I have a Ford Fusion Hybrid. I'm almost at 200,000 miles and the check engine light has never come on. Still drives like new. The original brake pads are still good. It's the single most reliable car I've ever had. I can see it easily reaching 500,000+ miles, no problem
@@tarstarkusz charging an EV just seems like a hassle still. And the range isn't quite there just yet. I was considering a RAV4 Prime as a vehicle to camp with and go on long distance road trips, but the more I think about it the more I would lean to just the hybrid version instead of the plugin. I read somewhere that the majority of people with plugin hybrids never plug their car, they just use gas. Update on my Ford Fusion hybrid: now at 248,000 miles. Still on the original brakes, check engine still hasn't come on. AC ice cold like the day I bought it.
@@tarstarkusz well, idk what to tell you apart from the fact that I have never changed the brake pads and every time I rotate my tires I check them to make sure they are not worn out completely. They have close to a 1/4" left. For context I do not drive like a maniac. I try to always get the most Regen possible (wherever practical, I don't drive like a grandma either) when I slow or stop the car. Always try to be gradual to stop and get as close to 100% Regen as possible. My car stopped showing my electric miles driven because it doesn't go past 99,999mi for electric miles on the odometer, which is amazing considering I've never plugged in my car (since it's just a standard hybrid). It's not uncommon for people with EVs or hybrids to have brake pads last a ridiculously long time. I suppose until you drive one for an extended period of time (without racing all the time), you will see yourself first hand how long brakes last on EVs/hybrids Yes, it does need new shocks. And also the CX axle boot and tie rod end boots are worn out so those need replacing, but apart from that it has not given me any mechanical issues.
@@tarstarkusz maybe something is lost in translation, but my car's official name is Ford Fusion Hybrid. Hybrid cars here don't get plugged in unless they're specifically the plugin version, in which case they have more battery range. There's hybrid cars, then plugin hybrid cars, then full EV cars. My car's battery gets charged via braking Regen, hence why my brakes last so long. I live in Southern California in the desert with essentially no rust in my car. I'm not one of those people who has the AC on 24/7, I rarely have it on full blast
@@KrustyKlown I just bought the same model last week. I have zero complaints. From reading a lot of comments I believe I made a good buy. My wallet already thanking me for gas savings
@@JayBlazingProphecy I bought a used 2017 Energi Hybrid with 18,000 miles on it and full options. I buy gas every six weeks. It charges from the solar panels so no overhead on electricity costs. Nice car but it's really mostly computer. Next car will be an old manual transmission thing that never breaks.
I Have a 2016 Fusion Hybrid Titanium. Best car I've ever had. I have to think about range as many of my business trips are in the 300 mile range. So it's a fantastic car for that. I opted to NOT get the Energi version because I would only get 20 miles of EV and then my car would just be the regular Hybrid version with more weight (an extra row of batteries which also eats the trunk space. Which the regular Hybrid doesn't) Remember it is EXACTLY the same car as a Lincoln MKZ. (A designer from Ford told me that...) So you are really getting a lot of bang for your buck with this car. Comfort, suspension, ride quality etc... If you want more performance, just turn off the ECO button and the thing is a rocket. I've always owned European sedans [BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Saab]. This is my first American car. And my interest was peaked upon finding that this incarnation of the Fusion was designed by the guys from Aston Martin to compete with the Euro Sedan market. (Which is why the front end and grill design are the shape and styling that they are...) They knocked it out of the park with this car. I am so sad to hear they're going to discontinue this car (here in the US). Such a dumb move... Best car ever. And this is coming from a lifetime high end European sedan owner.
We also have a 2016 fusion hybrid titanium but... We got the Energi. No trunk space like you said and it only gets average 34.5 mpg. It was advertised as getting 95/85. 20 miles in and the electric battery is done unless you go 25 mph or under. I love the car. It is exactly like the MK but half the price.
I have the 2017 and love it! Without climate control I get close to 30 miles on a full charge! Dunno about the best car ever... I've got the same gripes as every other owner (short range, small trunk, slow charging, etc) but it's been a great car! If it had the same specs as the Prius Prime I think it probably would be the best car available! My sister has a Lincoln MKC and, as a sporty crossover, I love the way it drives but it cost a lot more and gets half the mileage!
@@davisfamilyfun9583 you are not utilizing the tech right. I get 45.5mpg over 35k miles. It takes 2 weeks for the car to learn your behavior. When you are decelerating on a highway you shouldn't be breaking. You can also hold the pedal down, while slowing down to slow down slower then if you take your foot off the pedal. I've averaged 50mpg on a 100 mile trip there and back to Chicago for 2 weeks straight, 5 days a week, on the highway in the left lane with the flow of traffic. Use the EMPOWER mode to get the best mpg because it's the best Guage to understand the car with. You want to stay a little below 2 notches on the empower to maximize gas usage on the highway. I get thatsloghtly below 2 notch at 55, 61,(49mpg at those speeds with cruise control) and 67 mph. I'll get 43 to 44mpg going 70 to 74mph. Varying speeds from 70 to 90 and deaccerlatong by slightly holding the acceralator down, not the brake, got me 50 mpg to Chicago as mentioned.
Smart choice. Plugin hybrid vehicles are the best for short trips, but if you are doing lots of travelling everyday without the chance to charge the car then it is waste of money. SO, Good thinking :)
My parents gave me their Fusion after getting a new car. It’s great because most of the time I put it in EV and can get around doing that. In Colorado, almost all public chargers are free, which basically means free gas. It’s also great on the highway
I’ve owned a CMax Energi and now a Fusion Energi. I’ve found that these cars significantly drop in value the first 2 years. Because of that I bought my Fusion used and that is the only way to justify the economics of this car. I absolutely love my Fusion energy - super value IF you buy used. I managed to pick up a 2018 with only 3000 miles on it for $19000. It was a one owner car with a clean title!!
This comment 1000% Picked up a 2017 Platinum PHEV for less then half original price with 26000 miles. Way more luxury then I'm used to. One owner/no accidents/no rust/full doc history - original owner wanted a Tesla next. Works perfect for my use case of 15 mile trip to work and back. EV just too expensive and not enough long distance trip range.
I bought used as well and have been very pleased with my 2015 Fusion Energi. Daily driving is covered by battery most days. If I'm going farther I'll use the battery for the slower miles and switch to "later use of battery" mode or standard hybrid for the highway part. I get 70 mpg like this for 100 miles and down to about 50 mpg if over 200 miles traveled. I get a half tank of gas (6 gallons) every 3-4 months so it's perfect for my use.
Even better now, you can get a fully loaded Fusion hybrid for less than $15,000 on models that are past warranty. And I wouldn't worry about them being past warranty because the hybrid tech is all Toyota based, and we all still see gen 2 Prius still on the road.
I bought a used 2015 Energi just over 4 years ago and it's been great. I probably get the advertised 19 miles of electric range in the winter and about half that in the summer (Arizona). A lot of short trips use no gas whatsoever, including round trip to my previous job. I can get to my current job easily with no gas and if one of the plugin spots they have are available, I can make it back home with no gas and some battery to spare (plus a bunch of miles on the company dime). I've had no maintenance issues and love the way it rides and handles. Like Matt said, it's no sports car and I do miss that, but for what it is, it's quite nice. The interior and exterior are both really nice as well. I think the extra $10,000 price tag is pretty exaggerated. Matt's correct that it's that much more than a base Fusion but what's missing is that the Energi comes with the Titanium (premium) package at a minimum. My car has pretty much every option available for the Fusion except the adaptive cruise control. So that $10K includes a lot of nice features and not just the powertrain itself.
We got our Fusion Energi in early Oct 2018. Its my wife's car, she does a lot of short trips. Here we are almost Jan 2019 - we are still running on the dealer tank of gas. We really like the car. Don't forget, the Energi qualifies for a somewhat smaller federal tax rebate and in California - a smaller state tax rebate. These knock down the hybrid premium here by over $7000. I'd recommend the Energi for someone with short local and occasional longer trips. Overall, it is a nice car to drive.
I find it hilarious you're trying to convince hybrid buyers to go full EV. i'm still trying to convince people to even CONSIDER a hybrid, let alone an EV, and I'm failing miserably.
@@brandonbartlett5667 efficient ICE don't fair too much worse with highway miles. So if the person is primarily a highway driver MPG isn't a selling point. Would take a hell of a lot of savings to recoup the much larger upfront costs. I'm currently looking into getting a hybrid myself because I do a lot of city driving. Might even get a EV with the backup gas like a Prime or Volt.
@@brandonbartlett5667 Just don't mention repair costs. Maybe over the life of the car it's about a wash, but the fixes unique to hybrids tend to be pricey enough that you're sidelined or spending months paying that off. Even a reconditioned battery is running about $900 now. New can be $3K. You can make multiple, significant repairs to a gas-only vehicle for the cost of replacing a battery in a hybrid. Again, maybe it's ultimately a wash. But those hybrid fixes are more apt to really hit you hard.
The best way to save gas is to live closer to work if that is an option. I could only afford to live 15 miles from my work, else I would live closer. Plus you get a bit extra sleep!
Ultimately, full electric vehicles are going to be the way to go. However, I currently have a hard time justifying the extra up front expense on a purely economic basis at this time. I recently leased a Kia Niro Hybrid for 4 years (non plug-in model) since the rebates for plug-in versions just went away in Ontario, Canada. Essentially, there was no price premium in selecting this hybrid vehicle at all, based on it's size, utility, and feature content. A fully load Hyundai Kona (non hybrid) costs more than the larger and MUCH better equipped Kia Niro, and the fuel economy is more than 40% better in the Kia. Go figure! We have averaged 4.6 litres per 100 kilometers, (52 mpg U.S.) since picking up the vehicle 5,500 kilometers ago and several times have exceeded 900 kilometers (560 miles) on a tank of fuel. And the Kia Niro we purchased is the LEAST efficient version due to it's larger tires and higher weight. Since pure hybrids (ie non plug-ins) always run their batteries between about 40% and 75% charge, battery degradation is virtually non existent. Almost 99% of 20 year old Toyota Prius' still have there original battery if statistics are to be believed. My nephew has a 2004 Prius with 420,000 kilometers (over 260,000 miles) on it and that vehicle also has it's original battery. Plug-in hybrids and full electrics are often likely to be FULLY charged and drained considerably lower than 40% range, and batteries just don't like that, hence cell phone batteries which generally fall off in capacity pretty quickly. I DO look forward to a full electric vehicle in 4 years, hopefully with solid state batteries, but for now we're loving our Kia Niro.
In 4 years we should have more affordable EV options out there for sure. Good point on the plug in degradation, but battery chemistry also plays into the longevity. In any case, nice to hear that the Kia Niro is working out for you so well.
Very good news that this hybrid works well for your purposes. Sadly prior US “hybrid” technology was poor. My 2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid, battery still OK, requires the engine to start, barely goes 1mile and in 32 degrees or lower, the engine will hardly shut off to keep the battery warm. As you indicated, hybrids since 3 years ago, depending on brand, are much better. Thanks.
I want to here someone do this in mn. When I drove to work two days ago it was -26 without the wind. And my cousin finally got rid of his hybrid becouse of all the maintenance issues. Wich I see being caused by the many sub zero weather days. His car was even garages. Personally some day I would like to get an electric vehicle. As a second vehicle. Could never get one right now. Could never get my kids on week end. They live 180 miles away
@@UndecidedMF When looking at things on an emissions standpoint an Acura MDX non hybrid with 22 mpg gaining 5 mpg (30%) going hybrid would be the equivilent emissions reduction of a Toyota Prius gaining 44 mpg. That Acura hybrid system only utilizes a 1.3 KWh battery, adds only $1,500 cost to vehicle, and pays for itself in fuel savings within 5 years. Less if you included increased brake replacement lifespan. Tesla's Gigafactory has a 20 GWh production capacity has enough to ensure ALL 17 million vehicles sold yearly become a micro / mild hybrid with a 1.3 KWh battery pack. When those batteries are used purely for the Model 3 production it would support 266K vehicles to be manufactured. Which would be better for the environment and the majority of society? 266K Tesla Model 3 owners who most likely previously drove a 31 MPG vehicle combined reducing carbon emissions by 478,800 tons with perception of welfare for the middle class to wealthy.. or 17 million vehicles whose national average is around 25 mpg adding 4 mpg (16%) by mandating mild hybrids at minimum bumping national average to 29 mpg achieving a combined emissions reduction of 11,730,000 tons of CO2. 11,730,000 ÷ 478,800 = 24.498 times difference
I hear people say hybrids are old tech and you should just buy an EV to be more environmentally friendly. But here's something to consider. If the idea is to save the planet by using less fuel, then they should stop wasting batteries in EVs and build hybrids instead......until the supply of batteries increases. For every electric car built, you could use those batteries to build around 30 hybrids which use ~50% less fuel than a non-hybrid.......that would be like taking 15 cars off the road for every EV that's not built.
@@kedduff1814 Thanks, I'll take that compliment. It was just an observation that the lack of batteries is holding back the production of the current EVs, and doing little to reduce the amount of fuel burnt. So don't be too quick to rubbish hybrids.
I drive a hybrid and I take road trips pretty often, therefore a hybrid seems to be the best compromise for now. I plan on getting a Tesla in the distant future, but it’ll be several years before I make that purchase.
I just paid off my Nissan Leaf. For me, $7,000 was a great price for a used Leaf. I still have 11 bars of battery capacity, and get 60 to 80 miles per charge. Electric cars are becomming more affordable as the technology evolves! Great video!
Very smart. Used Leaf's are the best deal on the market if your looking for a great efficient commuter car assuming your commute can be accomplished without range anxiety. I've seriously consider a used Leaf but my commute is 104 miles round trip which might work except I have no charge option at work.
I have a 2014 Fusion Energi SE and love it. All your points, pros and cons are exactly what I tell my friends. Of course, the new Fords have Apple CarPlay, which I wish I had. Have fun with your Model 3! I wish I could afford one, but I’m likely to keep my Energi for another 10 years or so.
Thanks for watching! Nothing wrong with keeping the Energi. It’s a good, reliable car that gets great gas mileage and will save you a lot of money in the long run.
I've been driving GM EREVs since 2013 while my wife has been driving a slightly larger sedan for when the time is needed. Last year we added the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. Unlike your Fusion, there was no increase cost to the hybrid model in the Lincoln lineup. At 40MPG on the highway (44MPG in the city) we're pretty happy with it. Give it a few years and perhaps we'll trade for a used Model 3?
