The Ford Fusion is Motor Trend magazine's car of the year

[the Teuton]

Also, if you read the article, you'll see it was one of the most inoffensive comparos ever penned. While the conclusions are all very legitimate based on their reasoning, the whole article read like a first grade teacher's review of her students: even the retarded one is a 'winner.'

It was a lousy excuse for a comparo in an enthusiast magazine, and it would've been lousy for Consumer Reports, too. At least CR has some nerve to nitpick. Like I said, the article was just...blah!

[Nethead]

Also, if you read the article, you'll see it was one of the most inoffensive comparos ever penned. While the conclusions are all very legitimate based on their reasoning, the whole article read like a first grade teacher's review of her students: even the retarded one is a 'winner.'

It was a lousy excuse for a comparo in an enthusiast magazine, and it would've been lousy for Consumer Reports, too. At least CR has some nerve to nitpick. Like I said, the article was just...blah!

Hmmmm.  Did you miss that part of the article's title specifying "...Midsize Family Sedans"?

On a good day, "blah" is the norm in this segment (re-read the Malibu LT report).  Only the Fusion SEL broke out of the mold, but it still got bested by the "mirror mirror on the wall, who's the blahest of them all" reigning Grand Master, the Camry.  "Inoffensive" is the zenith of accomplishment in this segment, and separates the milquetoasts from the mere wimps!  Those who have runaway accelerators on their Camrys (The Rage of the Beige) are the lucky ones--the outrage in the media is by those whose Camrys don't have one.  After a year of ownership, most Camry owners would kill to get one of those that have BOTH a runaway accelerator AND failing brakes.  

It's kinda like a lottery, I guess...

[Nethead]

From www.autoblog.com:

Report: Ford Fusion Hybrid pays off quickest
by Nik Bristow (RSS feed) on Apr 28th, 2010 at 8:27 AM

For about the first 110 years of the automobile, the gold standard of eco-thriftiness was a car's miles-per-gallon rating. With the rise of hybrids, plug-ins, biofuels and the like, cost-per-mile might be the better measurement of road-going value. The idea is simple: if a car is powered by a Mr. Fusion or Dilithium crystals or the laughter of children and only costs $.01 per mile to operate but it carries a sticker price of $500,000, its efficiency is never going to balance out its initial cost.

Well, the San Francisco Chronicle has compiled a list of seven popular hybrids along with estimates of how long it would take for each car to pay for its higher cost compared to non-hybrid models in gasoline savings. The winner by a long shot is the Ford Fusion Hybrid at a mere 5.6 years. Which car fared worst? The Nissan Altima Hybrid at a whopping 21 years. We have to wonder, 21 years from now, will they still be making batteries for a 2010 Altima Hybrid?

In short, if you're going by gas savings alone, hybrids don't really pay in the short term. Then again, if gasoline taxes shoot up or peak oil really is right around the corner, the cost per mile of these vehicles could very quickly tip in their favor...

[Source: San Francisco Chronicle, whose article is posted below]


7 Hybrid Cars: Will They Save You Money On Gas?
Tara Struyk

When Nissan (OTC: NSANY) announced that it would launch its "Leaf" electric car in the U.S. in 2010, the media was abuzz with renewed interest in a zero-emissions car. Nissan's new car, along with the proposed introduction of other all-electric cars such as the Mitsubishi (OTC:MMTOF) MiEV and the Volvo C30 in the near future, it looks like electric cars may be becoming a more practical reality. However, although experts predict the tipping point toward zero-emissions vehicles may be approaching, there are some practical considerations that are keeping these cars on the margins, including low top speeds, slow acceleration, limited range and the time it takes to recharge them. (For more on the hybrid debate, see Reduce Your Carbon Tire Print.)

For those who want a greener commute, the most practical existing option is still hybrid vehicles, which combine gas with electric battery power. There are a number of these vehicles on the market and most of them use significantly less fuel than a comparable non-hybrid car. Unfortunately, at their elevated cost, that doesn't make them cheaper to drive in most cases. Oil and gas industry analysts aren't predicting a rise in oil prices just yet, but if you're set on buying a hybrid, whether for the environment, your pocketbook or as a hip accessory, read on to find out which cars will provide the most value over a comparable non-hybrid model and how long it will take before you start getting more value out of your hybrid at current national average gas prices.

Nissan Altima Hybrid - Years to Break Even on Fuel Savings: 21
Car testers approve of the Nissan Altima nearly unanimously; Consumer Reports named it one of its top picks for 2010 and JD Power & Associates named it the highest-ranked mid-sized car in initial quality. Testers noted that the Altima hybrid was similar - but they didn't fail to note that most consumers would have a hard time getting one (they're only available in eight states) and the fuel savings were less-than-spectacular considering its premium price.

