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2013 Fusion Hybrid

114 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2013 at 2:25 PM

You are in the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrid Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Fusion, Hybrid Cars, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 12

#18 of 114 Re: 2013 Fusion Hybrid [b25nut] by drdad314

Dec 05, 2012 (11:53 am)

Replying to: b25nut (Nov 13, 2012 6:40 pm)
I just picked up a 2013 Fusion Hybrid last weekend and have about 500 miles on it. I have similar options with the Red/Black color scheme. So far, I am extremely pleased with my new car. I have seen several blogs now that are slamming the Ford hybrids saying that people are not getting the advertised mpg, and I am struggling to understand why they are having such a hard time.
 
My longest trip so far was 90 miles of mixed (50/50) hwy (55 mph sustained) and gridlock traffic. The reported mpg was 47.3--right on the money. I have made several city-only trips of 4-10 miles and have seen the displayed mpg range from 40 to 51 upon completion of the trip. The drive home from the dealership was 8 miles of suburban driving and I got 46.9 mpg.
 
I have zero prior seat time in any hybrid and the only techniques I have been using are those common to the average Prius driver. I literally watched a few videos online and started driving. In the Fusion lifting off the gas will put it in EV mode most of the time unless the battery is drained or you are going up a hill. Most of my runs are displaying 40-60% of the total miles in EV mode. The brake regen works great and the back-and-forth between the gas engine and the electric motor is seamless.
 
I have noticed that a stiff headwind and temperatures below 40 degrees will definitely impact your mpg, but that is really to be expected. The car cannot violate the laws of physics and battery chemistry. I can't believe people are expecting the advertised mileage in all conditions and driving styles. Do athletes perform the same when the weather is at an extreme hot or cold temperature or the wind is in their face? Didn't think so.

#19 of 114 Re: 2013 Fusion Hybrid [drdad314] by b25nut

Dec 05, 2012 (2:46 pm)

Replying to: drdad314 (Dec 05, 2012 11:53 am)
DrDad,
 
You've made my day! Thank you for the report. I'm anything but a car nut. All my cars have been practical. Driving a Pacifica for 9+ years proves that. The new Fusion is the first car that makes we want to just close up shop and drive it around all day. I've had dreams of driving a Corvette, Audi, etc, but I knew my practical (and cheap) side would never allow that to happen. The Fusion Hybrid has now given me a great looking and practical car that exceeds these dreams (I've never been into high g acceleration and turns) by not requiring me to live beyond my means. It has even inspired me to buy my first Smartphone today so that I can really be considered living in the 21st Century.

#20 of 114 Re: 2013 Fusion Hybrid [b25nut] by gened1

Dec 05, 2012 (3:16 pm)

Replying to: b25nut (Dec 05, 2012 2:46 pm)
Everytime I look at the Fusion I can't help but think what a great looking convertible it would make! My TCH XLE just wouldn't cut it in that respect! (But my 06 Solara XLE Convertible did!)

#21 of 114 How much to pay? by nate99

Dec 08, 2012 (6:57 pm)

Hey guys,
 
I am looking into buying a sedan with good mpg and this is one of them. I would like it if you could tell me how much you payed and how much I should expect to pay for a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Also if there is anything with the car that does not quite appeal you (something you do not like about the car) I would love for you to inform me of it.
 
Thanks,
-Nate

#22 of 114 Re: How much to pay? [nate99] by moviefan

Dec 08, 2012 (9:01 pm)

Replying to: nate99 (Dec 08, 2012 6:57 pm)
Hey Nate. I'm looking to get one too. Check out b25nut's posts. Very informative.
 
I've been researching this for months and driven a few of these on different occasions so I'll give you my 2¢. The first thing that struck me was that the center console is pretty wide so if you're taller than 6', your right knee may feel a little bit confined by hitting the center console. I'm used to driving in a relaxed position in my 04 Camry and now in that same position my right knee rests on the console. Not a deal breaker but just something to mention.
 
As far as mpg, don't let the low reports trickling out fool you. Cars need a "break-in" period and that can take around 5,000 miles or so. People are driving them off the lot, driving it for a few weeks and are freaking out because they're only getting in the 30's. During my test drive on one commute I averaged 45.2. Of course driving habits and weather come into play but overall give it some time.
 
The battery in the trunk isn't as big as some hybrids and although the space is less, there is a nice ledge in the middle of the back of the trunk (battery's underneath) you can put stuff on (small luggage, perhaps?) and also the rear seats fold down--something you don't see on a hybrid.
 
Lastly, as far as price, since I'm in the market to order a Titanium Hybrid, I've been getting some quotes from various dealers here in the Chicago area and all the best deals are at invoice. Not sure if I have any more wriggle room (hey, we all want to pay as least as possible, right?!) so I may just have to go with the flow and pay invoice. If someone reading this thinks I can do better or if this is a great deal in and of itself, please let me know.
 
Anyway, hope this was of some help.
 