I have been driving a friends 2018 Fusion Energi that is a company car. I commute an hour to another of our facilities and it does great even in the winter on snow and ice it's very solid. I have a friend who also has a 2018 Fusion Energi and we take it long trips to Boston. We have gone down a few times. I am blown away by the mileage. We get over 50 miles per gallon and sometimes over 75mpg. My wife and I have been driving a prius that gets around 50mpg...but the Ford Fusion Energi is much more comfortable and better driving. The car is responsive and VERY comfortable. I like not having to worry about range. I am big 6'4" and 275lbs. The car is VERY comfortable for me. I like it so much I just bought a 2018 Fusion Energi with 20,000 miles on Carvana. I think it is one of the best engineered cars ever created.
I'm looking at a 2019 right now for budget. Is there anything you don't like this far into ownership? How is it holding up mechanically? Any insight is appreciated, thank you!
We love our Energi. Dailey trip to work is only 14 miles round trip. No gas used. mpg equivalent 110 mpg when you factor in cost of electricity. Then when we have to go into the city, 120 miles round trip, it gets 45 mpg. Nice looking, economical, fun car. Very satisfied.
Hi, nice video, I have the 16 Ford Fusion Hybrid, not the plugged in models. It’s been a really fantastic car. I do allot of cross country driving, and didn’t want the headaches of finding a spot to plug in. The car itself has been extremely comfortable and reliable to drive and has saved me thousands of dollars in fuel costs. I have had mine about 2 years, and put over 60K miles on her. She has been fantastic, no issues at all. Yea I also went with Ford for the same reasons you did, I just didn’t like the way the other hybrids looked, and really liked the Aston Martin like look that Ford has done to some of their vehicles. The maintenance I do pay for on her is the routine oil changes, and of course replace basic items due to wear and tear, such as windshield wipers, tires, the cabin filter, those type of things. She is by far the best car, and most comfortable car I have ever owned, and I have driven her from California to New York, and back. And make constant trips from Sacramento down to Los Angeles. A ton of highway miles is on her. No real hard city miles.
Land Shass 60K is 60,000 miles. Just to clarify. And the hybrid car has saved me from paying more in fuel expenses from its fuel consumption, from using far less fuel. It does get 42 MPG in the city, and 44 MPG on the highway.
Have had this car for a year and I have to say it has been great during this pandemic, no trips to the gas station and driving to the grocery store and back not using gas and just plugging it in when i get home is the best and is great for sneaking up on people.
3:40 These are the real numbers many fail to admit to. This changes based on commute and electricity prices.. Now is it worth the increase in price premium ??? "Best electric car review ever" With that said imo hybrids and electric makes better sense if the price were closer in range with gasoline cars, then it would be a no brainer. Some used hybrids are a good buy based on price alone.
I enjoy my Kia Optima hybrid. On average in heavy traffic in Chicago I get 35 mpg. And where I live it’s possible to average over 50, without trying much. Which isn’t to bad considering I’m the first owner and bought it as a demo for 19k and it’s got front and rear heated seats, a/c front seats, heated steering wheel, am fm xm hd navigation radio, hid turn adjusting. headlights and hid fog lights.
I always tell people that you need an electric or hybrid car that matches your lifestyle. For example, I very rarely do more than 20 miles per trip in my day-to-day life but I occasionally do a very long, 150-200 mile long trip to my in-laws. So completely electric vehicules were out of the question. I also didn't mind the small trunk space but I can see how it could handicap some people. Nonetheless, the technology is getting better and less expensive. The future of automobiles is electric and it's coming up very fast.
While total electric cars might be fine in more southern climates, they absolutely suck in colder ones like Massachusetts. As you said, your 20 mile range got cut in half when the weather got chilly. You have a back up gas engine in the Fusion to get you through those days when the battery goes dead. That will beat a Tesla hands down when going across I-94 in the dead of winter in North Dakota. Total electric cars are not what they are claiming to be. Period. "They," being the advocates that live in southern California and have never had to scrape the ice off their windows.
You touched on an important part of the decision. If you want to "go green" and not pollute so much, fine, go electric. But if you want to just save money, ya gotta do the math. Typical case: A family of four owns a 15 year old Ford Explorer with 180K miles. The Check Engine light is on, and it looks to be over $1000 to fix all the pollution devices that goes boink when the vehicle hits 150K miles. Otherwise the vehicle is comfy, has been well maintained, handles great in all kinds of weather (AWD is a must), and other than the looming $1000 repair bill, is paid for. It gets 14 miles to the gallon on regular gas. Now do the math. Even the cheapest Korean AWD SUV that can realistically carry two adults and two teenagers is going to be north of $30K. Pure gas gets you maybe 19 mpg. Hybrid gets you up around 38 mpg. Assuming the present 12K miles a year with gas around $2.50, it will take 18 years to break even with the pure gas replacement, and 11 for the hybrid. Not saying don't get a hybrid or even an all-electric. Just don't fool yourself as to the reason you are buying the new car. I get a kick out of the expression on a person's face after they had bragged about "all the money they are saving" and I do the math. That all said, the BIG breakthrough for electric vehicles will be when Boomers like me start being told we can't drive any more, so I go get that Tesla (or whatever brand will have the functions) that can drive me from my home to the grocery store, with a quick stop at Rooney's Pub on the way home, with me reading a Car & Driver the whole way.. Yeah, man. Bring it ON!
You’re absolutely right that you have to crunch the numbers, but it all comes down to what price range of car you’re looking at. You can’t compare a $30k hybrid or EV to someone who actually is going to be looking at a $15k car. Often times the best path is a used hybrid because the gap between full gas and the hybrid is far, far smaller. I love your theoretical autonomous car scenario! I can really get behind the stop at Rooney’s. 😁
Oops I didn't realize this video was years old! I Just got a Fusion Hybrid. Used the price was the same as a gas car and I only have a small step in the trunk for the battery. I live in a hilly area so going to work I get low 30's mpg but coming home high 40's even 50mpg as it runs mostly electric. I think cars like the Fusion are good for people that aren't considering hybrid or an EV. It's pretty much "normal" looking/driving.
im on my second ford fusion hybrid the first one i had i loved but i gave it to a family member because it was too high miles since i drive my car for my job as a delivery driver i put 30,000 miles a year on a car so i got my second ford fusion hybrid and i love it
I have a 2011 Fusion Hybrid and after 8 years I still get about 35 mpg. 17.5gal gas tank for about 560 mte. Wish I could make it quieter as the road noise is real noticeable. Door seals might need a coat of something. 165k miles so far with only two front wheel bearings replaced. Drive battery charges well and only had the start battery replaced twice.
I recognize that I90 boston landing area at the beginning of the video! Nice to see another Bostonian doing this type of videos! I bought my first ever hybrid vehicle, a 2019 Fusion Titanium hybrid. I absolutely love it and let's be honest there's no other hybrid car that looks this good for the price! Also got 2 Subarus for snow duties.
It’s always funny hearing how many folks are in this neck of the woods. And no kidding on how good the Fusion looks ... no other hybrid comes close to it. It was a very reliable car for me.
I’ve been driving hybrid cars since 2009. I’m never going back. I’ve avoided plugins because of my job. About 30% travel. The maintenance savings is real. I’ve owned a Civic Hybrid (Now my son’s), a Prius (drowned during Hurricane Harvey) and now a C-Max. The Prius got the best mileage but the C-Max is my favorite. We have an RV. I ca pull it 4 wheels down. A bid plus. Averaging 39 mpg. The worst mpg is in the winter. I guess because of the heater. Drops to about 36 during cold spells. I live in Texas so cold is relative. During summer it takes about 5 minutes for the AC to cool if down which is actually pretty good. Electric cars are the future. No doubt. And if you’re like me, the greener the better. When I retire I’ll be looking at the Fusion Energi if it’s still around. I love my RV but I average about 2500 miles a year on it. It’s my real joy in life.
Interesting video. I recently had an Uber ride in a Tesla. Obviously we talked about the car. The owner wasn't overly impressed with it. He didn't charge at home, used a supercharger near his home every afternoon. He said the Tesla cost about the same to run as his previous Camry hybrid. But charging it added 45 minutes to his day. He actually wanted to go back to a hybrid (he was hoping a Lexus hybrid) but was concerned about the depreciation EVs seem to be suffering.
I have a 2019 Energi. I watched many other reviews and yours before I bought it. Previously had a Leaf. My mission has changed since I retired, the Leaf was my commute car. Now I am doing a lot of long distance trips. 92.8 mpg is satisfactory for me, on a recent trip in the Energi. The Tesla model 3 is too expensive. Even with today’s gasoline prices, and electricity prices, I am still ahead of the game with the Energi. I hope you have success with your Tesla. I believe the insurance is higher, and the build quality could be better.
I’ve got the ‘18 Camry hybrid, as I’m rural it’s the perfect answer. 49.5 mpg, only 1.2k extra for the hybrid, 600 mile per tank and a flat trunk. As almost all of my trips are 50 miles or more this is the perfect solution. Just not quite as pretty as the Ford.
Had a 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium. I was averaging 167 mpg, mostly driving around town. Loved it so much, was planning on keeping it for another 5 to 10 years until I was in an accident that totaled her. So so very sad. I had to find a car to tool around in and decided on a 2017 Volkswagen e-golf. As much as I would like a Tesla, the e-golf is very comfortable and will give me the range I desire for driving around town. Hoping the e-golf will last me at least 10 years.
I like our Honda Clarity PHEV for these reasons. - 2 seconds to plug it in to charge - Max 2 1/2 hours charge time - 47 mile EV range means 100% electric around town - gas engine means 5 minute refills on long road trips - good cargo space - spacious interior - very quiet - adaptive cruise control Best of both worlds. A full EV would be nice if recharge times were under 15 minutes.
Those are all great reasons ... and a good car. But 97% of people don't need an EV to recharge in under 15 minutes given common driving patterns (daily roundtrip commutes under 50 miles). Longer trips are simple if you're car has access to a fast charging network, like a Tesla on Superchargers. For non-Tesla's that network is still pretty sparse, but it's getting built out. It really comes down to being pragmatic and picking the right car for your specific needs in your location. Like you point out, the Honda is the perfect choice for you, but and EV may be a better choice for someone else.
Changing oil every 3 months? I think somebody at the car service might have bamboozled you because a usual car change is at least every 6 months or normally once a year. I’ve never had problems with my cars like that.
I just bought a 2014 fusion hybrid and it’s a great car. My only concern is having to replace the hybrid battery. It’s got almost 100,000 miles on it so I hope I don’t have to do that anytime soon.
Im getting a 2016 with 106 miles on it and I have the same worry. Did you have to get a new hybrid battery and do you know around how much they go for? 🙏🏽
@@Lifewithjavs I actually didn't get to that point of having to replace it because it was destroyed by hail earlier this year and the insurance totaled it but before it was destroyed it was at 150,000 with no issue whatsoever so you should be good. Refurbished batteries are just under 3 grand but a new one will run you 5 grand. Depending on your financial situation, if it ever goes out, it might be worth it to get a new car at that point.
It’s a great irony that in the USA you get incentives to go electric, yet your petrol prices are so cheap compared to most of the world! In NZ gas is expensive, hydropower plentiful, yet we get no tax breaks or incentives (as far as I know). There is also little investment in charging infrastructure, so EV take-up has been slow, although e-bikes are booming. It’s a little sad in a country that markets itself as being clean & green. Slick video Matt, loved the soundtrack too.
Thanks for watching! That is a little crazy that NZ is slow to adopt when gas is so pricey. With the uptick in charging infrastructure from companies like BP (building out in a Europe right now), I hope places like NZ will start to see more investment too. Curious if NZ folks are interested, but government and companies are lagging behind, or if folks just don’t care/know yet.
Undecided with Matt Ferrell There is great interest, Prius hybrids sell well, but cost and range-anxiety are issues. The Hyundai Kona petrol (compact SUV) starts at $32,000, the EV model from $74,000!!!
I have a 2013 Cmax hybrid with the same hybrid power plant as the Fusion (smaller battery than the energi) absolutely love it. Planning on a new 2019 RAV4 hybrid when they hit the showroom in the spring. Using the planetary gear set as a variable power split device ( instead of metallic belts and variable sheave pulleys) was brilliant. This was co developed by Ford and Toyota.
I had a 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid for 4 years and it was great. I loved the power of the C-Max compared to the Prius. I believe Ford and Toyota's hybrid systems aren't co-developed but because they're so similar they co-licensed each other's technology to avoid lengthy lawsuits. The current 2018 RAV4 Hybrid is pretty brilliant so I have high hopes for the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid. Next year Ford should reveal the 2020 Ford Escape and it's getting a Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid version, most likely a PHEV. I'm eagerly waiting to see how the new Escape Hybrid looks and drives. I'm curious if the Escape Hybrid will have an electric motor in the rear like the old Escape Hybrid and Rav4 Hybrid or a mechanical drive shaft like the Lincoln Aviator PHEV.
C T 2019 To 2018 RAV4 hybrid, more power 219hp, better mileage 39/40. The hybrid up charge for 2019 RAV4 is just $800, that's amazing. It was several thousand in my 2013 Cmax (based on Fusion Gas to Fusion Hybrid differential). Rear electric drive is standard on all 2019 Rav4 hybrids! The Dynamic Force 2.5 has dual injection, direct and port, which should help reduce the intake valve carbon deposits showing up on DI engines. If I sound sold, I am, just waiting until they hit the dealerships. I typically keep a vehicle 15 years if satisfied. Currently upgrading from a 2003 Lexus GS 300 Sport Design only has 134k. My only concern was the nickel metal hydride batts instead of lithium ion like the Cmax. After studying Toyoto's battery philosophy I came to agree, lithium ion for Plug-in and EV, nickel metal hydride for straight hybrids. Nickel metal hydride batts are just bullet proof, take a lot of abuse. You want to take in as much energy from coasting and stopping as you can and immediately put it to use the very next acceleration from a dead stop plus a performance boost when you want it like an electric turbo. The 2019 RAV4 hybrid is getting the P710 eCVT coupled to the 2.5 Atkinsson. My HF35 transmission in my Cmax failed at 59k. New trans $5900 plus labor to remove entire engine/trans, replace trans reinstall complete engine/trans. 2 weeks at dealership mostly waiting on new tranny, not a stock item! Entirely covered by warranty, got a loaner too. The trans got more and more noisy as it ate itself from the inside, loudest when just beginning to shift from positive torque to coasting. My guess on the failure mode was the intermediate transfer counter shaft did not have correct preload (too much) when the trans housings were assembled resulting in galling the bearing/race probably mostly in the first thermal cycle of the trans. Premature wear occurs from galling resulting in accelerated bearing/race wear to plain sloppy fit to no preload and excessive clearance and end play to destruction! It was not a lubrication issue. The problem occurred 2013- to 2015 I think, Ford shifted trans assembly to another site and the problem went away. It affected all Cmax, all Fusion hybrids, and Lincoln MKZ hybrids. If you have an early model I would be happy to talk to anyone with trans noise, don't wait if you have trans noise. Ford was aware the the problem in 2014, there were TSB's issued with corporate instructions to contact owners, I was never notified by my dealer to bring in for check.
