Ford Hybrids Fall Short of MPG Promises Options

[Vinnie]

Tests Show Ford Fusion, C-Max Hybrid Are Not Getting Close To 47 MPG



Watch ads for the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid sedan or its C-Max Hybrid wagon and you'll hear that the vehicles get 47 miles per gallon (highway and city combined), which sounds awfully nice considering the cost of gasoline. But real-road tests of these cars don't seem to back those numbers up. In fact, tests by our car-loving cousins at Consumer Reports found that C-Max only got around 37 mpg (city/highway combined). While that is a very good number — second in its class to the Prius V's 41 mpg — it's only 79% of the mpg touted by Ford.





The Fusion fared slightly better, with a combined 39 mpg, around 83% of what Ford claims. On the highway, the Fusion did get as efficient as 41 mpg in the CR tests, though its city number was down at 35 mpg. The C-Max came in with more consistent numbers — 35 mpg city, 38 mpg highway.

According to CR, more than 80% of the vehicles it has tested for gas mileage are within 2 mpg of the EPA-estimated numbers given by the manufacturers. See the chart below showing the real-world fuel economy numbers for a range of vehicles.

Before the tests on the new Fusion and C-Max, the largest discrepancy between the EPA numbers and real-world tests had been 7 mpg for the Toyota Prius C and 6 mpg for the Prius hatchback.

"Most buyers won't get anything near 47 mpg in the real world," says Jake Fisher, Consumer Reports' director of auto testing. "Even though these two Ford hybrids are very efficient, this big discrepancy may leave customers disappointed."

In response to our results, a Ford representative said in an email, "Early C-Max Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid customers praise the vehicles and report a range of fuel economy figures, including some reports above 47 mpg. This reinforces the fact that driving styles, driving conditions, and other factors can cause mileage to vary."

This article explains the various ways Consumer Reports puts cars through the wringer, but in short, after breaking in each vehicle for 2,000 miles, testers run each vehicle through simulations of city driving conditions on the test track, while highway data is achieved by driving along a specific stretch of a nearby interstate.

Meanwhile, most EPA fuel-economy estimates certified by testers for the actual manufacturer. The EPA does later spot-check about 15% of cars with its own tests.

In November, the EPA spanked Hyundai pretty hard for overstating their fuel-economy estimates. The car maker will now be paying out millions of dollars in refunds.



source: http://consumerist.com/2012/12/06/tests-show-ford-fusion-c-max-hybrid-are-not-getting-close-to-47-mpg/

[Swee]

So what they're saying is that manufacturers lie? ((GASP)) I feel so violated. Here I thought they were all saints and out to better our made-up carbon footprint.

[Vinnie]

I'm loving how others are finally being put out there. Hyundai and Kia were the "major screwups" now all these others are coming out of the wood work.

[Swee]

I never believed for a minute that my car could get the 40MPG as announced in vinyl on the side of another on the lot! Maybe in neutral with a good tail wind, downhill, being dragged by a f16!

I even put the roof racks on my car and watched it drop 5-6 mpg just for those. I 'spose that's also Hyundai's fault?

Gotta attack the competition before they get off the ground because they might be a worth rival soon enough. Is that now the motto of the big 3?

[sarge]

Wow - so pick on Hyundai for having a 2% difference with their cars... but let the ones that have up to 21% go easy? Seems fair to me.
Wonder what the others will have to do to make their numbers right. Full refund?

[Bobzilla]

I never believed for a minute that my car could get the 40MPG as announced in vinyl on the side of another on the lot! Maybe in neutral with a good tail wind, downhill, being dragged by a f16!

I did and do. Hell, if I can AVERAGE 38 on a test drive, I know 40 is an easy number.

[FurunoFan]

I am currently running 34 to 36 in combined driving. Hyundai steps up with the rebate cards when the EPA pointed out an issue. Other companies are not even close and not offering anything at this point. I would expect any lawyers to get laughed out of court when they try to sue Hyundai for doing the right thing while others are not. As a second time "new" Hyundai owner, I don't think I will ever have a reason to by anything else. They have come a long way since the old 1983 Hyundai Pony I owned overseas. (It was a pile that went to the scrap yard with less than 20K on it and under 5 years old) Thanks Hyundai for caring about product improvement and customers.

[RPW00Mirage]

i average 32-35 but can break 40-42 if i dont drive like an asshole. it is easily possible, most of the time.

im happy with free money though, i aint even mad

[Kate31]

Hahahahahahahhahhaha - I saw an article about this yesterday! At least Hyundai's MPG claims were CLOSE! These other ones are ridiculous! So happy that others are being pointed out now. No need to only throw our brand under the bus!

[Swee]

I did and do. Hell, if I can AVERAGE 38 on a test drive, I know 40 is an easy number.

Oh sure, I can acheive it as well, but if I fell short of that do I cry "foul play and willfull deception" on Hyundai's part?

[roydjt]

So... when will the EPA change their evaluation process? I don't blame the manufacturers. The rules were set and they designed cars to exploit those rules and maximize the number on the sticker. They need to redesign the test so it truly reflects real-life driving. Highway speeds are now 70-80mph. City drivers accelerate hard and brake hard, and they spend a lot of time at idle.

When people look at the sticker mpg ratings, they don't envision some idealized test with a down pillow on the accelerator pedal. They want to see those numbers when they're barreling down the interstate, cutting tourists off downtown, and hauling a busload of kids to practice in the burbs.

-Roy

[Swee]

So... when will the EPA change their evaluation process? I don't blame the manufacturers. The rules were set and they designed cars to exploit those rules and maximize the number on the sticker. They need to redesign the test so it truly reflects real-life driving. Highway speeds are now 70-80mph. City drivers accelerate hard and brake hard, and they spend a lot of time at idle.

When people look at the sticker mpg ratings, they don't envision some idealized test with a down pillow on the accelerator pedal. They want to see those numbers when they're barreling down the interstate, cutting tourists off downtown, and hauling a busload of kids to practice in the burbs.

-Roy

And the crowd goes wild!