Ed

#23 of 114 Re: How much to pay? [nate99] by b25nut

Dec 10, 2012 (4:52 pm)

Replying to: nate99 (Dec 08, 2012 6:57 pm)
Nate,
 
Since I was one of the first to have an opportunity to buy the FFH in So. Cal, I didn't haggle with my dealer on price. He gave me $500 off the MSRP and I paid $33,365. This came with the Luxury & Tech packages, Nav, Moonroof, Reverse Sensing System, Luxury Wheels and White Platinum paint. I would not give any of these items up, and I've never had a moment where I had wished I had any of the Driver Assist options. Since I plan on having this car for a long time, I did get the extended warrantee.
The only item which I was disappointed with before buying my Fusion was its lack of a spare tire. This may sound scary to some, but you get a tire sealing compressor (Temporary Mobility Kit) that fixes and inflates your flat tire. Ford recommends traveling no more than 30 miles with this. The fact that Ford provides for free 24 hour roadside assistance makes the issue less bothersome. If the Hybrid had a spare, the carry thru space to the folded back seats probably wouldn't have worked, or the gas tank or something else would need to be smaller, which would be weekly irritations. I think Ford made the correct compromise.
I really like the larger center console. My right arm rests very comfortably on it. Ford did a great job with the ergonomics. There hasn't been one time that I felt something should be placed differently. The first few times I closed the glove compartment, which has a very useful shelf in it, the right side latch didn't engage. I found this happened since I was pushing on the far left side. By pushing anywhere on the right 75% of the door, it latches every time.
Knowing the fuel filler door opens by pushing on it is useful knowledge for new owners. The capless fuel system works perfectly. I have found that my windows fog up much more than my previous larger vehicles, but the Fusion's defrost system quickly takes care of it. I've really grown to like the MyFord Touch and Sync, so much so that I'm a little reluctant to get the update that is available this month. I like it the way it is, but I'm a person that resists change.
The way the Fusion lights up, inside and out, when you unlock it or open a door, is one of my favorite features. Another is that when I turn the key on, I not spewing exhaust out into my garage. Every morning, I quietly back out and I'm on my way. Getting free mileage every time I brake correctly is also a nice feeling. I didn't have to change my habits since the way I have always braked just works out to be the most efficient way for a hybrid.
One issue that has surfaced is that by choosing the Luxury 18" wheels, the Goodyear tires, while giving you better handling, appear to give you MPG figures about 2 less than the 17" with low rolling resistance Michelins. For me, the looks of the luxury wheels are worth the loss of mpg. My daily commutes give me 38-43 mpg with most of the miles spent at 65-70 mph. When the car was warm on an afternoon test of 10 miles of city driving at 25-45 mph, I got over 50 mpg. Cold weather and 70+mph speeds are hard on MPG
You can probably tell I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I like to hear people ask "That's a Ford?".

#24 of 114 Re: How much to pay? [b25nut] by moviefan

Dec 10, 2012 (8:15 pm)

Replying to: b25nut (Dec 10, 2012 4:52 pm)
So you didn't choose the driver assist package? If that's the case, did your rear-view mirrors come with the smaller "bubble" mirror on the corners? I was told that if you don't get the BLIS the mirrors, they come this way. I could definitely live without that package too (I've been driving without it for over 30 years now) but I'm not sure I could get used to the smaller bubble mirrors attached. Did you? Do they work well and are they useful?

#25 of 114 Re: How much to pay? [moviefan] by drdad314

Dec 11, 2012 (4:40 am)

Replying to: moviefan (Dec 10, 2012 8:15 pm)
Moviefan,
 
I paid about $32,500 for mine. Has everything but the semi-autonomous driving features. I wouldn't worry about the battery space in the trunk. I can fit my son's hockey bag and two sticks in there. So far my only gripe is that the telescope/tilt lever is difficult to find. It's a nice car and the ride is smooth and quiet. The little bubble mirrors are actually quite helpful.

#26 of 114 Re: How much to pay? [drdad314] by moviefan

Dec 11, 2012 (6:02 am)

Replying to: drdad314 (Dec 11, 2012 4:40 am)
If I can talk myself out of the Drivers assist package, that's almost another thousand I could save. My sales tax here is 9.5%. Crazy. So I'll be happy if I can get this out the door for $35k.

#27 of 114 Re: Side Mirrors and blind spots by b25nut

Dec 11, 2012 (12:48 pm)

Replying to: moviefan (Dec 10, 2012 8:15 pm)
I don't have any of the driver assist options (BLIS, adaptive cruise, etc). The bubble on the side mirrors allows you to have no blind spots while driving. I set my mirrors so that when the headlight of a car that is passing me disappears from my center rear view mirror, it is visible in one of the side mirrors, where the vehicle stays in sight until a split second before it appears in my peripheral vision. That split second is covered by the bubble mirror, which I have found very easy to get used to. Personally, I would prefer that the bubbles be in the lower outer corners instead of the upper corners, but they work good the way they are.
Where the BLIS would come in handy is when it is raining. The clarity of your view out the rear and side windows, and the side mirrors (even though they are heated) is significantly reduced when they are covered by water drops.
By not going with the driver assist options, you can get the extended warrantee, which I feel is worth the extra cost for the peace of mind it gives you. You're going to love this car, and you're really going to enjoy the driving experience with the hybrid. I walked up to mine in a parking lot today and the early morning sun made the White Platinum shine like a jewel. Even though it needed to be washed, you coudln't tell. No other vehicle combines all the factors that make you feel good about your car like the FFH does.

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