You're so right. I actually had 2 C-Maxes. A 2013 C-Max Hybrid SE from new and never had any problems through 70k then traded in. And a 2013 C-Max Hybrid SEL bought used with 22k miles. The used SEL got it's transmission replaced under warranty right after I bought it at 22k mi. It was making a slight grinding noise and I only knew it was a problem because the SE didn't make the same noises. I saw the previous owner averaging 37-39 mpg and after the new transmission I got 42 mpg.
C T I kept thinking it was tire whine, actually bought new tires to confirm it wasn't the tires. I bet your used one was traded in because of the noise. I get 38.5 winter 42 summer. My biggest pain is passenger side temperature blend door motor drive, failed at 38.5K miles, failed again now ! Either plastic teeth on gears or electrical slide contacts for position intelligence. Any experience in this?
Charles, I didn't have any climate control problems, we traded both out last year. When it rained hard, it would trigger the front parking sensors on the SEL, easy to just turn it off on those days. And of course MyFordTouch on both would occasionally crash but it happened less after updates in 2015. I have a Focus ST with Sync3 and the system is much, much better.
I owned a Honda Insight 2010... The hybrid drivetrain was very poor and slow, hated the compromise vs a regular gas Civic after long term driving... I now own an Elantra, gets only 5-8mpg less which is minimal per year cost. I am waiting for more EV options and pricing to go down before going full EV.
I’m excited to see what VW has coming. It’s looking like we’re going to be getting more squarely into the mid-$20k price range over the next couple of years. Prices are slowly working their way down.
@@UndecidedMFI hope you are right, I really want a hot hatch electric for under 30k! People are overpaying for cars right now and getting some ridiculous 72 month loans, so we'll see. Maybe if there is an economic downturn and more competition pricing and selection will improve!
Bought a ford fusion plugin 2017 in 2018 Best car I ever had. I usually have to get gas 1 time every 2 months. Unless I take a trip. I"m not much for snow and ice so we go to AZ in the winter. Keeps our mileage on electricity up. Stores are close that helps a lot. Electric is the future but not just yet.
Maintenance savings actually far outpace fuel cost savings for most hybrids and EVs. I really wish that were a bigger selling point, or more commonly known. People forget to consider average maintenance costs when considering new vehicle purchases - it's really one of the top things to be aware of, more so than fuel efficiency in my opinion, since generally efficiency is directly tied to desired characteristics of the vehicle (size, towing capacity, power, etc). Resale value is another bigger one.
I just purchased a brand new energi for about 19k usd in Canada. With gas at about $4 a gallon usd and electric costs around 7 cents usd per kilowatt this car is a no brainer ..... Add in that is gets a green plate so we can use the hov lanes with a single occupant it's even better.
I bought a used 2016 Ford C-Max Energi for 15K in October 2017 with just under 20K miles. Honestly not sure a more affordable option was available at the time with all the bells and whistles a loaded C-Max has. I replaced a vehicle that was getting 16 miles mpg now for about 8 months of the year I am averaging 85 MPG and the other 4 months 65 MPG (colder months). Electricity is cheaper here than MA 7 cents in the winter season and 15 cents during the summer season. It has Sync 3 and supports Apple Car Play or Android Auto so love the Infotainment system especially considering the cost. The only con is trunk space but it's enough for a grocery run or couple suitcases for a road trip. The main advantage this has over a pure electric car is if I decide today I want to go out of town this weekend via a road trip I can as range isn't an issue where in most EV's it's just not possible to drive 500 miles in one shot like I do when I drive to Colorado for a long weekend away. Until an EV can be charged as fast as a gas tank is filled or the range become something ridiculous like 1K miles EV will never be a true every scenario vehicle.
That’s some incredible mileage you’re getting on the C-Max. Many EVs on the market today would be a struggle for a weekend trip, like the Nissan Leaf, but with ranges getting longer like 300+ miles on the Tesla Model 3 it’s becoming less of an issue. I actually just got back from a 380 mile trip and had zero issues charging on the go via the Tesla Superchargers. We went from 10% charge when we stopped for lunch to about 75% full in 30 minutes. Another 15 minutes would have gotten us to 90%. Even a quick pit stop (aka bathroom break) for 5 -10 minutes added 100 miles to the car. Overall, the trip took no longer than our usual run with a gas car. But as you mentioned ... the key to that success was the fast charging on the Tesla Supercharger network. Without that it wouldn’t be a viable option. Fast charging is a must.
My argument on the acceleration is that the torque is instantaneous at a red light. It can chirp the tires from a stop. You’re right about zero to sixty, but it still has nice low-end pickup. On price, I got a huge discount on my 2017 from the dealer. (>$7,500.) Add in tax rebates, and the price compared to the gas only version was even. And, in California, I now get to drive in the carpool lane. It’s a winner all around.
4:10 the advantage regarding re-gen, also apply to hybrids. The difference tends to be that EVs these days will offer different levels of regen, which doesn’t mean it will save the breaking pads more. My previous hybrid had pads in great condition after 80k miles, when the non hybrid version of the same model (less weight) tend to require replacement no later than 60k miles.
Fair point. The stronger the regen, the less you have to ride the brake. Driving an EV now, I really like a strong regen, which allows for one pedal driving most of the time.
You have to buy an SD card to update the navigation. I have a 2016 Energi and just recently bought an updated SD card. I bought one that was one year old instead of the newest one and paid about $35 iirc. The newest version is around $100. Ford does not update navigation over the air, at least on the 13-16 Fusions. BTW, the best way to buy the energi is used. I bought a 2016 with 31k on it earlier this year for about the same as an ICE Fusion. It definitely is saving me money on my 50 mile round trip commute. Plugging in and charging for free at work is nice too.
Used hybrids are an amazing bargain. But that’s really disappointing that Ford doesn’t provide the map updates for free. Many cars come with Apple CarPlay or Android Audio, which side steps the need for the car maker to provide navigation at all. And Tesla’s have free navigation included.
My 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid Sync does not work with my iPhone. I am now about to buy a used 2016 Plug-in Ford Fusion Titanium...am on the fence with a 2017 FF Titanium Hybrid...almost same mileage and price....cooling seats on plug-in but NOT on Hybrid. ...I live in perfect road condition climate....so @Undecided with Matt Ferrell I had a great trade-in on my 2013, and am getting a great deal no matter which I choose...but HOV lane driving and electric-plug -in parking...two perks for Energi option not discussed....for me HOV commute where I live saves time daily which is priceless,
Ford did scam us on this car. The EV system was rated at 88kW, but it has been tested to only put out 62kW. This makes the 0-60 time in EV mode at 16 seconds. Been driving mine for ten years and it has been flawless reliability. Not an Energi or hybrid specific problem, but removing the front bumper to replace a headlamp or turn signal bulb is a super bummer.
I have a '13 C-Max Energi I bought used about 6 months ago for $7500. With a 130 mile daily commute I needed something more fuel efficient than the Edge I was driving, I do have the benefit of free car charging at work so that certainly helps with my commute costs. I haven't been averaging as good a mileage as you have been getting though. In the summer I was averaging 50.1 MPGe. In the winter it is closer to 40. Almost my entire is commute is highway so cruising at 80 MPH isn't the most efficient way to drive. It's very comfortable and even roomy, 4 adults can easily sit comfortably with room to spare. Performance is about what you'd expect out of a smaller car. It destroys a Prius but the acceleration still leaves you wanting. I sense that some of that is because of the CVT transmission. It is sluggish and slow to respond. I've never been a fan of CVT's for that reason. I've only had it for 6 months so I can't speak much to reliability. I can say I've put 22,000 miles on it without issue. The car has 128,000 miles total and is in absolutely perfect condition. You can definitely tell the batteries are a bit a tired. Even in the summer I was lucky to 18 miles of range. Usually less than that with highway driving. The only maintenance issue I have had so far is the rear brakes. I replaced them at about 112,000 mile mark because I had a caliper lock up and destroy the rotor. They were factory original brakes however. I have full maintenance history and the brakes have never been replaced before. I've not had the same issue as you with the charging port door. Mine seems to close fine and stay closed. The only thing I really HATE about the car is the much lamented My Ford Touch infotainment system. It is absolutely rubbish. I have frequent issues with Bluetooth skipping like a scratched record. It is slow to respond and locks up frequently. I have the newer Sync 3 system in my Edge and it is worlds better. Cargo space also kinda sucks. But that's the price you pay for retrofitting an existing car with a huge battery pack.
If I'm not mistaken its actually the fastest ford fusion in terms of acceleration with a 5.3 second 0 to 60 aulthough it's the least powerful because it's a porche 918. The 2.0 has a 7.3 second 0 to 60 with 270 horsepower and the v6 in the sport has a 0 to 60 of 6.8 ish seconds with 330 horsepower. It's a sedan that can stomp most things on the road
I bought a new Chevy Bolt EV in November of 2018, and drove it through a Wisconsin winter, which is finally over I hope! I love it. Driving an EV is just different. It's the opposite of the hot rod I drove in my younger days, which was noisy and fast. The Bolt is silent and fast enough. It's about 6.5 seconds zero to sixty, plenty snappy for me these days. I can cruise home on the expressway after work at an effortless 80 mph, and barely a sound. At 80 it's exhilarating. At 70 I find it relaxing,. I did rent a Ford Fusion on a recent business trip. The interior is nicer, but the performance can't compare to my Bolt. I debated between a hybrid and a true EV, and decided with the range of the Bolt covering 98% of my driving needs, why should I lug along that internal combustion engine. It would just be dead weight most of the time. I made the right choice.
That’s awesome. You hit the nail on the head with “Driving an EV is just different.” Until you drive one and own one, it’s sometimes hard to wrap your head around what it’s like.
Own the same car you have. In Western Canada, a Hybrid is the answer due to the vast distances and cold winters. At least you have gasoline to fall back on when needed.
Hello, I drive a CMAX by Ford. It's a hybrid. I really like it. I had planned on getting the upgrade, but they stopped making it. I hear that it's one of the worst selling cars that Ford ever made. Thanks for your break down of the Ford Fusion. I really appreciate it.
I had a 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid for 4 years and it was great. Low gas prices and the 47 mpg debacle didn't help it's sales. I got 41 mpg overall. I loved the power of the C-Max compared to the Prius. Sharing parts with the Focus & Escape and the design by Ford Europe should've kept costs down. Next year Ford should reveal the 2020 Ford Escape it's getting a Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid version, most likely a PHEV. I'm eagerly waiting to see how the new Escape Hybrid looks and drives.
I think sticking with hybrids that were designed as hybrids is the way to go, I drive a 2012 Prius C for work and as a personal vehicle. It’s reliable, simple, but still enjoyable to drive and comfortable. The full size Prius, especially the latest generation is more comfortable than most full size cars I’ve been in besides luxury vehicles, and has similar power to a “normal” car. My Prius C has 145,000 miles on it, the way I drive I usually average a bit less than the EPA estimate, but even on a “bad day” I can usually manage 40+, during good weather, easily 50+.
Hybrids that were designed to be hybrids, or EVs that were designed to be EVs, is definitely the way to go. The Fusion was a nice car and got good mileage, but it is a retrofitted gas car ... so it has a harder time matching the efficiency of something like a Prius.
We love it, my wife drives it mostly and it works well for her commute (45 miles round trip).The Leaf is very much an economy car though, it has more road noise than the fusion does. I work from home, so the Energi only gets used to run up to the grocery store, grab lunch, etc, or when we take road trips. I would love to have a model 3 or a used S even, but as little as I drive, its just not worth the car payment at this time, but it is constantly tempting me!!
The Leaf and Bolt have always struck me as great bang for the buck (I’ve never driven them but have really wanted to try them out). Nothing wrong with economy if it ticks all the boxes for you. I just picked up my Model 3 today! So my 894 day wait is over (not that I was counting). Videos to come on that little guy.
Someday all electrics will be the standard. For today I love my 2016 C-Max Energi. It sits up like a small SUV, good power, and I use little to no gas during the week due to the plugin feature, and I can go over 500 miles between gas fills when I skip town. I recommend buying any hybrid 2-3 years old as they coming off lease. I paid half of the new price even though it looks and drives like new. I am not a Ford guy but I love this car.
I drive a 2008 ford escape hybrid. This is the vehicle that ford produced as a green taxi. It typically runs between 27 &28 mpg which is pretty dam good for an suv. Just to give you an idea about how it compares to the regular gas-only model, My last escape was an 03 gas-only and on a good day, made 19 mpg.
I almost bought the Hybrid version of the Fusion three years ago. The upfront cost of an additional $8,000 just could not justify purchasing that version over the gasoline one, on top of expected expenses for repairs and maintenance. At a minimum, the daily mileage was 40 round trip, but being New England, the terrain it's exactly flat around here, so the extra power is needed in the winter months. So, I purchased the all-wheel drive version. Glad I did, these last couple of winters have been ones to remember.
When I bought mine the price gap was smaller than the $8k you were seeing. If I remember correctly, there were some special sales going on at the time. While it would absolutely not make up for the $8k price difference you were seeing, the maintenance costs on the Energi were pretty much non existent in the time I had it. The brakes were wearing better than any car I had before because of the regen braking and I didn’t have to change the oil as frequently. There’s generally less maintenance on a hybrid vs. a traditional ICE car. If you can find an Energi model closer in price (used is usually the way to go for that), it’s definitely worth it.
@@UndecidedMF Nice. I must have bought mine right before the specials. You are right about the oil changes. It's up to 5k miles per. Still, Wmass is rough on the body.
One thing not mentioned in the video is emissions. Hybrid cars do have less emissions than non-hybrid and are a small step forward in saving the planet. The benefit far outweighs any economic concerns considering that time is fast running out to reverse the effects of climate change. So I can recommend everyone have at least a hybrid car over any non-hybrid. The extra price is well invested in protecting the environment however small the actual contribution. It takes millions of rain drops to create an ocean.
