When it does come down to it, I can most likely borrow someones vehicle for a tow vehicle for the utility. I have driven both the 'Max and Fusion and, frankly, like the Fusion ride a tad better. When wifey first saw the 'Max she thought it was the "CUTEST" car around, yet I believe I got her to like the Fusion better, simply because of the smoother ride, handling over rougher roads and railroad tracks, and that knockout Bronze Fire color! Yowsah! I should also add that I am retired, so I do not do the "up at 6 and home by half past 5" grind, anymore. So no consistant drive an expected amount of miles to work and return the same route in the evening. This will probably be the last car I buy, but then again, I said that about 3 cars ago! My dad seemed to buy only 4 cars in a period of 25 years; 36 Dodge (used), new '49 Plymouth, new '60 Dodge Dart with the new slant six engine. and a two year old '60 Ford Falcon for my mom to drive that I learned to drive in and lasted until well past 1 year of college and into my years of early career of work (1968). That '60 Dodge gave up the ghost about '64 when he forgot to put the carb filter back in and went thru the desert of So CA in a dust storm and scored the engine up pretty bad.

Edited October 23, 2014 by BoomerGer

[darrelld]

Actually, I am not going to be towing a drag sled at a tractor pull contest. A small 800 # utility for some trips to the dump maybe 5 times a year. Maybe load someone's motorized wheelchair or Hooveround from point A to point B and back to point A empty. I had no problem with a Escape Hybrid, but then again, that's a bigger vehicle. I can most likely carry stuff from Home Depot/Lowes that's too large or long by dropping the seats and sticking it inside. I'm not moving furniture. When it does come down to it, I can most likely borrow someones vehicle for a tow vehicle for the utility. I have driven both the 'Max and Fusion and, frankly, like the Fusion ride a tad better. When wifey first saw the 'Max she thought it was the "CUTEST" car around, yet I believe I got her to like the Fusion better, simply because of the smoother ride, handling over rougher roads and railroad tracks, and that knockout Bronze Fire color! Yowsah! I should also add that I am retired, so I do not do the "up at 6 and home by half past 5" grind, anymore. So no consistant drive an expected amount of miles to work and return the same route in the evening. This will probably be the last car I buy, but then again, I said that about 3 cars ago! My dad seemed to buy only 4 cars in a period of 25 years; 36 Dodge (used), new '49 Plymouth, new '60 Dodge Dart with the new slant six engine. and a two year old '60 Ford Falcon for my mom to drive that I learned to drive in and lasted until well past 1 year of college and into my years of early career of work (1968). That '60 Dodge gave up the ghost about '64 when he forgot to put the carb filter back in and went thru the desert of So CA in a dust storm and scored the engine up pretty bad.

 

 

I own both, the C-Max is the wifes and I drive the Fusion. Wife prefers a higher driver position vehicle and I like sedans. Both are nice vehicles but there are more available options with the Fusion and we use it more for traveling. The Fusions Radar Cruise, BLIS, Pre Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist, and more comfortable seats on the Titanium model make road trips less fatigueing. These options are not available on the C-Max. The Fusion will even let you know if you have been wandering too much within your lane and light up a coffee cup on the dash indicating its time for a break.

Edited October 23, 2014 by darrelld

[BoomerGer]

I wonder how one would turn that off?