With an average yearly fuel cost of about $1,587 at current gas prices, the hybrid version only saves an Altima driver $326 per year. With a more than $6,000 discrepancy between the Altima Hybrid sticker price and the price for a comparable four-cylinder gas-powered Altima, it will take an owner 21 years to recoup the difference on gas prices alone.

Toyota Prius - Years to Break Even on Fuel Savings: 20
There's little doubt that this darling of the hybrid industry is a great car. Consumer Reports chose the Toyota (NYSE:TM) as one of the best picks for environmentally friendly vehicles and one of the best value vehicles for 2010. A lot of this value stems from its outstanding reliability, however the price of the Prius has been a sticking point for true value-oriented buyers, who can get more value out of other small, non-hybrid vehicles. For our purposes, we compared the Prius in price and fuel efficiency to the Toyota Yaris. Although the Prius is certainly a more luxurious car than the Yaris and tends to get higher scores for performance, if you want to drive the most cost-effective Toyota, the Prius just isn't it.

Although the Prius does use more than $500 less gas than a Yaris at current prices, it also costs between $22,000 and $28,000, far more than the Yaris' $12,605 base-model price - and far more than most other similar sized, fuel-efficient sedans and hatchbacks.

Honda Civic Hybrid - Years to Break Even on Fuel Savings: 17
The Honda (NYSE:HMC) Civic Hybrid can't boast the outstanding 51 mile per gallon fuel economy the Toyota Prius gets in the city, but it costs nearly as much, retailing for $23,800. That's a long way from its non-hybrid counterpart, which starts at $16,000. US News & World Report may have ranked Honda's hybrid as No.4 on its list of most affordable cars for 2010, but that still put this fuel-efficient version two spots behind its fuel-burning sibling, the Honda Civic, which ranked higher as a result of its much lower price. The hybrid version will save the average driver about $460 per year, which means it'll take 17 years to recoup the nearly $8,000 premium for the hybrid model.

Honda Insight - Years to Break Even on Fuel Savings: 16.5
The Honda Insight was groundbreaking in that it was the first hybrid to hit the North American market in 1999, beating the Prius by several months. But although it's probably the least expensive hybrid out there - it retails for $21,300 - most reviews of the car noted that comfort and refinement were sacrificed. Consumer Reports called it one of the worst Hondas it had rated in a long time, and notoriously outspoken U.K. auto journalist Jeremy Clarkson called it "biblically awful".

The Insight's engine produces a paltry 98 horsepower but uses slightly more fuel than the Prius, which delivers considerably more pep with its 134-horsepower engine. With a $5,600 premium over the Honda Fit, it would take an Insight driver 16.5 years to break even on the gas savings alone. Plus, most testers much preferred the Fit's driveability, style and versatility.

Toyota Camry Hybrid - Years to Breakeven: 15
The non-hybrid Camry has been one of the best-selling and highest-rated cars in its class for years and by most accounts, the hybrid is pretty good too. U.S. News & World Reports described it as more comfortable and refined than the Prius - it's also roomier and has considerably more power (187 horsepower to the Prius' 134 horses). That said, at $26,400 the hybrid Camry costs nearly $6,000 more than a comparable non-hybrid, and only provides about $300 per year savings on gas (at current prices). As such, it would take you 15 years to break even on this car over the cost of its non-hybrid counterpart. However, if you're looking to buy a hybrid for its cachet, rather than for cost-effectiveness, the Camry Hybrid looks to be a sensible choice.

Mercury Milan Hybrid - Years to Breakeven: 13
The Milan Hybrid is new for 2010 and reviewers are loving its combination of luxury, fuel efficiency and performance, which apparently is nearly indistinguishable from a non-hybrid. It's a practical mid-sized car that provides entry-level luxury features, such as leather seats and satellite navigation systems. And, although it cost $6,300 more than a comparable non-hybrid Milan, the hybrid's ability to get 41 miles per gallon in the city far surpasses its gas-greedy counterpart's 22 mpg rating, allowing a typical driver to save nearly $500 per year on gas and break even on those savings within 13 years.

Ford Fusion Hybrid - Years to Breakeven: 5.6
What do you get when you combine a Ford (NYSE:F) Fusion with an electric motor and nickel hydride battery pack? According to Consumer Reports, the answer is the "crown jewel" of the Fusion family and a very cost-effective hybrid vehicle. This could account for why it took home top honors as the North American Car of Year at the Detroit Auto Show. It provides a similar look and driving experience as the non-hybrid Fusion, but because the price discrepancy between the two models is relatively slim (about $3,200), drivers are likely to break even with the money they save in gas within six years. If fuel prices go up, the Ford Fusion hybrid is likely to be a very cost-effective choice. (Learn about the founder of the Ford Motor Company and how he influenced the auto industry in Henry Ford: Industry Mogul And Industrial Innovator.)