If you want to save the planet, you'll be pushing for alternative, non-hydrocarbon ways to produce electricity, and in the automotive realm, BEVs. NOT hybrids. Engineers are rapidly figuring out batteries and charging systems, and the next step is the clean generation of electricity, and that means a minimal reliance on fossil fuels is the ultimate goal. The good news is, electrics are now here to stay. They are not just green, they are the better vehicle. Quiet, efficient, and will soon be cheaper, with less headaches. That's what will lead them to success ......
I am driving 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid which I bought it brand new and until this day I still get 5 litter every 100 kilometre and I leave in Vancouver British Columbia so I think I can not ask for better car.
I have an Ford Fusion Energi as well. Matt if you want an update your navigation maps, buy the updated SD card with the newer maps. I do that every year. My fusion came with 2015 SD card map (SD card goes inside your middle console) Now I am running the 2018 map. It is not as expensive as it used to. If you don’t mind using eBay, you can get one for 50 USD.
N. Wyoming we see about 16 miles on electric. In Houston we see about 30 (very flat). We see about 2 tanks of gas each year. The other 8k to 10k miles a year is all electric for us.
Hello my fellow Brother in Massachusetts, I live in on the outer fringes of what is the Boston Area. I subscribed to you because I love to support people who are more local and closer to where I live. It's nice to see you out here! I am looking to buy a Toyota Prius C. I rent and I don't own property yet, I think a Prius C won't necessarily kill my budget and the build quality may be a lot better than my 2005 Mercury Sable. I like the idea that the engine will not be running all the time and that the regenerative braking will do a lot of work to slow the car down. The repair bills for my current car have been ridiculous over the past few years and the number of times it has been in the shop have been more than I could count. Hybrid cars are "high tech" vehicles, they are anything but simple but, I figure if I buy one that is made by a proven brand with a good track record, I might make out all right. I have never seen a Prius rust out like my current car unless it was in an accident. Yes, a Prius battery might need to be replaced but, I think it may hold up a lot better in the long run than most conventional cars therefore making it a worthwhile endeavor. Efficiency and a car that does the job without me worrying about it, is what I'm aiming to purchase. I hear you about the electric cars but, I don't see it to be practical until I own a house and yes, there is that 436 mile trip up to my home town on the Canadian border that kind of puts me back into the hybrid stuff. I liked this video, I look forward to seeing your future videos. Take care of yourself my friend. ( .^_^. )
Ha! Nice to see another fellow New Englander here. Thanks for subbing and watching. I totally hear you on why you’re thinking of going hybrid over BEV for now. Folks that don’t have a set place to charge at home or work might have a tougher time figuring out a charging routine that works for them. That will get better in time, but you gotta do what best for you right now. The Prius has an awesome track record, so I think you’d be making a good choice there ... and saving a good deal of money on gas.
Love my Nissan Altima hybrid, but absolutely love my Ford Fusion energi 10 times over!! Deep discounts given since Ford is discontinuing this model. Poor decision discontinuing this model in my experience with the car. I get 40 miles on a charge, and I live in Florida. Love this car. Wish they marketed this car a little better. Getting a roof rack with storage for long trips.
Ty fort he great review... I just bought a used Ford C max energi 2016. Why you may ask. I considering a full electric vehicle on a long trip from Canada to the USA and Mexico is not possible. going to mexico with an electric car. LOL// it's not going to happen. Hybrid at the moment is perhaps the cheapest way to travel without worries.
In the 2013-2017 version I could get ~35mi in nice weather, ~18mi in winter with defrost, lights, wipers on. They kept the full 14gal gas tank so with a full battery and tank you can go 620 mi without stopping. I switched from the 2016 which I leased to a 2018 Honda Clarity with 48mi rated range (I got 60mi in good weather) which unfortunately was just totaled by some idiot while it was parked, so I'm going back to a 2019 Fusion Energy. I'm glad to be going back to a superior seat and much better cabin comfort. I had the 2016 for three years and honestly only once was the trunk space a problem. You can fit 4 golf bags in this trunk, it's not THAT small. Honestly the trunks in most mid-sized ICE sedans ate a bit ridiculous. Advantages of the PHEV are that it is still much easier to road trip long distances. In a Bolt or a Leaf you're stopping every ~180 miles for half an hour. PHEVs also use much less lithium to produce. We don't have enough lithium for us all to switch to BEVs, but PHEVs would make much better transitional vehicles while we switch to walking, biking, public transit, which is the only way we're really going to make a dent in CO2 levels.
I drive the Ford C-Max SE hybrid . I love the car , and it def has more then enough get up and go when i need the power. and it drives great , and a nice sounding factory stereo system is has in it too .
besides the cost, the only reason why i wouldn't get an electric car right now is because I'm afraid I'll forget to charge it or something and so the next time i drive it and it only has a few charge left, that I'll get stranded somewhere and there's not THAT much charging stations. Only some malls and some workplace but not most.
@@kofiafram5282 I've owned my 2019 for just shy of 2 years. I have not had any maintenance costs except for the normal stuff (filters, oil chgs, etc). However, the battery (12V) that's in the trunk (not the hybrid battery) only lasts for about 3 years (max). I just had mine replaced (under warranty). From what I've read online plan on replacing that battery every 3 years. I bought this car used with 16K (it was a certified vehicle). No issues and I've been happy with the car.
I have a Kia Niro Hybrid, for a year. So glad I went Hybrid, here in TX they are behind as far as EV. I'm looking at a 2010 Fusion hybrid with 139000 miles, they're asking 5800. What do think about it as a 2nd car?
Battery degradation in hybrid car is 5-10 times higher because you fully discharge and again fully charge battery every day. That small battery is much more loaded in every way. 1.Discharge speed is very high 2. heating is faster 3. regenerative braking is less intense. You have limited charging speed. You cant charge this battery with speeds 500miles/h like on model 3 instead it is 50miles/h. Because all this battery life cycle is much shorter than in full EV.
I didn’t mention that in my video (I should have). You can see in my usage data a pretty steep decline year over year in the battery efficiency (probably a 5-10% drop each year).
We rarely fully discharge our Clarity. Also Honda protects against fully charging and discharging because only the middle 14kw are used of a 17kw battery.
Thank You for outstanding honest and objective analysis. I drove a Ford Fusion Hybrid rental for 2 weeks. The good is the 44mpg and it's roomy and comfortable. The bad is the car is boring and lacks performance/handling/styling and they shoved the battery in the trunk which is silly. Although I loved the 44mpg I would hate the car over time. I would rent one again to save gas for a road trip but have zero desire to own one. I enjoy driving and will happily eat the $500 annual fuel savings to drive a much better performing gas vehicle e.g. Mazda CX5 turbo is on my radar. I like to go on camping trips to isolated places and will go electric only when charge stations are as available as gas stations, but I do believe electric is the future especially when recharging infrastructure becomes sufficient. I also agree most EVs look terrible, but Tesla is very nice. Rivian is also real nice, but I don't think they've hit the market yet and they're also pricy like model S.
I have a Porsche Panamera with a plug in hybrid. The car is FAST and when both the electric and gas engine are engaged they are appx 500 HP. Range is 31 miles which is enhanced by engine charging. I fully realize everyone cannot or dows not want to afford a Porsche but they have proven that the technology does exist to make tho cars efficient. My wife has a Tesla model X and taking a long trip in that car is punitive! Stopping every few hundred miles to charge adds time to the travel which depending on the trip distance may add as much as a day of road time. I can see why full electric cars are taking over but my preference will always be the plug in hybd. With fully electric there is always "range anxiety" which can even be a problem with local travel.
Should compare current model with incentives vs current electric cars. Current fusion has cast play and apple compatability. Makes infotainment system slowness an afterthought
Plug in electric cars are only viable if you have a garage/driveway to plug it in on. If you live in a block of flats or you park your car on the street, until the charging points become more common and the charging time comes down, hybrids are your only option if you want some kind of electric vehicle.
Yeah, that’s a downside to plug-in hybrids or full EVs.... if you have to street park, you’ll need to figure out alternative charging options. A lot of areas are getting EV chargers in locations like malls, grocery stores, or office parking lots. So it’s possible to charge while at work or shopping, but you tend to see those in more urban areas right now.
@@UndecidedMF yeah I have a lexus rx400h. Considering it's quite a large SUV, I'm filling it up about half as much as my previous car. Which was a vauxhall cavalier 2.0 litre.
I'm glad I got the regular non plug in hybrid. I complained about the battery taking up too much trunk space, but I was shocked when I seen this. That would be a deal breaker for me. I average close to 60mpg, one time I got as high as 84mpg. Given the higher cost of the plug in, I don't really see much of a benefit.
I just bought a 2019 energi, absolutely love it. Plug it in at home and get those free miles. I don't have to plug it in but at night why not, just like my cell phone. But I agree on the trunk space, super small. That's the biggest downside.
I'm leaning towards the Volt with a V. better range and a usable trunk hatch is a no brainer but good that you like your fusion. Good luck with the Tesla.
I bought used 800 dollars fixed rebooting battery fixed steering problem cost one front battery 10 software computer connection 20. I carry a full drum set 45 average miles
It's a older video, but great information. I currently have a electric focus, and I absolutely love the car. But however I'm in the market for something I can do 500miles every other weekend or so. The fusion may be a little older, but I do like idea of a plug in hybrid. If I can find one of these I'd love to give it a go
Great video, very informative. By the way, 0 to 60 in 8 seconds was considered high performance in 1990. That was what the Mustang GT with automatic did.
I have a 2016 Fusion Energi and I am saving 100.00 a month on gas. I bought is used for 16500 and I also get free charging at work and sometimes charge at home to get really good miliage. I wish the that the batter size would some how give us 200 miles pre charge though. :-)
You have quite a style imagination if you look at a Fusion and see an Aston DB9. Hey look at my wife's Focus and see a Mercedes AMG. But I digress. Beauty-eye-beholder... As a mere appliance as i see cars now that my youth is passed, I looked at several cars back in 15 when i needed to replace an aging 1994 325. I looked at EVs and the Prius. EVs weren't there yet and still quirky even if the price was right. Hybrids were twice the price of ICE equivalent cars. I drive into the city (70 miles away) once a week, work at home and do a couple small village errands. I take about four 1000 mile trips a year. So about 12,000 mi I did the math and found a Ford dealer lease return Fiesta S, 2013 with stick (no dreaded DCT). I bought it for $8000 cash plus tax and fee one cold winter day when they weren't selling ANY cars. 2 year DT warranty and one year anything warranty. Also Ford is the only real dealer in my county. Now cost to run: repairs so far = zero for three years. 42MPG (Prius was only a little better than that highway) at $2/USGal so 4.5c a mile or $550/year or two tanks a month. The car sits four out of seven days. Gasoline needs no attention at rest, so i don't have to go charge it when it's just in the barn. I really though an EV or hybrid would work however the money math just doesn't even come close for me. That's me, not you. Even an EV would cost me at least $250 a year charging it at home, so I'd only save $300 a year on fuel. If gas doubled it would only be $600. That makes it hard to justify the cash outlay, or worse financing too, for a $50,000 car to move my mostly solitary ass, when an $8000 car does it just as comfortably, quickly, safely. Being fabulous is expensive, but to each his own. Peace out.
I have a Ford Fusion Hybrid. I'm almost at 200,000 miles and the check engine light has never come on. Still drives like new. The original brake pads are still good. It's the single most reliable car I've ever had. I can see it easily reaching 500,000+ miles, no problem
@@tarstarkusz charging an EV just seems like a hassle still. And the range isn't quite there just yet. I was considering a RAV4 Prime as a vehicle to camp with and go on long distance road trips, but the more I think about it the more I would lean to just the hybrid version instead of the plugin. I read somewhere that the majority of people with plugin hybrids never plug their car, they just use gas.
Update on my Ford Fusion hybrid: now at 248,000 miles. Still on the original brakes, check engine still hasn't come on. AC ice cold like the day I bought it.
@@tarstarkusz well, idk what to tell you apart from the fact that I have never changed the brake pads and every time I rotate my tires I check them to make sure they are not worn out completely. They have close to a 1/4" left. For context I do not drive like a maniac. I try to always get the most Regen possible (wherever practical, I don't drive like a grandma either) when I slow or stop the car. Always try to be gradual to stop and get as close to 100% Regen as possible. My car stopped showing my electric miles driven because it doesn't go past 99,999mi for electric miles on the odometer, which is amazing considering I've never plugged in my car (since it's just a standard hybrid). It's not uncommon for people with EVs or hybrids to have brake pads last a ridiculously long time. I suppose until you drive one for an extended period of time (without racing all the time), you will see yourself first hand how long brakes last on EVs/hybrids
Yes, it does need new shocks. And also the CX axle boot and tie rod end boots are worn out so those need replacing, but apart from that it has not given me any mechanical issues.
*CV axle
@@tarstarkusz maybe something is lost in translation, but my car's official name is Ford Fusion Hybrid. Hybrid cars here don't get plugged in unless they're specifically the plugin version, in which case they have more battery range. There's hybrid cars, then plugin hybrid cars, then full EV cars. My car's battery gets charged via braking Regen, hence why my brakes last so long. I live in Southern California in the desert with essentially no rust in my car. I'm not one of those people who has the AC on 24/7, I rarely have it on full blast
@@tarstarkusz
Hybrid cars do not get plugged in. Research.
I picked up a pre-owned Ford Fusion SE Hybrid and I adore it. I get fantastic mileage and haven't had any trouble with it whatsoever.
Took your advice and bought a low mileage 2019 Fusion Hybrid for my daughter yesterday. I'm amazed a car that size can get anywhere near 40mpg.
@@KrustyKlown I just bought the same model last week.
I have zero complaints.
From reading a lot of comments I believe I made a good buy.
My wallet already thanking me for gas savings
The ford fusion hybrid is basically a Toyota
@@JayBlazingProphecy I bought a used 2017 Energi Hybrid with 18,000 miles on it and full options. I buy gas every six weeks. It charges from the solar panels so no overhead on electricity costs. Nice car but it's really mostly computer. Next car will be an old manual transmission thing that never breaks.
