Consumer Reports MPG Result For 2013 Fusion & C-Max Hybrids!

By these numbers, the CR/EPA of the Prius 'c' is 87% while the Fusion is 83%.

Not exactly a smoking gun AFAIAC, and it suggests to me that Ford has not screwed up the EPA result. If CR has a more cold sensitive test that could well be enough to explain the difference. I have been noting for years that one way EPA is a poor model is the relative lack of cold engine testing.

OTOH, driving in the cold is part of a lot of people's existence, so Prius has a leg up in the "real world" department.

 

They are doing it all wrong on the C-max. My Father in law has one, went from a Mercedes with the V12, to the Cmax, never drove a Hybrid before, and is getting 43 MPG in hilly terrain.

If the Fusion they tested has the 18" wheels, that could explain the poor results. Mine is only getting 40, while others with the standard 17" wheels are getting over EPA.

 

It appears the MPG difference at speeds between 61 mph and 63 mph is very noticeably. Can an owner verify it?

 

Imagine if these cars had 15" Energy Saver A/S tires.

 

What is the payoff on 7 MPG vs replacing the tires at $1200?

 

I'm not sure what you mean. I mean if they came with these tire as OE equipment in a more fuel efficient size. 17s are simply not fuel efficient. Unfortunately these are heavy cars and most consumers expect better handling nowadays. It was just a random thought.

 

There are Energy Savers that should fit the 18's, but they would cost $1200 to replace the Goodyears. So would getting 7 MPG more be enough to offset the cost over the life of the tires?

Provided of course, they would increase the MPG to what the car is rated at. Its all speculation and theory at this point, but there are several indicators the type and size of tires can be the issue with not so stellar MPG.

 

You can reduce rolling resistance by a factor of ~6% by mounting over-sized tires . . . the largest diameter that will fit in the wheel well.

Currently I am running a test that replaced ~916 rev/mile tires with ~850 rev/mile tires, ~7%, on just the front wheels of our 2003 Prius. This means our speedometer reads ~6% low (measured GPS and mile-markers) and the greater moment of intertia (i.e., gyroscopic effect) has improved straight-line stability (the car doesn't want to dart to the sides of the road.) In effect, I've implemented a tire-based, overdrive.

I have been running this experiment for over two years and am willing to call it a success BUT it only works if you have:

• GPS based speedometer - my indicated 48 mph is a true 50-51 mph
• adjust MPG calculations for the 6% error - the trip meter and odometer readings are consistently low
• don't mind a slower, maximum acceleration - the car is always in 'over drive' even from a standing start

This is a very advanced technique and should only be used by those disciplined enough to understand the ramifications, the side effects. However, it works for me.

Bob Wilson

 

The CR testing facility is in Connecticut. They use an outside test track and public roads. I have never seen mention of them using the EPA or their own fuel blend. That means local pump gas.

So we have testing outdoors, in a state that has 4 real seasons, with the require change in gasoline blends those seasons entail, and a gasoline that is likely 10% ethanol.

It is the worse test to use for comparison between models.

They don't test when the roads are wet, but there will be wide differences in temperatures and wind depending on when the car was testing. With the accompanying change in fuel mixes. Changes in traffic patterns can also be mentioned.

I'm seeing a 6mpg difference between now and summer. It's colder, less energenic fuel, and I have mall traffic in the evening now.

 

Did anyone else note that when they were showing the Fusion, that it was raining and the track was wet? Hopefully the test was done on dry pavement, but if not, has CR accounted for this.

I'd love to see Consumer Reports do a study on variability of weather conditions on car mpgs. I'd hate for the to test a Fusion....in winter....(cold/rain) and then state it gets 39 mpg. Had they tested it in early summer, the same car might get 45 mpg.

I saw a 5 mpg increase last May when winter blend gas went away and warmer summer temps appeared.

 

The write up on their test protocol states they don't test in inclement weather. I don't believe they would disregard that.

Anyone know how these cars were equipped? Namely in the wheel size and tire model.

 

Oh, rain really impacts my 2010, I can se a 2-3 MPG drop when it rains, those tires hate wet roads.

 

Rain impacts everyone. Same with temperature and winds to varying degrees. It's why the EPA test is indoors. Control the variables so model comparisons are possible.

 

...I've mentioned before the issue I have is regulations (and bragging rights) can get based off these questionable EPA numbers (such as Cash for Clunkers) which can force you to buy a car with hyped MPG numbers vs. the better MPG car you really want.

 

Well in another month or so.. I'll let you all know what kind of REAL MPG I'll get!!!

 

Let's imagine that car makers could just make up their own numbers. Would we be seeing numbers like 1000 MPG, no we would not, because once people bought the car and saw that it got 22 MPG, they would bring it back and never buy that brand again. Car makers want their MPG numbers to be the same ratio to real mileage as every other brand of car. Thus, mostly they want to run the tests honestly, or possibly fudge them in the direction of real mileage (which ever direction that is).

 

On any trip longer then a few miles in a 12 Prius, it says I'm getting over 50 mpg sometimes in the high 50s. I researched the car online, looking for the "feeling" of the Internet at large before test driving. The consensus was that the Prius Milage was pretty consistent. The consensus on the vw tdi golf or Jetta was that vw has reliability issues and the tdi model is expensive to repair but is a true road car, looks sportier, is safer and gets nearly the same Milage. the fact that there are no vw dealerships anywhere near me was a factor. If you are going to buy an unreliable car at least buy one with a dealer near you
There was little consensus on the c max although I did consider it. I decided to stay with the brand that had the longest track record of hybrids. 10 years is long enough for me to feel comfortable trying something new.