The Bottom Line
Although most hybrid cars can get you around on considerably less gas, at current gas prices, most of them just aren't cheap enough to make this the sole consideration when deciding between a traditional or hybrid model. If you're betting that oil prices will go up - or you just want to reduce your carbon footprint regardless of the cost - you might want to take the plunge to hybrid driving. If you don't have the extra cash, consider choosing a small, fuel-efficient car. It won't have the hybrid cachet, but it'll get you around at a much lower price.

Note: All car prices used in this article are manufacturer's suggested retail prices. Average fuel consumption estimates were derived from fueleconomy.gov and are based on average driving habits and fuel prices of approximately $2.86 per gallon, the national average for April 2010.

Original story - 7 Hybrid Cars: Will They Save You Money On Gas?

Copyright (c) 2010 Investopedia ULC. All rights reserved. Investopedia.com is a Forbes Digital Company.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/04/22/investopedia43617.DTL#ixzz0mOoInPRU

[Tave]

Indexing the Prius to a fricking YARIS?????????


I smell a rat.

[CALL_911]

Indexing the Prius to a fricking YARIS?????????


I smell a rat.

Word.

[Laconian]

Indexing the Prius to a fricking YARIS?????????


I smell a rat.

No kidding!! Delta for that is like $10-16k, whereas Fusion to Fusion is $3200. FbhpththhhhhH!

[GoCougs]

LOL - too funny.

But as we all know no one ever bought a hybrid to actually "break even."

[ChrisV]

Indexing the Prius to a fricking YARIS?????????


I smell a rat.

Agreed. If that's the way they were going to play the game, they should have indexed the Fusion to a basic Focus.

[SVT666]

Agreed. If that's the way they were going to play the game, they should have indexed the Fusion to a basic Focus.

The Prius should have been indexed to a Corolla if anything.

[Nethead]

From www.motortrend.com:

Long Term Update 4: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Hypermiling in L.A.
From the December, 2010 issue of Motor Trend By Allyson Harwood  

The Ford Fusion Hybrid has proved a highly capable commuter, but it doesn't visually stand out in a crowd like the Prius. For those who want to make a statement with their car, this isn't the one to buy. What the Fusion does do, though, is provide a great compromise between ride and handling, with a roomy cabin and large trunk.

As assistant Web producer Scott Evans explains, "The ride is surprisingly soft and comfortable, but not at the expense of handling. No, the handling isn't quite as sharp as the Sport model's, but the Hybrid is no penalty box. And, let's be honest, it's made for Main Street, not Mulholland Drive.

Around Los Angeles, the Fusion Hybrid is a fantastic commuter. It's quiet and smooth and glides easily along our rough urban streets. It has the power to move with frantic drivers when needed, but it feels so good cruising along that you suddenly don't feel like racing with everyone else on the freeway anymore. Kick back, relax, and get there when you get there.

"As good as it is on these streets, it'll only enrage L.A. drivers," Evans says. "I love the power display that shows you how much throttle you can give it and stay in EV mode only, and it's actually kind of fun to challenge yourself and see if you can get it all the way to 47 mph without the gas engine. Unfortunately, it's a long, slow process. The leaves are a likewise fun way to challenge yourself if you're not in a particular hurry to get anywhere. They come and go so easily that it really is a challenge to collect them. On the other hand, while I enjoyed geeking out on the hybrid system, I found it incredibly distracting. A heads-up display might make leaf collecting a bit safer."

Another potential safety issue, one inherent with all hybrids, is that in full-electric mode, pedestrians walking in a parking lot don't always hear this car as it backs out of a space, and they walk right behind it. Ford may need to address this in the future.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid  
Months/miles in service  9/16,946  
Avg econ/CO2  35.7 mpg/0.54 lb/mi  
Unresolved problems  None  
Maintenance cost  $75.22 (2 - oil change/inspection/rotate tires)  
Normal-wear cost  $0  

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/1012_2010_ford_fusion_hybrid_update_4/index.html#ixzz149WiTaxf

[Xer0]

So, they compare the price of a Fusion Hybrid to the next in trim SEL to get the price disparity yet they compare the Camry and Civic Hybrids to the very base of base trims available and then compare the Pruis to the Yaris.  Delete that shit.

[Submariner]

That's some slick Ford fanboy-ism.