I Have a 2016 Fusion Hybrid Titanium. Best car I've ever had. I have to think about range as many of my business trips are in the 300 mile range. So it's a fantastic car for that. I opted to NOT get the Energi version because I would only get 20 miles of EV and then my car would just be the regular Hybrid version with more weight (an extra row of batteries which also eats the trunk space. Which the regular Hybrid doesn't) Remember it is EXACTLY the same car as a Lincoln MKZ. (A designer from Ford told me that...) So you are really getting a lot of bang for your buck with this car. Comfort, suspension, ride quality etc... If you want more performance, just turn off the ECO button and the thing is a rocket. I've always owned European sedans [BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Saab]. This is my first American car. And my interest was peaked upon finding that this incarnation of the Fusion was designed by the guys from Aston Martin to compete with the Euro Sedan market. (Which is why the front end and grill design are the shape and styling that they are...) They knocked it out of the park with this car. I am so sad to hear they're going to discontinue this car (here in the US). Such a dumb move... Best car ever. And this is coming from a lifetime high end European sedan owner.
We also have a 2016 fusion hybrid titanium but... We got the Energi. No trunk space like you said and it only gets average 34.5 mpg. It was advertised as getting 95/85. 20 miles in and the electric battery is done unless you go 25 mph or under. I love the car. It is exactly like the MK but half the price.
I have the 2018 FF Platinum Hybrid and I love it. I call it my poor man luxury car. Love this car!
I have the 2017 and love it! Without climate control I get close to 30 miles on a full charge! Dunno about the best car ever... I've got the same gripes as every other owner (short range, small trunk, slow charging, etc) but it's been a great car! If it had the same specs as the Prius Prime I think it probably would be the best car available! My sister has a Lincoln MKC and, as a sporty crossover, I love the way it drives but it cost a lot more and gets half the mileage!
@@davisfamilyfun9583 you are not utilizing the tech right. I get 45.5mpg over 35k miles. It takes 2 weeks for the car to learn your behavior. When you are decelerating on a highway you shouldn't be breaking. You can also hold the pedal down, while slowing down to slow down slower then if you take your foot off the pedal. I've averaged 50mpg on a 100 mile trip there and back to Chicago for 2 weeks straight, 5 days a week, on the highway in the left lane with the flow of traffic. Use the EMPOWER mode to get the best mpg because it's the best Guage to understand the car with. You want to stay a little below 2 notches on the empower to maximize gas usage on the highway. I get thatsloghtly below 2 notch at 55, 61,(49mpg at those speeds with cruise control) and 67 mph. I'll get 43 to 44mpg going 70 to 74mph. Varying speeds from 70 to 90 and deaccerlatong by slightly holding the acceralator down, not the brake, got me 50 mpg to Chicago as mentioned.
Smart choice. Plugin hybrid vehicles are the best for short trips, but if you are doing lots of travelling everyday without the chance to charge the car then it is waste of money. SO, Good thinking :)
My parents gave me their Fusion after getting a new car. It’s great because most of the time I put it in EV and can get around doing that. In Colorado, almost all public chargers are free, which basically means free gas. It’s also great on the highway
I’ve owned a CMax Energi and now a Fusion Energi. I’ve found that these cars significantly drop in value the first 2 years. Because of that I bought my Fusion used and that is the only way to justify the economics of this car. I absolutely love my Fusion energy - super value IF you buy used. I managed to pick up a 2018 with only 3000 miles on it for $19000. It was a one owner car with a clean title!!
Have you have any problems with it since?
This comment 1000% Picked up a 2017 Platinum PHEV for less then half original price with 26000 miles. Way more luxury then I'm used to. One owner/no accidents/no rust/full doc history - original owner wanted a Tesla next. Works perfect for my use case of 15 mile trip to work and back. EV just too expensive and not enough long distance trip range.
I bought used as well and have been very pleased with my 2015 Fusion Energi. Daily driving is covered by battery most days. If I'm going farther I'll use the battery for the slower miles and switch to "later use of battery" mode or standard hybrid for the highway part. I get 70 mpg like this for 100 miles and down to about 50 mpg if over 200 miles traveled. I get a half tank of gas (6 gallons) every 3-4 months so it's perfect for my use.
Even better now, you can get a fully loaded Fusion hybrid for less than $15,000 on models that are past warranty. And I wouldn't worry about them being past warranty because the hybrid tech is all Toyota based, and we all still see gen 2 Prius still on the road.
I bought a used 2015 Energi just over 4 years ago and it's been great. I probably get the advertised 19 miles of electric range in the winter and about half that in the summer (Arizona). A lot of short trips use no gas whatsoever, including round trip to my previous job. I can get to my current job easily with no gas and if one of the plugin spots they have are available, I can make it back home with no gas and some battery to spare (plus a bunch of miles on the company dime). I've had no maintenance issues and love the way it rides and handles. Like Matt said, it's no sports car and I do miss that, but for what it is, it's quite nice. The interior and exterior are both really nice as well. I think the extra $10,000 price tag is pretty exaggerated. Matt's correct that it's that much more than a base Fusion but what's missing is that the Energi comes with the Titanium (premium) package at a minimum. My car has pretty much every option available for the Fusion except the adaptive cruise control. So that $10K includes a lot of nice features and not just the powertrain itself.
We got our Fusion Energi in early Oct 2018. Its my wife's car, she does a lot of short trips. Here we are almost Jan 2019 - we are still running on the dealer tank of gas. We really like the car. Don't forget, the Energi qualifies for a somewhat smaller federal tax rebate and in California - a smaller state tax rebate. These knock down the hybrid premium here by over $7000. I'd recommend the Energi for someone with short local and occasional longer trips. Overall, it is a nice car to drive.
I find it hilarious you're trying to convince hybrid buyers to go full EV.
i'm still trying to convince people to even CONSIDER a hybrid, let alone an EV, and I'm failing miserably.
jbn675478 just bring up mpg
@@brandonbartlett5667 efficient ICE don't fair too much worse with highway miles. So if the person is primarily a highway driver MPG isn't a selling point. Would take a hell of a lot of savings to recoup the much larger upfront costs.
I'm currently looking into getting a hybrid myself because I do a lot of city driving. Might even get a EV with the backup gas like a Prime or Volt.
@@brandonbartlett5667 Just don't mention repair costs. Maybe over the life of the car it's about a wash, but the fixes unique to hybrids tend to be pricey enough that you're sidelined or spending months paying that off. Even a reconditioned battery is running about $900 now. New can be $3K. You can make multiple, significant repairs to a gas-only vehicle for the cost of replacing a battery in a hybrid.
Again, maybe it's ultimately a wash. But those hybrid fixes are more apt to really hit you hard.
The best way to save gas is to live closer to work if that is an option. I could only afford to live 15 miles from my work, else I would live closer. Plus you get a bit extra sleep!
Not necessarily true. I live within 3 miles of my school and it takes me 40mintues to commute every day and I'm out of my house by 6:30
@@alextran8188 how is that possible that it takes so long?
Ultimately, full electric vehicles are going to be the way to go. However, I currently have a hard time justifying the extra up front expense on a purely economic basis at this time. I recently leased a Kia Niro Hybrid for 4 years (non plug-in model) since the rebates for plug-in versions just went away in Ontario, Canada. Essentially, there was no price premium in selecting this hybrid vehicle at all, based on it's size, utility, and feature content. A fully load Hyundai Kona (non hybrid) costs more than the larger and MUCH better equipped Kia Niro, and the fuel economy is more than 40% better in the Kia. Go figure! We have averaged 4.6 litres per 100 kilometers, (52 mpg U.S.) since picking up the vehicle 5,500 kilometers ago and several times have exceeded 900 kilometers (560 miles) on a tank of fuel. And the Kia Niro we purchased is the LEAST efficient version due to it's larger tires and higher weight. Since pure hybrids (ie non plug-ins) always run their batteries between about 40% and 75% charge, battery degradation is virtually non existent. Almost 99% of 20 year old Toyota Prius' still have there original battery if statistics are to be believed. My nephew has a 2004 Prius with 420,000 kilometers (over 260,000 miles) on it and that vehicle also has it's original battery. Plug-in hybrids and full electrics are often likely to be FULLY charged and drained considerably lower than 40% range, and batteries just don't like that, hence cell phone batteries which generally fall off in capacity pretty quickly. I DO look forward to a full electric vehicle in 4 years, hopefully with solid state batteries, but for now we're loving our Kia Niro.
In 4 years we should have more affordable EV options out there for sure. Good point on the plug in degradation, but battery chemistry also plays into the longevity. In any case, nice to hear that the Kia Niro is working out for you so well.
Very good news that this hybrid works well for your purposes. Sadly prior US “hybrid” technology was poor. My 2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid, battery still OK, requires the engine to start, barely goes 1mile and in 32 degrees or lower, the engine will hardly shut off to keep the battery warm. As you indicated, hybrids since 3 years ago, depending on brand, are much better. Thanks.
I want to here someone do this in mn. When I drove to work two days ago it was -26 without the wind. And my cousin finally got rid of his hybrid becouse of all the maintenance issues. Wich I see being caused by the many sub zero weather days. His car was even garages. Personally some day I would like to get an electric vehicle. As a second vehicle. Could never get one right now. Could never get my kids on week end. They live 180 miles away
@@robertbeckler5058 curious where are you that you get -26 or is that Celsius. Not sure how cold that is comparatively.
@@UndecidedMF When looking at things on an emissions standpoint an Acura MDX non hybrid with 22 mpg gaining 5 mpg (30%) going hybrid would be the equivilent emissions reduction of a Toyota Prius gaining 44 mpg. That Acura hybrid system only utilizes a 1.3 KWh battery, adds only $1,500 cost to vehicle, and pays for itself in fuel savings within 5 years. Less if you included increased brake replacement lifespan.
Tesla's Gigafactory has a 20 GWh production capacity has enough to ensure ALL 17 million vehicles sold yearly become a micro / mild hybrid with a 1.3 KWh battery pack. When those batteries are used purely for the Model 3 production it would support 266K vehicles to be manufactured.
Which would be better for the environment and the majority of society?
266K Tesla Model 3 owners who most likely previously drove a 31 MPG vehicle combined reducing carbon emissions by 478,800 tons with perception of welfare for the middle class to wealthy..
or
17 million vehicles whose national average is around 25 mpg adding 4 mpg (16%) by mandating mild hybrids at minimum bumping national average to 29 mpg achieving a combined emissions reduction of 11,730,000 tons of CO2.
11,730,000 ÷ 478,800 = 24.498 times difference
We just bought an Energi. We picked it up for 30k, that's the fully loaded model. We're getting about 23-25 miles EV. Thanks,
Hey I actually got a notification! I have a 2016 fusion and I love it so this is actually really cool.
I hear people say hybrids are old tech and you should just buy an EV to be more environmentally friendly. But here's something to consider. If the idea is to save the planet by using less fuel, then they should stop wasting batteries in EVs and build hybrids instead......until the supply of batteries increases.
For every electric car built, you could use those batteries to build around 30 hybrids which use ~50% less fuel than a non-hybrid.......that would be like taking 15 cars off the road for every EV that's not built.
You are a smart man. God bless
@@kedduff1814 Thanks, I'll take that compliment. It was just an observation that the lack of batteries is holding back the production of the current EVs, and doing little to reduce the amount of fuel burnt. So don't be too quick to rubbish hybrids.
I drive a hybrid and I take road trips pretty often, therefore a hybrid seems to be the best compromise for now. I plan on getting a Tesla in the distant future, but it’ll be several years before I make that purchase.
I just paid off my Nissan Leaf. For me, $7,000 was a great price for a used Leaf. I still have 11 bars of battery capacity, and get 60 to 80 miles per charge. Electric cars are becomming more affordable as the technology evolves! Great video!
$7,000! That's a real bargain on a really good car. Thanks for watching!
I am thinking about buying a used Toyota Prius
@@Woke365 I don't think you can go wrong with a used Toyota Prius. My parents used to be owners of a Prius and they loved it!
Very smart. Used Leaf's are the best deal on the market if your looking for a great efficient commuter car assuming your commute can be accomplished without range anxiety. I've seriously consider a used Leaf but my commute is 104 miles round trip which might work except I have no charge option at work.
@@mmanjin Just proves that Nissan makes crap cars these days with terrible resale value. Stick with Toyota.
2014 Volt: Solid placeholder until a full EV I like comes out.
I have a 2014 Fusion Energi SE and love it. All your points, pros and cons are exactly what I tell my friends. Of course, the new Fords have Apple CarPlay, which I wish I had. Have fun with your Model 3! I wish I could afford one, but I’m likely to keep my Energi for another 10 years or so.
Thanks for watching! Nothing wrong with keeping the Energi. It’s a good, reliable car that gets great gas mileage and will save you a lot of money in the long run.
alin84 you can go into any Ford dealership and buy the the CD pop it in and it will update it for you cost $30dollars
@@ChelleBear7 Apple car play is available only on Sync3, and the 2016 and older Fusion Energi has Sync2
I've been driving GM EREVs since 2013 while my wife has been driving a slightly larger sedan for when the time is needed. Last year we added the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. Unlike your Fusion, there was no increase cost to the hybrid model in the Lincoln lineup. At 40MPG on the highway (44MPG in the city) we're pretty happy with it. Give it a few years and perhaps we'll trade for a used Model 3?
I have been driving a friends 2018 Fusion Energi that is a company car. I commute an hour to another of our facilities and it does great even in the winter on snow and ice it's very solid. I have a friend who also has a 2018 Fusion Energi and we take it long trips to Boston. We have gone down a few times. I am blown away by the mileage. We get over 50 miles per gallon and sometimes over 75mpg. My wife and I have been driving a prius that gets around 50mpg...but the Ford Fusion Energi is much more comfortable and better driving. The car is responsive and VERY comfortable. I like not having to worry about range. I am big 6'4" and 275lbs. The car is VERY comfortable for me. I like it so much I just bought a 2018 Fusion Energi with 20,000 miles on Carvana. I think it is one of the best engineered cars ever created.
I have a Ford fusion hybrid and I love it.
I loved my Ford Fusion Energi.
I'm looking at a 2019 right now for budget. Is there anything you don't like this far into ownership? How is it holding up mechanically? Any insight is appreciated, thank you!
We love our Energi. Dailey trip to work is only 14 miles round trip. No gas used. mpg equivalent 110 mpg when you factor in cost of electricity. Then when we have to go into the city, 120 miles round trip, it gets 45 mpg. Nice looking, economical, fun car. Very satisfied.
Hi, nice video,
I have the 16 Ford Fusion Hybrid, not the plugged in models. It’s been a really fantastic car. I do allot of cross country driving, and didn’t want the headaches of finding a spot to plug in. The car itself has been extremely comfortable and reliable to drive and has saved me thousands of dollars in fuel costs. I have had mine about 2 years, and put over 60K miles on her. She has been fantastic, no issues at all. Yea I also went with Ford for the same reasons you did, I just didn’t like the way the other hybrids looked, and really liked the Aston Martin like look that Ford has done to some of their vehicles. The maintenance I do pay for on her is the routine oil changes, and of course replace basic items due to wear and tear, such as windshield wipers, tires, the cabin filter, those type of things. She is by far the best car, and most comfortable car I have ever owned, and I have driven her from California to New York, and back. And make constant trips from Sacramento down to Los Angeles. A ton of highway miles is on her. No real hard city miles.
Wow! That’s a lot of miles in 2 years. Sounds like it’s the perfect car for you.
How come you saved thousands if you only put 60 miles!!!!
Land Shass
60K is 60,000 miles. Just to clarify. And the hybrid car has saved me from paying more in fuel expenses from its fuel consumption, from using far less fuel. It does get 42 MPG in the city, and 44 MPG on the highway.
Have had this car for a year and I have to say it has been great during this pandemic, no trips to the gas station and driving to the grocery store and back not using gas and just plugging it in when i get home is the best and is great for sneaking up on people.
That sounds so cool how do you plug it in your house? Ima search it up but i would like your experience
@@jads_so_enigmatic7941 just a normal house plug with provided charger
3:40 These are the real numbers many fail to admit to. This changes based on commute and electricity prices.. Now is it worth the increase in price premium ??? "Best electric car review ever" With that said imo hybrids and electric makes better sense if the price were closer in range with gasoline cars, then it would be a no brainer. Some used hybrids are a good buy based on price alone.
Yes! and $38/month savings is just not compelling enough to me.
I enjoy my Kia Optima hybrid. On average in heavy traffic in Chicago I get 35 mpg. And where I live it’s possible to average over 50, without trying much.
Which isn’t to bad considering I’m the first owner and bought it as a demo for 19k and it’s got front and rear heated seats, a/c front seats, heated steering wheel, am fm xm hd navigation radio, hid turn adjusting. headlights and hid fog lights.
Nice features included with your Optima, especially the heated steering wheel for those cold Chicago winters.
I always tell people that you need an electric or hybrid car that matches your lifestyle. For example, I very rarely do more than 20 miles per trip in my day-to-day life but I occasionally do a very long, 150-200 mile long trip to my in-laws. So completely electric vehicules were out of the question. I also didn't mind the small trunk space but I can see how it could handicap some people. Nonetheless, the technology is getting better and less expensive. The future of automobiles is electric and it's coming up very fast.
Definitely. With more EVs showing up with ranges between 250-300 miles, you’d be covered too if you have a good place to charge while at the in-laws.
With gas prices at $6 a gallon those hybrids make huge sense now in June 2022!
While total electric cars might be fine in more southern climates, they absolutely suck in colder ones like Massachusetts. As you said, your 20 mile range got cut in half when the weather got chilly. You have a back up gas engine in the Fusion to get you through those days when the battery goes dead. That will beat a Tesla hands down when going across I-94 in the dead of winter in North Dakota.
Total electric cars are not what they are claiming to be. Period. "They," being the advocates that live in southern California and have never had to scrape the ice off their windows.
It has the gas mileage of a Kei car with the power of a V6 sedan. What's not to love?
You touched on an important part of the decision. If you want to "go green" and not pollute so much, fine, go electric. But if you want to just save money, ya gotta do the math. Typical case: A family of four owns a 15 year old Ford Explorer with 180K miles. The Check Engine light is on, and it looks to be over $1000 to fix all the pollution devices that goes boink when the vehicle hits 150K miles. Otherwise the vehicle is comfy, has been well maintained, handles great in all kinds of weather (AWD is a must), and other than the looming $1000 repair bill, is paid for. It gets 14 miles to the gallon on regular gas. Now do the math. Even the cheapest Korean AWD SUV that can realistically carry two adults and two teenagers is going to be north of $30K. Pure gas gets you maybe 19 mpg. Hybrid gets you up around 38 mpg. Assuming the present 12K miles a year with gas around $2.50, it will take 18 years to break even with the pure gas replacement, and 11 for the hybrid. Not saying don't get a hybrid or even an all-electric. Just don't fool yourself as to the reason you are buying the new car. I get a kick out of the expression on a person's face after they had bragged about "all the money they are saving" and I do the math. That all said, the BIG breakthrough for electric vehicles will be when Boomers like me start being told we can't drive any more, so I go get that Tesla (or whatever brand will have the functions) that can drive me from my home to the grocery store, with a quick stop at Rooney's Pub on the way home, with me reading a Car & Driver the whole way.. Yeah, man. Bring it ON!
You’re absolutely right that you have to crunch the numbers, but it all comes down to what price range of car you’re looking at. You can’t compare a $30k hybrid or EV to someone who actually is going to be looking at a $15k car. Often times the best path is a used hybrid because the gap between full gas and the hybrid is far, far smaller.
I love your theoretical autonomous car scenario! I can really get behind the stop at Rooney’s. 😁
Oops I didn't realize this video was years old! I Just got a Fusion Hybrid. Used the price was the same as a gas car and I only have a small step in the trunk for the battery. I live in a hilly area so going to work I get low 30's mpg but coming home high 40's even 50mpg as it runs mostly electric. I think cars like the Fusion are good for people that aren't considering hybrid or an EV. It's pretty much "normal" looking/driving.
im on my second ford fusion hybrid the first one i had i loved but i gave it to a family member because it was too high miles since i drive my car for my job as a delivery driver i put 30,000 miles a year on a car so i got my second ford fusion hybrid and i love it
I have a 2011 Fusion Hybrid and after 8 years I still get about 35 mpg. 17.5gal gas tank for about 560 mte. Wish I could make it quieter as the road noise is real noticeable. Door seals might need a coat of something. 165k miles so far with only two front wheel bearings replaced. Drive battery charges well and only had the start battery replaced twice.
I recognize that I90 boston landing area at the beginning of the video! Nice to see another Bostonian doing this type of videos! I bought my first ever hybrid vehicle, a 2019 Fusion Titanium hybrid. I absolutely love it and let's be honest there's no other hybrid car that looks this good for the price! Also got 2 Subarus for snow duties.
It’s always funny hearing how many folks are in this neck of the woods. And no kidding on how good the Fusion looks ... no other hybrid comes close to it. It was a very reliable car for me.
I’ve been driving hybrid cars since 2009. I’m never going back. I’ve avoided plugins because of my job. About 30% travel. The maintenance savings is real. I’ve owned a Civic Hybrid (Now my son’s), a Prius (drowned during Hurricane Harvey) and now a C-Max. The Prius got the best mileage but the C-Max is my favorite. We have an RV. I ca pull it 4 wheels down. A bid plus. Averaging 39 mpg. The worst mpg is in the winter. I guess because of the heater. Drops to about 36 during cold spells. I live in Texas so cold is relative. During summer it takes about 5 minutes for the AC to cool if down which is actually pretty good. Electric cars are the future. No doubt. And if you’re like me, the greener the better. When I retire I’ll be looking at the Fusion Energi if it’s still around. I love my RV but I average about 2500 miles a year on it. It’s my real joy in life.
Interesting video.
I recently had an Uber ride in a Tesla. Obviously we talked about the car.
The owner wasn't overly impressed with it. He didn't charge at home, used a supercharger near his home every afternoon.
He said the Tesla cost about the same to run as his previous Camry hybrid. But charging it added 45 minutes to his day.
He actually wanted to go back to a hybrid (he was hoping a Lexus hybrid) but was concerned about the depreciation EVs seem to be suffering.
I have a 2019 Energi. I watched many other reviews and yours before I bought it. Previously had a Leaf. My mission has changed since I retired, the Leaf was my commute car. Now I am doing a lot of long distance trips. 92.8 mpg is satisfactory for me, on a recent trip in the Energi. The Tesla model 3 is too expensive. Even with today’s gasoline prices, and electricity prices, I am still ahead of the game with the Energi. I hope you have success with your Tesla. I believe the insurance is higher, and the build quality could be better.
I’ve got the ‘18 Camry hybrid, as I’m rural it’s the perfect answer. 49.5 mpg, only 1.2k extra for the hybrid, 600 mile per tank and a flat trunk. As almost all of my trips are 50 miles or more this is the perfect solution. Just not quite as pretty as the Ford.
Had a 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium. I was averaging 167 mpg, mostly driving around town. Loved it so much, was planning on keeping it for another 5 to 10 years until I was in an accident that totaled her. So so very sad. I had to find a car to tool around in and decided on a 2017 Volkswagen e-golf. As much as I would like a Tesla, the e-golf is very comfortable and will give me the range I desire for driving around town. Hoping the e-golf will last me at least 10 years.
Nice! Gotta get what works best for you and sounds like you did. Hope it lasts 10+ years too.
*Fun fact: the designers of the Austin Martin are the same one’s that designed the Fusion*
i guess it is kinda randomly asking but does anybody know of a good site to stream new series online?
@Zion Remy try flixzone. You can find it by googling =)
@Rocky Melvin yea, been watching on flixzone for since april myself :D
@Rocky Melvin Thank you, signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there :D I appreciate it !!
@Rocky Melvin thank you, I went there and it seems like a nice service :D I appreciate it!!
I like our Honda Clarity PHEV for these reasons.
- 2 seconds to plug it in to charge
- Max 2 1/2 hours charge time
- 47 mile EV range means 100% electric around town
- gas engine means 5 minute refills on long road trips
- good cargo space
- spacious interior
- very quiet
- adaptive cruise control
Best of both worlds. A full EV would be nice if recharge times were under 15 minutes.
Those are all great reasons ... and a good car. But 97% of people don't need an EV to recharge in under 15 minutes given common driving patterns (daily roundtrip commutes under 50 miles). Longer trips are simple if you're car has access to a fast charging network, like a Tesla on Superchargers. For non-Tesla's that network is still pretty sparse, but it's getting built out. It really comes down to being pragmatic and picking the right car for your specific needs in your location. Like you point out, the Honda is the perfect choice for you, but and EV may be a better choice for someone else.
Changing oil every 3 months? I think somebody at the car service might have bamboozled you because a usual car change is at least every 6 months or normally once a year. I’ve never had problems with my cars like that.
I just bought a 2014 fusion hybrid and it’s a great car. My only concern is having to replace the hybrid battery. It’s got almost 100,000 miles on it so I hope I don’t have to do that anytime soon.
Im getting a 2016 with 106 miles on it and I have the same worry. Did you have to get a new hybrid battery and do you know around how much they go for? 🙏🏽
@@Lifewithjavs I actually didn't get to that point of having to replace it because it was destroyed by hail earlier this year and the insurance totaled it but before it was destroyed it was at 150,000 with no issue whatsoever so you should be good. Refurbished batteries are just under 3 grand but a new one will run you 5 grand. Depending on your financial situation, if it ever goes out, it might be worth it to get a new car at that point.
It’s a great irony that in the USA you get incentives to go electric, yet your petrol prices are so cheap compared to most of the world!
In NZ gas is expensive, hydropower plentiful, yet we get no tax breaks or incentives (as far as I know). There is also little investment in charging infrastructure, so EV take-up has been slow, although e-bikes are booming. It’s a little sad in a country that markets itself as being clean & green.
Slick video Matt, loved the soundtrack too.
Thanks for watching! That is a little crazy that NZ is slow to adopt when gas is so pricey. With the uptick in charging infrastructure from companies like BP (building out in a Europe right now), I hope places like NZ will start to see more investment too. Curious if NZ folks are interested, but government and companies are lagging behind, or if folks just don’t care/know yet.
Undecided with Matt Ferrell There is great interest, Prius hybrids sell well, but cost and range-anxiety are issues. The Hyundai Kona petrol (compact SUV) starts at $32,000, the EV model from $74,000!!!
Wow! That’s pricey. I hope costs come down, but it sounds like an import cost issue.
*I have a prius prime and it's good ill tell you that*
No apple or android integration...
@@WatsitTooyah apple n android have nothing to do with cars
I have a 2013 Cmax hybrid with the same hybrid power plant as the Fusion (smaller battery than the energi) absolutely love it. Planning on a new 2019 RAV4 hybrid when they hit the showroom in the spring. Using the planetary gear set as a variable power split device ( instead of metallic belts and variable sheave pulleys) was brilliant. This was co developed by Ford and Toyota.
I had a 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid for 4 years and it was great. I loved the power of the C-Max compared to the Prius. I believe Ford and Toyota's hybrid systems aren't co-developed but because they're so similar they co-licensed each other's technology to avoid lengthy lawsuits.
The current 2018 RAV4 Hybrid is pretty brilliant so I have high hopes for the 2019 RAV4 Hybrid. Next year Ford should reveal the 2020 Ford Escape and it's getting a Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid version, most likely a PHEV. I'm eagerly waiting to see how the new Escape Hybrid looks and drives. I'm curious if the Escape Hybrid will have an electric motor in the rear like the old Escape Hybrid and Rav4 Hybrid or a mechanical drive shaft like the Lincoln Aviator PHEV.
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2019 To 2018 RAV4 hybrid, more power 219hp, better mileage 39/40. The hybrid up charge for 2019 RAV4 is just $800, that's amazing. It was several thousand in my 2013 Cmax (based on Fusion Gas to Fusion Hybrid differential). Rear electric drive is standard on all 2019 Rav4 hybrids! The Dynamic Force 2.5 has dual injection, direct and port, which should help reduce the intake valve carbon deposits showing up on DI engines. If I sound sold, I am, just waiting until they hit the dealerships. I typically keep a vehicle 15 years if satisfied. Currently upgrading from a 2003 Lexus GS 300 Sport Design only has 134k. My only concern was the nickel metal hydride batts instead of lithium ion like the Cmax. After studying Toyoto's battery philosophy I came to agree, lithium ion for Plug-in and EV, nickel metal hydride for straight hybrids. Nickel metal hydride batts are just bullet proof, take a lot of abuse. You want to take in as much energy from coasting and stopping as you can and immediately put it to use the very next acceleration from a dead stop plus a performance boost when you want it like an electric turbo. The 2019 RAV4 hybrid is getting the P710 eCVT coupled to the 2.5 Atkinsson.
My HF35 transmission in my Cmax failed at 59k. New trans $5900 plus labor to remove entire engine/trans, replace trans reinstall complete engine/trans. 2 weeks at dealership mostly waiting on new tranny, not a stock item! Entirely covered by warranty, got a loaner too. The trans got more and more noisy as it ate itself from the inside, loudest when just beginning to shift from positive torque to coasting. My guess on the failure mode was the intermediate transfer counter shaft did not have correct preload (too much) when the trans housings were assembled resulting in galling the bearing/race probably mostly in the first thermal cycle of the trans. Premature wear occurs from galling resulting in accelerated bearing/race wear to plain sloppy fit to no preload and excessive clearance and end play to destruction! It was not a lubrication issue. The problem occurred 2013- to 2015 I think, Ford shifted trans assembly to another site and the problem went away. It affected all Cmax, all Fusion hybrids, and Lincoln MKZ hybrids. If you have an early model I would be happy to talk to anyone with trans noise, don't wait if you have trans noise. Ford was aware the the problem in 2014, there were TSB's issued with corporate instructions to contact owners, I was never notified by my dealer to bring in for check.
You're so right. I actually had 2 C-Maxes. A 2013 C-Max Hybrid SE from new and never had any problems through 70k then traded in. And a 2013 C-Max Hybrid SEL bought used with 22k miles. The used SEL got it's transmission replaced under warranty right after I bought it at 22k mi. It was making a slight grinding noise and I only knew it was a problem because the SE didn't make the same noises. I saw the previous owner averaging 37-39 mpg and after the new transmission I got 42 mpg.
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I kept thinking it was tire whine, actually bought new tires to confirm it wasn't the tires. I bet your used one was traded in because of the noise. I get 38.5 winter 42 summer. My biggest pain is passenger side temperature blend door motor drive, failed at 38.5K miles, failed again now ! Either plastic teeth on gears or electrical slide contacts for position intelligence. Any experience in this?
Charles, I didn't have any climate control problems, we traded both out last year. When it rained hard, it would trigger the front parking sensors on the SEL, easy to just turn it off on those days. And of course MyFordTouch on both would occasionally crash but it happened less after updates in 2015. I have a Focus ST with Sync3 and the system is much, much better.
I owned a Honda Insight 2010... The hybrid drivetrain was very poor and slow, hated the compromise vs a regular gas Civic after long term driving... I now own an Elantra, gets only 5-8mpg less which is minimal per year cost. I am waiting for more EV options and pricing to go down before going full EV.
I’m excited to see what VW has coming. It’s looking like we’re going to be getting more squarely into the mid-$20k price range over the next couple of years. Prices are slowly working their way down.
@@UndecidedMFI hope you are right, I really want a hot hatch electric for under 30k! People are overpaying for cars right now and getting some ridiculous 72 month loans, so we'll see. Maybe if there is an economic downturn and more competition pricing and selection will improve!
Bought a ford fusion plugin 2017 in 2018 Best car I ever had. I usually have to get gas 1 time every 2 months. Unless I take a trip. I"m not much for snow and ice so we go to AZ in the winter. Keeps our mileage on electricity up. Stores are close that helps a lot. Electric is the
future but not just yet.
We really love our Fusion. Wish they planed a battery upgrade.
I agree, if they had a battery on those that got 50 ev miles that would be epic!
When I sold my 2015 Volt, I was getting 202 mpg and used only 238 gallons of fuel over 5 years...
Maintenance savings actually far outpace fuel cost savings for most hybrids and EVs. I really wish that were a bigger selling point, or more commonly known. People forget to consider average maintenance costs when considering new vehicle purchases - it's really one of the top things to be aware of, more so than fuel efficiency in my opinion, since generally efficiency is directly tied to desired characteristics of the vehicle (size, towing capacity, power, etc). Resale value is another bigger one.
I just purchased a brand new energi for about 19k usd in Canada. With gas at about $4 a gallon usd and electric costs around 7 cents usd per kilowatt this car is a no brainer ..... Add in that is gets a green plate so we can use the hov lanes with a single occupant it's even better.
I bought a used 2016 Ford C-Max Energi for 15K in October 2017 with just under 20K miles. Honestly not sure a more affordable option was available at the time with all the bells and whistles a loaded C-Max has. I replaced a vehicle that was getting 16 miles mpg now for about 8 months of the year I am averaging 85 MPG and the other 4 months 65 MPG (colder months). Electricity is cheaper here than MA 7 cents in the winter season and 15 cents during the summer season. It has Sync 3 and supports Apple Car Play or Android Auto so love the Infotainment system especially considering the cost. The only con is trunk space but it's enough for a grocery run or couple suitcases for a road trip. The main advantage this has over a pure electric car is if I decide today I want to go out of town this weekend via a road trip I can as range isn't an issue where in most EV's it's just not possible to drive 500 miles in one shot like I do when I drive to Colorado for a long weekend away. Until an EV can be charged as fast as a gas tank is filled or the range become something ridiculous like 1K miles EV will never be a true every scenario vehicle.
That’s some incredible mileage you’re getting on the C-Max. Many EVs on the market today would be a struggle for a weekend trip, like the Nissan Leaf, but with ranges getting longer like 300+ miles on the Tesla Model 3 it’s becoming less of an issue. I actually just got back from a 380 mile trip and had zero issues charging on the go via the Tesla Superchargers. We went from 10% charge when we stopped for lunch to about 75% full in 30 minutes. Another 15 minutes would have gotten us to 90%. Even a quick pit stop (aka bathroom break) for 5 -10 minutes added 100 miles to the car. Overall, the trip took no longer than our usual run with a gas car. But as you mentioned ... the key to that success was the fast charging on the Tesla Supercharger network. Without that it wouldn’t be a viable option. Fast charging is a must.
My argument on the acceleration is that the torque is instantaneous at a red light. It can chirp the tires from a stop. You’re right about zero to sixty, but it still has nice low-end pickup. On price, I got a huge discount on my 2017 from the dealer. (>$7,500.) Add in tax rebates, and the price compared to the gas only version was even. And, in California, I now get to drive in the carpool lane. It’s a winner all around.
Make sure your ECO button is turned on. It will help with that hot acceleration off the line.
4:10 the advantage regarding re-gen, also apply to hybrids. The difference tends to be that EVs these days will offer different levels of regen, which doesn’t mean it will save the breaking pads more. My previous hybrid had pads in great condition after 80k miles, when the non hybrid version of the same model (less weight) tend to require replacement no later than 60k miles.
Fair point. The stronger the regen, the less you have to ride the brake. Driving an EV now, I really like a strong regen, which allows for one pedal driving most of the time.
You have to buy an SD card to update the navigation. I have a 2016 Energi and just recently bought an updated SD card. I bought one that was one year old instead of the newest one and paid about $35 iirc. The newest version is around $100. Ford does not update navigation over the air, at least on the 13-16 Fusions.
BTW, the best way to buy the energi is used. I bought a 2016 with 31k on it earlier this year for about the same as an ICE Fusion. It definitely is saving me money on my 50 mile round trip commute. Plugging in and charging for free at work is nice too.
Used hybrids are an amazing bargain. But that’s really disappointing that Ford doesn’t provide the map updates for free. Many cars come with Apple CarPlay or Android Audio, which side steps the need for the car maker to provide navigation at all. And Tesla’s have free navigation included.
@@UndecidedMF the "sync 3" Ford systems have those also, but independent navigation that doesnt need a phone or data signal is separate
My 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid Sync does not work with my iPhone. I am now about to buy a used 2016 Plug-in Ford Fusion Titanium...am on the fence with a 2017 FF Titanium Hybrid...almost same mileage and price....cooling seats on plug-in but NOT on Hybrid. ...I live in perfect road condition climate....so @Undecided with Matt Ferrell I had a great trade-in on my 2013, and am getting a great deal no matter which I choose...but HOV lane driving and electric-plug -in parking...two perks for Energi option not discussed....for me HOV commute where I live saves time daily which is priceless,
I hadn’t considered the HOV perk in some locations. That is pretty nice.
Ford did scam us on this car. The EV system was rated at 88kW, but it has been tested to only put out 62kW. This makes the 0-60 time in EV mode at 16 seconds. Been driving mine for ten years and it has been flawless reliability. Not an Energi or hybrid specific problem, but removing the front bumper to replace a headlamp or turn signal bulb is a super bummer.
I have a '13 C-Max Energi I bought used about 6 months ago for $7500. With a 130 mile daily commute I needed something more fuel efficient than the Edge I was driving, I do have the benefit of free car charging at work so that certainly helps with my commute costs. I haven't been averaging as good a mileage as you have been getting though. In the summer I was averaging 50.1 MPGe. In the winter it is closer to 40. Almost my entire is commute is highway so cruising at 80 MPH isn't the most efficient way to drive. It's very comfortable and even roomy, 4 adults can easily sit comfortably with room to spare.
Performance is about what you'd expect out of a smaller car. It destroys a Prius but the acceleration still leaves you wanting. I sense that some of that is because of the CVT transmission. It is sluggish and slow to respond. I've never been a fan of CVT's for that reason. I've only had it for 6 months so I can't speak much to reliability. I can say I've put 22,000 miles on it without issue. The car has 128,000 miles total and is in absolutely perfect condition. You can definitely tell the batteries are a bit a tired. Even in the summer I was lucky to 18 miles of range. Usually less than that with highway driving.
The only maintenance issue I have had so far is the rear brakes. I replaced them at about 112,000 mile mark because I had a caliper lock up and destroy the rotor. They were factory original brakes however. I have full maintenance history and the brakes have never been replaced before. I've not had the same issue as you with the charging port door. Mine seems to close fine and stay closed.
The only thing I really HATE about the car is the much lamented My Ford Touch infotainment system. It is absolutely rubbish. I have frequent issues with Bluetooth skipping like a scratched record. It is slow to respond and locks up frequently. I have the newer Sync 3 system in my Edge and it is worlds better. Cargo space also kinda sucks. But that's the price you pay for retrofitting an existing car with a huge battery pack.
They are pretty good reliable cars. Good to hear that it’s working out so well for you, and totally agree on the infotainment system.
If I'm not mistaken its actually the fastest ford fusion in terms of acceleration with a 5.3 second 0 to 60 aulthough it's the least powerful because it's a porche 918. The 2.0 has a 7.3 second 0 to 60 with 270 horsepower and the v6 in the sport has a 0 to 60 of 6.8 ish seconds with 330 horsepower.
It's a sedan that can stomp most things on the road
I bought a new Chevy Bolt EV in November of 2018, and drove it through a Wisconsin winter, which is finally over I hope! I love it. Driving an EV is just different. It's the opposite of the hot rod I drove in my younger days, which was noisy and fast. The Bolt is silent and fast enough. It's about 6.5 seconds zero to sixty, plenty snappy for me these days. I can cruise home on the expressway after work at an effortless 80 mph, and barely a sound. At 80 it's exhilarating. At 70 I find it relaxing,. I did rent a Ford Fusion on a recent business trip. The interior is nicer, but the performance can't compare to my Bolt. I debated between a hybrid and a true EV, and decided with the range of the Bolt covering 98% of my driving needs, why should I lug along that internal combustion engine. It would just be dead weight most of the time. I made the right choice.
That’s awesome. You hit the nail on the head with “Driving an EV is just different.” Until you drive one and own one, it’s sometimes hard to wrap your head around what it’s like.
Own the same car you have. In Western Canada, a Hybrid is the answer due to the vast distances and cold winters. At least you have gasoline to fall back on when needed.
There are definitely places where a hybrid makes the most sense. It’s a great car ... really enjoyed it.
I drive a 100 miles a day.. o.o i have to fill my tank up about 3-4 times a week. I think this car would be nice to have
Hello, I drive a CMAX by Ford. It's a hybrid. I really like it. I had planned on getting the upgrade, but they stopped making it.
I hear that it's one of the worst selling cars that Ford ever made.
Thanks for your break down of the Ford Fusion. I really appreciate it.
Thanks for watching.
I had a 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid for 4 years and it was great. Low gas prices and the 47 mpg debacle didn't help it's sales. I got 41 mpg overall. I loved the power of the C-Max compared to the Prius. Sharing parts with the Focus & Escape and the design by Ford Europe should've kept costs down.
Next year Ford should reveal the 2020 Ford Escape it's getting a Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid version, most likely a PHEV. I'm eagerly waiting to see how the new Escape Hybrid looks and drives.
I think sticking with hybrids that were designed as hybrids is the way to go, I drive a 2012 Prius C for work and as a personal vehicle. It’s reliable, simple, but still enjoyable to drive and comfortable. The full size Prius, especially the latest generation is more comfortable than most full size cars I’ve been in besides luxury vehicles, and has similar power to a “normal” car. My Prius C has 145,000 miles on it, the way I drive I usually average a bit less than the EPA estimate, but even on a “bad day” I can usually manage 40+, during good weather, easily 50+.
Hybrids that were designed to be hybrids, or EVs that were designed to be EVs, is definitely the way to go. The Fusion was a nice car and got good mileage, but it is a retrofitted gas car ... so it has a harder time matching the efficiency of something like a Prius.
I have a 2015 prius c gets 58mpg combined 62in the city and 48on the interstate as tested over 11months
In my experience, HELL YES! Especially if they’re PHEV or fully electric!
We have a 2016 Fusion Energi and a 2014 Leaf. Both are great cars.. Enjoy your model 3, i'm jealous!
Thanks! I’ve been delayed twice on my Model 3 delivery, but supposedly tomorrow is the day. How do you like the Leaf?
We love it, my wife drives it mostly and it works well for her commute (45 miles round trip).The Leaf is very much an economy car though, it has more road noise than the fusion does. I work from home, so the Energi only gets used to run up to the grocery store, grab lunch, etc, or when we take road trips. I would love to have a model 3 or a used S even, but as little as I drive, its just not worth the car payment at this time, but it is constantly tempting me!!
The Leaf and Bolt have always struck me as great bang for the buck (I’ve never driven them but have really wanted to try them out). Nothing wrong with economy if it ticks all the boxes for you.
I just picked up my Model 3 today! So my 894 day wait is over (not that I was counting). Videos to come on that little guy.
@@UndecidedMF congratulations! I subscribed. Looking forward to your thoughts on the m3!
Someday all electrics will be the standard. For today I love my 2016 C-Max Energi. It sits up like a small SUV, good power, and I use little to no gas during the week due to the plugin feature, and I can go over 500 miles between gas fills when I skip town. I recommend buying any hybrid 2-3 years old as they coming off lease. I paid half of the new price even though it looks and drives like new. I am not a Ford guy but I love this car.
I drive a 2008 ford escape hybrid. This is the vehicle that ford produced as a green taxi. It typically runs between 27 &28 mpg which is pretty dam good for an suv. Just to give you an idea about how it compares to the regular gas-only model, My last escape was an 03 gas-only and on a good day, made 19 mpg.
I almost bought the Hybrid version of the Fusion three years ago.
The upfront cost of an additional $8,000 just could not justify purchasing that version over the gasoline one, on top of expected expenses for repairs and maintenance. At a minimum, the daily mileage was 40 round trip, but being New England, the terrain it's exactly flat around here, so the extra power is needed in the winter months. So, I purchased the all-wheel drive version.
Glad I did, these last couple of winters have been ones to remember.
When I bought mine the price gap was smaller than the $8k you were seeing. If I remember correctly, there were some special sales going on at the time. While it would absolutely not make up for the $8k price difference you were seeing, the maintenance costs on the Energi were pretty much non existent in the time I had it. The brakes were wearing better than any car I had before because of the regen braking and I didn’t have to change the oil as frequently. There’s generally less maintenance on a hybrid vs. a traditional ICE car. If you can find an Energi model closer in price (used is usually the way to go for that), it’s definitely worth it.
@@UndecidedMF Nice.
I must have bought mine right before the specials.
You are right about the oil changes. It's up to 5k miles per.
Still, Wmass is rough on the body.
No kidding. New England isn’t easy on our cars. Between the winters and all of the potholes ... good luck.
One thing not mentioned in the video is emissions. Hybrid cars do have less emissions than non-hybrid and are a small step forward in saving the planet. The benefit far outweighs any economic concerns considering that time is fast running out to reverse the effects of climate change. So I can recommend everyone have at least a hybrid car over any non-hybrid. The extra price is well invested in protecting the environment however small the actual contribution. It takes millions of rain drops to create an ocean.
Well put. Any step in that direction is a good step.
If you want to save the planet, you'll be pushing for alternative, non-hydrocarbon ways to produce electricity, and in the automotive realm, BEVs. NOT hybrids.
Engineers are rapidly figuring out batteries and charging systems, and the next step is the clean generation of electricity, and that means a minimal reliance on fossil fuels is the ultimate goal.
The good news is, electrics are now here to stay. They are not just green, they are the better vehicle. Quiet, efficient, and will soon be cheaper, with less headaches. That's what will lead them to success ......
I am driving 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid which I bought it brand new and until this day I still get 5 litter every 100 kilometre and I leave in Vancouver British Columbia so I think I can not ask for better car.
It really is a great car (same for the Ford Fusion C-Max).
I have an Ford Fusion Energi as well. Matt if you want an update your navigation maps, buy the updated SD card with the newer maps. I do that every year. My fusion came with 2015 SD card map (SD card goes inside your middle console) Now I am running the 2018 map. It is not as expensive as it used to. If you don’t mind using eBay, you can get one for 50 USD.
That’s not too bad. I do wish that Ford would include those updates for free with the car, which is something you get included with cars like Tesla.
N. Wyoming we see about 16 miles on electric. In Houston we see about 30 (very flat).
We see about 2 tanks of gas each year. The other 8k to 10k miles a year is all electric for us.
That’s pretty awesome!
Living in houston myself thats good to know
Hello my fellow Brother in Massachusetts, I live in on the outer fringes of what is the Boston Area. I subscribed to you because I love to support people who are more local and closer to where I live. It's nice to see you out here! I am looking to buy a Toyota Prius C. I rent and I don't own property yet, I think a Prius C won't necessarily kill my budget and the build quality may be a lot better than my 2005 Mercury Sable. I like the idea that the engine will not be running all the time and that the regenerative braking will do a lot of work to slow the car down. The repair bills for my current car have been ridiculous over the past few years and the number of times it has been in the shop have been more than I could count. Hybrid cars are "high tech" vehicles, they are anything but simple but, I figure if I buy one that is made by a proven brand with a good track record, I might make out all right. I have never seen a Prius rust out like my current car unless it was in an accident. Yes, a Prius battery might need to be replaced but, I think it may hold up a lot better in the long run than most conventional cars therefore making it a worthwhile endeavor. Efficiency and a car that does the job without me worrying about it, is what I'm aiming to purchase. I hear you about the electric cars but, I don't see it to be practical until I own a house and yes, there is that 436 mile trip up to my home town on the Canadian border that kind of puts me back into the hybrid stuff. I liked this video, I look forward to seeing your future videos. Take care of yourself my friend. ( .^_^. )
Ha! Nice to see another fellow New Englander here. Thanks for subbing and watching. I totally hear you on why you’re thinking of going hybrid over BEV for now. Folks that don’t have a set place to charge at home or work might have a tougher time figuring out a charging routine that works for them. That will get better in time, but you gotta do what best for you right now. The Prius has an awesome track record, so I think you’d be making a good choice there ... and saving a good deal of money on gas.
Great breakdown of the numbers and comparison vehicles.
Thanks!
Love my Nissan Altima hybrid, but absolutely love my Ford Fusion energi 10 times over!! Deep discounts given since Ford is discontinuing this model. Poor decision discontinuing this model in my experience with the car. I get 40 miles on a charge, and I live in Florida. Love this car. Wish they marketed this car a little better. Getting a roof rack with storage for long trips.
Ty fort he great review... I just bought a used Ford C max energi 2016. Why you may ask. I considering a full electric vehicle on a long trip from Canada to the USA and Mexico is not possible. going to mexico with an electric car. LOL// it's not going to happen. Hybrid at the moment is perhaps the cheapest way to travel without worries.
In the 2013-2017 version I could get ~35mi in nice weather, ~18mi in winter with defrost, lights, wipers on. They kept the full 14gal gas tank so with a full battery and tank you can go 620 mi without stopping. I switched from the 2016 which I leased to a 2018 Honda Clarity with 48mi rated range (I got 60mi in good weather) which unfortunately was just totaled by some idiot while it was parked, so I'm going back to a 2019 Fusion Energy. I'm glad to be going back to a superior seat and much better cabin comfort. I had the 2016 for three years and honestly only once was the trunk space a problem. You can fit 4 golf bags in this trunk, it's not THAT small. Honestly the trunks in most mid-sized ICE sedans ate a bit ridiculous. Advantages of the PHEV are that it is still much easier to road trip long distances. In a Bolt or a Leaf you're stopping every ~180 miles for half an hour. PHEVs also use much less lithium to produce. We don't have enough lithium for us all to switch to BEVs, but PHEVs would make much better transitional vehicles while we switch to walking, biking, public transit, which is the only way we're really going to make a dent in CO2 levels.
I drive the Ford C-Max SE hybrid . I love the car , and it def has more then enough get up and go when i need the power. and it drives great , and a nice sounding factory stereo system is has in it too .
The Ford C-Max is a great car. When I was I bought the Ford Fusion it was a flip of the coin between the Fusion and the C-Max.
Mine is great and you don't loose trunk space.
besides the cost, the only reason why i wouldn't get an electric car right now is because I'm afraid I'll forget to charge it or something and so the next time i drive it and it only has a few charge left, that I'll get stranded somewhere
and there's not THAT much charging stations. Only some malls and some workplace but not most.
My Ford Fusion SE Hybrid gets 44 Highway, 53 City, and 65 on "slow long trips" at 40mph.
You are going to have no trouble accelerating up the motorway on-ramp in the Model 3, I look forward to your impressions.
Bought a used 2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid with 16K. Nice ride with excellent gas mileage. Low maintenance costs. No regrets.
I’m thinking of getting a used 2018 ford fusion hybrid. Will my maintenance and repair costs be a lot?
@@kofiafram5282 I've owned my 2019 for just shy of 2 years. I have not had any maintenance costs except for the normal stuff (filters, oil chgs, etc). However, the battery (12V) that's in the trunk (not the hybrid battery) only lasts for about 3 years (max). I just had mine replaced (under warranty). From what I've read online plan on replacing that battery every 3 years. I bought this car used with 16K (it was a certified vehicle). No issues and I've been happy with the car.
I have a Kia Niro Hybrid, for a year. So glad I went Hybrid, here in TX they are behind as far as EV. I'm looking at a 2010
Fusion hybrid with 139000 miles, they're asking 5800. What do think about it as a 2nd car?
Battery degradation in hybrid car is 5-10 times higher because you fully discharge and again fully charge battery every day.
That small battery is much more loaded in every way. 1.Discharge speed is very high 2. heating is faster 3. regenerative braking is less intense. You have limited charging speed. You cant charge this battery with speeds 500miles/h like on model 3 instead it is 50miles/h.
Because all this battery life cycle is much shorter than in full EV.
I didn’t mention that in my video (I should have). You can see in my usage data a pretty steep decline year over year in the battery efficiency (probably a 5-10% drop each year).
We rarely fully discharge our Clarity. Also Honda protects against fully charging and discharging because only the middle 14kw are used of a 17kw battery.
Great video Matt. Really informative and looking forward to seeing your Tesla updates soon
Thank You for outstanding honest and objective analysis. I drove a Ford Fusion Hybrid rental for 2 weeks. The good is the 44mpg and it's roomy and comfortable. The bad is the car is boring and lacks performance/handling/styling and they shoved the battery in the trunk which is silly. Although I loved the 44mpg I would hate the car over time. I would rent one again to save gas for a road trip but have zero desire to own one. I enjoy driving and will happily eat the $500 annual fuel savings to drive a much better performing gas vehicle e.g. Mazda CX5 turbo is on my radar. I like to go on camping trips to isolated places and will go electric only when charge stations are as available as gas stations, but I do believe electric is the future especially when recharging infrastructure becomes sufficient. I also agree most EVs look terrible, but Tesla is very nice. Rivian is also real nice, but I don't think they've hit the market yet and they're also pricy like model S.
I know you can owes upgrade the styling with the grill swap and a better more modern color
Charging any car in real time is not available in reality. So Ford Fusion energi is the best option.
I have a Porsche Panamera with a plug in hybrid. The car is FAST and when both the electric and gas engine are engaged they are appx 500 HP. Range is 31 miles which is enhanced by engine charging. I fully realize everyone cannot or dows not want to afford a Porsche but they have proven that the technology does exist to make tho cars efficient.
My wife has a Tesla model X and taking a long trip in that car is punitive! Stopping every few hundred miles to charge adds time to the travel which depending on the trip distance may add as much as a day of road time.
I can see why full electric cars are taking over but my preference will always be the plug in hybd. With fully electric there is always "range anxiety" which can even be a problem with local travel.
Should compare current model with incentives vs current electric cars. Current fusion has cast play and apple compatability. Makes infotainment system slowness an afterthought
Plug in electric cars are only viable if you have a garage/driveway to plug it in on. If you live in a block of flats or you park your car on the street, until the charging points become more common and the charging time comes down, hybrids are your only option if you want some kind of electric vehicle.
Yeah, that’s a downside to plug-in hybrids or full EVs.... if you have to street park, you’ll need to figure out alternative charging options. A lot of areas are getting EV chargers in locations like malls, grocery stores, or office parking lots. So it’s possible to charge while at work or shopping, but you tend to see those in more urban areas right now.
@@UndecidedMF yeah I have a lexus rx400h. Considering it's quite a large SUV, I'm filling it up about half as much as my previous car. Which was a vauxhall cavalier 2.0 litre.
I'm glad I got the regular non plug in hybrid. I complained about the battery taking up too much trunk space, but I was shocked when I seen this. That would be a deal breaker for me. I average close to 60mpg, one time I got as high as 84mpg. Given the higher cost of the plug in, I don't really see much of a benefit.
I just bought a 2019 energi, absolutely love it. Plug it in at home and get those free miles. I don't have to plug it in but at night why not, just like my cell phone. But I agree on the trunk space, super small. That's the biggest downside.
I'm leaning towards the Volt with a V. better range and a usable trunk hatch is a no brainer but good that you like your fusion. Good luck with the Tesla.
Nice review,and i like the music a lot
I bought used 800 dollars fixed rebooting battery fixed steering problem cost one front battery 10 software computer connection 20. I carry a full drum set 45 average miles
2015 Cmax Energi ❤. Best car I've ever owned. Three years 0 problems.
My brother in law had the Cmax Energi and really liked it too. They’re great cars.
It's a older video, but great information. I currently have a electric focus, and I absolutely love the car. But however I'm in the market for something I can do 500miles every other weekend or so. The fusion may be a little older, but I do like idea of a plug in hybrid. If I can find one of these I'd love to give it a go
Great video, very informative. By the way, 0 to 60 in 8 seconds was considered high performance in 1990. That was what the Mustang GT with automatic did.
Thanks for watching! And man ... how times have changed.
I have a 2016 Fusion Energi and I am saving 100.00 a month on gas. I bought is used for 16500 and I also get free charging at work and sometimes charge at home to get really good miliage. I wish the that the batter size would some how give us 200 miles pre charge though. :-)
In my country the issue is that Ford Fusion is very common among Uber drivers so people might assume your Uber if you drive a fusion.
Ha! That’s kind of funny. What country is that?
You have quite a style imagination if you look at a Fusion and see an Aston DB9. Hey look at my wife's Focus and see a Mercedes AMG. But I digress. Beauty-eye-beholder...
As a mere appliance as i see cars now that my youth is passed, I looked at several cars back in 15 when i needed to replace an aging 1994 325. I looked at EVs and the Prius. EVs weren't there yet and still quirky even if the price was right. Hybrids were twice the price of ICE equivalent cars. I drive into the city (70 miles away) once a week, work at home and do a couple small village errands. I take about four 1000 mile trips a year. So about 12,000 mi
I did the math and found a Ford dealer lease return Fiesta S, 2013 with stick (no dreaded DCT). I bought it for $8000 cash plus tax and fee one cold winter day when they weren't selling ANY cars. 2 year DT warranty and one year anything warranty. Also Ford is the only real dealer in my county.
Now cost to run: repairs so far = zero for three years.
42MPG (Prius was only a little better than that highway) at $2/USGal so 4.5c a mile or $550/year or two tanks a month.
The car sits four out of seven days. Gasoline needs no attention at rest, so i don't have to go charge it when it's just in the barn.
I really though an EV or hybrid would work however the money math just doesn't even come close for me. That's me, not you. Even an EV would cost me at least $250 a year charging it at home, so I'd only save $300 a year on fuel. If gas doubled it would only be $600.
That makes it hard to justify the cash outlay, or worse financing too, for a $50,000 car to move my mostly solitary ass, when an $8000 car does it just as comfortably, quickly, safely.
Being fabulous is expensive, but to each his own.
Peace out.